Red-hot Redneck

A stunning adult Red-necked Stint (10th for Britain and certainly my first) at Blyth was the main attraction today (6th June) for birders countrywide. I joined the merry throng at around 10am and was quickly onto the bird - a real treat to observe through the scope. After a while watching the bird at distance (and hundreds of rubbish record shots), I was tempted like others to get closer, which meant a wee drive and a long walk - all in what was now the heat of the day. Sadly, although the bird was then exceptionally close - down to less than 10m, the heat haze ruined the vast majority of my shots and this was about the only semi-acceptable one: