Marsh Harrier 1 south over Birling
appeared almost wholly black
Snipe 1Short-eared Owl 1 black tips to undersides of primaries seen. Pale belly.
Pied Wagtail c.20
Yellow Wagtail 1
Whinchat 1
PALLAS’S GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 1 1w. ex. Blakeney Point in sueda. Flushed on several occasions but also seen creeping around on or close to the ground with some prolonged views late in the afternoon. In flight appeared dark with rump almost appearing olive and contrasting with a very dark diamond-shaped tail which was often spread before diving into cover revealing a broad grey band across its tips. Upper mandible dark with lower yellow more prominently so at the base. Crown with neat dark streaks. Yellowish supercilium rising over eye which was also surrounded beneath by a pale crescent. Greyish shawl across nape. Mantle rufous streaked darker. Wings dark with pale fringes to the inner webs of the tertials seen on several occasions. Rump rufous with broad black streaking. Tail dark being noticeably rounded. Throat white and clean with neat narrow dark malar. Yellowish was across breast with neat gorget of dark inverted arrowheads. Belly yellowish as were undertail coverts becoming slightly buffy but completely unmarked. Legs strong and pink with good hind claw. Amazing views of a superb bird. UK472.
Chiffchaff c.10
Goldcrest c.2
Spotted Flycatcher 1
Reed Bunting c.3
Yellowhammer c.3
Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler at Blakeney Point (Alan Tate http://www.aabirdpix.com/ )
All seemed lost when news broke too late for us to make Blakeney Point the day before and it seemed very unlikely to overnight there especially in light of previous unsuccessful trips to Cleveland and Portland. We therefore went to Beachy and initially it was no surprise that there was no sign of the bird at Blakeney. With improving weather that changed however and time was again then against us but we made our way with JK & RJF and the bird gave amazing views!
