It ended up being quite a trek on Monday. After two trains, we missed the first bus, and succeeded to get lost on the next one. This was before the long uphill walk... it was unseasonably warm. After reaching the top of the hill a Black Redstart was a great distraction, but I could wait no longer. Continuing along the road we looked out for the unmissable signs of a twitch, the usual giveaway being thousands of pounds of equipment pointing to a hedge. This was no exception, a long line of birders and too many prime lenses to count. After joining the throng, it wasn't long before I had a glimpse of my goal, a Red-breasted Flycatcher. Is it pointless to tell you where I was? Probably, this is likely the most talked about bird at the moment. No surprise, this Sibe is a real stunner. It's rare for a Red-breasted Flycatcher to turn up in England (or the UK for that matter) with quite as red a breast. It's almost as extensive as a Robin! If, despite all the posts and pictures you have missed news of this beauty, it's been at Beachy Head.
It showed well on and off for the thirty or so of us there, favouring a perch at the front of the bush. Every time it appeared it would be greeted to a symphony of camera shutters - The music of twitching.
Although the number's ever growing, I still haven't been to that many twitches, but of the 'few' I have attended this was nearly the biggest, topped only by the Short-Toed Eagle. Surprising really, considering RBF's aren't even classed as a BOU rarity. Again though, it looks amazing.
I could have spent all day watching it, but alas, it could not happen. It wasn't showing as well and time pressed on, although there was time for a quick stop to look for the Black Redstart. She showed quite well on the roofs of the Countryside Centre with a Pied Wagtail.
A much less eventful trip home ended a great day, two Sibes in four days isn't that bad...
