It always happens....

You go away on holiday, see a heap of new birds, and have a great time. Then you come back to hear that one of the species you saw all over the place on holiday has turned up in the UK, where you've never seen one.... But despite the pile of dirty laundry, the obviously you've still got to go and see it, haven't you?!

If this sounds in any way a rational activity, then you are surely a birder. And probably a birder that keeps lots of lists, as well. Otherwise, you should probably seek medical help. Do not buy a pair of binoculars or look at birds, either. It's a slippery slope.

Anyway, the bird in question was a juvenile Blue-winged Teal, which reappeared in Hampshire this morning, and which I went down to see with JL this afternoon. Not even a particularly good bird to look at: ducks aren't many people's cup of tea (a work colleague remains convinced that they aren't birds at all!), and as a youngster, this one was essentially brown and unexciting. It's only partially redeeming features were the strikingly blue forewing panels, as shown in these pics...




So, assuming that it doesn't reveal a penchant for Mother's Pride any time soon, that's another new bird in the UK. In fact, according to BUBO Listing's stats, it was the most likely addition to the list (or alternatively, the commonest bird I hadn't seen in the country). Next on the list should be Black-throated Thrush, Semipalmated Sandpiper and Unmentionable Pipit (dipped seven of these so far).

Given a few more months or years, though, I may look back on today in an even more favourable light: it will probably become a two-tick day, thanks to the American Black Tern I went to see first thing this morning. (No, I hadn't seen hundreds of these in Canada). This time, the diesel-sharers were Howard and Paul, and we all enjoyed pretty good views of a surprisingly obvious bird alongside single White-winged Black and European Black Terns, all juveniles. I'm led to believe that this is likely to be 'split' from European Black Tern as a separate species at some point in the not-too-distant future, giving me the second tick.

No photos of the tern though, since it was always too far away! Also noted was an adult Yellow-legged Gull, and 3+ Swift - getting a bit late for the latter by now.

What a day!

(Well, more like 'What a 24-hour period', but that sounds rubbish).

After returning from Lesvos late on Thursday night, I've been a bit busy travelling to see 3 new British birds: Collared Flycatcher, Eastern Bonelli's Warbler and Crested Lark. Although I achieved exactly the same thing with Steppe Grey Shrike, Two-barred Crossbill and Pied Wheatear last autumn, this time all three were megas in the true sense of the work... and the rarest of the lot had gone this morning, making my decision to jump in the car with HV yesterday look pretty damn good!

Portland was as appealing as it ever is, in glorious sunshine:


And here's a terrible photo of a stunning bird:


Having also got cracking views of the Bonelli's (and heard it chipping numerous times - weird call for a phyllosc!), Howard seemed very keen that I should see this beast on the way home...

...but the third tick of the weekend was not a plastic duck (contrary to any rumours otherwise!); the Crested Lark showed reasonably well this morning to anyone at Dungeness who actually knew which end of a telescope to look through.

Nice to chat to a few familiar faces on both twitches, too.

Just off out to try to see the local Savi's Warbler now... Scotland trip report, and loads of photos from Lesvos to come soon. Don't go away - unless another mega has turned up!