I was birding in east Cork today,and after checking out a female Ring-necked Duck found locally I decided that Knockadoon Head may just be worth a try:after all,there are a few nice wintering passerines in the UK at the moment.
As we arrived,I felt that the area known as the "Holy Ground" could produce something good(the first of the 2 Pallas's that I found there last month was down there),but there was only a Reed Bunting in those bushes.
Despite having never seen a great deal near the last garden,I decided to walk down the whole way.When we reached the garden,I noticed movement in the ivy-covered hedgerow across the road.I alerted Iain Hill to this,and he mentioned that a Wren had just flown near the area.I saw this Wren,but it had come from a different area to the bird that I saw.Further down the hedge,a small passerine flicked around,giving the initial impression of being a Chiffchaff.
This impression was initially reinforced when I raised my bins,until I noticed the prominent wingbar on the greater coverts and the more obvious supercilium.
I then knew that I was on to something good,at least a Yellow-browed,and have to confess that I had a strong feeling that I was watching Ireland's first Hume's Warbler!The bird had gone to ground,but I felt confident enough to tell Iain to drive back until he got a signal so that he could tell a few local birders.
While he was gone,I saw the bird again,and also heard the call:it WAS a Hume's Warbler!
Four other birders were able to reach the site in time to see the bird this evening,and some poor video footage(including call)was taken.No-one disagreed with the ID as Hume's.Expecting a big twitch(by Irish standards)!
The call was really distinctive:at times like Chiffchaff,at other times more like "eastern abietinus" or Greenish Warbler(which I've only heard on tapes),but always different to the Coal Tit-like call of Yellow-browed.Upperparts were quite dull,the median covert bar was indistinct(5 of the 6 observers never even saw this under field conditions:I did see it,but I had closer views than anyone else),the legs were blackish etc...a nice way to end the year!
Harry H
P.S.End the year?Why the pessimism?American Robin next....