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March 2001 Sketchbook from England

By Richard Allen

Richard Allen started as a freelance illustrator in advertising, publishing and newspapers. Work has gradually drifted towards his main interest of birds and wildlife, especially after winning "British Birds", Bird Illustrator of the Year 1993. A keen birder from an early age, a move to the Essex coast and the bird rich estuaries and marshes has refueled a passion for field-sketching. Recent travels to China, USA, S.E.Asia, Senegal and many parts of Europe have continued this interest and filled numerous sketchbooks.

Richard lives in the village of Fingringhoe with views across country to the estuaries to constantly tempt him away from the drawing board.


White-spotted Bluethroat, Gunners Park, Shoeburyness, 27th March 2001.

The photos of this bird on Surfbirds, finally persuaded me to brave the Southend traffic and head down for a look myself. Arriving in the late afternoon rush-hour with the weather closing in and no other birders in sight, things didn't look good.

However we eventually found another birder tucked away behind a bush and there was the Bluethroat hopping around almost at his feet! What a superb bird, with views this good every plumage detail could be seen, although I never did see any trace of a white throat spot. It hopped around on the ground on long , thin legs sometimes just a few feet away, feeding and occasionly giving some quiet song , the blue throat having an almost silky quality to it. Then, as the rain began to really pour down we reluctantly decided to leave, well satisfied, ( the Serin, also present at this, site had even put in a brief, but good appearance), having seen the best bird of the Spring so far.

See other sketchbooks in the Surfbirds archives