Saturday Symmetry

Tuesday 16th October, 2018

Another pre-dawn again emergence from a Premier Inn, this time at Hayle. We drove in the dark to Land's End, joining an increasing number of cars in a field next to Treve Common, almost at the very tip of the country. I'll admit to feeling far more excited about the possibility of this grip back than the previous days swift, but that comes at an emotional cost as the fear of dipping increases exponentially.

Familiar faces emerged, most of whom we'd seen the day before in sodden Hornsea. Conditions were dry and relatively mild, if a little grey.

There was a lot riding on this one. The only UK previous record of a catbird was the famous Anglesey bird in 2011. Famous for all the wrong reasons. Most of us dipped (I heard it on the Thursday, but couldn't return on Friday). Some people claimed to have seen it on the Saturday, but the debate raged on as to whether it was actually there and it depends on who you believe. Personally I believe it was there, entirely because our old friend, the utterly sincere (and much missed) Pete Antrobus saw it, and that's certainly good enough for me. However, the legend of 'Saturday Catbird' was born, and poor Pete and others never heard the end of it. It was mostly good-natured ribbing, but we birders are a sensitive lot so no doubt any pleasure derived from scoring on that fateful Saturday must have quickly dissipated with the relentlessly unbelieving by the masses.

Remarkably, today would have been Pete's birthday. Sometimes birds throw us a little poetry.

So, fatigued from another night at the wheel, Andy and I had joined a growing crown and the dawn mega vigil began. It was rather cool and birds were generally inactive, but time was starting to pass. It got lighter, and tension began to take hold. Surely not a fourth consecutive dip? 8am came. Then 9. It was looking bleak.

Then, mercifully, the cry went up and he GREY CATBIRD showed really well off and on over the next hour or two in improving weather. A marvelous bird and thoroughly enjoyable encounter. Hallelujah!

First glimpses of a proper mega! Palpable relief.

There's always something special about seeing an American landbird on this side of the Atlantic. How these tiny birds manage to survive crossing an ocean whilst being tossed around in a storm is nothing short of incredible.

On a more personal level, American passerines always send me reminiscing about my Cape May days. Catbirds were common enough as breeding birds and migrants there, so it still surprises me how much I enjoy seeing birds that I've seen so many times before. Perhaps it's just like seeing an old friend after too long an absence.

Dennis Morrison's much better effort. I love this photo (@denmor77)

We went on the spend a relaxed couple of hours with the bird and socialising, most of us exchanging tales of Anglesey ghosts and lamenting the sad loss of Pete, already two years ago.

Andy and I were somewhat exhausted after the last two days, so we ambled around Cot Valley in the now glorious Cornish sunshine, but only managed a few common migrants before fatigue took hold.

Carroll in the Cot.

It was time to celebrate, so we booked into a hotel at St Just and relaxed in the late afternoon sun with a well earned pint. Inevitably that turned into more erstwhile drinking for Andy and I. The world was put to right and plans to head over to Scilly after all were made.