Junco joy!

A chance of another lifer today, one I had been tempted by on previous occasions, but the distance (usually 200 miles +) had always put me off. With good weather forecast and the bird still there at lunchtime, I dashed off late afternoon. Directions were straightforward, and I soon found the right location – a modern housing estate! I parked a little way away and walked the rest but grew increasingly concerned by the lack of visible birders. Was I in the wrong place? At last, as I came round the next corner, I discovered about ten other birders in a cul-de-sac. But then my heart sank. The bird hadn’t been seen for 30 minutes and apparently tended in previous days to clear off at around 4.30pm never to return. This did not bode well. Worse still, the bird had been showing well – but behind a six-foot high fence. Everyone else had stepladders! I stood there helpless for a good 15 minutes, staring into space or trying to work out how I might be able to see over the fence should the bird return… Just as I was wondering whether the 2-hr journey had been a waste of time and effort, there was a commotion by the fence: the bird was back! Now, I got lucky at this point. I happened to be standing next to a really nice chap who allowed me to borrow his chair to stand on (he also had a stepladder), and thanks to him, I now had clear, uninterrupted views of my first ever Dark-eyed Junco!

It spent most of its time in the fir tree in the corner of the garden but would often come down to the lawn to feed, just below a nut-feeder. This was all a bit surreal: standing on someone’s camping chair, peering over a fence into someone’s garden (alongside a few other birders, admittedly) watching a mega American migrant down to a few feet! This was awesome (and a huge relief!). The icing on the cake was how nice everyone was being to each other – good intel., pleasant conversation, and lots of sharing of equipment – to ensure everyone had good views of the thing. And I’m very pleased indeed I went when I did as the bird had good by Sunday (the only other day I could have gone). And what a cracking little bird this was: immaculate grey suit and white shirt – and a bizarre pink bill!