Bluetail - 40 miles to the east, Pallas's warbler - 40 miles to the west - oh well you can't win them, all!
A great feel on the Orme this monring with many birds grounded around the cemetery at first lght. 50+ Blackbird, 20+ Song Thrush, 20+ Redwing and 2 Fieldfare was the first significant arrival of thrushes. Finches were everywhere including 10 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Bullfinch and 20+ Siskin amongst the hundreds of Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinches. At least 50 Crossbill were counted this morning, including some 15 in the pines in the cemetery. A 'grey' Chiff-chaff near the Old Cafe was certainly one of the eastern forms, probably 'abientinus' but might just have been a 'tristis', unfortunately it did not call and quickly moved into dense cover. Along towards Powell's well a fine male Firecrest was present early morning (also seen midday), while the limestones held at least 5 Snow Buntings. A fine imm / fem Merlin showed well , while 7 Chough and great views of hunting Peregrine were to be had. This morning certainly had a good feel about it and even though we didn't score with the megas to the left and right of us, there was plenty to keep birders entertained.





The near miss! Hilbre was visible all morning and I'd just talked to Steve Williams on the phone talking about which one of us was going to nail the mega. Well done to Steve and the Hilbre lads - well deserved.


The goats were just too pretty not to take a photo of - they still stunk though!