Everything was quiet at the start of the year until February 17th, when news emerged of a Common Yellowthroat in Rhiwderin, Gwent. I arrived at dawn the following morning and was rewarded with excellent views of this first-winter male—the 11th record for Britain & Ireland. A thrilling start to the year!
This first winter male was the 11th Common Yellowthroat for Britain & Ireland.
(C) R.Stonier
May proved to be a spectacular month. On the 21st, Dan Pointon phoned to say a Cream-coloured Courser had been found on a golf course in Hertfordshire. I met up with Josh Jones, Ash Howe, and Dan at dawn, and we quickly located the bird perched atop Bradnor Hill. What an incredible sight! This spring adult was undoubtedly one of the most remarkable British records of the 21st century, and it more than made up for the one I missed on the Isles of Scilly in 2004. Many birders didn’t even hear about it until they woke up, by which time we had already left the site!
This made up for the bird I missed on the Isles of Scilly in 2004
(C)Josh Jones
A few days later, on May 24th, a Baillon’s Crake was reported at Malltraeth on Anglesey. Josh Jones picked me up along the way, and by first light, I was watching my first-ever Baillon’s Crake in Britain.
On May 29th, just after finishing a night shift, news broke that an Orphean Warbler had been trapped and ringed at the bowling green in Hartlepool, Cleveland. After a flurry of phone calls, I assembled a team including Malc Curtin, Fred Fearn, and Ash Powell. Fred drove us up, and we arrived to find the bird still sitting in a bush, thanks to Stewart Piner’s sharp eyes. Three lifers in a week—an unforgettable stretch of birding.
Another great day birding and three lifers in a week! It’s been a long time since that happened!
June 26th brought another highlight. Phil Woollen called to say that Mark Turner had found a possible Little Swift at New Brighton. Without hesitation, I dashed up the M53, making calls on the way and giving Dan Pointon a heads-up before the mega alert went out. Upon arrival, Mark put me straight onto the bird—a species I had longed to see after missing the Norfolk individual in 2005. Another brilliant “grip-back” moment in a fantastic year for rare birds.
What a bird and twenty minutes up the road!
(C)P Woollen
All was quiet until September 5th, when a Long-billed Dowitcher was reported at Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset. After a long drive south, picking up Dan Pointon from Bristol, we connected with the bird the following morning—later re-identified as a Short-billed Dowitcher.
(C) A. Chard
The year finished on a high note in December. On the 20th, a Rose-breasted Grosbeak was discovered on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly. I collected Higgo, who had been visiting his parents, and we made the morning flight from Newquay. The bird was later seen in Joe Pender’s garden, and over tea and biscuits, I enjoyed incredible views, recalling how I had narrowly missed a St Agnes bird in 2007.
All in all, 2012 was a remarkable year for birding—full of rare species, long drives, and unforgettable moments. Here’s to 2013 and the adventures it will bring!
