Yellow-browed Warbler & Al Stewart

Dungeness - 0845hrs - mild, dry, sunny, nw 2 - Just as we were starting a round of the local patch news came through of a Yellow-browed Warbler (207) netted in the trapping area. Ten minutes later we were watching it in the hand at the Obs before it was released in the front garden, after which it promptly disappeared into the moat. A wander around the trapping area produced 3 Ring Ouzels at the northern end along with single figures of Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Redwing, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Overhead a few Mipits, Skylarks, Goldfinches, 2 Siskins and 2 Swallows.

                                Yellow-browed Warbler, DBO

Royal Albert Hall - Al Stewart is one of our all time fav folk-rockers, and when we heard months ago that he was performing his seminal 1976 Year of the Cat  album at this famous old venue it was just too good to resist. The first part of the show was an acoustic set comprising a selection of numbers from his vast back catalogue during which he was joined on stage by various guitar luminaries including his old mate and co-writer Peter White. After the break (probably for a dose of Sanatogen, as they`re all well past 60!) he came out with a full band and worked through the entire album from the hauntingly beautiful Lord Grenville to an eight minute version of Year of the Cat, complete with a stunning alto-sax solo from Phil Kenzie who played on the original recording.
A fantastic show and one to saviour along with 3,000 other folkies - keep on rocking Al.