Birding and other distractions

Sunshine returned today though with a fresh NW wind. The day started with a brief view of Common Rosefinch in allotments near 'the Dump' followed by approx. half a dozen Chiffchaff and a flyover Sparrowhawk at Carn Gwavel. By mid-morning there was news that an American Buff-bellied Pipit had been found (relocated?) near Carn Friars so we headed there. The pipit was present with a small flock of Meadow Pipit, feeding in a grassy field. At one point it came reasonably close but was always viewed against the light so appeared darker than normal. Following that a flyby Wryneck was about as good as it got, though nice to see several House Martins. Buff-bellied Pipit  Buff-bellied Pipit with Meadow Pipit in the foreground  Buff-bellied Pipit Stonechat

A Radde's Warbler was found early this morning next to Old Town churchyard. The bird frequented a weedy hedgerow with mature elms alongside a dry stone wall. It was typically skulky much of the time though periodically would show to the assembled line of birders. I found it tricky to photograph and all pictures had some part of the bird obscured. Only my 3rd Radde's in Britain. In the afternoon excellent views were obtained of Common Rosefinch in a weedy field near Longstone. A Pied Flycatcher was also present in the same area. A brief visit to the hide at Port Hellick pool revealed six Greenshank and four Snipe. The weather was quite different from yesterday and later in the day light rain started. Radde's Warbler Common Rosefinch Pied Flycatcher  Waders at Port Hellick pool

A day of glorious weather on Scilly, blue skies, calm and very warm. We caught the morning boat to Tresco and headed to the area where the Swainson's Thrush has been present for several days. For the first hour after arrival there was no sign, then it was glimpsed through a hedgerow. The bird finally came out into full view and for the next 30 minutes or so gave exceptional views, at times down to 2  metres. Back on St.Mary's there was a report of Buff-bellied Pipit on the airfield so we headed in that direction via Penninis seeing numerous Stonechats, and single Blackcap and Whitethroat on route. Unfortunately the only pipits we saw on the airfield were the expected Meadow Pipits. The nice weather also led to many sightings of Hummingbird Hawkmoth today, three on St.Mary's and two on Tresco. Swainson's Thrush Blackcap Whitethroat  Greenshank

After carrying out a WeBS count at Rushenden I visited Elmley hoping to see the juvenile Red-footed Falcon reported yesterday. The bird had originally been identified as a Hobby but its true identity was revealed via a Kent Birder post on Facebook. It was very windy at Elmley though still warm in the mostly sunny conditions. The falcon had been seen in the morning though was not visible on my arrival. However, after about an hour it reappeared, hunting dragonflies along the tree line leading to the old school. It was fairly distant until birders were invited to take a footpath through the trees for much closer views.  The juvenile was very much like a Hobby of the same age, though a more restricted black mask was the most noticeable feature. Juvenile Red-footed Falcon Common Partridge juveniles from a covey of 40 that had been released 

A sunny day was forecast so a revisit to Walmer was in order together with KC. The weather was certainly nice there and we soon saw a Queen of Spain Fritillary. During the course of the visit there were 3-4 in total, mainly basking on the path as before. They were generally more worn or damaged than those on 20th, one particularly so. As before getting a good underwing shot was a challenge though one individual proved more cooperative. Also seen there: one each of Painted Lady, Brown Argus, and Common Blue.

News broke shortly before midday of a Common Nighthawk in a garden at Wantage so I was on the road by 12:30. Arriving just before 3 p.m. I soon found the cul-de-sac where the bird was present. It was sitting on a garden fence and being watched by about 150 other birders. The bird seemed unconcerned by people 30 feet away, and sat tight when even red kites passed overhead, just glancing upwards to keep an eye on them. It occasionally changed position wobbling its body as it did so. Other birders were arriving all the time and by 3:30 I left them to it. The nighthawk apparently flew off high to the south at 7 p.m. so doubtful it will return to this area. Common Nighthawk  Keeping an eye on a Red Kite The bird was just behind the red Audi.

Following an interesting report yesterday of 3-4 Queen of Spain Fritillary at Walmer I headed there this morning after my visit to the dentist. Arriving at 11 a.m I soon found the site and was surprised that no one else was there. The particular area has a footpath around an abandoned wheat field flanked by a hedgerow. Weather conditions were ideal, calm and mostly sunny. I found a QoS after about 15 minutes when one landed on the hedge. It then flew off though settled on the path a short while later. Thereafter I started finding others on the path basking in the sun. They were reluctant to lift their wings to reveal the silvery-white underwing pattern, though perseverance paid off. I was joined by another observer, Nate, after about an hour and together we saw approx. five in total. On occasions two battled together in flight.  Most were in good condition and are presumably the progeny of a mated female that flew over from France in the hot weather during the summer. Hopefully, eg...