Subalpine Excitement!

 With the Eastern Subalpine Warbler being on Birdguides all week, I decided to head down to Beachy Head early doors in the hope that it would hang around for another day, after last weeks Spotted Sandpiper washout I wasn't confident. I parked up and headed down to Cow Gap, noting on the way the horrendous steepness of the hill, with the dread feeling that I was going to have to climb back up it afterwards!!! A few Linnets and Goldfinches flying around and some Meadow Pipits displaying on the more open bits!

Meadow Pipit

I reached the cliff edge to look over the area where the bird has been seen in previous days, one other birder present, no sign, a family of Stonechats entertained, various birds were calling and singing in the scrub, including according to merlin a Black Redstart, having listened to recordings since I think it was correct, but didn't see the bird! Others of note Blackcap, Chiffchaff and quite a few Common Whitethroats! As birder numbers built up, the target bird was heard singing and brief glimpses were obtained, it was soon realised by the gathering that the  bird had moved down to the bottom of the cliff, so we all relocated, this was handy as it put the Sun behind us. Spent the next couple of hours, watching the bird flitting about appearing and disappearing, pretty much at the point I was about to get a picture! Some swearing was done! More Whitethroats and a couple of Lesser Whitethroats joined the fun, but it was all about the Subalpine to be honest!

Fledgling Stonechat

Goldfinch

Stonechat

Common Whitethroat

First photo op! Eastern Subalpine Warbler

Playing hard to get

Skulking? oh yes!

Popped out!

Showing a bit better but still a bit distant

Lesser Whitethroat, was actually more skulking that the star bird!

Possibly a couple of pictures too many, but it was a lifer!!!

After about 3 hours, I could put it off no longer and headed back up the hill!! To be honest it nearly killed me and it took me about 20 minutes with the occasional pause to gasp for breath! I was pleased to see a posy Stonechat, half way up, so i could have a rest!

Stonechat

I made it to the top, not wishing to disrespect my fellow birders, but quite a few in the crowd were older and heavier than me and I'm 61!!  I hope everyone made it up!! Though listening to the conversations in the crowd some were dreading it every bit as much as me!😀😱 I'd never been to that bit of beachy before and to be honest probably won't again, because of the climb, though it does look a cracking area for birds!! A successful twitch!!