Rather a surprise as I went down to check on some seals in North Haven this afternoon. A bird with a strange call jumped up and sat on a bramble bush. It was only a few meters away and sat there long enough for me to see an almost unstreaked (streaking faintly visible as if painted over) dark olive green back, a bold pale supercilium and the characteristic pale and dark spots behind the ear coverts. The call however was the biggest give away; it was a much softer 'spi' with less z sounds in than a Tree Pipit. It sometimes sounded slightly trilly almost like a Shore Lark. It called several times and usually uttered the call twice as it flew off. The overall impression was of a dark bird with a very strong head pattern, plane back and quite heavy streaking on a buffy breast. Unfortunately the light was fading and the pictures are more or less useless. It was seen by the entire population of the island (Bee, Nia and myself) and showed quite well until dark.
Rather quiet otherwise with not much else to report apart from 3 Chiffcaffs, 11 Goldcrest, 2 Stonechats and 6 Robins. We have had up to two Firecrests in North Valley for several days but I haven't had a chance to look today.
Eddie Stubbings, Skomer Warden
