On this day ... 19/11/1994

An embarrasingly spurious trip down to Cliffe Pools in Kent with John Hackett, Richard Revell & Neil Howes to see a 1st winter Greater Flamingo was redeemed by pager alert of a Blyth's Pipit at Swale. Needless to say we got a leg on (or at least me & John did as we needed it) and got excellent views of this bird. It had in fact been present since 7th, but had been reported as a Tawny. At the time there were very few (couple at most) accepted previous records. This was a particularly pleasing stroke of luck as we'd been denied the opportunity to see this species only a week or so earlier (a bird that Neil & Richard did see, hence their restraint). One had been present at Languard from 4th, but wasn't confirmed until after the weekend. On the 10th it was trapped and ringed, and shortly afterwards eaten by a local Kestrel. Of course the trpping and ringing had nothing to do with it becoming suddenly vulnerable ....