It was so last year when I last saw the Borough Hill black redstart, so I popped by to wish it all the best for the New Year - it has been in residence at least since the third week of December but shows no sign of leaving. It has been showing really well over the last few days, but I decided to wait until the clouds were heavy and it was starting to snow 😩 - a challenge to get clean photos.
When I arrived at the eastern end of the transmitter compound there were two birders already in attendance and holding cameras. It looked like it was my lucky day - last time I was here it took a while to locate the bird but here it was feeding on the ground and hopping onto the low wall in front of the compound railings. It was almost constantly on the move feeding primarily from right to left but at one point flying to the small tree to the right of the mud covered square - I relocated to the front edge and this turned out to be the best position as it then fed marginally closer.
After less than 10 minutes it flew from the ground and out beyond us into the field. Scanning the area, I came across my first stonechat of the year also feeding frenetically. I was unable to immediately find the redstart and as the snow started to fall heavier, I followed the other three back to the car park. It had been only 20 minutes since I'd left the car and made it home with the total outing being under 1½ hours.
Nice job! :o)
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