Day 5 The Walk to Hel

Final day and again a cold northerly meant extra layers for a pre-breakfast sea watch and wander through the town park at Wladyslawowo. Upon arriving at the beach path a flock of 30+ siskins flew overhead, number 69 on the species list.

Puck Bay, looking East

On to the beach but just mallards, herring gulls, a few distant black headed gulls and cormorants so off t the tree lined paths that led to the park and sports arena. Willow warblers, blackcaps, redstarts and chiffchaffs called continuously and in the park I came across a pair of white wagtails. However, along with great and blue tits was a reasonably showy male redstart. I managed a few photos of this bird, certainly an improvement on previous efforts on this species.

male redstart

After this, a trip to a cafe for a good breakfast and much required coffee before i returned to my room to leave the rucksack in the porch and return the key.
I then headed off to Puck Bay at the beginning of the peninsula but not too much about. Green and goldfinches, plus the ubiquitous mallards, grey herons and mute swans.

Greenfinch, Puck Bay shoreline

 By now the wind had dropped considerably so a walk back to the beach. It was filling up with holidaymakers, most of the men carrying bags of beer and all wearing layers to keep warm, hidden behind wind breaks.

Warm enough?

2014 standard beachwear, Polish style

A beer at the marquee on the beach during a sea watch that again failed to offer anything new before I headed off to collect my sack and get the bus to Reda. Due to the roadworks along the peninsula at Jastarnia, the bus was over an hour late. On the journey, 2 cranes were noted in fields. Arriving at Reda we were encouraged to move quickly to catch the train to Gdynia. Here I alighted for a quick wander around the city before getting another train to Gdansk Wrzeszcz. Time for a beer before the bus trip to the airport, where I checked in having scored 70th species, a black redstart on the building site that was the front of the airport departures lounge.
 A 22.10hrs flight home got me to Stansted at 23.30 and home before 00.30 for a glass of celebratory duty free bison grass vodka.
All in all, a super visit, well worth the effort. In all the flight, booked several months previously, cost £80, including hold baggage charge and I spent £150 on accommodation, food, beer and travel. Excellent value for money and, being my 5th trip to Poland, a country that I will surely be birding again. Next time, the East with marshes and forests to check out.