British Birding Association UK400 Club

It seems that after 68 days in residence, the male WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW has finally moved on from Cley village in Norfolk. Once again today, after much searching, he is not to be found. Throughout its long and very welcome stay, the bird was seen by probably more birdwatchers than any vagrant previously recorded in Britain (possibly by even more than what observed 'Sammy' - the adult Black-winged Stilt that became resident at Titchwell RSPB Reserve for over a decade) and certainly raised more money in donations (in excess of £6,000) than any other rarity previously recorded. Furthermore, never before have so many European twitchers travelled for a British vagrant, including birders from Scandinavia, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Spain. He will be sorely missed.

 

Back to today however and the most interesting news is the locating of the second PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER in Dorset this year - this time in Weymouth (Dara Croxon et al)

 

The sprite is showing reasonably well just north of Morrison's Supermarket in Two Mile Coppice this morning; from the Manor Roundabout a mile north of Radipole Lake RSPB, park by the electricity sub-station in Green Road, off Dorchester Road, immediately north of the Morrison's roundabout; and walk down the bridleway under the railway bridge; the entrance to the wood being on the left. Go through the gate and take the path to the left and the bird is favouring the ivy, bramble scrub and Holly trees after 200 yards; the site is extremely muddy so wellingtons are recommended. This is the first spring record for the Weymouth area and is a fairly typical dull spring worn individual