Sunday, October 20, 2013

Pallid Swift, Hartlepool Headland




When we pulled into the car park, birders were milling about, the swift not having been seen for 2 hours. After the 120 mile drive, we just thought yet another wasted journey. But, not wanting to blank again after the shrike yesterday, we put boots, coats, hats and gloves on and ventured out round the streets, constantly looking up. Within 10 minutes, it flew straight through the houses infront of us. We ran to the opening, with many now running behind us and there it was, a pallid swift. Photography was almost impossible with the bird flying at jet speed and a gale force wind blowing. We stayed for a few hours watching this fly and feed up and down the headland. A very fit looking, quality bird !

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