I picked up Richard Stonier and Ash Fisher who had come on the boat and were staying nearby, before first light and with only a few miles to travel, we were there for the first call! (These pictures were taken much later!)
Another birding gateway to heaven?
And given the first Saturday chance for many, a pretty quiet start to the day!
After flicking about in the distant hedgerow, at 8.15 it finally gave a tickable view! Where's a Tunnocks Teacake when you need one? In the car sadly! It was calling regularly, often as it flew or landed in cover, so never too difficult to find.
This was the habitat viewed from far side of the site - a footpath leading behind the farmhousegains access...
And always seemed to be something in the way whilst pinning down that gorgeous rufous undertail...
Just about managed it here!
And then it was a question of dealing with highly directional harsh side lighting for an image or two?
The gallery number was steadily increasing although there was plenty of room and generally well behaved!
Eventually a few decent images covering all the angles as it emerged from cover!
An this was probably the clearest view I had! It's a relatively easy bird to 'see', getting an open clutter free view however took several hours!
But worth every minute ...
