Filthy Twitching At Last.

With an Autumn previously comprised of drool-worthy rarities all well out of reach, I was starting to get somewhat vexed.

Fortunately, the Silures did it again and a hardy Welsh birder found a Rock Thrush [regular flavour, not Blue] hanging about the interestingly-named Pwll-du Quarries. This site is just west of the Blorenge, location of that Marmora's Warbler of seven years' [seven....!!!] hence, and like that hill, looms over Abergavenny.

With evil nights again taking their toll, I decided to be responsible and wait until Sunday to head up, and despite the usual travails, I succeeded in arriving and even parking within a few [hundred] metres of where I wanted to be.

Looks promising

Quite scenic, too

As with the neighbouring hill, it's one of those places made of views, and also reminds me very much of home. This actually works both ways, as I learned from a local birder who'd just been down this way and thought of how much it reminded him of home, too.



I followed the directed trackway and passed not one but two decent-sized quarries, very scenic and full of interest as you will later find [::grin::], before finding the twitch at a third. The bird was about, mobile, and slightly vexed by the usual fellows whose fieldcraft was exceeded by their camera lens diameters.. [This is a polite version of opinions voiced at the time]. Fortunately, the thrush was quite happy to sit up on the nice sheer cliffs where even the keenest photoboy wouldn't risk their necks, and this allied with a reasonably polite amount of peer pressure caused the small crowd to stay the frick put and let the bird move closer on its own. Which it did.

Spot the Rock Thrush

Plus photobombing Mipit

Harder to miss

Would also lurk in tree

And on sheer faces

 

 Apart from the tree and cliff ledge lurking, Rocky* was very Wheatear-like. Lots of sitting on rocks and foraging on the ground, very mobile in between the pose-striking.

"Mountain bird, me."

Digiscoped.....

This would be the pattern for the rest of the day. The overcast with hint of drizzle moved more to sun, and the crowds waxed and waned as the bird moved from here to there and back again. When Rocky moved on to the fourth quarry [just round the bend and in the wind], I stayed put to have some lunch, fill out a sketch and generally enjoy the glory. Oh, and extend a helpful finger to point the way to new arrivals. [[NOT like that; in classic 'thattaway', thankyou!]]

Rocky then pulled a fast one, and while many hung around, others wandered back. When the crowd went trotting off after a chinese whisper, I decided to take a wander over the scenery. I found all manner of non-Rocky related interest. So much so that I'm going to post about it separately. [Eeek]

With suitable irony, it had gone thattaway...

Eventually I wandered back around and found that the bird had been refound by a couple of previously despondent leavers [he flew right in front of them!]. Rocky then spent a while tarting about this spot, before again the big lens brigade did what they do best.. Once more, I circled, this time with more intent and I have to say success, as a final series of views were had around the back of the second quarry. This time those with cameras were either more experienced or more patient [or perhaps just more leery of a not insignificant drop immediately to hand..] and sustained views were had for the enjoyment of all.

"Hmm, looks like millstone grit"

"Just take your photos and bugger off, will you?"

"Actually, I'm a Whitethroat."

"Right. Get too close to me here."

Chameleon bird

Gorgeous fringes

Chameleon bird caught mid-change

SNAP!

There wasn't just the multi-coloured wonder about, as at least three Wheatears were lurking, with a horde of Mipits, and overhead a couple of Buzzards and a passing Red Kite.

Also, while lurking in ambush by the second quarry, in with the Wheatears and Mipits, I was surprised to find a female-type Blackstart! This, against the light and with orange tail in evidence, proved a bit of a bugger when trying to follow the Rock Thrush when flicking low through the clitter. But a nice distraction to have.

No strings on this one

Another dodgy flight shot

"So when are you migrating?"

Could be Dartmoor

Blacked-out 'start

Eventually Rocky worked his way up and away, and as the light was starting to go I decided it was time I did, too.


Cracking bird. Cracking spot. Cracking day.


Be Seeing You..






[[*Sorry, but it had to be done..]]