This is the overview of rare birds in the Western Palearctic in November, the second DB WP Rarities Recap over November 2025. The team hopes you enjoy it!

Summary

The influx of the Black-faced Bunting continued into November. In total we counted 19 birds in Europe up to and including November: Great Britain seven, the Netherlands five, France three, Norway two, and Belgium and Sweden each one bird. November often brings mega rarities to Europe, but this year it felt more like leftovers month. In the Middle East, however, things really took off - especially in Oman, where it seems to get busier every year with both birders and vagrants.

Overview

Azores

November can be productive on the Azores, as evidenced by the sixth Lincoln’s Sparrow for the WP, discovered on Corvo on 17 November. The Ruby-crowned Kinglet was still present on Corvo in early November, along with a Northern Harrier, Northern Parula, Rough-legged Hawk, Wilson’s Snipe, two American Black Ducks, and a Great Blue Heron. Another Great Blue Heron was seen on Faial, as well as an American Great Egret. Two Black-capped Petrels were nicely observed off São Miguel on 5 November. On 24 November, a Yellow-crowned Night Heron was found on the island. An American Bittern turned up on Pico, and a Snowy Egret remained on Terceira. Two Northern Harriers were recorded on Flores.

British Isles

In Scotland, a Barn Swallow of the American subspecies erythrogaster was observed - the first record for the British Isles, with previous WP records only from the Azores and Iceland. The influx of Black-faced Buntings continued with the sixth and seventh records of the autumn during the first week. A Black-browed Albatross flew past Norfolk on the first day of the month and past Cornwall at the end of the month. In Wales and Ireland a Killdeer was seen, a rarity for our western neighbours as well.

A White-throated Sparrow departed New York on 31 October aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2 and arrived in Southampton on 7 November. The bird stayed on board and was seen in Dutch and Danish waters the following day, and recorded in Norwegian waters on 9 November. Unsurprisingly, the Boat-tailed Grackle, present near Southampton from 2 November, was considered ship-assisted. Despite this, it was popular and well-visited by birders. Ireland’s first Soft-plumaged Petrel, and the sixth for the WP, flew past the Irish coast on 3 November. An extremely late Eleonora’s Falcon was noted on 12 November along the west coast of Scotland. Long-staying Irish birds included three Northern Harriers, a White-winged Scoter, and a Harlequin Duck. A Double-crested Cormorant reappeared from 22 November after incorrect rumours that it had been shot.

Northern Europe

The Brown-headed Cowbird lingered well into November in Reykjavík. The bird was easy to combine with the local White-winged Scoter and Baltimore Oriole. Black-faced Buntings were also seen in Norway and Sweden. Finland recorded its second Black-throated Accentor of the autumn in Hanko. The well-known Stejneger’s Scoter has returned to Hove, Denmark.

The Netherlands

Caviar each and every day will get boring after some time, that is the opinion of the DB WP Recap team. To be honest, the members of the team rarely have caviar on their menu! In the Netherlands, however, you could visit a Spectacled Eider just about every day, on the Ise of Texel. This comes very close to having caviar daily. Since its return the bird can often be seen from very close by.

Spectacled Eider Somateria fischeri, Texel, 9 November (Anco Euser)

After four old ringed birds and one netted this year, it was due time for the first field observation of Black-faced Bunting in the Netherlands. The very bird flew along during a migration count. After this record, another three were caught in the Netherlands in the first half of November, doubling the number of records for the country in a few days. It became clear that an influx of the species was happening in Europe.

Black-faced Bunting Emberiza spodocephala, Westenschouwen, 5 November (Maarten Sluijter)

Only the - most likely - fourth Amur Stonechat for the Netherlands, was seen on the Wadden Isle of Terschelling. DNA is secured for its final identification.

Amur Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri, Liesingerplak, Terschelling, 5 November (Arie Ouwerkerk)

The third Western Swamphen for the Netherlands was still present at Zevenhuizen (ZH) for the whole month. The beautiful species gave great opportunities for photographs.

Western Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio, Zevenhuizen, 29 November (Jibbe Boschma)

People enjoying a pelagic trip, some 15 miles out to sea on 8 November, were totally surprised by the arrival of a Dusky Warbler which could not find any fitting leaf on the boat.

Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus, North Sea, 8 November (Koen Stork)

Central Europe

The Black-faced Bunting influx was also felt among our southern neighbours, with one more record in Belgium and one in France during November. Near Bordeaux, a Northern Harrier remained until the end of the month. An Iberian Grey Shrike near Nantes provides hope for a future record in the Low Countries.

Eastern Europe

Estonia’s second Black-throated Accentor was discovered near Sõrve.

Southern Europe

Spain’s third Myrtle Warbler was seen near Vigo. The Cape Gull was still present in the harbour of Laredo.

North Africa

The Western Willet was still present on the southern beach of Boa Vista, Cape Verde, where two Magnificent Frigatebirds were also seen on 8 November. Cape Verde’s fourth Black-headed Heron was found on São Vicente. The first American Pipit for the Canary Islands was discovered on La Palma. On Fuerteventura, an Abyssinian Roller and an Eastern Yellow Wagtail were recorded. A Black-capped Petrel was seen from Tenerife on 13 November. Finally, a Semipalmated Plover was found on Lanzarote. A GPS tagged White-backed Vulture flew from Spain to Morocco on 8 November.

Middle East

It was another exceptional November in Oman, especially for Asian vagrants. Several Eversmann’s Redstarts were seen in the north, while a Streak-throated Swallow stayed in Muscat.

Streah-throated Swallow Petrochelidon fluvicola, Muscat, Oman, 11 November (Eduard Sangster)

In central Oman, the first first Brown-throated Martin for the country was present at Muqshin and Muntasar. The third Sykes’s Nightjar also remained at Muqshin.

Sykes's Nightjar Caprimulgus mahrattensis, Muqshin, Oman, 24 November (Kris de Rouck)

Near Qatbit, a Forest Wagtail was discovered. A bit farther north, the sixth Red Turtle Dove for Oman stayed near Al Ghaftain.

Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica, Al Ghaftain, Oman, 24 November (Eduard Sangster)

The tenth Pied Bush Chat for the country was seen along the coast at Khawr Durf. On Masirah—the Texel of Oman—a Paddyfield Pipit was seen on 26 November, a new species for Oman and the sixth record for the wider WP. In southern Oman, the third Black Heron and a juvenile Watercock stayed near Mughsail.

Water Cock Gallicrex cinerea, Mughsail, Oman, 24 November (Eduard Sangster)

Near Salalah, the fourth Fulvous Whistling Duck for Oman was present, as well as a Long-toed Stint near Taqah. A Common Hawk-Cuckoo was challenging to find in Ain Hamran. In Mirbat Park, a striking Bay-backed Shrike stayed for a prolonged period, and a Forest Wagtail for only a few days. At sea off Mirbat, a Swinhoe’s Storm Petrel was regularly observed. This year saw an unusual number of White-breasted Waterhens and Eastern Imperial Eagles in Oman. At Ra’s Dibba Fish Farms in the UAE, both the Red-footed Booby and Lesser Noddy were still present on 1 November. An Eversmann’s Redstart stayed in Kuwait. In Qatar, the fourth Long-tailed Shrike was seen on 7 November. In Israel, a Mountain Chiffchaff was ringed on 10 November. The seventh White-eyed Buzzard for Iran was recorded near Tiss on 26 November. No fewer than four Himalayan Vultures were observed near Hendijan, Iran, on 9 November.

The Crystal Ball

Rock Bunting will be the most likely rarity for Western Europe, this winter. Numbers in northern France underwent a dramatical increase in recent years. And of course, Black-faced Bunting just has to turn up wintering in Europe, hopefully in Western Europe. In most locations, chances of finding a real Western Palearctic rarity are essentially zero, but remember, most birds are just interesting to watch. So, enjoy Hawfinch and River Kingfisher and Firecrest as if it were real rarities, just because these are among the most beautiful species you may ever see ...!

We would like to thank all observers and photographers for their contributions to this report.

Eduard Sangster & Wim Wiegant