On this day - 14/09/2002

Six years ago today I embarked on a solo journey to see, aptly, a juv Solitary Sandpiper at Rye Meads RSPB. Great views of a great bird, and at the time it seemed all the better as it was a catch-up on local listing mates/rivals John and Dave. As it turned out though, it was the last but one lifer I picked up before effectively throwing in the towel as far as twitching was concerned. Since this bird I have seen only four lifers (excluding armchair splits) - and two of those have been in the last year!