We're going on a Wheatear hunt!
I like Wheatears. They're the best. So when the fair county of Surrey has a day when these delightful 'white-arses' are being widely observed in decent numbers I need little encouragement to get out in the field and count them. But, like all good things, they will not just appear in front of you on demand. A certain amount of toil is needed to be rewarded. I have three Wheatear hotspots close to home, but not all of them played ball.
Canons Farm - no Wheatear.
Priest Hill - no Wheatear.
Epsom Downs - eight Wheatear! All but one on the race course itself. Seven males and a female.
Mockingbird? No, as much as I can understand why many birders wanted to go and see one, give me a Wheatear any day of the week. In fact, give me several...
Comments