Black Redstart and other favourites

Phoenicurus ochruros

Whilst looking through my old photos I came across some nice shots of a Black Redstart I found amongst the construction work at Splash Point in the tale end of the winter of 2010 (shot taken at 13:30 on 21/12/10). Here is one of my favourite images (please click to view in full).

And some Waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus) - always a pleasure to see.

Here is another favourite, this time the Red-footed Falcon at Cuckmere Haven (shot taken 08:12 on 23/06/10).

Falco vespertinus

Yellow-browed Warbler, in my work's car park!

Yellow-browed Warbler, Phylloscopus inornatus (please click on an image to enlarge)

Whilst heading out for lunch last Wednesday (February 22nd) at around 12PM an unusual call alerted my attention to a small bird skulking in the bushes surrounding the entrance to my work’s (PAREXEL Medical Communications) car park. After a short wait it popped up into view, albeit, briefly. In that time I could clearly see it was a warbler of some description. I also noted a pale wingbar and what looked like a pale supercilium. From recalling images in the guidebooks and on the web, it could only be a Yellow-browed Warbler (YBW). Wow! After checking the fieldguides, I discovered that it also matched the appearance of a Hume’s Leaf Warbler. Damn! However, I learnt the calls were different and I HAD heard it call. So following a thorough search of the internet for sample calls of both birds, I was further convinced it was a YBW and not a Hume’s Leaf Warbler. OK so what to do next. Reporting the bird later that day, I waited for a deluge of birders to descend on my place of work. However, no one appeared and the bird had seemingly disappeared. Although I was pretty sure it was a YBW, without confirmation, I started doubting myself - did it really have a wing bar, supercilium?

So it was on Sunday 26^th February, I decided to take another look. It wasn’t long before the bird popped up again and I was able to confirm its identity, both from its call and appearance. On Monday 27^th February, the expected deluge of birders did occur! I think my work colleagues were a bit bemused by it all. The bird has now been present for 1 week, and most likely has been around all winter. I hope it remains for many more weeks, although it is quite sad to think it may never find its way home or mate again.

Thank-you to all those who have sent me pics to date (I may be able to return the favour when I eventually upgrade my equipment). I've enjoyed  meeting you all and finally putting faces to names!

I've listed all the blogs of those people I've met and/or those who have sent me images below (apologies if I have missed anyone out); of course if you prefer not to be listed here, please let me know and I will remove from this blog:

http://ploddingbirder.blogspot.com/
http://tarsigercyanurus.blogspot.com/
http://native2sussexbirding.blogspot.com/
http://paghambirder.blogspot.com/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagman/
http://dorianmason.com/