The bird showed nicely on and off for about 2 hours as Dave and I were there, feeding on berries, possibly insects, preened a bit etc. The 11th UK record, but the first on mainland GB, 9 previous records have all been on islands (Fair Isle 1975 and 1995; Isles of Scilly 1984, 1987, 1993; Shetland 1998; Cape Clear Island Cork, Ireland 2006; Outer Hebrides 2x 2010), the only other mainland bird was at Galley Head, Cork Ireland in 1998. Not surprisingly this was going to be a popular bird!
It actually turned out to be a lot easier than I'd expected with people staying out of the bushes, allowing the bird to go about its business as it wanted to do so. I'd seen Hermit Thrush in Virginia in 2006 and this bird behaved in exactly the same way, keeping low down and remaining stationary for prolonged periods, appearing fairly shy. It was small, smaller than Song Thrush but appeared long-legged. It cocked its tail up and down a few times whilst I was watching it. A very smart little bird indeed.
I managed to get a couple of record shots below - I had to have the camera on a really high ISO as it was practically dark at first and the one time it popped out in the open it was partly obscured by a branch from my position!
After we'd had our fill of the Thrush we headed into the Nanquidno Valley where Dave picked out a rather smart Yellow-browed Warbler as it made it's way through the vegetation. There was also a rather brief glimpse of a very pale Lesser Whitethroat, but it flew out of sight and we didn't see it again. A flock of 6 Chough flew about giving good, but again brief views. We had one bright Common Chiffchaff a few Goldcrest, all well checked through in light of the recent Kinglet in Ireland!
Our next stop was Marazion where there was no sign of the White-rumped Sandpiper, but late news of two on the Hayle saw us heading over there but we were beaten by our lack of knowledge of the local area! Notwithstanding, it had been a fantastic day! We enjoyed a couple of celebratory pints of Rattler!
Next morning saw us at the Hayle (in gale force wind and a heavy shower), armed with slightly more knowledge of the local area, though there's little you can do when the birds fly off! Dave saw them in flight, I didn't as I was driving!!! A mere 5 hours later two of the three birds returned - an adult and a juvenile. We got some really nice views of these birds, too far away for my camera so I got a couple of record shots on my phone. Other birds noted in the area included about 25/30 Mediterranean Gulls, Water Pipit, juvenile Arctic Tern, Peregrine, seven Barnacle Geese etc.
A great weekend. Thanks to Dave and Rodney.
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
White-rumped Sandpiper (juvenile and adult)
Celebratory pint of Rattler - essential!
Congratulations pal! I made the fatal error of not arriving at dawn. Big day Thursday made it difficult.
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