RED BACKED SHRIKE AT HERNE BAY.

Meeting Marc early this morning at Reculver we hoped for a few migrants to be found during our session.  As I hadn't seen the Juvenile RED-BACKED SHRIKE at the New Downs, Herne Bay we arrived on site just after 6.30 a.m.  As Heathy had already seen the bird twice he knew its favoured spot and we soon re-found it before the hoards of dog-walkers descended.  After a couple of photographs we moved onto Chambers Wall and walked back to the cars via the Green Wall and the railway embankment.  Unfortunately, it was almost bird less and the following list represents two and a half hours effort.  7 Grey Partridge, 16 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 3 Gadwall with 1 Teal, a lonely Wigeon, 4 Stonechat, 5 Brent Geese, 12 Long Tailed Tit and c200 Black-Headed Gull on the sea by Cold Harbour.  Marc returned home and I made my way to Bockhill in the hope of connecting with a Common Rosefinch.  I stood with Martyn, Mark and Rick Smith for two hours and watched Blackcaps, Bullfinches and Linnets flit across bushes.  Martyn and myself were 80% certain we had it briefly in the company of a Blackcap but perhaps not enough to claim it.  Still, good to see Martyn and Chidders and hopefully he enjoyed his vegetarian lunch.