Sibe

Had to burn up a day's holiday so headed up to Holy Island. Started at the Snook at 0800 in light rain where the star bird was a Redstart at Half-moon Slack, with a few Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest , 2 Wheatear and 3 Snipe. Chair End was bird free, but it picked up at the Straight Lonnen with a Redstart in the patch of willows.

Redstart through the murk

A ring-tail Hen Harrier flew across the track- a belated year tick.

Hen Harrier

Hen Harrier

As the vegetation thickened up there were more birds with Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Stonechat and 2 Wheatear.

The walk along the Crooked Lonnen gave 2 early Fieldfare and 5 Wheatear.

Fieldfare

I got to the Lough to the news that the Siberian Stonechat had dropped out of view, but the Red-backed Shrike was showing well.

Red-backed Shrike

The Sibe swiftly reappeared giving excellent, but distant views, perched up on the fence-line.

Siberian Stonechat

At times the Sibe and the Shrike were sitting side by side.

Sibe and Shrike

The rump

Also here were Willow Warbler, Blackcap and 2 flyover Tree Pipit.

By the time I got to the Vicar's Garden the sky was blue and the sun was out. In the garden there were 5 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher and a Yellow-browed Warbler.

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Next was a trip back to the Snook to get the Barred Warbler that I missed first thing. I flushed the bird as I approached the garden and had decent flight views, but despite an hour's searching I couldn't relocate it. While looking for the Barred all sorts popped up in the gardens. 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldcrest and 3 Wheatear.

Lesser Whitethroat

South from the Snook

 A Little Egret was the only bird of note from the causeway. Stopped off on the way home at Budle point to try for better views of a Barred Warbler, but all I could find was a Garden Warbler and 2 Stonechat.

Stonechat