On arrival, only two birders were present—a surprisingly small turnout for such a mega rarity. We spent nearly four hours searching the fields as more birders trickled in, but the Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler had gone. Despite the disappointment, it was great to be out in the field and on a mega twitch, however fleeting.
Arriving at 8 a.m., thick mist greeted me, along with a small group of fellow birders. Apparently, the bird had been seen at midday the previous day. Despite missing the shrike, I did manage to enjoy excellent views of a Sparrowhawk, a fine consolation for the morning.
Though it can be frustrating when locations of rare birds are shared prematurely online, being in the field and chasing these species is always part of the adventure—and it makes each sighting, when it happens, all the more rewarding.
