A busy and very rewarding few days on the patch. Highlights Friday morning starting at first light included 2 Shelduck, 10 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 14 Mediterranean Gull east, 1 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 1 House Martin (96), 1 Common Whitethroat (97), 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 10 Linnet, 4 Goldfinch 1 Marsh Harrier (98) and 1 Black Redstart (99).
I spent 5 hours or so walking around the whole patch this morning in brilliant sunshine and quite warm temperatures. Birds noted included 2 Shelduck, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Whimbrel (100) flew east, 19 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Great crested Grebe, 1 Fulmar, 2 Gannet, 2 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Skylark, c50 Sand Martin, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Firecrest, 1 Fieldfare west, 28 Linnet and 4 Goldfinch. Around 10:30am, I decided to set up the scope on the clifftop in the hope a few raptors could be seen as the day warmed up. As I waited, a bird caught my eye flitting around in the trees near me. I waited for it to appear again and was thrilled to see it was a male Pied Flycatcher (101), a new patch bird. It showed well at a distance and I was able to get good views through the scope as it flew from tree to tree. After a while, it seemed to go missing but I kept on checking the area. At 11am, I caught sight of some movement on a small dried up muddy area and in raising my binoculars, I could not believe my eyes as I was staring at a WRYNECK! (102) A bird I have always wanted to find. I spent a while obtaining lovely views through the bins and scope as it actively fed on a small area and managed to get a few record shots. After putting the news out, I was joined by Chris Hindle who saw it, and this afternoon it was still present and seen by Chris Gibbard. What an amazing 15 minutes on the patch. Days like this are few and far between but hopefully this year, the patch will deliver a few more good birds.
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