Alder Flycatcher, Nanjizal, October 2008

For some reason everything came together this ridiculous, long distance twitch. The news of an unidentified American flycatcher combined with a couple of free days and a partner in crime of one James Spencer made the trip feasible, nay even sensible. We set off early hedging our bets in case news was negative of this Nearctic Flycatcher but we were just south of Birmingham when the first positive news came out. Bingo we were on! The journey down took about 7 hours, and by the end we were ready stretch our legs and spot the Flycatcher.

After a tense walk down the Flycatcher duly obliged almost immediately showing distantly in a small bush. Then we noticed a couple of guys getting close to the bird putting up some nets, and the flycatcher moved nearer to where we were standing. Superb. The bird then flew straight in to the net, which let the ringers swiftly and expertly capture the bird and hopefully secure its identity. Overhead a snow bunting is chased by a Merlin on what is turning into a memorable day out. Finally news breaks; the bird is confirmed as Britain's first ALDER FLYCATCHER and for once we were there. All credit to the expert ringers.

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