Get a Lifer

Another day of birding and today I was joined by three mates. I picked up Andy in Chard at 6am and headed off to Yeovil to meet up with Steve at 6.30am. Half an hour later we were at Gillingham in Dorset and had collected John and were all set for a trip to Pagham Harbour to try for the long staying Paddyfield Warbler a rare vagrant 'Acro' warbler that normally winters in India.
We arrived around 9.20am and walked out to the north bank. There were a few other birders there already and we soon learned that the bird had been showing well. Before long we were all getting good views as it moved through the reed bed. My first 'lifer' of the day and my 402nd western palearctic species.
We the moved onto Beaulieu Road Station and a reported Great Grey Shrike. There was no sign of the shrike but we did strike it lucky with two splendid Woodlarks.
We then headed off to Hordle, a little village near Lymington in the New Forest. The target here was a Rose-Coloured Starling a vagrant from the middle east. There were a few birders here already as well and soon we had located the bird on the rooftops. Lifer no 2 in the bag.

Rose Coloured Starling(on the left)

The owner of one of the nearby houses took exception to our presence and bombarded us with abuse calling us all childish and say we should all have jobs and should all get a life instead of chasing after birds, His temper wasn't improved by us having a laugh at his antics.
Next stop was Mudeford Quay and a Long Tailed Duck which we saw with ridiculous ease as soon as we arrived.We had a quick look for the Spotted Sandpiper that has been overwintering but there was no sign so we moved on to our next stop, but did see two Common Scoters on the sea as we walked back to the car.
Our next stop was to be Rhinefield Arboretum in the New Forest and the Hawfich roost that takes place during the winter months. We had to wait for around an hour but were well compensated by a Firecrest which was very active in the conifer trees. The Hawfiches arrived on cue and were quickly followed by a small group of Crossbills.
We now headed for home but not before we had another stroke of luck with a Great Grey Shrike at Sixpenny Handley.
This completed our days birding with the emphasis on quality rather than quantity.