Iora Found in North Wales?

I found this interesting article in the Oriental Bird Club Magazine this morning - thought it may be of some interest…

A nomadic passerine, originally considered to be a race of Marshall’s Iora, has been discovered by a British Ornithologist breeding in Great Britain. The bird was found by Roger Rogers of the British Trust for Ornithology whilst conducting a routine piece of survey work in a remote wooded area of North Wales.

The bird is now considered by most ornithologists as a separate species and has subsequently been named after the Austrian naturalist who first identified the bird in 1917 - Hans Llopf. It is now known by its latin name Aegithinia llopfia, but more commonly referred to Llopf’s Iora.

It is not understood how the bird arrived in the United Kingdom, but this Indian endemic has been found stowing away on aircraft and with the increasing number of flights between the subcontinent and Europe, an invasion of the Western Paleartic has been widely predicted for a number years .

Said Rahul Dravid of the Bombay Natural History Society: “In recent years small populations have established themselves in Dubai and New Jersey – almost certainly birds that have hitched a lift via aircraft. Indeed, Llopf’s Iora breeds near Mumbai airport at the MG National Park. There seems to be a correlation between where the colonies are found and the destinations that Kingfisher Airways flies too. We can’t be sure, but the company’s aircraft hanger does lie on the perimeter of the airstrip – right next to the forest. You only have to put two and two together and Kingfisher has recently started flights to Birmingham too.”

The location is currently being kept secret, but there are fears that if the Iora has a chance to establish itself, it will dominate other species and force out already threatened birds such as Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

Jenny Dogood from the UK’s RSPB was quoted as saying: “There are fears that Llopf’s Iora could be the avian equivalent of the Grey Squirrel. Not only does the Iora overwhelm our native birds, but in India it is also known to predate the Pygmy Woodpecker and there are worries that if it does establish itself, then the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker could disappear for good –down the throat of the Iora.”

Local birders are both frustrated and excited. One of their ranks, a chap called Kenny Kite mused: “I can understand the secrecy and I do have fears for our native wildlife. On the other hand, Llopf’s Iora would be a LIFER for me and I am quite keen to see it, before the Environment Agency sends their men in with guns.”

Until later.