Proper Birding

This afternoon Andy G and I headed to the north Somerset coast, an area we don't often visit. The reason we made the hour and a half journey was to see the long staying Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus).
We arrived at Porlock shortly after two fifteen and parked at the start of the toll road. The directions said to go to the first bend, find the log pile by the metal bench. We did as directed and immediately heard the varied call of this endemic species from the Iberian peninsula.
We climbed up the wooded slope by the road and had soon located the bird and had good enough views to confirm its identity.
We then made our way back to Porlock and popped into the The Ship Inn (The Top Ship)for a pint.

The Ship Inn (Top Ship)

It was the usual west country fare on offer but they did have a Sharp's seasonal ale, Atlantic IPA at 4.2%. It was dark blonde ale with a fresh citrus aroma. While we were there we noticed a poster advertising a beer festival at nearby Porlock Weir which was starting today.
Well it would have been rude not to go and check it out so we made our way along the lane to the other Ship Inn (The Bottom Ship) and had a look to what ales were on offer.
There were fifty beers on the list, although as its a three day 'fest' only fifteen were available in the tent with the rest being held back for rest of the weekend.

 It was again a typical West Country list with mostly local breweries represented. We both plumped for St Austell's Black Prince (Andy had the half as he was driving) a black mild ale at 4.0% with a dark coffee and molasses taste.
We could have stayed all night but both had to be back home at a reasonable time, its perhaps one to remember for next year with a overnight stay to get the best out of it.