Pechora - Alan Lewis	Pechora - Andrew Jordan	Pechora - Paul Bowyer

Along with 135 others, I visited Goodwick Moor today and of course was not disappointed. The PECHORA PIPIT was showing EXCEPTIONALLY WELL from at least 0745-1100 hours (and again from 1315-1535 hours). The bird really is superb and I recommend all of you to take the trouble to travel down and see it. Pechora Pipit is a very rare bird indeed away from the Northern Isles and this may well be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy such wonderful views of this Siberian vagrant. It seems extremely well settled and could, if the European Robin and weather allow, remain for an extended period, perhaps even overwinter (the habitat is typical of that where the species winters in SE Asia).

The bird was found by local birder Adrian Rogers on Monday afternoon, after he visited the site in the hope of connecting with a Firecrest seen on Sunday.Although unsure of the bird's identity, Adrian and two further local birders (Steve Berry and Carl ?) stood in heavy rain observing the bird for an hour to 1600 hours before confirming it with Paul Grennard and David Astins early next morning (Tuesday 20th).

DETAILED DIRECTIONS

The bird is present at Goodwick Moor, just NW of Fishguard. Take the A487 north of Haverfordwest towards Fishguard, following signs from the roundabouts to the ferry terminal and harbour. Continue down the long sloping hill towards the harbour and park on the right in the Flagpole car park directly opposite the Seaview Hotel. Walk back up the hill past the hotel and drop down right on the stoned footpath on to the moor. Continue for 250 yards to the small wooden bridge, then turn left and continue for a further 100 yards to view the flooded and tangled Birch understorey, leaf litter and wet grass on the left (at SM 945 375). DO NOT LEAVE the extremely muddy track as the bird will find you and approach to within just a few yards. It is mesmerising! The bird, like numerous Red-flanked Bluetail visitors to Britain, is not liked by the resident European Robin and is regularly harassed and chased. This often results in it disappearing for up to an hour. Don't worry however, as it seems to work its way back to the track unnoticed.

FROM IRELAND

For Irish birders intending to visit, you can WALK to the site from the Rosslare-Fishguard ferry in 15 minutes. It is about three quarters of a mile from the terminal.