Went to collect car from dealership and decided to try to see the Red-backed Shrike at Farlington prior to weekly shop.
Bought a take-away coffee from the very twee Piaggio Ape in the car park. The smallest mobile coffee shop I've ever seen!!
Plenty of people at the shrike which had tucked itself away but it eventually came out and showed well. My first in the UK since the Hayling Oysterbed bird back in 2015.
With only Swaro 12x50s and overcast sky it was tough to pick through the waders. The high tide combined with much lower lake levels than last Saturday meant there were considerably more birds including Grey Plovers and Knot.
An Osprey was perched on North Binness and was seen hovering much nearer the east shore but still very distant.
A nice Wheatear was best-of-the-rest.
Friday out to SC for coffee with the usual audible only birds, Marsh Tit being the best. Still ten or more Hummingbird Hawkmoths.
Back to Farlington for much better views of the shrike with the Balance scope.
Osprey on the same tree as yesterday and still a couple of Curlew Sandpipers amongst the waders which also included a surprise Golden Plover plus much better views of a good number of Knot in better light than yesterday.
And, of course, still lots of Clouded Yellows.
I think the shrike was a site tick, the first here since the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler seven years ago.
On leaving, a Harbour Seal popped up just south of the carpark.
Following photo courtesy/copyright photographer (Andy?)
