Bryher 13/10/22

-
The day started fairly quietly at Porth Mellon where a Common Sandpiper was present on the tideline plus two Black Redstart around the rocks and on the beach.

Following an abortive attempt to see Olive-backed Pipit at Trenoweth we headed via Holy Vale to Higher Moors where a Melodious Warbler had been found. On arrival there was no sign of the bird though by then the momentous news of a Blackburnian Warbler on Bryher immediately changed all plans.

We managed to share a taxi to the quay and boarded a boat shortly after 2 p.m. Due to the tide the boat could not dock on Bryher so transferred passengers via an inflatable then wading the shallows to reach the beach.

Arriving at the Popplestone Fields the warbler had not been seen for 45 minutes, then over the next hour gave intermittent but unsatisfactory views at the back of the field. It then moved much closer and better views became possible. However, the bird was constantly active and often hidden behind foliage so obtaining a clear view proved no easy matter. It was seen well on three occasions mainly in the tops of the Pittosporum hedge.

What a bird, a first-winter male, and the 4th record for Britain of Blackburnian Warbler. Approximately 300 birders were present at the twitch.

Black Redstart

Disembarking the boat at Bryher (photographer unknown, picture via WhatsApp)

Blackburnian Warbler (picture by Toby Green)

Early on before seeing the bird

Later on when approx. 300 birders were present. Picture by K Cutting. 








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Northward Hill 25/06/25

-
Image
Another warm day so I spent the afternoon locally, at Northward Hill. The main quarry was White-letter Hairstreak, with about six being seen.. However, it was hard work and none came low, favouring instead the tops of Elm saplings. Whilst looking for WLH a White Admiral flew through and there were several Silver-washed Fritillary. Ringlet were in good numbers as were Marbled White. A few Peacock, Red Admiral, and Comma were also present. A couple of Lesser Whitethroat were singing and Blackcaps were still in fine voice. White-letter Hairstreak Ringlet Peacock
Read more

Sandwich/St.Margaret's 30/08/25

-
Image
The day started at Sandwich looking for a Spotted Crake mentioned on Birdguides. We parked at Sandwich Quay and then walked along the river for about 35 minutes during which a number of House Martins were seen, also three Clouded Yellow. On reaching New Downs South Pool the crake was on view straight away, venturing out from the reeds. It was backlit for much of the time so tricky to photograph. A Snipe was also there plus a number of Coot. In the afternoon we headed towards St. Margaret's, parking up in a layby on the Dover Road. Three Dotterel were present in a stubble field which had been harrowed. Excellent views of the birds were obtained, a n adult with two juveniles. The adult Dotterel was the first I've seen for a long time. The final stop was a brief look for Chough near Dover Castle. Eight birds were near the aviary and so quite distant. Spotted Crake The walk along the Stour Juvenile Dotterel  Adult Dotterel   
Read more

Elmley 16/09/25

-
Image
Less windy today and mostly sunny so I made what was belatedly my first visit to Elmley this year. The male Red-footed Falcon, initially found a couple of days ago, had been reported earlier th is morning.  To start with there was no sign of it after I arrived, however I  walked down to the brickfields and was surprised to see the bird there. It was sitting i n a grassy field though soon flew off, back up the track towards the oaks.  Good views of the falcon were then obtained, both in flight and sitting in the trees. It seemed to be a second-winter bird on account of some barring on the underwing due to a mixture of old and new flight feathers. It seems quite possible this bird is the same as that exactly one year ago when in juvenile plumage.  There were also a couple of Hobbies in the same area today. This was my first outing using the new OM1 so a bit of a learning exercise in how best to use it. First view of the falcon. Red-footed Falcon  Hobby 
Read more