Myrtle Warbler - Kilwinning, Ayrshire

Having waited for over a week to have a crack at Kilwinning's over-wintering Myrtle Warbler, this Sunday I finally got the chance. Arriving after a four-hour journey, I made my way through the door of a small block of flats (quite a surreal experience but apparently okay to do so!) and within seconds I was watching the Myrtle Warbler on a garden bird feeder!

I couldn't quite believe it and still hadn't got used to it by the time I left. The bird was quite wary, but occasionally showed very well coming to the bird feeders and also making its way around the ornaments of next door's garden! It was also highly territorial, chasing off the resident Blue, Great and Long-Tailed Tits. This was my fifth New World warbler in the UK, and by far my best views.

Unfortunately, as I'm still getting used to my new camera, the pictures were much worse than they should have been!

Not the brightest of birds, but my best views of a New World warbler!

With a little time to kill before setting off back home, I decided to visit Newshot Island, viewing from Beardmore Way. The road overlooks the tidal River Clyde, where an American Wigeon has over-wintered. On first scan, there was no sign, despite there being less than 50 Eurasian Wigeon to look through. However, just as I was about to call it a day a flash of green caught my eye - the American Wigeon was on the bank but fast asleep! It never woke up in the time I watched it, but it shifted its position so that it became much more distinctive.

Quite distant, but the green head stands out!

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