In recent weeks there has been an invasion of pink starlings from South-eastern Europe. The Rose-coloured Starling, or Rosy Pastor, has arrived into Britain in unusually high numbers and one or two have made it into my home county of Derbyshire.
The Rosy Pastor, is very attractive, especially as all the birds that have arrived so far are non-breeding adults. So they are very obvious in their pink and purplish-black plumage and “Punk Rock” hairstyles.
When one was discovered frequenting gardens in the small village of Lees, in Derbyshire, it was too tempting not to go looking for it. I eventually got good views on 13th June, when one of the residents kindly invited me into her garden and I managed to obtain some decent photographs.
A massive thank you to her and also to the residents of Lees, for their kind hospitality, during the difficult times we all find ourselves in through COVID19 pandemic. A pretty smart bird.
There have been less than a dozen records, and less than half a dozen modern day records in Derbyshire.
