Brünnich's Guillemot, Anstruther 27th September 2016

A Brünnich's Guillemot was found in Anstruther harbour by visiting birders Alan Lauder & Ken Shaw on their way to the Isle of May last Sunday 25th September 2006.

I made the long drive north yesterday morning after hearing the bird was still present, arriving on site late afternoon. Having parked at the eastern end of the harbour I checked the outer harbour with no joy & couldn't even see any other birders. As I made my way around to the inner harbour my attention was drawn towards a bird on the water close to some moored boats & upon lifting my bins proved to be the Brünnich's Guillemot. I continued around the harbour & onto the pier & obtained excellent views as the bird seemed to be gaining shelter from the wind between the moored boats whilst it preened.

Although I hadn't seen any other birders, very quickly the ranks swelled to about half a dozen. The Brünnich's Guillemot drifted out of view, but was relocated after a long wait very close into the pier a bit further along.

A very big thank you to the guy who saved my 'scope when it blew over in a gust of wind just as the bird surfaced underneath one of the double-hulled boats. Brilliant catch sir!

Lesser Grey Shrike, Plymouth 21st September 2016

An adult Lesser Grey Shrike was found at Plymouth by local birder Duncan Leitch on Monday 19th September. I set off for Plymouth early on Wednesday morning, arriving on site early afternoon.

Vagrant Shrikes often stick around for a while & this bird was no exception. Located along the coastal path between Mount Batten & Jennycliff, only half a dozen birders were on site when I arrived. The Lesser Grey Shrike was on view immediately & for the whole time I was there. It perched repeatedly on the same bush, sallying forth to hunt insects every so often, but always returning to the same spot.

Views were excellent, only spoiled by the slightly poor light conditions with the sun not right behind the bird, but just off to the left. A minor quibble. A lot of the habitat is not viewable from the path, so it was fortunate to be able to obtain such good, close views from along a small path/tunnel through the brambles. Unfortunately, only a few birders could fit in at one time, maybe four, but viewing from the main path through the brambles & birders was possible. The bird was viewable from further down the path looking back, but into the sun & further away.

Being a popular footpath, many people passed by & were interested to find out what all the fuss was about. After managing to see the bird they were intrigued with photos & a little background information.

Western Swamphen, Alkborough 4th September 2016

Last Tuesday, 30th August 2016, a Western Purple Swamphen appeared at Alkborough Flats NR in Lincolnshire. It turns out this is the same bird which graced Minsmere RSPB in Suffolk for a few days a couple of weeks back. I was unable to get time off work to go for that bird & then it did a Friday bunk anyway, so fortunate to have a second chance & a lot nearer home. If accepted as a wild bird, the Minsmere record would be a first for the UK.

Having decided against going yesterday because of what looked like a shedload of rain expected, I set off early this morning & arrived at the Whitton Road car park about 9.30am. As I walked along the path towards the reserve there were a few birders not far ahead of me who had all stopped to look over the reserve & could see the Western Swamphen as it moved to and fro along the edge of the very distant reedbed to the right of the main lagoon in front of a smaller square lagoon behind.

On the left you can see the hide & a small crowd of birders behind on the track. I made my over to their location & joined about 20/30 birders (numbers fluctuated constantly). The Western Swamphen appeared sporadically as it wandered about on the far edge of the lagoon, giving very good, repeated views if rather distant.

Just as I was leaving the site a small film crew arrived & asked everyone if they minded being filmed, which they didn't, but quite a few hastily departed. I spoke with one of the crew & he told me they were from "The One Show" with Mike Dilger & that the film would be broadcast sometime in the next two weeks.

Video by Pete Hines of the bird at Minsmere