WESTERN REEF HERON

Below is a post I started on Friday but didn't complete!

Took a trip over the Pennines to see my Mother. I stopped off at Duff but the weather and circumstances meant I didn't linger.

Migration is all but over now, although June 6th has produced some amazing MEGAS over the Years...eg WHITE-THROATED ROBIN!

...I NEED TO GET A LOTTERY TICKET!

Yesterday morning I left Bury at 7.30 to return home before the M62 became lively. A steady and thankfully clear run had me pulling up around 10.45.

Time for a cuppa and some Test Cricket. Unfortunately not...as it was raining at Lords. Disappointing.

However at 11.20...

Gwynned Western Reef Heron, Foryd Bay, Caernarfon 

My backside had just hit my armchair! A First for Britain deserved the maximum respect. I returned my gear to the XC70, said goodbye to Louise (understanding and supportive as ever) and started my return towards the M62!

I then messaged Steve Lawton, asking him if he was going. He rang back and said he was. We arranged to meet at Eggborough by the M62. Steve drove which I was grateful for having already done 174 miles. We hit some expected traffic around Manchester but the rest of the journey went well as we made our way West along the M56 and A55.

Regular updates informed us the Bird has moved from the Estuary to a marshy area further West. It seemed the Bird was pinned down but had only been seen in flight a couple of times. We reckoned the Bird had moved due to the high tide.

This was confirmed on arrival. Parking was a challenge on the narrow coastal road but we found a spot and walked the thankfully short distance to the viewing area. After a wait of around 45 minutes one of the hundreds of scopes picked the Bird up distantly with a couple of Little Egrets. The view was poor, at distance, through the heat haze. I got a dubious view through someone's Scope.

Then...it took off! Gaining height it flew in the direction of the Estuary. Sure enough it wasn't long before we got a message of confirmation. Once back at the car, we drove the short distance to the Estuary. Parking was easier than expected again it was only a short distance to view. It was an understandably popular occasion...

This time we saw the Bird properly. It was feeding around 100 yards away and gave great views through Steve's scope. I also got my pic...

So, a nice late surprise after a frankly abysmal Spring Rarity wise. There was a beautiful PARULA WARBLER on Fair Isle (which I need) but circumstances precluded a connection. I'll get one on Scilly this Autumn!?

It was nice to have the adrenaline rush once again. There's life in the old dog yet...