Friday 17 February 2012

'Not-so-Common' Yellowthroat

Action stations were put into action when news broke of a Common Yellowthroat near Newport, Gwent. I was picked up at 5am this morning by Ken Croft in Bangor and joined Chris Jones and Robin Sandham (and later Reg Thorpe) arriving in Gwent by about 9.
There was a decent crowd present when we arrived and the bird was visable almost straight away! It flew across a field into brambles below a large pine tree. The bird then spent the next 35 minutes showing on and off in the long grass. It was very elusive as it skulked in the undergrowth but occasionally sat out in the open which set off all the camera shutters and excited twitchers!
I would estimate that there were about 200 birders present whilst I was there including big names like LGRE, Stu Piner, the famous Craig family etc

Check out that tail!
The bird suddenly became rather mobile and we decided it was best to call it a day as we had enjoyed such incredible views of one of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen! What a stunner!
If accepted, a 10th for Britain and my 3rd American passerine (and since October 2011!). (Don't let the name fool you!)

En route back, we checked out a possible Caspian Gull which would be a first for Wales, but failed. Finally stopping off at Borth for the Spanish-ringed Glossy Ibis

Thanks to Chris Jones for doing the driving and Rob, Ken and Reg for making it a really incredible twitch!

2 comments:

The Hairy Birder said...

They're far better Zac when you get them out if a bird bag sat in a warm comfy banding lab at Long Point BO. Happy days!

Cheers, Seumus

Marc Heath said...

What a bird, you managed some nice shots.