Having finally recovered from the excitement of last weekend I was anticipating a quiet stroll around Bretton today and getting back to a little underwhelming nuts and bolts patch-work. Never in a month of monkeys did I expect this! A first for Britain from my favourite genus and less than two hours drive away - the birding gods are certainly smiling on me right now, and it's about bloody time!
Identified only after the finder's photos were analysed, it was late last night before news of the UK's first recorded Eastern Crowned Warbler was released, giving birders planning the early morning dash to the north east plenty of organisational headaches. There were hundreds on site by the time we arrived early afternoon though and sunny conditions meant fantastic views of this stunning Asian sprite as it ceaselessly flitted around the Sycamores and Elders in a disused quarry on the outskirts of South Shields.
With another Red-flanked Bluetail at Bempton today and Dusky Warbler at Flamborough, what price a Siberian Rubythroat at Filey tomorrow - just to round off a truly remarkable week? Not that I'm greedy you understand!
5 comments:
Beautiful post and shots of a bird I've never seen! Congrats!
These must be the best shots i`ve seen of this bird. Well done, Will.
wonderful shots - thank you for sharing them!
Hi Wil - I can only imagine your excitement at getting to photograph this rare bird! (heart pounding in your chest - spoiled brat ;-) When will my rare bird show up - just kidding... I am truly happy for you and these pictures are priceless - may never happen again - wow!
Thanks all! I was lucky to get anything due to the distances involved but thanks to decent light and photoshop they're at least recognisable!
Add your tuppence ha'penny's worth