Male Red-breasted Flycatcher in Sussex

With the temptation of a male Red-breasted Flycatcher on the south coast in nearby East Sussex, we headed over to Beachy Head to try and catch up with this stunning bird. Having only had brief views as dusk swiftly approached the night before, we were delighted that the bird had stayed until the Tuesday despite the relatively clear night, and returned to get better views and admire the bird in the light. Having only seen first winter birds previously, it was great to see this species as an adult male in full breeding plumage, the rich orange breast showing no signs of fading.

After enjoying the bird for around an hour, a cry of Little Bunting went up, with reports of the bird flying out of the same clump of trees the flycatcher had been favouring and heading towards a more distant patch of Hawthorn. Despite a thorough search by a number of birders, sadly the bird couldn’t be relocated, so instead we decided to track down the Black Redstart that had been present at the nearby lighthouse that morning.

After climbing to the top, I soon found the bird in question flitting around the gravel car park, giving brief and tantalising views as it hopped over fences and fluttered over walls, only stopping still for no more than a couple of seconds. Luckily, upon arriving back to the car, I found a second bird which seemed a lot more showy, landing on the parked cars and nearby posts, allowing great views and photo opportunities. Having only seen Black Redstarts in Manchester City Centre before in the UK, it was great to see these birds up close and really admire their dusky and rusty plumage tones.

Feeling satisfied and having left the south coast with 5 lifers in the bag, the cuckoo seemed a distant memory as we headed back up north (getting stuck on the inevitable heavy delays that always seem to ensnare M25 travellers) pleased with our trip and hoping that the next Yellow-billed Cuckoo to make landfall isn’t quite as far away and at least makes it to the weekend…