This morning was my first and last visit on the old patch this autumn and I had relatively high hopes of digging out a Wryneck, this despite there not being too many along the south coast currently. However, luck was on my side and whilst walking the western edge of Hope Bottom, the unmistakable sound of a flushing Wryneck alerted me to one just ahead as I watched it disappear over the bushes. Thankfully it had landed in a cleared area and I quickly re-found the bird as it sat sunning itself... a wonderful moment and a bird I will never tire of seeing, let alone finding.
It was good to see Terry and Alan bird ringing this morning and they showed me some of their catch, but in general it was a quiet morning with 10 Tree Pipits, seven Grey Wagtails, 20 Yellow Wagtails, two Whinchats and the usual warblers on show.
On Friday I head to Gabon for a few weeks leading, then one final week at work before travelling extensively with Emily to Madagascar, Philippines and Borneo, and then... we both flee for a new adventure/life in Scotland!
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| phone-scoped pic of the Wryneck |
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| Blackcap |
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| Chiffchaff (left) and Willow Warbler |
