It's not big and it's not clever, in fact it's just dirty filthy twitching, but it was an Irania!

7th June - Hartlepool Headland
Ok, ok, I know I should know better but there are certain birds that just get you. It has been many years since I had clapped eyes on my first White-throated Robin in Turkey.
It's not big and it's not clever and it requires no skill, it is simply dirty filthy twitching!

After a pre-dawn barn owl/nightjar survey, I was wide awake and decided to pester a couple of other friends, also suffering from the same affliction that is twitching. Before, too long a rendezvous had been arranged and we were heading north. Five hours later and we were there.

After the previous day's antics with ladders being used to peer into resident's gardens, I was preparing myself for muppetry, but pleasantly surprised to find the twitch was quite a calm affair thanks to one kind Hartlepool resident. This individual, known as "the Doctor" had opened up his garden (amazingly known as the Doctor's Garden) to allow the "unwashed" inside. As we stepped through the garage and into the garden, we were transported into a beautiful well kept garden whilst the gardener pottered around going about his duties and the eastern gem performed to around 40 appreciative and well behaved on-lookers.

I admit, I would have rather seen the male of the species, but this presumed first summer female bird had a certain charm and character as it posed around the garden dropping its wings, flicking its tail upright and flycatching from a lone dead tree.

It was dirty, it was twitching, but it was a pleasant day spent with a couple of good mates watching a 3rd for Britain. The only thing that could have added to the day, was if a cream tea had been provided in the garden! But, hey, you can't have your cake and eat it......... Can you?

A blurry Eastern Gem