Paddyfield Warbler, Blakeney Point 13th June 2015

With news of a singing Blyth's Reed Warbler in Essex at Holland Haven the previous day, I set off early Saturday morning & arrived on site, near Clacton-on-Sea, mid-morning.

Unfortunately, there was no sign of the bird, but a Paddyfield Warbler on Blakeney Point, Norfolk which had been present since the previous Thursday was still present, so I made my way from Clacton-on-Sea to Cley-next-the-Sea arriving at Cley beach car park late afternoon.

The tortuous three mile walk along the shingle bank as far as Long Hills was grueling. I could see one remaining birder on site as I approached. He was viewing the Paddyfield Warbler as it made its way along the edge of the suaeda next to the shingle bank. It was difficult to see, but provided different aspects before briefly being in the open & displaying its gorgeous rich, rufous colours. It popped out of cover again briefly before flying over to the deeper suaeda. A bit of waiting and a few brief glimpses in flight, it then reappeared on the edge of the beach before again working its way over to the suaeda within the rope boundary protecting breeding birds. So, having had satisfactory if brief views I headed back along the beach. Fortunately, the tide had receded exposing the lower beach which was much easier to walk along.

Upon arrival in Norwich at my friend Peter's house news of a Blyth's Reed Warbler at Halfway House on Blakeney Point emerged.

Hudsonian Whimbrel, Church Norton 10th June 2015

The ninth occurrence of Hudsonian Whimbrel in the UK was discovered by local birder George Kinnard at Church Norton, located at the south-east corner of Pagham Harbour LNR in West Sussex, on Tuesday 9th June 2015. Details of the find can be viewed at Rob's Birding Blog. This transatlantic vagrant has only recently been split from Whimbrel & is the first twitchable bird since the split.

Departing from home early the following morning, I arrived on site mid-morning. Walking along the path from the car park to the harbour, a group of birders were to the right viewing the Hudsonian Whimbrel. However, before I could set up my 'scope it flew, only a short distance though, relocating to the mud bank beyond the hide. It remained on show for the whole time I was there, giving pretty good extended views, if a little distant.

This particular individual was quite distinct from the accompanying Whimbrel, with a striking head pattern, longer bill & generally more sandy/buff, the breast suffused buff rather than white. Apart from the initial flight views, the rump was only viewed when the bird flicked its wings a couple of times, displaying sandy/buff tail & rump.

Red-necked Phalarope, Burton Mere 3rd June 2015

The appearance yesterday of a summer plumage female Red-necked Phalarope at Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB reserve had me arriving on site mid-morning today.

The Red-necked Phalarope was immediately on view upon entering the reserve. It was viewable for the whole time I was there on the Main Scrape in front of the Reception Hide. She was chased regularly by Avocets & took flight several times, but never going far. There's a small influx at present with 7 birds being seen in the UK yesterday. Quite a rare bird in Cheshire & Wirral, but there's now been a few records in the last couple of years.

The first bird I ever twitched was a Red-necked Phalarope on the River Birket behind Leasowe Lighthouse in September 1971.

Black-winged Pratincole, Bothal Pond 30th May 2015

News of a Black-winged Pratincole at Bothal Pond in Northumberland, found by local birder Dave Dack on Friday afternoon, had me setting off early-doors for the north-east on Saturday morning. I arrived on site mid-morning.

The tell-tale line of parked cars & line of tripods & 'scopes a moment later as I rounded the bend, indicated I was in the right place. The Black-winged Pratincole was immediately viewable & for the whole time I was there. However, it was rather distant on the far side of the pool. It spent most of the time hunkered down, even when the Lapwings were spooked a couple of times & flew off temporarily. It did wander around a bit providing reasonable 'scope views, but did not take flight while I was on site, as it had done the previous evening.

Greater Yellowlegs, Titchfield Haven 19th May 2015

Photo: courtesy Dave Carr @birdphotos007

After having dipped on Sardinian Warbler at Land's End the previous day & stayed overnight with an old friend near Exeter in Devon, news of the presence again of the Greater Yellowlegs at Titchfield Haven NNR in Hampshire the following morning had me traveling cross-country. I arrived on site mid-afternoon.

This very rare American vagrant had been seen on & off for several months sometimes disappearing for weeks & months at a time. The latest sighting was from the coastal approach road to the reserve, just a few hundred yards west of the Visitor Centre, but not since the morning. Having teamed up with another birder on site, who just happened to be walking past as I emerged from the car & who had already been to a number of hides, we covered the remaining hides & then checked out Posbrook Floods to the north of the reserve. All to no avail! This was the first time I'd visited Titchfield Haven & was very impressed with the reserve & surrounds. One thing I really enjoyed was hearing several Cetti's Warblers & having really good views of one bird in the open for a few minutes, which is prolonged for a Cetti's (part of their charm).

We made our way back to the reserve & managed to briefly check a couple of hides before the reserve closed at 5pm. I wandered back along the coast road as far as the river, chatting with several birders along the way. As I returned I recognised a birder I had spoken to previously who had seen the bird earlier. I asked him where exactly the bird had been. We crossed the road to the fence & while he was explaining where he'd seen it earlier a small flock of several Black-tailed Godwits flew in. As I started to scan the flock a shout went up, "It's there! On the right of the flock". It was immediately latched onto by everyone. I hadn't noticed, but there were now several birders next to us. The flock wheeled about the coastal pool several times before opting for an area within the reserve, which was now closed. Pretty good flight views, but most present wanted more.

Everyone spread out along the coast road to try & see if it was possible to view the pools on the reserve, but it wasn't possible. I headed back from the viewing platform towards the coastal pool which now had exposed mud as the tide receded. There was a small flock of Black-tailed Godwits feeding. Another small flock flew in & just as I was thinking, "Wouldn't it be great if..." the Greater Yellowlegs touched down. We were then treated to excellent, prolonged views as it wandered about the mud below us, at one point coming very close to the near bank.

In retrospect, perhaps it seems the Godwit flock were checking out a favoured feeding area in the coastal pool, which wasn't quite ready, so they hung out on a different pool for a while. Most of the Godwits were feeding very close together in an apparently rich, small area of the pool.

Photo: courtesy Dave Carr @birdphotos007

Balearic Woodchat Shrike, Wykeham 13th May 2015

Since I'd planned to travel back home from Norwich yesterday morning, the news of a Balearic Woodchat Shrike at Wykeham in Yorkshire was very timely.

I arrived on site mid-afternoon. Cars parked at the side of the road & birders with 'scopes & cameras poised, indicated I was in the right place. The bird soon appeared on top of the roadside hedge, then flitted over to the other side of the hedge. Carefully moving around the hedge provided excellent views. A first summer male Balearic Woodchat Shrike. For the hour or so I was there, he moved about both sides of the road, perching for lengthy periods in the open on top of the hedges, at times on the other side of the hedges, giving very good prolonged, repeated views (at one point snacking on a bee). Just what was required!

A couple of the features marking this bird out as the badius subspecies are visible in the photo above: the lack of white at the base of the primaries; narrow black band across the forehead. More info on this form by Brian Small. Further info from Birding Frontiers.

The previous evening in Norwich I'd spent a very pleasurable few hours in the company of a couple of very old friends I hadn't seen for yonks & ages. A couple of pints in The Fat Cat with Peter (who I've known since we were five years old, living on the same road & been in contact with, but not seen for several years), Clive (who I've been in contact with, but not seen for 18 years) & Rod (who I hadn't seen for 18 years), was great fun. The conversation inevitably & most entertainingly turned to foreign birding trips adventures/mishaps.

Video by Pete Hines

Montagu's Harrier, Blacktoft Sands 10th May 2015

Photo: courtesy Kenny Dummigan

A pair of Montagu's Harriers had been present at Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve for a few weeks. During their stay they had performed very well including the sky-dancing courtship ritual. The opportunity to pop over to the East coast to see them presented itself when Kenny Dummigan phoned to say he & Mark Garner were going over to try for them & I would be most welcome to join them. Needless to say, I immediately took up the offer!

An early-ish start saw us arriving on site mid-morning. Fortunately, as we entered Singleton hide the male Montagu's Harrier was on view making his way over the reedbed in a south-easterly direction. Although I didn't have time to get the 'scope out, we did have excellent views for about five minutes before it disappeared behind the treeline bordering the reserve. However, that was not the end... Almost immediately the female floated up & proceeded to make her way back & forth across the reedbed, allowing prolonged 'scope views, periodically landing to pick up what looked like nesting material. She provided excellent views over a half hour or so until not floating back up after landing. At this point we departed.