Wexford

I had planned all week to travel down to Wexford all week with a friend in search of bearded tits and a pair of long billed dowitchers. We started at the Cull, and with the tide in there were very few waders about, my friend flushed a water pipit a few times but just couldn't pin it down. We got news that the Caspian gull was found again at Rosslare so we made a move and joined the gathered birders on the roadside over looking the harbour. 2 iceland gulls and an adult med were picked up straight away, and walking around the carpark we found a stunning adult male black redstart, and shortly after a duller female type. The Caspian was re located on the pier and after some confusing directions, everyone got to see it. The weather was miserable, constant misty rain and the bird was always distant. A very subtle bird and I dont think I would have flagged it if it was sitting beside me.

After that we moved straight to Tacumshane in search of bearded tits. We were told roughly where the birds were hanging around amazingly they flew into the reeds infront of us almost immediately! We got some fantastic views of 6 for a few minutes before they dropped down to feed in the reed bases. Every few minutes they would burst out into a bout of frenzied calling, but despite spending another 3 hours there we were never treated to the great views again. A female and imm male hen harrier drifted over the dunes along the coast. The rain was constant all day, but was still a great day out.