American Yellow Warbler: New Hythe GP's, Kent

On Christmas Eve, news broke that an American Yellow warbler had been seen at New Hythe in Kent. Although it's only an hour from home, there's no chance of making the trip; the first opportunity wouldn't be until today, the 27th. Brian picked us up at 7 a.m., There was very little traffic on the roads, so we arrived at New Hythe shortly before 8 a.m. We followed the footpath off Brooke Street for half a mile to join 200+ birders already lined up along the footpath. Most were looking across the stream towards a group of five Alders, This had been the most reliable area to connect with the bird in previous days. We scanned the trees and the surrounding area without sight or sound of the bird. Brian decided to walk the footpath and search from different vantage points, while I remained with the main group in case the bird appeared. We had been on site for four hours, it was cold and overcast and there had been no sign of the bird. Brian decided to give it another 30 minutes, we were just about to leave when all the birders moved along the footpath on mass. Someone had heard the bird call! The birder I was standing next to could see the bird. I followed his directions, "Left of the sign on the container, there's a small bare tree, the bird is sitting in that tree". I had a brief view before it flew into the air and disappeared below the vegetation. It reappeared in the Alders I had been watching for over four hours! I had several brief views as it moved among the branches, but it didn't stay in the trees for long and soon was lost to view.

While searching for the Yellow Warbler several Chiffchaff were seen and a bonus year tick in the form of a Firecrest was also seen. 

An accident on the M25 delayed the journey home, but we eventually saw the bird, which softened the delays and detours considerably.

If accepted, this would be only the second record for mainland Britain. The first was at Portland in Dorset in August 2017, which was only present for a single day.

A small section of the 400+ birders lined up on the footpath.