Easterlies deliver a Pallas's Leaf Warbler

Having spent the weekend up North at Spurn, watching mouth-watering numbers of migrants and some decent rarities, it was nice to get out early on my patch today. The beach was buzzing with excellent numbers of Goldfinches ( 250 at least in 90 minutes - all heading N into the wind). In between there were 26 Siskin, 2 Reed Bunting, 96 Meadow Pipit, 14 Alba Wagtails and 12 Skylark. At 7.40am I joined Gerald, Nigel and Brendan at the Kingsdown end of the patch where we all enjoyed some good looks at a fine PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER -found by Gerald the previous evening. Nearby Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were moving and 3 Swallows flew over. At the beach 4 Rock Pipits were milling around and just offshore was a new duck species for the year - a female Common Eider!