SERIN at Maypole

Male SERIN at Maypole Farm

  For the last week it's been very quiet. On Bryher Geoff Dent has had 2 Ring Ouzel, the odd Wheatear and Sand Martin and yesterday the first House Martin of the year. On the 19th, I saw 3 Sand Martin fly S over work and the first Willow Warbler included singles at Lower Moors, 17th and St Agnes, 19th and a single Swallow was at Porth Hellick, 18th. Except for the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH showing almost daily by the pumping station at Lower Moors, for everyone it's been hard work.
  However, just after 14.00, I was walking down a track at Maypole Farm and could hear a male SERIN in sub-song nearby. I could still hear it as I approached the large Hawthorn it was in, but it stayed out of sight. It took me a few minutes to locate it and when Robin, Tony and Higgo arrived, it had disappeared. Some 15 minutes later, after seaching in the area, I found it at close range drinking from a puddle with a small group of House Sparrow near the entrance of the riding stables. For Tony this was a new bird and it showed well on and off for the next 20 minutes. I think the Serin brighted up a dull week.

This male SERIN never came closer enough for me camera.

  Other birds that I saw today included a vocal Siberian Chiffchaff at Lower Moors, 3 Redwing, pair of Blackcap and 10+Chiffchaff and in off the sea, 2 Stock Dove, all  on the Garrison. Later at Maypole, 7 Stock Dove flew NW. Yesterday I had a Grey Wagtail in the same puddle from where the Serin was drinking.

Over 10 Chiffchaff were on the Garrison

I saw 6-7 Goldcrest today including this one at Maypole

A Wren holding it's territory

Collard Dove on the Garrison

Higgo thought he had better chances of seeing the Serin dressed up as one!