It was 2.25, Al had found a gate overlooking the end of a field and there were a few fruity items on offer - blackberries and honeysuckle berries. We were staring into the light, it was becoming a forlorn hope when I picked up an amazingly patterned head peeking out of the foliage! Although I've seen adults in the States, 1st winter Rose-breasted Grosbeak would be a UK lifer for me and I just couldn't believe this amazing head on view... I won't type what I said (ok I will, ffs got it... or words to that effect) and after getting Al onto it, he confirmed I wasn't hallucinating - the vigil was over and radioed the news out...
Chewing a berry!
And just look at that bill!
It soon disappeared and within minutes, a gallery were viewing the scene and it showed again!! This time at the top of one of the taller shrubs and directly into the sun!
I decided to stay on until the last boat and there was a fairytale ending with it being found once more by a local birder as I retraced my steps to the post office!
Record shot distance only but I wasn't complaining :-)
And as I left it was taking a zzzzzz....
Well wouldn't you, having just flown across the Atlantic!