August 11, 2004
Gropper
Just a short note to keep things up to date. Last night the warbler takeaway service continued to deliver the goods, with JL arriving with one of B's bird bags containing a decent Grasshopper Warbler - again released into the splendid holding area of the thistle patch, but immediately decided it preferred the probably more typical locustella habitat of a deep wet ditch nearby.
Am wrestling with the moralities of counting these "delivered" warblers! Much more clear cut were last nights Pied Fly on the chicken area fence (another good bird for the hens!), and the now long-staying Cuckoo which I picked up this morning from our hill-top vantage point first in flight and then perched on top of the heligoland.
Still much occupied with the fireplace (more concrete work last night) I finally managed to slope out for half an hour at 9pm in a vain attempt to cash in on the decent fall we've had on the island (JL and B had found 5 Pied Fly, several Willow Wblrs, 1 or 2 Groppers, Black Redstart etc during the day, plus the still present Red-backed Shrike and Cuckoo). Managed a paltry score (in the one unchecked kale yard) of another Pied Fly and a Willow Wblr. Am certain the big one is still out there waiting to be found (my money's on Greenish. B still holding out for Aquatic).