My 'first' Wheatear.

After diligently searching my local patch (the Pagham Spit), I eventually tracked down my own Wheatear close to the hide. One was recorded yesterday by one observer but I failed to connect. It is always good to find your 'first'. I find the these early arrivals are always quite skittish and don't allow a close approach but here is distant shot. They are far more confiding during their return passage in late summer/autumn.

My first Wheatear....more than week later than previous years..cold North and Easterly winds have probably accounted for this.