3 August 2014: Afternoon at Coombe Hill Meadows, my local patch.

I took a late afternoon stroll around the local patch, with the hope of finding the Redstart that others have seen. I started out by heading towards one of the popular Kingfisher haunts, with the intention of waiting for one to arrive. Unfortunately there was already one there and it saw me first(-:). Plenty of Swallow, adults and juveniles, feeding over the meadows.

Several Linnet about in the hedgerow too.

More Swallow

After checking out the Kinfidsher pool and the meadow, I set off along the canal bank in puruit of the Redstart and I espied this Little Egret at the top of one of the highest trees around.

This should have been my best ever Little Egret shot, for bothe detail and exposure, but unfortunately I clipped the wing left wing(-:).

A Kestrel, flew over but was mobbed by Crows so didn't hang around.

At last I found the Redstart, exactly in the area I had been told about.

On the way back toward the carpark there was a family of Bullfinch cruising the hedgerow - at least two juveniles.

Coomon Whitethroat skulking in the bushes

and a troop of tits flew through - a Blue Tit

and a Long Tailed Tit

Called back at the Kingfisher pool for a second shot and again spooked one. I did manage to catch this Chiffchaff on the opposite bank.

Lats of the day was this Great Spotted Woodpecker as it flew off down the reserve.