As I sat filling in my WeBS form online (at 4am) from last Sundays count. I pondered a visit to Holy Island. The afternoon rainstorm on Thursday had not materialised, just a light shower.
Nevertheless I decided to make my first visit of the year and thought I might get a flycatcher or Whinchat. My first observation was a flock of 50 Fieldfare landing briefly in the churchyard trees before continuing East.
Then 3 Pied Flycatchers. Yes! There were birds about (these are not necessarily in the order seen). A couple of Wheatears, Sev Willow/Chiffs, Goldcrests, 3 Whinchats, Yellow Wag, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, SEO,
... and this beauty!
Subalpine Warbler
At first I thought I must be mistaken, but no, it was pinky/orange. I put the news out on RBA as a probable knowing that SR was on the island. Then as soon as he saw the bird and confirmed I wasn't hallucinating I put the news out again. I'm not too confident about assigning it to a race but hopefully someone may be able to from the photos
Sadly it and the nearby Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat disappeared. Even a check back later was negative in very windy conditions. Hopefully it is refound on the island tomorrow when the wind eases.
Thanks to SR for confirmation of ID.
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