Last Tuesday I made my way over to Duff early doors to meet Haydn. We had a good catch up and shared a rare Bird for the Reserve in the form of a Jay. Only my 6th record! Context!
Later in the day on return, I managed to see the Marsh Tit at Spurn (first for 16 years apparently) and I finally recorded a Quail. A couple of Spurn Ticks to boot, taking me to 323. Who says mid-summer is "quiet"?
I have to admit the combination of Football, Cricket and Tennis...and hot weather has meant my local Birding has been limited recently. I am multifaceted lol!
Onto Sunday.
I picked my phone up at lunchtime after a slow morning to check my messages and realised I'd made a "schoolboy error" by leaving it on silent! I looked in stunned disbelief...
13.14. Fife LONG-TAILED SHRIKE at Crail, adult type in garden on track to Thirdpart House
My Word!!!!!!
I gave Louise "the look", gathered my gear and headed West... after a short discussion of course!
After the traditional pitstop on Hull, I made a couple of phone calls and waited for further news. It didn't come. There was some uncertainty over the ID also? I gave it a couple of hours before returning East. A couple of negative messages confirming my decision. I was still in that heightened state that Twitchers know so well!
It was now 4pm.
As I was out I decided to go down Patrington Haven for a while.
4.23. Fife LONG-TAILED SHRIKE adult-type again at Crail, adult type in garden on track to Thirdpart House
Oh dear...or words to that effect!
Too late now and to be honest even if I'd have carried on initially it would have been extremely tight to make the 341 miles before dusk?
Onto Monday. Positive news came through early, VERY early...5.04 to be precise! I headed for Wetherby to meet Steve Lawton, arriving just after 7. I joined him in his car and we headed for Scotland.
We made good time with no delays arriving early afternoon. It was quite a hike to the Site but I made it.
We joined the group and waited. The Bird was present in the hedge but VERY elusive!. The wind didn't help. There were brief glimpses in the bottom of the hedge but nothing satisfying.
Experienced Scottish Birders around me had their scopes trained on the area but it just wouldn't "show well"...as they say! The Birder next to me had been there some time and had seen the Bird. Eventually he had it again, so I asked him if I could "take a peep". I looked through his large Swarovski and there deep in the hedge was the Bird. A truly breathtaking view!!! I thanked him profusely.
Steve managed to get a record shot, which was impressive under the circumstances...
Another mate, Tony Dixon, who travelled overnight also managed a pic...
We decided we were both happy, so we headed home. Definitely an unexpected addition for both of us...then again I guess every MEGA is!? Some more than others though and this one was definitely "left field". Interestingly, a Species of the same family, namely Red-tailed Shrike has turned up at this time of Year on more than one occasion...but not this one, which is definitely in the "extreme" category.
Driving back we had plenty of time to chat. We swapped stories about Twitching from the past, as Birders do. We both agreed how fortunate we were to have a Hobby we enjoy so much and the adventures it allows us to have. We also reflected on the fact that even after decades of Rarity chasing, new Birds STILL turn up.
Here's to the next one...