So, starting off at Rimac, I birded my way south. There were plenty of warblers around - mainly Chiffchaffs, but a Grasshopper Warbler showed quite well, with another calling nearby (presumably local breeders?). A few Yellow Wags and hirundines moved south, and a Turtle Dove flew across, however, I hadn't seen anything of further note by the time I got to the next carpark at Churchill Lane, 3 hours after setting off.
 |
| Gropper |
After a chat with the former site manager, John, I set off into the grazing compartment to the south, pausing in a patch of shade for some water. As I did so, a twangy call had me spin round - and there on a patch of bramble was a Common Rosefinch - great! The first British bird I've find outside of Scotland... It looked like a youngster, with slightly olivey tones particularly on the fringes to the primaries.
 |
| Initial views of the Rosefinch |
I rattled off some shots, before it did the right thing and flew into a hawthorn immediately opposite me - I got some more shots, and it then flew south, and I lost it to view behind some scrub. I had a hunt for it, but couldn't relocate it, although another Turtle Dove was nice.
 |
| Common Rosefinch |
Returning north, I tracked down a Pied Fly on the path at the back of the dunes, and then relocated to Sea View Farm, where I spent some time around the sycamores by the carpark, where there were there were two more Pied Flys. I then called it a day.
 |
| Pied Fly |
