Galloways - Overcast, drizzle, NE 2 - Surprisingly enough, considering how relatively easy they are to encounter across the water in coastal Pas-de-Calais, the Fan-tailed Warbler (sorry, but I cannot get to grips with Zitting Cisticola!) has somehow avoided one of the most well-watched corners of the Kent coast; until yesterday that is, when Barry Wright found one at Galloways in typical habitat for this grass-loving warbler. Thankfully, being not much of a migrant, it remained in situ for the late-comers like myself to enjoy. During my 90 minute stakeout it gave several protracted, jerky flight views showing off its characteristic tail pattern and streaked back. It also called a few times, perched amongst cover, and once briefly sat in the open atop a fence post - job done! Many thanks to John Young for forwarding on his superb pics of the bird below, which was new for the Dungeness recording area.
Cheers Paul
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