The news of a probable Eastern Yellow Wagtail having been seen again on the 26th of September had me thinking of making a trip to see it. All my regular birding mates were contacted, with no takers, until John R of Red Throated Pipit fame and Craig B made contact. We had a plan to wait for news and meet up and go, the weather forecast was not very good though. Friday morning dawned and at around 9am, news of the bird being present had us preparing to go. Unfortunately Craig B had to pull out after a family problem ruled him out. It was raining as I picked up John and headed for Anglesey but the rain stopped by the time we got onto the A55. We made good time and further reports that the bird was still present helped us. Near Llandulas some roadworks did slow us down by about 15 minutes, but once on the island the sun came out. The narrow lanes around Cemlyn Bay had us both thinking about the parking arrangements on site, but as we passed about 20 birders, their cars were neatly parked on the banking!
At 1-30pm we managed to get into a position looking over a metal field gate and were a small spoil heap that has been favoured by the bird was. News that the bird had been seen 10 minutes earlier had us thinking about the 15 wasted minutes in the roadworks! At around 2pm the Eastern Yellow Wagtail flew over our heads for about 20 seconds and the long seet seet call was heard. It then flew down the field towards the shingle ridge that it had been seen at before. There now followed a 3 hour wait hoping that the bird could be seen on the ground. During this time Lee Evans and other birders had arrived and a wider search of the area began. Our time at the gate was spent counting all the other bird species that we saw, highlights being: - 3 Chough, 2 Raven, 2 Swallow, 1 Wheatear a total of 24 species. Lee had arranged with the landowner/ farmer for a small group to go into the field and search for the wagtail. Within 10 minutes a call came in that the bird had been found, we gained permission and around 15 of us were soon watching a new bird species in Great Britain. The bird liked staying in the grass carefully moving around whilst catching prey items. It showed really well at times and would allow you to watch it down to 5 yards. It flew up onto a wall and was admired for a few seconds and the distinctive call was heard again. We returned to the gated area and a collection for the farmer was made and the bird was left in peace. It was last seen at around 6-20pm flying out to the shingle ridge (it was not present on Saturday) we headed for home, both of us having enjoyed a new bird.
On Saturday the Eastern Yellow Wagtail had its probable title removed after a recording of its calls clarified what it was.
