The first wave arrives at Fairhaven Lake

The onset of south easterly winds today provided a mouth watering prelude to what most birders hope might be good fall conditions over the next  few days, with the discovery of a wryneck and at least one barred warbler in a willow tree at the north end of Fairhaven Lake. Telescope views were required to truely appreciate the birds, but in the good light they showed very well on and off, though occasionally disappearing for periods of up to 30 minutes.

This was my third wryneck in the North West, following birds at Seaforth in 1997 and Sutton Manor, St Helens in 1996, but it was my first barred warbler in the region, bringing my North West list to 359.

Year: 253 (Wryneck, barred warbler)

Wrynecks can show exceptionally well right out in the open at times.

Although at other times they can be very skulking.