Birding and other distractions

A Hudsonian Godwit has been present at Cattawade in Suffolk since 13th July. I'd previously seen the species in 2015 at Meare Heath in Somerset though fancied seeing this latest individual so belatedly travelled to Cattawade today.  On route to Suffolk the news was initially negative but happily, by 10:25, the bird had been refound according to Birdguides. On our arrival the godwit was on the south bank of the river Stour several hundred yards from the white bridge. It was a moulting adult, typically looking dark in colour. At one point I saw it closer from a public footpath. However, it continued to work its way towards the bridge from where other birders were watching, though by the time I'd walked back the bird had unfortunately flown off. A Greenshank was seen on the north bank of the river before we left the site. After that we went to Ramsholt in Suffolk where there are a number of freshwater pools by the riverside. Glossy Ibis had recently been reported there though was ...

A Long-tailed Shrike, recently present in Scotland, was last seen on 8th July after a short stay. I had hoped it would come further south though there had been no news in the following days. However, that all changed yesterday when it, or a different bird, was found in Eastleach, Gloucestershire. I couldn't get away then but this morning set off after confirmation that the bird was still present. The journey took longer than expected mainly due to the usual problems on the M25, and we didn't get there until mid-morning. However, the shrike was seen shortly after arrival, present in a hedgerow bordering a recently cut hay field. It was then watched on and off for the next two hours, though could be distant for much of the time.  It was another warm and sunny day, with barely a cloud in the sky. Nice though that was, the conditions weren't ideal for photography due to heat haze and a subject never very close. Nevertheless, there were a lot of happy birders there, and we left ...