American Buff Bellied Pipit

An unexpected bonus today. Went to Dee Estuary to look for short eared owls or harriers and stumbled across an American Buff Bellied Pipit! Also saw several a Siberian Chiffchaff,  Hen Harriers,  two Merlin, a Stonechat and two Peregrine. Managed a few record shots and video of the American vagrant. Still no Short Eared Owl all year

Siberian Chiffchaff

Dave Evans went to Middleton for the Siberian Chiffchaff today which was showing well with the other 2 chiffchaffs and a Kingfisher

Siberian Chiffchaff

Went over to Middleton this morning to see the Siberian Chiffchaff. Also present were 2 normal Chiffchaffs This made an excellent comparison. Flighty bird more active than the other normal variants. Very pale with buffy supercilium black bill and pale buffy breast wiht no hint of green in head mantle or breast. Hint of a faint wing bar which is often noted for tristis. Didn't here it call but it has been heard occasionally in last few days to give the characteristic flat almost Bullfinch like call unlike the standard riding alarm call of a normal Chiffchaff. really struggled to get a decent photo due to poor light and the bird being so active.