At last the Bee-eater ticked on the IOW.

After missing out for the last two weeks we make the decision it's now or never to head over to Niton on the Isle of Wight to see the European bee-eaters before they take flight.

Such a long way off 

We meet up with Brian just after 4 am & arrive at the ferry port at 6 30 for the 7 15 crossing,we pull into the RSPB watch point just after 8 o'clock to be meet by a couple of volunteers, they walk us down to the best place to see the birds & within minutes we are ticking another lifer for all of us.
The area is roped off & the birds are a long way off in a dead Elm flying back & forth over the next three hours, so no photos that are any good but we get really great scope views, what a cracking looking bird.
In all we see 3 in the tree at one time.
A funny old day weather wise, a little rain then some weak sun & we needed our coats on, but it was well worth the time & cost for the chance to see these very colourful birds.
I thought the Short-toed Eagle was going to be the best bird of the year for me but I think this just beats it.