29th August - Hayling Billy Line, North Hayling Island, Hampshire

Wryneck, my bogey bird, I have seen one, but only three and I have spent so much time searching, and waiting for one to appear, had to endure knowing one was showing well while I was at work.  Early this month I went after two, one at the Paddocks here on Hayling and then at the TLC at Warsash, both predictably failed.  So after seeing a report of one at Hayling once again while sitting in Pafos airport, I was hoping it would still be about today.  Early morning there was a report so I was off, arriving at he Billy Line path just after 11.00am.

I was told by birders leaving it had shown off and on all morning, but as I arrived at the spot I was the only one present.  With Wryneck, a good number of eyes is essential, still I was a little more confident this morning.  In front of me there were several Small Whites on the ragwort and a smart Small Copper.

there was a good number of House Sparrows around the bramble and they could be distracting, but then I thought one was a little bigger and different.  The Wryneck had appeared and despite the poor light and branches was able to get some nice shots.

Then as became the pattern it dropped out of sight only to appear about twenty minutes later on the top of the bramble.

Then gone again and another wait until I found it once more in amongst the bramble branches.

There was plenty of other activity with several Common Whitethroats.

And at least three Lesser Whitethroats.

Other birds seen were a Cetti's Warbler, Goldfinches on the teasel heads, Linnets and of course the House Sparrows that would sometimes confuse.

The theory was that the Wryneck was feeding amongst the many ant hills that were underneath the bracken.  The House Sparrows were dust bathing amongst them and this might have been bringing out the ants for the Wryneck to feed on.

This theory was further reinforced when it appeared in a bush well away from the last place it had been seen.  Shame about the branch in the way.

This was where it showed for the longest.

But then dropping about of sight only to reappear on the bramble about twenty minutes later.

My last sighting, the six of the visit was in the bramble close to the willow bush it had spent the most time in.

Stretching the neck and head that gives the bird its name.

With success at last I decided to head home.  Not the most stunning of photographs, but photographs and finally after some time I have seen a Wryneck once again.  I will take it and there is still plenty of time to get the crippling views.