Up to Holy Island today in search of the Rustic Bunting at the Snook. Nothing much seen there so on to main car park where a fine Lesser Grey Shrike had been seen. Long distance views obtained along the wall leading from corner of car park. Also perched in large bush there. Not as obliging as the Long Nanny bird in 2008 but we weren’t complaining. Had a look at Chare Ends then Straight Lonnen & Crooked Lonnen.
Obvious small fall of warblers with 3 Lesser Whitethroats. 3 Garden Warblers , 2 Spotted Flycatchers, several Whitethroats, one female Common Redstart by Straight Lonnen. Managed more views of the Lesser Grey Shrike from end of Straight Lonnen along the fence line. At Crooked Lonnen Janet picked up the female Red-backed Shrike in the garden and it was seen well along the wall. On to the Vicar’s Garden and no sign of the Icterine Warbler but a showy male Pied Flycatcher there. Although reported twice there we never met anyone who had actually seen the Icterine ! Also just missed the Common Rosefinch found by Roger Forster !
Decided on a last look at the Snook and a fortuitous stop as I for once picked up a male Black Redstart on edge of car park. First one we have seen this year. Showed very well for a short while. On walking down to Half Moon Slack past Snook House I scoped the male Red-backed Shrike briefly and then Janet found a Wood Warbler at Half Moon Slack. Always unusual to see on passage. The Rustic eluded us though it was reported mid afternoon here briefly again. What next for Northumberland I wonder as a definite purple patch this Spring. TRD/JD