October Mega-Rarity Run
Postponed Scillonian crossings (as a result of the storms) played into my hands when 2 ultra-mega rarities appeared on the east coast. So, when I should have been at Britain's furthest south-westerly extremity, I found myself taking the long-way round via Flamborough (East Yorkshire) and Mundesley (Norfolk) and connected with two lifers in the same day - indeed within a four-hour period. The first appeared on the footpath next to us (there were some 30 twitchers awaiting in the early-morning gloom) and there went on to pose brilliantly at close range on various perches and on the deck: Rufous-tailed Robin! A super-rare bird this, but not a looker; I took plenty of shots, but the bird was never quite in the right spot for me, with various twigs often in the way. Despite this bird's significant rarity status, it was somewhat outshone by the second bird of the day, and my second lifer. This was a bird of legend, one other, more mature birders would reminisce about having seen it back in the day. And before long (albeit after a long drive), I too could feast my eyes on the thing as it pottered around on a Norfolk lawn: an extra-ordinarily rare Slender-billed Northern Nutcracker! Views were mind-blowing, and towards the end of the day (and the next morning) came ridiculously close, within a few feet of me. Amazing! The supporting cast included a fabulous Desert Wheatear at Cley, and I got my best shots ever of this species, one I hadn't seen for years. So, a brilliant few days.
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