Red Flanked Bluetail Suffolk

[colinaj]

Bird of the day is perhaps the first-winter RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL at Thorpeness (Adam Rowlands et al). Found at 0800 hours, this very elusive rare vagrant from Siberia remained until dusk, delighting 170 birders in the process. This individual, the second to be seen in Suffolk, is frequenting the dense vegetation north of the allotments and village and is typically EXTREMELY ELUSIVE. It is favouring the Sycamores in which to feed but is being constantly harassed by resident Robins and forced to move almost continuously.

The majority of sightings are brief, either as the bird flicks down low in the foliage or on the ground or moves quickly through the canopy. At around 1700 hours this evening, the bird showed well for around five minutes but prior to this had been exceptionally difficult to see well.

DIRECTIONS

One must park in the designated Thorpeness car park at the south end of the village then walk back to the gravel track that leads north from the houses. DO NOT PARK IN THE VILLAGE ROADS particularly as a refuse collection today had to be cancelled because of poorly parked birders' vehicles. Follow the track north for 220 yards before entering the former caravan park site through the swinggates or stile on the right. The bluetail is ranging over a wide area of bushes, scrub and woodland.

Per Lee Evans.
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[cannylad]

One of the holy grail of birding Colin have you seen it? managed to catch up with one at St Abbs head a few years ago great experience,

regards brian r.