After the hurt of missing the St.Mary's bird a few years ago that was constantly flying back and forth from a coastal lagoon to the nature reserve, and us having to then rush back to get the Scillonian, this one was within easy reach and I just couldn't risk not going for it provided it remained today. It did just that, and what a stonker of a bird in full summer plumage. It was at the edge of the pool on Holderness Field near Kilnsea Wetlands but it was very flighty and relocated to another pool near the top of Beacon Lane and the beach. However it didn't stay long there either and flew off high over the Little Tern colony and dropped down beyond Easington lagoons. I walked over that way on my own and relocated it virtually right infront of me, I didn't see it hidden in the reeds and it flew up and back over to Holderness Field. It made for good viewing eventually and what a good decision to walk over towards the lagoons as I found an adult Curlew Sandpiper just outside the warden's hut, distant tho.
- Curlew Sandpiper 1 adult with a Knot - Little Gull 19 together on KW (56 before I got there) - Mediterranean Gulls 5 (apparently more around tho) - Little Tern colony - Sandwich Terns - Arctic Tern 1 only - Common Terns - Avocets - Reed Warbler 2 - Sedge Warbler 1 - Lesser Whitethroat heard near Kilnsea
Squacco Heron still present on Holderness field 8.30 but very flighty, Record phonescoped image attached,
Also of note 26 Little Gull on Kilnsea wetlands
-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Sunday 1st of July 2018 10:13:56 PM
A trip to Spurn in the winter is a fairly unusual birdwatching pastime, but with the weather on the west coast looking a little grim, a trip into Yorkshire was planned. Steve B, Kevin C & myself made up the team. A Green winged Teal at North Cave N.R. was our first stop, it was a dry, bright, but bitterly cold morning as we searched the various lagoons. The local warden then told us that the bird will be hiding somewhere and would probably be seen again during the afternoon! We left and made plans to call on the way home.
A diversion on the way towards Hull had us visiting parts of the city that we have never been to before, the football / rugby stadium looks very impressive. We eventually got back on the correct road and were soon approaching Easington and a search for the long staying Rose coloured Starling began. After around 20 minutes the bird could not be found in its normal hedge, Steve commented, It`s not been much of an auspicious start to the day A pattern seemed to be developing, maybe!
As we approached Kilnsea wetlands a large flock (600+) of Brent Geese were feeding fairly close to the road, what a cracking sight as we all enjoyed the spectacle. We visited the sea watching hide and saw 20+ Red Throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 2 Gannets, lots of passing auks. Then 6+ Snow Bunting flew right in front of the hide, we tried to re-locate them but we couldnt as the beach area was full of sea fishermen. At Holderness fields Kevin found out that the long staying Green winged Teal (not the same one as North Cave) had been refound on the wetlands. Well off we went to the hide and after lots of searching realised that it wasnt there, again! The tide was coming in so we had a look at the various waders and saw: - Knot, Grey Plover, Black tailed Godwit, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Lapwing and best of all was a Jack Snipe (well found Steve B) Time for another go for the Rose coloured Starling in Easington, again with the same result. The gloom was beginning to descend, so another call at North Cave had to be put on hold (what with our luck today) Around the Leeds area the snow was beginning to fall and in the Rochdale area it had been falling all day. A wise decision to go out east then. Good days birding arriving home at 6-15pm.
Dave O.
Steven Nelson said
Sun Oct 15 10:57 PM, 2017
I managed a trip to Spurn today. Similar sightings to Nicks.
My day also began with the Rosy Starling (lifer) in Easington after a short wait. Also here a Ring-necked Parakeet flying around plus a Sparrowhawk causing panic in the Starling flock.
Next stop was the Crown & Anchor car park and a fruitless hour wait for the non-showing Arctic Warbler. I decided to have a wander and try again later. News of 2 Yellow-browsed Warblers at The Warren seemed like a good bet so off I went. Another fruitless 20 mins wait! But I did watch the wardens ring and process (from the boot of a car!) a Tree Sparrow, Chiffchaff and Blackbird caught in the Heligoland trap. Then came another report of the Arctic Warbler at the pub car park again. So back I went! Another fruitless hour spent as it remained frustratingly elusive! Was this going to be on of those days?
So off to Kilnsea Wetlands instead. 4 Little Stints, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Whooper Swans, flocks of Golden Plover coming in/off plus lots of Brent Geese, Wigeon and c20+ Little Egret were the highlights here.
I decided to return back to the pub car park for a third go at the Arctic Warbler stopping at the small pond in Kilnsea where another Yellow-browsed had been reported. No luck for me though! However a nice male Brambling showed well.
By the time I got back to the pub car park the crowds had gathered and the sun came out. Expectations were rising! Still another long wait ensued. And then...someone caught a fleeting view in a ivy clad tree. But it still refused to show to the masses! Then finally it broke cover and flew towards the roadside bushes and showed really well for a hour. Second lifer! By this time it was about 4pm. I decided to go back to The Warren and managed a good view of on off the Yellow-broweds. Patience was rewarded!
Other highlights: A few Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, a few Swallows and House Martins, lots of waders roosting a high tide, 3 Stonechats, a few Gannets fishing including 1 on the Humber, flocks of Siskins, Redpoll, Tree Sparrows.
It seemed fairly quiet in terms of bird numbers but still managed 69 species.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 15th of October 2017 11:02:22 PM
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 15th of October 2017 11:04:32 PM
Nick Hilton said
Sun Oct 15 10:55 AM, 2017
Yesterday saw 46 members and guests take Stockport Birdwatching Society's annual pilgrimage to Spurn. The weather was glorious and we kicked off the day in splendid style as we picked up the Rose-coloured (Rosy) Starling from the coach as we pulled up at the Dimlington bungalows in Easington. A walk down to Sammys Point produced good views of Brambling in Easington Cemetery and an elusive Yellow-browed Warbler. The highlight of the day was good views of the Arctic Warbler in the Crown and Anchor car park. Kilnsea wetlands held a Slavonian Grebe and Little Stint. Sea watching produced passing Gannet, Red-throated Diver and a single Scaup. An excellent day produced 95 species for the society.
Mark Burgess said
Sat Oct 14 9:45 AM, 2017
Easington/Kilnsea, Late post for yeasterday Friday 13th,
Birds were hard to find due to the very wind conditions,
Highligh was a very obliging Arctic Warbler which performed in the Crown and Anchor car park all day, A Yellow-Browed Warbler was also present but heard onlyA Rose-Coloured Starling was also showing well as were 3 Little Stint, Stonechat, Whinchat and small numbers of Brambling, Redwing and Fieldfare
-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Saturday 14th of October 2017 09:49:12 AM
Craig Higson said
Fri Oct 13 6:44 PM, 2017
A very quiet week comparatively speaking but hardly surprising given the persistent, and sometimes strong, w/sw winds. We dipped on the Olive-backed Pipit several times but managed great views of the Arctic Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Rose-coloured Starling and Slavonian Grebe on the wetlands. We also had brilliant views of Little Stint, Pied Flycatcher, numerous other waders etc plus good if brief views of the Bearded Tits on the canal. Good passage on Thursday saw 1800ish Goldfinches move south plus movements of Skylarks, Redpolls and occasional Siskin, wagtails etc.
Decent week given the less than promising conditions!
Dave Ousey said
Mon Oct 9 4:23 PM, 2017
Spurn Weekend 29th & 30th September 2017
Our annual trip to Spurn was a reasonable one with quite a few migrants (mainly common one`s) passing through. Due to a prior commitment, my grandson`s christening, I had to travel on my own. Kevin C & Bob K met me on the M62. Our first stop was at Stone Creek to meet an old friend, John Ward who has been counting the birds there for years. We had a nice time watching the resident Kingfisher and having a good chat, there was not much flying south though!
Next stop was Easington to catch up with a juvenile Rose coloured Starling, it took time to locate but we had some decent views of it eventually. We were joined by Billy Jackson and enjoyed a Red breasted Flycatcher in the garden at Kew, also a Yellow browed Warbler was in the area. A couple of Pied Flycatchers were also noted. A trip down to the Warren revealed a smart Redstart and another juvenile Rose coloured Starling (no not the same one) the sea was very quiet, so a check around had us soon watching a smart Whinchat. A trip to the riding stables, in search of a Red backed Shrike only revealed a man asleep in his van! At Sammy`s Point a hunting Barn Owl was the real highlight with only a smattering of small birds being seen. We made for our accommodation at The Marquis of Granby in Easington, which was very nice. Martin Q joined us and after we ate a hearty meal we had a couple of pints and retired for the night.
Up at around 7-30am we all headed for the sports field and sewage works area. A Ring necked Parakeet was the only real bird of note. A cracking breakfast was thoroughly enjoyed and then back out to look for the Red backed Shrike again, still no joy. Another RB Shrike was now reported in Easington village up Vicar`s Lane, we headed there, but after a while we did not see it. Martin met one of his old buddies, who had just bought the bungalow which had held the Siberian Accentor last year, lucky man. Back to Easington Cemetery to finally catch up with the shrike, that showed really well, at last! We called in to watch the warden at Spurn ringing a couple of Redpoll, it was quite informative. We had our evening meal at the Crown & Anchor and a couple of pints then again to bed. Great to meet up with the lads again and have a good chat.
Dave O.
Mark Burgess said
Sat Sep 30 3:36 PM, 2017
Late post for yeasterday (29th Sept)
Poor conditions, wind and some light rain early to late morning eventually improving in the afternoon
Highlights:- Yellow-Browed Warbler 2 Lesser Whitethroat 2 Spotted Flycatcher 3 Pied Flycatcher 4 all fem/imm Red-Breasted Flycatcher fem/imm Turtle Dove
Mark Jarrett said
Thu Sep 28 12:03 PM, 2017
Great day at Spurn yesterday, a last minute decision to make the trip in view of changing wind directions from today onwards for a while. On the road at 5.30, I arrived at Easington just after 8.30 to connect with the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling on the church tower. A good start to the day. Next, to the Warren to try for the Red-breasted Flycatcher. The bird had just been released from the mist net and was appearing to move between that area and Pallas's Pond near the southern end of the canal. After an hour or so to-ing and fro-ing between the two, I picked the bird up in a small tree just beyond the pond. Patience is a virtue. I then walked the full Triangle, keeping my ears open for Yellow-browned Warbler but without luck. A selection of waders on the shoreline including Bar tailed Godwit and a female Redstart being the only birds worthy of note. Thereafter, I spent an hour or so in the hide at Kilnsea Wetlands where the star birds were two Spotted Redshank. Also here a Common Tern and several Knot, two of which had retained much of their summer plumage and looked resplendent. Next, on to Sammy's Point which was quiet other than another Redstart and a few Redwing. News then broke of a Red-backed Shrike, down the lane near the riding stables. The adult bird showed well for fifteen minutes or so, too far away for photos but decent scope views were had. I now headed back to the top of the Triangle to try the Crown & Anchor car park area. A Spotted Flycatcher was showing well but, more importantly, a Yellow-browed Warbler could be heard. The latter showed after a few minutes although views could have been better. Finally, I ended up at the sea watching hide where things were generally quiet in the hour I spent there, a smattering of Gannets moving mainly north, a single Shag and a Wheatear in front of the hide being the only birds worth a mention. Amongst others :-
Birds that I missed included a fly over Red-throated Pipit and an Arctic Warbler, seen briefly near Rose Cottage but not relocated. Whilst looking for the Arctic Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat was noted, being a good candidate for a halimodendri/desert type. No doubt the powers that be will conclude once photos have been perused.
Rob Creek said
Sun Sep 24 10:17 AM, 2017
Saturday 23rd September
Morning / early afternoon visit with Simon Gough. A rare Saturday off work meant I could plan a days birding so when Si phoned on Friday afternoon, we decided on Spurn.
- Marsh Warbler 1 (Lifer) A cracking little bird that showed well at Pallas's Pool not long after we arrived. But all too soon, it disappeared back into the Hawthorns and it looks like it didn't show again until late on. It was almost identical to a Reed Warbler but when it showed I commented on the fact it looked decidedly paler and that it had a certain 'cute and kind' look to its face with a shortish looking bill. My own view is, I would've struggled to separate it safely from a Reed Warbler if it was me that found it.
Other good birds included... - Yellow-legged Gull 1 juv - Mediterranean Gull 4 - Bar-tailed Godwit 200+ - Golden Plover 1500+ (with some Grey's) - Whimbrel 1 - Sanderling 1 - Yellow Wagtail 1 - Wheatear 1 - Willow Warbler 1 - Goldcrest 1 - Redpoll 10+ - Siskin 5+ - Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 near Sammy's Point - Kestrel 1 (1 ringed at Churchfield whilst we were seawatching)
A Seawatch produced... - Great Skua 1 a cracking adult - Arctic Skua 2 - 1 mobbing Terns in same view as the Bonxie - Kittiwake 5 juveniles - Eurasian Teal 44 - Eurasian Wigeon 11
Obviously lots of the usual expected birds around too including Waders, Skylarks, Gannets, Tree Sparrow, etc But also whilst stood near the Seawatch hide I noticed a large juvenile Gull fly lazily over the Warren and Vizmig point. I had it down as a Herring Gull, but Tim Jones confirmed a few minutes later that it was a Yellow-legged Gull.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 24th of September 2017 10:42:42 AM
Dipped the Arctic warbler in the morning & stupidly didn't try again when it was re-found later in the day. Great views of the red-breasted flycatcher at kew villa, pied flycatcher also there. Spotted flycatcher just across the road at cliff farm. Barred warbler near pill box with lesser whitethroat, willow warblers & goldcrest. 3 Yellow-browed warblers, 2 at the Warren 1 near the pill box. 1 reed warbler. A couple of 1 hour sea watching with 3 arctic skuas, 4 great skuas, several fulmar & red-throated divers, lots of gannets. Plenty of waders around including 3 little stint at the wetlands. I managed to rack up 77 species.
Thick mist en route and 3 successive dips (Arctic Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Barred Warbler) weren't the best omens for a good day's visit here for our usual motley crew but a Yellow-browed Warbler and a hawking Hobby near The Warren finally got some good birds on the day list. A sea-watch improved things a bit with Arctic and Great Skuas among the more usual gulls, auks, Gannets etc., especially when a couple of the Great Skuas had a bit of a tussle.
After lunch we headed to Kilnsea Wetlands and after a short wait had good views of the two Little Stints and the lamed Curlew-Sandpiper. A second Curlew-Sandpiper remained distant from the hide, among the Dunlin. A White Wagtail was seen and Yellow Wagtail heard. Hearing that the Arctic Warbler had been seen again at Easington we headed back to the cemetery for what initially looked like another dip. However, after most people had left the bird was re-found between the lines of the double hedge just south of the cemetery. Despite mostly remaining in the sheltered middle of the vegetation, the bird gave some good clear views , often very low down against the bases of the hawthorns, as well as showing from time to time on the western side in good sunlight.
The late team headed down to Sammy's Point , where the highlights, among a collection of commoner migrants such as Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher, were Long-eared Owl and a Manx Shearwater heading down the Humber close in (both thanks to Mr Scalley.) before returning to the Canal Hedge area for a good view of one of the three Barred Warblers reported in the area. Several Lesser Whitethroats and a couple more Yellow-browed Warblers feed among Teasels and Umbellifers in front of it.
All in all a good day, especially for picking up some of the commoners species some of us had missed earlier in the year. 70 species in total
steven burke said
Tue Sep 12 6:27 PM, 2017
Post for sunday 10th September.
Long-billed Dowitcher, hiding most of the time but showed well at one point. Wryneck, as Craig mentions a confiding bird. Fleeting view of the black redstart as it was fying away from me. 3 curlew sandpiper 2 little stint Nice mixture of usual waders. 1 arctic skua Plus all usuals around.
-- Edited by steven burke on Tuesday 12th of September 2017 06:29:08 PM
Fantastic couple of days helping out with the "Migfest" some great birds including a confiding Wryneck, Long-billed Dowitcher and a very informative Juvenile Caspian Gull. Quite a few GM birders around as well either helping out or visiting for the day.
Other sightings included over 2500 Meadow pipits moving on one day
Curlew Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Black Redstart
Pied Flycatcher
Rob Creek said
Tue Jul 25 7:17 PM, 2017
Sunday 23rd July Early morning visit with Simon Gough and Chris Chandler.
- White-rumped Sandpiper We just missed it at around 8.30ish as it had flown towards the Humber. It appeared later around 4.50pm well after we left.
Despite missing the main target, we saw plenty of other good birds including a 16 species Wader-fest... - Wood Sandpiper 3 - Little Stint 1 (believe it or not we got everyone else on to this) - Common Sandpiper 2 - Whimbrel 5 - Curlew - Knot 1 in summ/pl - Black-tailed Godwit 1 - Avocet 3 - Common Snipe 1 - Greenshank 1 - Turnstone 1 - Golden Plover c500+ - Dunlin 1000's - Ringed Plover 1 - Oystercatchers - Redshanks - Marsh Harrier 2 - Peregrine 1 - Little Terns - Sandwich Terns - White Wagtail 1 - Mediterranean Gull 2 - Sedge Warbler 1 showy bird at Wetlands car park - also a Red-legged Partridge stood near the M62 central reservation just passed North Cave. Lots of other usual Spurn stuff around too.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 25th of July 2017 07:18:23 PM
Sunday 14th May Up early, a choice of Spurn or Northumberland for the Short-toed Lark. Lark not seen for a good part of Saturday so off to Spurn to see if any more good stuff was to come through on Vismig.
Sunk Island. - Dotterel 8 Took me a while but I picked a couple of ploughed fields on East Bank Road and waited for movement. Bingo! 6 at first, then a 7th, and then the 8th, and all appeared to be females to me, their bright roufous bellies catching the sun.
Also in the area... - Red-legged Partridge 1 - Sedge Warbler 1 perched up singing at roadside - Whitethroat 1m - Lesser Whitethroat 1 - Yellow Wagtails inc some stunning males - Skylark 4 - Yellowhammer 1m - Corn Bunting 1
Main Spurn area. - Marsh Harrier 1 over Kilnsea Wetlands - Spotted Flycatcher 1 in middle hedge opposite Rose Cottage - Northern Wheatear 2 (1 Southfield, 1 Middle Camp) - Whimbrel 1 (on rocks Middle Camp) - Sanderling 4 - Little Stint 1 possible with the Sanderling, it was a fair bit smaller. Not 100% on this ID as I couldn't detect a hind toe they were running around that quick, it could've been a small Sanderling.
No sign of the stunning male Snow Bunting at Middle Camp down the peninsula, was showing early morning but lots of families and dog walkers around, I actually thought dogs weren't allowed passed the Warren barrier!
A decent day nonetheless but then later in the afternoon a report came through to say the Short-toed Lark and a close up Citrine Wagtail were showing well in Northumberland. Great!
Sunday 7th May. Arrived mid morning and soon picked up on some good birds.
- Wryneck 1 I parked up and sat quietly in the car near Rose Cottage and within a few minutes the Wryneck appeared at the roadside. I was the only one in the vicinity, I watched it for a minute or so and I managed some ok photos. I would've got better ones as it was heading closer but unbelievably a woman must've spotted it from distance and came dashing up the road with her husband and it retreated to the hedges. They eventually left and must've put the word out as soon after cars pulled up and a small crowd started gathering, people walking up and down and checking the bushes, my blood was boiling especially when one said to me "are you sure it was the Wryneck?" It wasn't going to show with all the goings on, but I saw it again as it flew across the road into the bushes and then back again as it was surveying the situation but thought better of it, it didn't show again whilst I was there. I drove off an angry man and I left them to it!!!
Other birds... - Winchat 6 inc 4m (Southfield Farm field) - Wheatear 5 (Southfield Farm 3, Sammy's Point 2) -.Redstart 1f (distant at Southfield Farm) - Ring Ouzel 1m close up (Sammy's Point) - Fieldfare 10+ (Sammy's Point) - Pied Flycatcher 1m (Sammy's Point) - Yellow Wagtail 1f (Kilnsea) - White Wagtail 1 (Kilnsea) - Whimbrel 2 (Southfield Farm field) - Whitethroat 1 (Rose Cottage)
Arrived early afternoon but most of the good sightings had been in the morning (I had originally planned to be here in the morning).
Of note... - Sedge Warbler 1 - Chiffchaff 1 - Willow Warbler 1 - Sparrowhawk 1 - Whimbrel 16+ in field near canal scrape - Wheatear 1 ...and a male Stonechat that appeared very colourful with lots of orange on the breast, according to Tim Jones it was a continental Rubicola so that was nice to see.
Called in at Kew to pick up my bins but it turned out they were never handed in in the first place, oh well, I should've been more vigilant!
Rob Creek said
Tue Apr 18 10:15 AM, 2017
Monday 17th April Another trip over to Spurn that proved worth it. Nice sunny weather again like Saturday and many of the same birds still around but some new ones about too!
- Western Subalpine Warbler 1 (Lifer) a cracking little bird that was singing and chattering away all day. Showed on and off in full bird glimpses at times albeit briefly as it was very active so you had to be quick to get a photo. I heard this bird near canal scrape on Saturday but because I had no idea what it was, I didn't match it up to any recorded songs.
Other birds of note... - Black Brant 1 (a lot closer at Beacon Ponds) (In amongst the usual Brent Goose flock) - Peregrine 1 (canal) - Fulmar 1 - Kittiwake 2 - Grey Plover 75+ - Wheatear 1 (Kilnsea) - Blackcap 1 pair together - Chiffchaff 2 - Willow Warbler 2
Saturday 15th April. Took advantage of a Saturday off work and the gf not finishing work until 8pm.
Of note... - 1 Black Brant finally (subspecies Lifer) Seen distantly on the Humber salt flats from canal path then closer from Kilnsea Wetlands but once again dog walkers up on the bank put the whole lot up just after they'd settled. Then a large young Herring Gull put them up twice, the second time for good...off they went! Images attached.
- Pale-bellied Brent Goose 1 - Dark-bellied Brent Geese 250+ - Red Kite 2 (1 at Warren, 1 at C&A simultaneously) - Harris Hawk 1 escape seen all over the area - Hooded Crow 1 with Carrion Crows mobbing the Hawk - Little Ringed Plover 3 (Kilnsea) - Avocet 14 (Kilnsea) - Oystercatcher 2 (Kilnsea) - Whimbrel 1 (flying up Humber bank opp C&A) - Turnstone 1 - Sparrowhawk 1 (canal path) - White Wagtail 1 (Canal Scrape)
A few decent Ducks still at Kilnsea inc... - Wigeon 16 - Teal 10 - Shoveler 1 pair - Gadwall 1 pair - Tufted Duck 1 only, a female
Whinchat and Ring Ouzel were seen before I arrived but weren't seen again as far as I know so probably moved on. Plenty of the usual birds around inc Curlew, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Skylark etc etc
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 16th of April 2017 11:19:05 PM
Sunday 26th Feb. (I thought I'd already posted this, my session must've timed out)
Early morning visit to Spurn and Kilnsea to ensure I made it home for United's cup match.
Birds of note... 350+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese (roughly half the flock at Kilnsea) 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese 1 Marsh Harrier (Easington fields) 1 Pallid Harrier (brief view at Kilnsea) 1 Sparrowhawk 2 Stonechat Usual Ducks and Waders at the Spurn end of things.
Nice to meet up with Steve Eckersly. We both scanned the 100's of Brent's for the Black Brant but no luck, I thought I had it at one point but it must've been a 'blackish' Dark-bellied. The Geese were on edge and were spooked by dog walkers on top of the banking near the hide. They've used the Geese photos on the Spurn website (the right hand bird I was holding out some hope for the Brant). Steve said the Pallid Harrier is becoming a regular occurrence at Kilnsea now too!
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Jan 10 8:24 PM, 2017
Last minute decision to travel to Welwick Saltmarsh. Traffic wise an absolute nightmare with a wagon on fire on the M6 going and hitting rush hour traffic of Hull, Leeds and Manchester on the way back. Ten and three quarter hour day with a paltry three hours at the marsh from 12.30.
First bird of note was a ring tail Hen Harrier which was very showy for a while. Next up a female Marsh Harrier then, after a wait of almost one and a half hours, the Pallid Harrier flew in from the west. Gave quite distant views for around a minute before going down out of sight. One, or possibly two, Short eared Owl entertained us towards the western edge of the marsh before I picked up the Pallid Harrier flying out in front of us, albeit fairly distant again, decent scope views were had. Sparrowhawk and Merlin were also seen and walking back to the car, another Short eared Owl over the fields.
Rob Creek said
Mon Jan 9 5:52 PM, 2017
Andy Isherwood wrote:
Rob I can only apologise for you having to meet my brother, unfortunately that is one of the risks of visiting the dark side of the country!ð
Hi Andy, I've seen him before but never spoke to him, yesterday there was a lot of birds moving around the marsh so as people were pointing out different sightings to each other we all just got talking, and he made it known he was your brother. Nice fella and a fine birder too! He will tell you himself, we were treated to spectacular views of the Pallid Harrier having a skirmish with a Short-eared Owl and then perching up in full view out on the marsh.
Andy Isherwood said
Mon Jan 9 3:10 PM, 2017
Rob I can only apologise for you having to meet my brother, unfortunately that is one of the risks of visiting the dark side of the country!ð
Rob Creek said
Mon Jan 9 1:17 PM, 2017
Sunday 8th Jan Welwick Salt Marsh. Afternoon visit with Simon Gough and Chris Chandler. (Nice to meet Tim Isherwood)
1 Pallid Harrier Eventually showed and showed well, a couple of good flight views, a mid-air tangle with a Short-eared Owl and then it perched up on a dead branch for the best part of 25 minutes, just out of range for a good record shot but excellent scope views.
Other birds... 2 Short-eared Owl (possibly 3) 1 Merlin 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Great Black-backed Gull 2 Common Snipe Few Curlew 100's of Lapwing with Golden Plover 200+ Brent Geese (took flight distantly) C15-20 Pink-footed Geese over 2 Little Egret 1 Rock Pipit Few Skylark
Pallid Harrier. Two good fly-bys .. full length of marsh ... First about 12.00 hrs, second at 14.30 hrs. Hen Harrier. 2 Ringtail. Marsh Harrier. At least 3. Short-eared owl. 2. Merlin. Sparrowhawk. Kestrel. Buzzard.
Good entertainment ... Nearly always something to watch during 4 1/2 hour session.
Roger.
Mike Chorley said
Sun Dec 4 10:07 PM, 2016
Welwick Salt Marsh.
Finished off our last group trip of the year here with good if distant views of the Pallid Harrier this afternoon. No sign of any other harriers while we were there, just a Kestrel and 3 Short-eared Owls showing well in the golden evening light.
Curlew, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank, Meadow Pipit and Carrion Crow as supporting cast on the marsh, with a small but noisy party of Starlings behind us and a good mixed flock of finches near the parked cars.
sid ashton said
Sat Dec 3 4:47 PM, 2016
Decided to leave early to go over to Welwick salt marsh this morning with John Barber, arriving there at 08.45 and then having to be patient until just before noon for the Pallid Harrier to put in an appearance. Had very close and detailed views of the bird as it flew from east to west over the fields to the north of the marsh - "it's behind you!!"
There were plenty of other species to keep our attention during our wait including Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Kestrel, Buzzards and in the hedges Yellowhammer in big numbers. A very pleasant morning in almost Springlike weather.
PS thanks for the PM Mark
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 3rd of December 2016 06:16:01 PM
sid ashton said
Fri Dec 2 8:41 PM, 2016
Mark Burgess wrote:
Trip over to Welwick salt marsh NR to see the long staying Juvenile Pallid Harrier Which didn't disappoint favouring the eastern end of the marsh, Initially distant but eventually gave close views, At one point It had an altercation with a Ring tailed Hen Harrier when the two met quartering the same area of the marsh and supprisingly the Pallid Harrier was the instigator,
Hi Mark well done with the Pallid Harrier quite elusive I believe, thinking of heading over there tomorrow. I know the place ok but what time of day did you see the bird please?
A lot of the reports I have seen are for late afternoon sightings, it would be nice if it is showing a bit earlier. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks, Sid.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 3rd of December 2016 05:36:24 AM
Mark Burgess said
Fri Dec 2 5:15 PM, 2016
Trip over to Welwick salt marsh NR to see the long staying Juvenile Pallid Harrier Which didn't disappoint favouring the eastern end of the marsh, Initially distant but eventually gave close views, At one point It had an altercation with a Ring tailed Hen Harrier when the two met quartering the same area of the marsh and supprisingly the Pallid Harrier was the instigator,
Rob Creek said
Mon Nov 7 9:49 AM, 2016
Sunday 6th November with Simon Gough.
Late news of various species and a quick summation of what was on offer led to a last minute decision to Welwick Saltmarsh (Row Lane) near Spurn.
- 1 juv Pallid Harrier (Lifer) Didn't show until 2nd visit. Bit distant but showed well enough on 2 or 3 occasions. Showers and a biting cold wind made this sighting well earnt! - 1 Marsh Harrier (seen a few times so possibly more than 1) - 1 imm Kittiwake (in off the sea over the marsh) - 1 Great Black-backed Gull - 10+ Little Egret - 2 Common Snipe - 100+ Golden Plover - Redwings / Fieldfares
Spurn. Literally 5 minutes in piercing cold wind before news of the Harrier showing produced... - 1 Red-throated Diver - 1 Skua species, bit distant for definite ID
Must've been a mega fall of Blackbirds as they were everywhere, literally lining the hedges and roadsides.
After last week`s full on encounters, thoughts of a nice leisurely bit of birding sprung to mind for the coming weekend. Then Spurn, true to form, produced more eastern bird specialities such as Isabelline Wheatear, two Siberian Stonechats 1-Maura and 1 possible Stejneger`s. With three of the A Team needing the wheatear as a British tick, a trip was planned.
We met in Newhey at 7am and four birders set off for Easington and Spurn Point with myself driving. No news of the wheatear or the Siberian Stonechat greeted our arrival. Despite a search it looked like the lads would be disappointed. As the day brightened up news of the Siberian Stonechat (possible Stejneger`s) at the point filtered through. Now it`s a 6 mile round trip walk to the end of Spurn Point and not for the feint hearted, but with the bird showing all the right features and also being a potential split, 2 of us gave it a go. After around an hour and a quarter we reached the Green beacon at the very end of Spurn Point, not many birds had been seen on the way down except a Hooded Crow.
News of the bird was good and that it was moving around a fair bit and not coming much closer than 50 yards distance. We met Martin Q, Mark K & Nigel S there also and we had a good natter until the bird showed quite well. We all had a good stumble about in the dense plant matter and I had my customary fall and filled my hands with thorns, which are still being extracted as I write this piece! After following the bird around for about an hour the lads had enough pictures of it and noted many of the features of this very different sub species. We watched various ships sailing past and were amazed at how big and how close to the point that they sail. The journey back was a little more leisurely but very enjoyable. We all met at the warren where a Black Redstart was showing very well. We called in at Sammy`s Point but there was not many birds about except 2 Ring Ouzel. We headed for home with tired legs waiting to be rubbed down with some Deep Heat. Who said that Blakeney Point was a hard walk?
Dave O.
Rob Creek said
Wed Oct 26 12:37 AM, 2016
Sunday 23rd October. Yet another visit to Spurn (I know what you mean Mark) my 6th visit in under 2 months it's been that good! This time I was on my jack jones as my usual partners in crime didn't fancy it.
Isabelline Wheatear and Siberian Stonechat were the main targets but they'd cleared off, still, some good birds around but my Dip list was arguably better than my sightings.
Of note... - Snow Bunting 1 belter close up (behind Sandy Beaches) - Dark-bellied Brent Goose c100 (various locations) - Red-throated Diver 2 (sea) - Great Skua 1 (sea) - Short-eared Owl 1 (over the sea- distant) - Sooty Shearwater 1 - Gannet 3 juv + 1 adult
In one view all feeding together in the small paddock next to Sammy's Point car park... - Ring Ouzel 3 (2 on grass, 1 in hawthorns) - Redwing 5 - Fieldfare 2 - Song Thrush 1 - Blackbird 1
Also... - Tree Sparrow c30 - Brambling 5 - Chiffchaff and Goldcrest so close up they were almost on my feet - some Blackcap around - Red Kite 1 over M1 / M62 interchange - Pink-footed Goose 1000+ in 6 close prox skeins near North Cave whilst fuelling up
Oh well, you win some - you lose some, that's what birding's all about! ...and with news of some cracking birds again today, who knows what the weekend holds
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 26th of October 2016 12:47:36 AM
Spurn is definitely the place to be this autumn. A beautiful adult male Red-flanked Bluetail present today AND a male Pine Bunting. The putative Stejnegers Stonechat is also still present I believe. A brilliant trio if you were lucky enough to be there - which I wasn't.
Mark Jarrett said
Tue Oct 25 3:25 PM, 2016
After visiting Spurn just twice in my first 44 years of birding, yesterday I made it my third visit in the last two weeks. Arrived just before 10am and left at around 5pm. Weather fine and cool with (much too) light easterlies.
Did a full circuit of the Triangle to start with and a fifteen minute slot in the Canal Scrape Hide where a Water Rail showed nicely but briefly. Also there one Jack Snipe. There was a good array of waders on the estuary where a Long tailed Duck flew in after we left. We later returned to try to add it to the day list but no luck. We then moved up to Kilnsea Wetlands where the star birds were a first winter Mediterranean Gull, two Greenshank and a Merlin. The latter I managed to miss whilst I was switching from scope to bins. Extremely close views of a confiding Snow Bunting were had between shore and caravan park behind the Bluebell Café. Finally, we spent an hour down at Sammy's Point. A raft of Common Scoter were seen well out. Two Ring Ouzel were added in the wooded paddock to the left of the car park and whilst waiting patiently for them to reappear, I found a showy Lesser Whitethroat. Both Redstart and Black Redstart were also seen here. Of note :-
Little Grebe Brent Goose (200 min) Common Scoter (c.65) Sparrowhawk (1) Peregrine (1) Red legged Partridge Water Rail (1) Golden Plover (c.100) Grey Plover (c.15) Jack Snipe (1) Snipe (3) Black tailed Godwit Bar tailed Godwit (1) Greenshank (3) Turnstone Mediterranean Gull (1) Black Redstart (1) Redstart (2) Stonechat (1) Ring Ouzel (2) Lesser Whitethroat (1) Snow Bunting (1) Yellowhammer (1)
What seemed like a quiet day actually turned out quite good and, whilst no rarities were seen, a total of 71 species was reached.
Photos of Redstart (1st w fem) and Ring Ouzel attached.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 25th of October 2016 03:46:31 PM
08.00-17.50 A second visit in two weeks (Frustratingly I couldn't get there last week for the Siberian Accentor!). The predicted easterlies/north easterlies again brought more anticipation of another good day but it didn't really materialise. However, there were still some good birds around but without the big numbers of commoner migrants. Unfortunately, the Isabelline Wheatear and Siberian Stonechat decided to leave last night (both would have been lifers).
Highlights: 1 (possible) 'Stejneger's' Stonechat at the Point - quite a distinctive and interesting bird and certainly seemed different and paler than a 'regular' Stonechat. 1 Hooded Crow - flew close past me at the Warren then landed on the saltmarsh 1 Great Grey Shrike - missed it earlier but I found it right at the end of the day on telegraph wires in Kilnsea 1 Snow Bunting - showing well at back of caravan site 1 Black Redstart - Warren 1 Common Redstart - Cliff Farm 1 Lesser Whitethroat (possibly Siberian race blythi ) - Kew 2 Brambling
Other sightings: 1 Peregrine - over Humber mouth 4 Blackcap - 3m, 1f quite a few Redwing and smaller numbers of Fieldfare around still lots of Robins smaller numbers of Goldcrests and a few Chiffchaffs numerous Reed Buntings good numbers of Dark-bellied Brent Geese close in a high tide on Humber and at Beacon Ponds small flock of Greylag Geese on Humber- c.10 Common Scoter offshore c.12 Little Egret 2 Gannet 1 Siskin a few Tree Sparrows Water Rail - heard only Waders: Dunlin, Ringed, Grey & Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Turnstone, Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank some good size flocks of Starlings around late in the day as the sun began to go down
This was my first visit to the Point since the breach a couple of years ago and made possible by taking my bike! - A nice ride after the initial difficultly in getting it across the soft sand! It seemed rather strange with no cars there anymore and far fewer people. The lifeboat houses seemed like a ghost town. But there is a viewing platform that has been constructed which gave good views over the point dunes which is a good idea.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 24th of October 2016 12:09:30 AM
Mark Burgess said
Fri Oct 21 11:54 PM, 2016
Another great day's birding in and around Easington/Spurn today, Highlights
Isabelline Wheatear Siberian Stonechat Pallas Warbler Ring Ouzel 2 Several large flocks of Tree Sparrow around Sammys c20 & c30 strong
At one point the Isabelline Wheatear and Siberian Stonechat were less that 100M apart, Sureal
Similar to recents visits Still big numbers of Redwing, Fieldfare, Robin, & Goldcrest around
There was also report of a solitary Waxwing around Church field/Cliff farm area, Hopfully an indication of things to come.
Tim Wilcox said
Wed Oct 19 8:29 AM, 2016
A casually late visit yesterday saw Spurn still full of great birds and lots of more common species. The band looking at the Siberian Accentor was down to just 20 - the big crowd had moved over to the shoreline for the Isabelline Wheatear which showed well if a little distantly in a big ploughed field. At the Blue Bell Inn car park 2 Shore Larks showed on the grassy area to within a few yards. A Black Redstart was still on the beach. The most enjoyable bird was a Firecrest outside Kew Villa which showed superbly well and even dropped down onto the road briefly. Always little gems. Redwings and Robins were everywhere with one Robin walking between my feet. Goldcrests fed in the long hedge within touching distance. A good variety of waders were viewable from the bank above Canal Scrape including Dunlin, Redshank, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Curlew. I had to cut the trip short mid-afternoon due to the arrival of heavy rain, missing out on Sammy's Point where 15 Ring Ouzels and a Barred Warbler had been seen. Earlier in the day Pallas's Warbler and Yellow-browed Warbler were still in the Crown and Anchor car park but not for me in the stiffening and cold northerly wind. A great day out.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 19th of October 2016 08:31:18 AM
David Ousey said
Mon Oct 17 9:46 PM, 2016
Spurn Rerun. Sunday 16th October 2016
As the easterly`s had continued to blow lots of birds towards the east coast, it was a good plan to go again and see what we could find. So three A teamers with Steve K at the wheel headed to the Spurn area. The headline bird was again the Siberian Accentor at Easington. We parked in the car park, well field, being manned by the Spurn Observatory people. Again hurrying (have I done this before?) up Vicar`s Lane to the area the bird was in. It had moved from its normal place and was just about showing in the gas terminal compound area. Steve`s K and B saw the bird and seemed quite pleased to see it.
We visited the Shorelark behind the Bluebell café and it performed really well allowing people really close. At the Northfield Farm end of the canal area a Radde`s Warbler had been seen so we tried our luck. Now this species has been Steve B`s bogey bird forever, so, when it sat out albeit only briefly he had managed two lifers in the morning, well done Steve! As the weather began to take a turn for the worst with quite heavy showers we decided to go to Sammy`s point. On the way 15 Tundra Bean Geese had just landed on the Easington straight and we enjoyed watching them as they fed in the fields.
At Sammy`s Point we parked the car so as not to get wet and enjoyed about an hours birding from the car. Lots of Fieldfare, Redwing, 3 Ring Ouzel, Robins, Goldcrest, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Brambling, Chiff-chaff and a single Lesser Whitethroat were seen. The rain passed through and this allowed us to have another look at the Accentor, which had returned to its normal place and lots more pictures were taken. The lads enjoyed much better views than before. Another wander along the canal area hoping that the Radde`s would show a bit better, after 30 minutes it hadn`t. We had a final look at the Siberian Accentor and set off for home. Traffic was much better and we reached Rochdale by 6pm.
Dave O.
Rob Creek said
Mon Oct 17 7:58 PM, 2016
Sunday 16th Oct with Simon Gough.
A cracking day with some Lifers, rain stopped play for 3 hours as Simon said but a fantastic full brekky and a coffee for £4 at the Sandy beaches caravan park and some good company in there more than made up for most of the lost birding time.
- 1 Radde's Warbler (Lifer) good views on canal path - 1 Dusky Warbler (Lifer) brief but ok views in churchyard, seen in Churchfield minutes earlier - 17 'Tundra' Bean Goose (Lifer) Easington stubble field ...the reported Taiga with them is likely to be a Tundra - 2 Pallas's Leaf Warbler (C&A and churchyard) - 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Kew Villa and churchyard) - 2 Shorelark (Bluebell car park) - 3 Bearded Tit over the car on parking up - 5 Mealy Redpoll (Bluebell Pond caravan site) - flock of Brent Geese (Dark and Pale-bellied present) - few Brambling over
Best of the rest included... - literally 100's of Redwing and Fieldfare - 4 Blackcap (2m 2f) - lots of Chiffchaff - few Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow - 1 drake Pochard on Bluebell pool - usual massive Golden Plover flock with 2 Greys - Robin and Goldcrest everywhere including 1 tiny sodden individual that took refuge next to us under the caravan park canopy.
Also of note a Redstart was seen on the Humber rocks and it's plumage caused a stir. It was then thought to be a Black Redstart, and within minutes it was elevated to an Eastern form. Tim Jones hurried off for his trap, he caught the bird, it was examined and eventually released at Chuchfield, ID'd as a Redstart.
I also thought I had another Dusky Warbler along the canal reeds and shrubs late on, it looked really good for it and there was one reported there a bit earlier but Simon just missed it and didn't get on it, I would've felt more confident with a second opinion taking into account there's not too much to go off looking rather like a plain browny grey Chiffchaff. What I will say is the one I saw in the Churchyard showed a fairly well defined eye stripe and a rather fine bill so I was a lot happier with that one!
A cracking day in Spurn as always, that looked as though it was gonna be a washout but eventually turned itself around and I got most of the birds I wanted!
Images : Tundra Bean Goose, Radde's Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Shorelark, Lesser Redpoll, and the 'confusion' Redstart
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 17th of October 2016 08:01:44 PM
The mobile phone really is a great invention, it has certainly speeded up the flow of information between people. My phone rung on Thursday afternoon around 3-10pm and it was Mark K from York he said, There is a Siberian Accentor near the old school in Easington just before Spurn. He said other things but none are printable! I do have an understanding employer and if Bob K says yes we may as well give it a go. Common sense out the window time then (things like daylight, traffic etc) Bob drove (he also had a bad cold) and we headed along the M62 around 3-40pm. The usual nonsense around Bradford and Leeds slowed us up, but it was nothing compared to the gridlocked road through Hull. It must have cost us a good 15 minutes. The sky began to darken as we parked up in Easington village, we headed up Vicar`s Lane and were told that the bird was still present and showing well (in the gloom) Just then a sudden rain shower fell as we arrived in the vicinity. The bird had flown minutes before we did to seek shelter, it was not seen again that day. Thanks Nige S and Dave W for consoling us after our dip. After all our efforts, we cursed our luck and the traffic in Hull. It was a sombre drive home.
After a few reassuring calls from birding mates, myself and Bob K hatched a plan to wait for news then decide what to do. I had asked work for a day`s holiday just in case the bird was still present. At around 7-10am another call from an elated Mark K told me that the bird was still present (thanks pal) So, Bob K was informed and we left Milnrow around 7-40am with myself at the controls. It is always a difficult journey along the M62 whichever way you try to go around this time of day, but we did reasonably well and managed a good **mph when possible! Mark K, Martin Q and Mark R all kept us up to date on the birds whereabouts, thanks again lads. We arrived in Easington and headed straight for the bird and were rewarded with great views of this Siberian stunner. The bird was feeding happily on small insects that it was catching around the moss covered area. Around 1200 birders saw the bird by the end of the day. The twitch was well marshalled by the lads from the Spurn Observatory. After looking up from my twitchers glasses it became apparent what a big event this was, the bird was the first on mainland Britain, so most birders would make an effort to see it (even some of the chequebook birders who had gone to see / dip the first on Shetland)
We headed towards Spurn / Kilnsea and the amount of people and birds present was quite staggering. We called firstly to see a very tame Shorelark, near the Bluebell Café, meeting up with Martin Q along the way. Then along Beacon Lane to see 20+ Brambling, masses of Redwing, Fieldfare and a few Ring Ouzels.
THIS HAS BEEN COPIED FROM THE SPURN LOG: - The SIBERIAN ACCENTOR didnt disappoint and performed admirably all day to around 1200 well behaved observers.
There was an awesome arrival of 5 Dusky warbler with birds at the Point, the Narrows, Warren, Canal Scrape and by Rose Cottage with 2 trapped and ringed, a Tawny Pipit was in the Sheepfield, an Olive backed Pipit was by the Bluebell, there was 1 Pallass Warbler in Kilnsea churchyard, 2 Richards Pipit, a Little Bunting at Sammys point, a Quail in Clubleys Field, the Great grey Shrike on Vicars lane, 18 Shorelark while during the day there was a fantastic movement of 254 White fronted Geese and 15 Bean Geese .
We did not see all those species but it was a once in a lifetime event. We met lots of people we had not seen for many years, in fact someone said that it was like the birders having their AGM at Spurn!
We arrived home around 6pm after again battling our way through the M62 morass, but we did not care we had finally, got the bird.
Dave O
sid ashton said
Mon Oct 17 5:01 PM, 2016
Finally managed to get over to Easington this morning for a look at the Siberian Accentor. Arrived at the location just before 08.00 to find that the bird had "just gone missing"!!! Given the fact that I had limited time to stay over there it was a relief when it was picked up soon afterwards by another birder underneath the gas plant inner fence and once I got my eye in had some cracking views of this interesting little visitor as it bobbed in and out of cover.
Didn't have time to do any general birding but was a bit disappointed to hear later that an Isabelline Wheatear was reported at Easington boatyard/lagoon about an hour after I left by which time I was well on my way home, still you can't win them all!!!
Simon Gough said
Mon Oct 17 9:27 AM, 2016
Saturday 15th October
Another coach trip with Stockport Birdwatching Society, with high anticipation of a good day. Tumbleweed must have been rolling down Marple High Street and through Bramhall Precinct as a packed coach set off.
A superb day's birding was enjoyed by everyone. The vast majority of folk disembarked in Easington to view the Siberian Accentor and the bird showed well. Then people found their own way to Kilnsea, chiefly via Sammy's Point and the lanes. The clear highlight for me on this walk being a lovely flock of 100+ Brambling feeding in the ploughed furrows of one field. A Ring Ouzel showed well at Sammy's too.
In Kilnsea itself a plethora of migrants showed well. I managed great views of Pallas' Warbler in the Churchyard, Dusky Warbler and Bearded Tit on the canal bank, Radde's Warbler at the Big Hedge and Shore Lark (Shorelark?) at the Bluebell Cafe. Other members of the party added White-fronted and Bean Geese over, Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warblers, and everyone of course enjoyed the sheer numbers of birds. This was felt to be one of the classic trips in the club's history by some of the long-standing members, and it was a happy coach that headed back to Stockport. Also very well organised marshalling by the Obs Committee and helpers as the guys below have said.
I headed back to Spurn on Sunday 16th with Rob Creek to see if we could catch up with the same set of Warblers and all the other goodies. A massive downpour from 10am until after 1pm didn't really help, but we got onto some great stuff in the afternoon. All in all a brilliant weekend of birding.
Craig Higson said
Sun Oct 16 9:02 PM, 2016
Steve Costa wrote:
I think you're right Craig, but I did ask two young volunteers at Easington in what capacity they were there. Maybe I misheard but could have sworn they said they were with the Trust (maybe they were just saying they were members). Yes, I know the mainstay of help was from the observatory. I did wonder why the Trust would be involved at Easington - that didn't seem to make sense.
Also, I probably assumed there was a direct link between the Trust and the Observatory. I really don't know how closely allied they are or if the opposite is true. I certainly wasn't aware of the visitor centre controversy until yesterday.
So... Well done, Spurn Bird Observatory
They possibly said Spurn Bird Observatory Trust. The whole visitor centre thing has become quite unsavoury, and many of the YWT staff at the site are stuck in the middle - I am certainly still friends with a couple of them, but YWT name is mud with many residents of the area, hence why I thought I'd mention it.
Steve Costa said
Sun Oct 16 6:28 PM, 2016
I think you're right Craig, but I did ask two young volunteers at Easington in what capacity they were there. Maybe I misheard but could have sworn they said they were with the Trust (maybe they were just saying they were members). Yes, I know the mainstay of help was from the observatory. I did wonder why the Trust would be involved at Easington - that didn't seem to make sense.
Also, I probably assumed there was a direct link between the Trust and the Observatory. I really don't know how closely allied they are or if the opposite is true. I certainly wasn't aware of the visitor centre controversy until yesterday.
So... Well done, Spurn Bird Observatory
Craig Higson said
Sun Oct 16 4:20 PM, 2016
Unless I'm massively mistaken, it was the volunteers from Spurn Bird Observatory doing all the marshalling Steve. At least up at the Accentor Twitch and down in Kilnsea on Friday. Must admit I didn't venture any further towards the bluebell than Kilnsea Church on Friday, but it was the Obs volunteers that arranged the opening of the fields for parking in both Kilnsea and Easington as far as I know.Might seem picky but it's an important distinction, especially given the current situation with the proposed Visitor Centre
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 16th of October 2016 04:20:59 PM
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 16th of October 2016 04:48:33 PM
Steve Costa said
Sun Oct 16 12:38 PM, 2016
Kilnsea/Spurn and Easington, Sat 15th Oct, 2106
A few years since I've been to Spurn but very rewarding , and not just for the rarities. A heady mix of passage/winter migrants, some in fantastic numbers - especially goldcrests, robins and redwings. Many fieldfares too with a few bramblings. Smaller numbers of departing summer migrants also present e.g. chiffchaff (the most common), common redstart, swallow, grasshopper warbler, blackcap. Passerines took centre stage with a varied selection of waders (mudflats mainly) and wildfowl too.
The staff and volunteers of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust deserves a special mention for guiding and controlling the large numbers of birdwatchers so efficiently, and in such a welcoming and informative way. Providing accessible and free parking was much appreciated. It all made life so much easier, especially after the long drive. It also appeased local people, some of whom were becoming agitated by the invasion - of people, not birds! Well done, YWT.
Chris Greene said
Sat Oct 15 6:39 PM, 2016
Friday 14th.
Not much to add to previous posts, but the Accentor was indeed a stunning little bird.Many thanks to the guys from Spurn for their great work,in marshalling the crowds.Nice to see so many familiar faces from GM and Liverpool.
Once again Spurn rarely disappoints,with a plethora of other superb birds, Dusky Warbler, Shorelark,Tundra Bean Geese,Ring Ouzels and Redstarts to name but a few....Not to forget the ubiquitous Robins and Goldcrests!
Great to see so many NW birders, Manchester, Cheshire,Merseyside, Lancashire, North Wales & even Staffordshire mates at Spurn yesterday. Too many to name check & yep, spoke to lots but saw others in passing who I didn't manage to grab a word with. birding was so full & rewarding it was hard to grab five minutes for a chat sometimes!
I arrived at 7.20am and was pointed to a good parking spot by Spurn volunteers and made my way to the queue for the Siberian Accentor. Apparently at dawn it had been a bit manic, with surges from birders when the first sighting was called out. I was glad I hadn't been there then! The downside was a queue of around 400-500 folk! Luckily another volunteer walked down the queue asking who hadn't seen the bird at all (lots of folk were queing for 2nds and 3rds of the bird). Telling him I hadn't he then took me 400 or so places up the queue to the viewing area and I got right by the fence! The bird showed immediately and what a little jewel! It was too dark for photos so I had my fill and gave up my place to others, heading to meet a mate at Spurn for a days birding. I did go back later, no queue and better light let me spend as long as I liked there & I got my shots (1 attached at low resolution).
Otherwise a fabulous days birding with self-found Yellow-browed Warbler, I refound a Dusky Warbler, had views on the deck in the open of an Olive-backed Pipit, saw 2 Firecrests, a Shorelark, Tundra Bean Geese (with a probable Taiga in with them), European White-fronted Geese, Dark-bellied Brent Geese and hundreds of commoner species. These included up to 10 Goldcrests hopping about on a lawn, always an enchanting sight to see, and more Redwings & Fieldfares than you could shake a stick at! A Brambling in stunning plumage showed down to a few feet and a few Mealy Redpolls were seen. All in all a great day for all of us there, and the good news is the Siberian Accentor is still there today
- Squacco Heron (Lifer).
After the hurt of missing the St.Mary's bird a few years ago that was constantly flying back and forth from a coastal lagoon to the nature reserve, and us having to then rush back to get the Scillonian, this one was within easy reach and I just couldn't risk not going for it provided it remained today. It did just that, and what a stonker of a bird in full summer plumage.
It was at the edge of the pool on Holderness Field near Kilnsea Wetlands but it was very flighty and relocated to another pool near the top of Beacon Lane and the beach.
However it didn't stay long there either and flew off high over the Little Tern colony and dropped down beyond Easington lagoons. I walked over that way on my own and relocated it virtually right infront of me, I didn't see it hidden in the reeds and it flew up and back over to Holderness Field.
It made for good viewing eventually and what a good decision to walk over towards the lagoons as I found an adult Curlew Sandpiper just outside the warden's hut, distant tho.
- Curlew Sandpiper 1 adult with a Knot
- Little Gull 19 together on KW (56 before I got there)
- Mediterranean Gulls 5 (apparently more around tho)
- Little Tern colony
- Sandwich Terns
- Arctic Tern 1 only
- Common Terns
- Avocets
- Reed Warbler 2
- Sedge Warbler 1
- Lesser Whitethroat heard near Kilnsea
-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Sunday 1st of July 2018 10:13:56 PM
Spurn in the winter. Sunday 11th February 2018
A trip to Spurn in the winter is a fairly unusual birdwatching pastime, but with the weather on the west coast looking a little grim, a trip into Yorkshire was planned. Steve B, Kevin C & myself made up the team. A Green winged Teal at North Cave N.R. was our first stop, it was a dry, bright, but bitterly cold morning as we searched the various lagoons. The local warden then told us that the bird will be hiding somewhere and would probably be seen again during the afternoon! We left and made plans to call on the way home.
A diversion on the way towards Hull had us visiting parts of the city that we have never been to before, the football / rugby stadium looks very impressive. We eventually got back on the correct road and were soon approaching Easington and a search for the long staying Rose coloured Starling began. After around 20 minutes the bird could not be found in its normal hedge, Steve commented, It`s not been much of an auspicious start to the day A pattern seemed to be developing, maybe!
As we approached Kilnsea wetlands a large flock (600+) of Brent Geese were feeding fairly close to the road, what a cracking sight as we all enjoyed the spectacle. We visited the sea watching hide and saw 20+ Red Throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 2 Gannets, lots of passing auks. Then 6+ Snow Bunting flew right in front of the hide, we tried to re-locate them but we couldnt as the beach area was full of sea fishermen. At Holderness fields Kevin found out that the long staying Green winged Teal (not the same one as North Cave) had been refound on the wetlands. Well off we went to the hide and after lots of searching realised that it wasnt there, again! The tide was coming in so we had a look at the various waders and saw: - Knot, Grey Plover, Black tailed Godwit, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Lapwing and best of all was a Jack Snipe (well found Steve B) Time for another go for the Rose coloured Starling in Easington, again with the same result. The gloom was beginning to descend, so another call at North Cave had to be put on hold (what with our luck today) Around the Leeds area the snow was beginning to fall and in the Rochdale area it had been falling all day. A wise decision to go out east then. Good days birding arriving home at 6-15pm.
Dave O.
My day also began with the Rosy Starling (lifer) in Easington after a short wait. Also here a Ring-necked Parakeet flying around plus a Sparrowhawk causing panic in the Starling flock.
Next stop was the Crown & Anchor car park and a fruitless hour wait for the non-showing Arctic Warbler. I decided to have a wander and try again later. News of 2 Yellow-browsed Warblers at The Warren seemed like a good bet so off I went. Another fruitless 20 mins wait! But I did watch the wardens ring and process (from the boot of a car!) a Tree Sparrow, Chiffchaff and Blackbird caught in the Heligoland trap. Then came another report of the Arctic Warbler at the pub car park again. So back I went! Another fruitless hour spent as it remained frustratingly elusive! Was this going to be on of those days?
So off to Kilnsea Wetlands instead. 4 Little Stints, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Whooper Swans, flocks of Golden Plover coming in/off plus lots of Brent Geese, Wigeon and c20+ Little Egret were the highlights here.
I decided to return back to the pub car park for a third go at the Arctic Warbler stopping at the small pond in Kilnsea where another Yellow-browsed had been reported. No luck for me though! However a nice male Brambling showed well.
By the time I got back to the pub car park the crowds had gathered and the sun came out. Expectations were rising! Still another long wait ensued. And then...someone caught a fleeting view in a ivy clad tree. But it still refused to show to the masses! Then finally it broke cover and flew towards the roadside bushes and showed really well for a hour. Second lifer! By this time it was about 4pm. I decided to go back to The Warren and managed a good view of on off the Yellow-broweds. Patience was rewarded!
Other highlights:
A few Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, a few Swallows and House Martins, lots of waders roosting a high tide, 3 Stonechats, a few Gannets fishing including 1 on the Humber, flocks of Siskins, Redpoll, Tree Sparrows.
It seemed fairly quiet in terms of bird numbers but still managed 69 species.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 15th of October 2017 11:02:22 PM
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 15th of October 2017 11:04:32 PM
Birds were hard to find due to the very wind conditions,
Highligh was a very obliging Arctic Warbler which performed in the Crown and Anchor car park all day, A Yellow-Browed Warbler was also present but heard onlyA Rose-Coloured Starling was also showing well as were 3 Little Stint, Stonechat, Whinchat and small numbers of Brambling, Redwing and Fieldfare
-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Saturday 14th of October 2017 09:49:12 AM
Decent week given the less than promising conditions!
Spurn Weekend 29th & 30th September 2017
Our annual trip to Spurn was a reasonable one with quite a few migrants (mainly common one`s) passing through. Due to a prior commitment, my grandson`s christening, I had to travel on my own. Kevin C & Bob K met me on the M62. Our first stop was at Stone Creek to meet an old friend, John Ward who has been counting the birds there for years. We had a nice time watching the resident Kingfisher and having a good chat, there was not much flying south though!
Next stop was Easington to catch up with a juvenile Rose coloured Starling, it took time to locate but we had some decent views of it eventually. We were joined by Billy Jackson and enjoyed a Red breasted Flycatcher in the garden at Kew, also a Yellow browed Warbler was in the area. A couple of Pied Flycatchers were also noted. A trip down to the Warren revealed a smart Redstart and another juvenile Rose coloured Starling (no not the same one) the sea was very quiet, so a check around had us soon watching a smart Whinchat. A trip to the riding stables, in search of a Red backed Shrike only revealed a man asleep in his van! At Sammy`s Point a hunting Barn Owl was the real highlight with only a smattering of small birds being seen. We made for our accommodation at The Marquis of Granby in Easington, which was very nice. Martin Q joined us and after we ate a hearty meal we had a couple of pints and retired for the night.
Up at around 7-30am we all headed for the sports field and sewage works area. A Ring necked Parakeet was the only real bird of note. A cracking breakfast was thoroughly enjoyed and then back out to look for the Red backed Shrike again, still no joy. Another RB Shrike was now reported in Easington village up Vicar`s Lane, we headed there, but after a while we did not see it. Martin met one of his old buddies, who had just bought the bungalow which had held the Siberian Accentor last year, lucky man. Back to Easington Cemetery to finally catch up with the shrike, that showed really well, at last! We called in to watch the warden at Spurn ringing a couple of Redpoll, it was quite informative. We had our evening meal at the Crown & Anchor and a couple of pints then again to bed. Great to meet up with the lads again and have a good chat.
Dave O.
Poor conditions, wind and some light rain early to late morning eventually improving in the afternoon
Highlights:-
Yellow-Browed Warbler 2
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Spotted Flycatcher 3
Pied Flycatcher 4 all fem/imm
Red-Breasted Flycatcher fem/imm
Turtle Dove
Gannet (15)
Shag (1)
Little Egret
Brent Goose (c.10)
Wigeon
Teal
Shoveler
Kestrel (3)
Water Rail (1)
Golden Plover
Grey Plover
Knot
Dunlin
Snipe
Black-tailed Godwit
Bar-tailed Godwit
Spotted Redshank (2)
Common Tern (1)
Ring-necked Parakeet (1)
Redstart (2)
Wheatear (1)
Redwing (4)
Lesser Whitethroat (4)
Yellow-browned Warbler (1)
Spotted Flycatcher (1)
Red-breasted Flycatcher (1)
Red-backed Shrike (1)
Siskin (c.25)
Rose-coloured Starling (1)
Birds that I missed included a fly over Red-throated Pipit and an Arctic Warbler, seen briefly near Rose Cottage but not relocated. Whilst looking for the Arctic Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat was noted, being a good candidate for a halimodendri/desert type. No doubt the powers that be will conclude once photos have been perused.
Morning / early afternoon visit with Simon Gough.
A rare Saturday off work meant I could plan a days birding so when Si phoned on Friday afternoon, we decided on Spurn.
- Marsh Warbler 1 (Lifer)
A cracking little bird that showed well at Pallas's Pool not long after we arrived. But all too soon, it disappeared back into the Hawthorns and it looks like it didn't show again until late on.
It was almost identical to a Reed Warbler but when it showed I commented on the fact it looked decidedly paler and that it had a certain 'cute and kind' look to its face with a shortish looking bill. My own view is, I would've struggled to separate it safely from a Reed Warbler if it was me that found it.
Other good birds included...
- Yellow-legged Gull 1 juv
- Mediterranean Gull 4
- Bar-tailed Godwit 200+
- Golden Plover 1500+ (with some Grey's)
- Whimbrel 1
- Sanderling 1
- Yellow Wagtail 1
- Wheatear 1
- Willow Warbler 1
- Goldcrest 1
- Redpoll 10+
- Siskin 5+
- Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 near Sammy's Point
- Kestrel 1 (1 ringed at Churchfield whilst we were seawatching)
A Seawatch produced...
- Great Skua 1 a cracking adult
- Arctic Skua 2 - 1 mobbing Terns in same view as the Bonxie
- Kittiwake 5 juveniles
- Eurasian Teal 44
- Eurasian Wigeon 11
Obviously lots of the usual expected birds around too including Waders, Skylarks, Gannets, Tree Sparrow, etc
But also whilst stood near the Seawatch hide I noticed a large juvenile Gull fly lazily over the Warren and Vizmig point. I had it down as a Herring Gull, but Tim Jones confirmed a few minutes later that it was a Yellow-legged Gull.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 24th of September 2017 10:42:42 AM
Dipped the Arctic warbler in the morning & stupidly didn't try again when it was re-found later in the day.
Great views of the red-breasted flycatcher at kew villa, pied flycatcher also there.
Spotted flycatcher just across the road at cliff farm.
Barred warbler near pill box with lesser whitethroat, willow warblers & goldcrest.
3 Yellow-browed warblers, 2 at the Warren 1 near the pill box.
1 reed warbler.
A couple of 1 hour sea watching with 3 arctic skuas, 4 great skuas, several fulmar & red-throated divers, lots of gannets.
Plenty of waders around including 3 little stint at the wetlands.
I managed to rack up 77 species.
After lunch we headed to Kilnsea Wetlands and after a short wait had good views of the two Little Stints and the lamed Curlew-Sandpiper. A second Curlew-Sandpiper remained distant from the hide, among the Dunlin. A White Wagtail was seen and Yellow Wagtail heard. Hearing that the Arctic Warbler had been seen again at Easington we headed back to the cemetery for what initially looked like another dip. However, after most people had left the bird was re-found between the lines of the double hedge just south of the cemetery. Despite mostly remaining in the sheltered middle of the vegetation, the bird gave some good clear views , often very low down against the bases of the hawthorns, as well as showing from time to time on the western side in good sunlight.
The late team
All in all a good day, especially for picking up some of the commoners species some of us had missed earlier in the year. 70 species in total
Long-billed Dowitcher, hiding most of the time but showed well at one point.
Wryneck, as Craig mentions a confiding bird.
Fleeting view of the black redstart as it was fying away from me.
3 curlew sandpiper
2 little stint
Nice mixture of usual waders.
1 arctic skua
Plus all usuals around.
-- Edited by steven burke on Tuesday 12th of September 2017 06:29:08 PM
Other sightings included over 2500 Meadow pipits moving on one day
Curlew Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Black Redstart
Pied Flycatcher
Early morning visit with Simon Gough and Chris Chandler.
- White-rumped Sandpiper
We just missed it at around 8.30ish as it had flown towards the Humber. It appeared later around 4.50pm well after we left.
Despite missing the main target, we saw plenty of other good birds including a 16 species Wader-fest...
- Wood Sandpiper 3
- Little Stint 1 (believe it or not we got everyone else on to this)
- Common Sandpiper 2
- Whimbrel 5
- Curlew
- Knot 1 in summ/pl
- Black-tailed Godwit 1
- Avocet 3
- Common Snipe 1
- Greenshank 1
- Turnstone 1
- Golden Plover c500+
- Dunlin 1000's
- Ringed Plover 1
- Oystercatchers
- Redshanks
- Marsh Harrier 2
- Peregrine 1
- Little Terns
- Sandwich Terns
- White Wagtail 1
- Mediterranean Gull 2
- Sedge Warbler 1 showy bird at Wetlands car park
- also a Red-legged Partridge stood near the M62 central reservation just passed North Cave.
Lots of other usual Spurn stuff around too.
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 25th of July 2017 07:18:23 PM
Up early, a choice of Spurn or Northumberland for the Short-toed Lark. Lark not seen for a good part of Saturday so off to Spurn to see if any more good stuff was to come through on Vismig.
Sunk Island.
- Dotterel 8
Took me a while but I picked a couple of ploughed fields on East Bank Road and waited for movement. Bingo! 6 at first, then a 7th, and then the 8th, and all appeared to be females to me, their bright roufous bellies catching the sun.
Also in the area...
- Red-legged Partridge 1
- Sedge Warbler 1 perched up singing at roadside
- Whitethroat 1m
- Lesser Whitethroat 1
- Yellow Wagtails inc some stunning males
- Skylark 4
- Yellowhammer 1m
- Corn Bunting 1
Main Spurn area.
- Marsh Harrier 1 over Kilnsea Wetlands
- Spotted Flycatcher 1 in middle hedge opposite Rose Cottage
- Northern Wheatear 2 (1 Southfield, 1 Middle Camp)
- Whimbrel 1 (on rocks Middle Camp)
- Sanderling 4
- Little Stint 1 possible with the Sanderling, it was a fair bit smaller. Not 100% on this ID as I couldn't detect a hind toe they were running around that quick, it could've been a small Sanderling.
No sign of the stunning male Snow Bunting at Middle Camp down the peninsula, was showing early morning but lots of families and dog walkers around, I actually thought dogs weren't allowed passed the Warren barrier!
A decent day nonetheless but then later in the afternoon a report came through to say the Short-toed Lark and a close up Citrine Wagtail were showing well in Northumberland. Great!
Arrived mid morning and soon picked up on some good birds.
- Wryneck 1
I parked up and sat quietly in the car near Rose Cottage and within a few minutes the Wryneck appeared at the roadside. I was the only one in the vicinity, I watched it for a minute or so and I managed some ok photos.
I would've got better ones as it was heading closer but unbelievably a woman must've spotted it from distance and came dashing up the road with her husband and it retreated to the hedges.
They eventually left and must've put the word out as soon after cars pulled up and a small crowd started gathering, people walking up and down and checking the bushes, my blood was boiling especially when one said to me "are you sure it was the Wryneck?"
It wasn't going to show with all the goings on, but I saw it again as it flew across the road into the bushes and then back again as it was surveying the situation but thought better of it, it didn't show again whilst I was there. I drove off an angry man and I left them to it!!!
Other birds...
- Winchat 6 inc 4m (Southfield Farm field)
- Wheatear 5 (Southfield Farm 3, Sammy's Point 2)
-.Redstart 1f (distant at Southfield Farm)
- Ring Ouzel 1m close up (Sammy's Point)
- Fieldfare 10+ (Sammy's Point)
- Pied Flycatcher 1m (Sammy's Point)
- Yellow Wagtail 1f (Kilnsea)
- White Wagtail 1 (Kilnsea)
- Whimbrel 2 (Southfield Farm field)
- Whitethroat 1 (Rose Cottage)
Monday 1st May
Arrived early afternoon but most of the good sightings had been in the morning (I had originally planned to be here in the morning).
Of note...
- Sedge Warbler 1
- Chiffchaff 1
- Willow Warbler 1
- Sparrowhawk 1
- Whimbrel 16+ in field near canal scrape
- Wheatear 1
...and a male Stonechat that appeared very colourful with lots of orange on the breast, according to Tim Jones it was a continental Rubicola so that was nice to see.
Called in at Kew to pick up my bins but it turned out they were never handed in in the first place, oh well, I should've been more vigilant!
Another trip over to Spurn that proved worth it. Nice sunny weather again like Saturday and many of the same birds still around but some new ones about too!
- Western Subalpine Warbler 1 (Lifer)
a cracking little bird that was singing and chattering away all day. Showed on and off in full bird glimpses at times albeit briefly as it was very active so you had to be quick to get a photo. I heard this bird near canal scrape on Saturday but because I had no idea what it was, I didn't match it up to any recorded songs.
Other birds of note...
- Black Brant 1 (a lot closer at Beacon Ponds)
(In amongst the usual Brent Goose flock)
- Peregrine 1 (canal)
- Fulmar 1
- Kittiwake 2
- Grey Plover 75+
- Wheatear 1 (Kilnsea)
- Blackcap 1 pair together
- Chiffchaff 2
- Willow Warbler 2
Took advantage of a Saturday off work and the gf not finishing work until 8pm.
Of note...
- 1 Black Brant finally (subspecies Lifer)
Seen distantly on the Humber salt flats from canal path then closer from Kilnsea Wetlands but once again dog walkers up on the bank put the whole lot up just after they'd settled. Then a large young Herring Gull put them up twice, the second time for good...off they went!
Images attached.
- Pale-bellied Brent Goose 1
- Dark-bellied Brent Geese 250+
- Red Kite 2 (1 at Warren, 1 at C&A simultaneously)
- Harris Hawk 1 escape seen all over the area
- Hooded Crow 1 with Carrion Crows mobbing the Hawk
- Little Ringed Plover 3 (Kilnsea)
- Avocet 14 (Kilnsea)
- Oystercatcher 2 (Kilnsea)
- Whimbrel 1 (flying up Humber bank opp C&A)
- Turnstone 1
- Sparrowhawk 1 (canal path)
- White Wagtail 1 (Canal Scrape)
A few decent Ducks still at Kilnsea inc...
- Wigeon 16
- Teal 10
- Shoveler 1 pair
- Gadwall 1 pair
- Tufted Duck 1 only, a female
Whinchat and Ring Ouzel were seen before I arrived but weren't seen again as far as I know so probably moved on.
Plenty of the usual birds around inc Curlew, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Skylark etc etc
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 16th of April 2017 11:19:05 PM
(I thought I'd already posted this, my session must've timed out)
Early morning visit to Spurn and Kilnsea to ensure I made it home for United's cup match.
Birds of note...
350+ Dark-bellied Brent Geese (roughly half the flock at Kilnsea)
3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese
1 Marsh Harrier (Easington fields)
1 Pallid Harrier (brief view at Kilnsea)
1 Sparrowhawk
2 Stonechat
Usual Ducks and Waders at the Spurn end of things.
Nice to meet up with Steve Eckersly. We both scanned the 100's of Brent's for the Black Brant but no luck, I thought I had it at one point but it must've been a 'blackish' Dark-bellied. The Geese were on edge and were spooked by dog walkers on top of the banking near the hide. They've used the Geese photos on the Spurn website (the right hand bird I was holding out some hope for the Brant).
Steve said the Pallid Harrier is becoming a regular occurrence at Kilnsea now too!
First bird of note was a ring tail Hen Harrier which was very showy for a while. Next up a female Marsh Harrier then, after a wait of almost one and a half hours, the Pallid Harrier flew in from the west. Gave quite distant views for around a minute before going down out of sight. One, or possibly two, Short eared Owl entertained us towards the western edge of the marsh before I picked up the Pallid Harrier flying out in front of us, albeit fairly distant again, decent scope views were had. Sparrowhawk and Merlin were also seen and walking back to the car, another Short eared Owl over the fields.
Hi Andy, I've seen him before but never spoke to him, yesterday there was a lot of birds moving around the marsh so as people were pointing out different sightings to each other we all just got talking, and he made it known he was your brother. Nice fella and a fine birder too!
He will tell you himself, we were treated to spectacular views of the Pallid Harrier having a skirmish with a Short-eared Owl and then perching up in full view out on the marsh.
Welwick Salt Marsh.
Afternoon visit with Simon Gough and Chris Chandler. (Nice to meet Tim Isherwood)
1 Pallid Harrier
Eventually showed and showed well, a couple of good flight views, a mid-air tangle with a Short-eared Owl and then it perched up on a dead branch for the best part of 25 minutes, just out of range for a good record shot but excellent scope views.
Other birds...
2 Short-eared Owl (possibly 3)
1 Merlin
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Great Black-backed Gull
2 Common Snipe
Few Curlew
100's of Lapwing with Golden Plover
200+ Brent Geese (took flight distantly)
C15-20 Pink-footed Geese over
2 Little Egret
1 Rock Pipit
Few Skylark
Welwick Salt Marsh.
With Ian Lyth.
Pallid Harrier. Two good fly-bys .. full length of marsh ... First about 12.00 hrs, second at 14.30 hrs.
Hen Harrier. 2 Ringtail.
Marsh Harrier. At least 3.
Short-eared owl. 2.
Merlin.
Sparrowhawk.
Kestrel.
Buzzard.
Good entertainment ... Nearly always something to watch during 4 1/2 hour session.
Roger.
Finished off our last group trip of the year here with good if distant views of the Pallid Harrier this afternoon. No sign of any other harriers while we were there, just a Kestrel and 3 Short-eared Owls showing well in the golden evening light.
Curlew, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank, Meadow Pipit and Carrion Crow as supporting cast on the marsh, with a small but noisy party of Starlings behind us and a good mixed flock of finches near the parked cars.
Decided to leave early to go over to Welwick salt marsh this morning with John Barber, arriving there at 08.45 and then having to be patient until just before noon for the Pallid Harrier to put in an appearance. Had very close and detailed views of the bird as it flew from east to west over the fields to the north of the marsh - "it's behind you!!"
There were plenty of other species to keep our attention during our wait including Marsh Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine, Kestrel, Buzzards and in the hedges Yellowhammer in big numbers. A very pleasant morning in almost Springlike weather.
PS thanks for the PM Mark
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 3rd of December 2016 06:16:01 PM
Hi Mark well done with the Pallid Harrier quite elusive I believe, thinking of heading over there tomorrow. I know the place ok but what time of day did you see the bird please?
A lot of the reports I have seen are for late afternoon sightings, it would be nice if it is showing a bit earlier. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks, Sid.
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 3rd of December 2016 05:36:24 AM
Trip over to Welwick salt marsh NR to see the long staying Juvenile Pallid Harrier Which didn't disappoint favouring the eastern end of the marsh, Initially distant but eventually gave close views, At one point It had an altercation with a Ring tailed Hen Harrier when the two met quartering the same area of the marsh and supprisingly the Pallid Harrier was the instigator,
Late news of various species and a quick summation of what was on offer led to a last minute decision to Welwick Saltmarsh (Row Lane) near Spurn.
- 1 juv Pallid Harrier (Lifer)
Didn't show until 2nd visit. Bit distant but showed well enough on 2 or 3 occasions. Showers and a biting cold wind made this sighting well earnt!
- 1 Marsh Harrier (seen a few times so possibly more than 1)
- 1 imm Kittiwake (in off the sea over the marsh)
- 1 Great Black-backed Gull
- 10+ Little Egret
- 2 Common Snipe
- 100+ Golden Plover
- Redwings / Fieldfares
Easington.
- 4 Greenland White-fronted Goose (1ad 4juv)
- 1 Merlin (near Kilnsea Wetlands)
Spurn.
Literally 5 minutes in piercing cold wind before news of the Harrier showing produced...
- 1 Red-throated Diver
- 1 Skua species, bit distant for definite ID
Must've been a mega fall of Blackbirds as they were everywhere, literally lining the hedges and roadsides.
Point & Thorns at Spurn. Sunday 23rd October 2016
After last week`s full on encounters, thoughts of a nice leisurely bit of birding sprung to mind for the coming weekend. Then Spurn, true to form, produced more eastern bird specialities such as Isabelline Wheatear, two Siberian Stonechats 1-Maura and 1 possible Stejneger`s. With three of the A Team needing the wheatear as a British tick, a trip was planned.
We met in Newhey at 7am and four birders set off for Easington and Spurn Point with myself driving. No news of the wheatear or the Siberian Stonechat greeted our arrival. Despite a search it looked like the lads would be disappointed. As the day brightened up news of the Siberian Stonechat (possible Stejneger`s) at the point filtered through. Now it`s a 6 mile round trip walk to the end of Spurn Point and not for the feint hearted, but with the bird showing all the right features and also being a potential split, 2 of us gave it a go. After around an hour and a quarter we reached the Green beacon at the very end of Spurn Point, not many birds had been seen on the way down except a Hooded Crow.
News of the bird was good and that it was moving around a fair bit and not coming much closer than 50 yards distance. We met Martin Q, Mark K & Nigel S there also and we had a good natter until the bird showed quite well. We all had a good stumble about in the dense plant matter and I had my customary fall and filled my hands with thorns, which are still being extracted as I write this piece! After following the bird around for about an hour the lads had enough pictures of it and noted many of the features of this very different sub species. We watched various ships sailing past and were amazed at how big and how close to the point that they sail. The journey back was a little more leisurely but very enjoyable. We all met at the warren where a Black Redstart was showing very well. We called in at Sammy`s Point but there was not many birds about except 2 Ring Ouzel. We headed for home with tired legs waiting to be rubbed down with some Deep Heat. Who said that Blakeney Point was a hard walk?
Dave O.
Yet another visit to Spurn (I know what you mean Mark) my 6th visit in under 2 months it's been that good! This time I was on my jack jones as my usual partners in crime didn't fancy it.
Isabelline Wheatear and Siberian Stonechat were the main targets but they'd cleared off, still, some good birds around but my Dip list was arguably better than my sightings.
Of note...
- Snow Bunting 1 belter close up (behind Sandy Beaches)
- Dark-bellied Brent Goose c100 (various locations)
- Red-throated Diver 2 (sea)
- Great Skua 1 (sea)
- Short-eared Owl 1 (over the sea- distant)
- Sooty Shearwater 1
- Gannet 3 juv + 1 adult
Lots of Waders incl...
- Greenshank 1 (K wet)
- Bar-tailed Godwits (K wet)
- Turnstone 2 (Easington)
- lots of winter plumage Sanderling
In one view all feeding together in the small paddock next to Sammy's Point car park...
- Ring Ouzel 3 (2 on grass, 1 in hawthorns)
- Redwing 5
- Fieldfare 2
- Song Thrush 1
- Blackbird 1
Also...
- Tree Sparrow c30
- Brambling 5
- Chiffchaff and Goldcrest so close up they were almost on my feet
- some Blackcap around
- Red Kite 1 over M1 / M62 interchange
- Pink-footed Goose 1000+ in 6 close prox skeins near North Cave whilst fuelling up
Birds I missed...
- Isabelline Wheatear
- Siberian Stonechat
- Stejneger's Stonechat (probable)
- Hooded Crow
- Scaup
- Great Grey Shrike
- Firecrest
- Siberian Chiffchaff
- Northern Bullfinch
Oh well, you win some - you lose some, that's what birding's all about!
...and with news of some cracking birds again today, who knows what the weekend holds
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Wednesday 26th of October 2016 12:47:36 AM
Did a full circuit of the Triangle to start with and a fifteen minute slot in the Canal Scrape Hide where a Water Rail showed nicely but briefly. Also there one Jack Snipe. There was a good array of waders on the estuary where a Long tailed Duck flew in after we left. We later returned to try to add it to the day list but no luck. We then moved up to Kilnsea Wetlands where the star birds were a first winter Mediterranean Gull, two Greenshank and a Merlin. The latter I managed to miss whilst I was switching from scope to bins. Extremely close views of a confiding Snow Bunting were had between shore and caravan park behind the Bluebell Café. Finally, we spent an hour down at Sammy's Point. A raft of Common Scoter were seen well out. Two Ring Ouzel were added in the wooded paddock to the left of the car park and whilst waiting patiently for them to reappear, I found a showy Lesser Whitethroat. Both Redstart and Black Redstart were also seen here. Of note :-
Little Grebe
Brent Goose (200 min)
Common Scoter (c.65)
Sparrowhawk (1)
Peregrine (1)
Red legged Partridge
Water Rail (1)
Golden Plover (c.100)
Grey Plover (c.15)
Jack Snipe (1)
Snipe (3)
Black tailed Godwit
Bar tailed Godwit (1)
Greenshank (3)
Turnstone
Mediterranean Gull (1)
Black Redstart (1)
Redstart (2)
Stonechat (1)
Ring Ouzel (2)
Lesser Whitethroat (1)
Snow Bunting (1)
Yellowhammer (1)
What seemed like a quiet day actually turned out quite good and, whilst no rarities were seen, a total of 71 species was reached.
Photos of Redstart (1st w fem) and Ring Ouzel attached.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 25th of October 2016 03:46:31 PM
A second visit in two weeks (Frustratingly I couldn't get there last week for the Siberian Accentor!). The predicted easterlies/north easterlies again brought more anticipation of another good day but it didn't really materialise. However, there were still some good birds around but without the big numbers of commoner migrants. Unfortunately, the Isabelline Wheatear and Siberian Stonechat decided to leave last night (both would have been lifers).
Highlights:
1 (possible) 'Stejneger's' Stonechat at the Point - quite a distinctive and interesting bird and certainly seemed different and paler than a 'regular' Stonechat.
1 Hooded Crow - flew close past me at the Warren then landed on the saltmarsh
1 Great Grey Shrike - missed it earlier but I found it right at the end of the day on telegraph wires in Kilnsea
1 Snow Bunting - showing well at back of caravan site
1 Black Redstart - Warren
1 Common Redstart - Cliff Farm
1 Lesser Whitethroat (possibly Siberian race blythi ) - Kew
2 Brambling
Other sightings:
1 Peregrine - over Humber mouth
4 Blackcap - 3m, 1f
quite a few Redwing and smaller numbers of Fieldfare around
still lots of Robins
smaller numbers of Goldcrests and a few Chiffchaffs
numerous Reed Buntings
good numbers of Dark-bellied Brent Geese close in a high tide on Humber and at Beacon Ponds
small flock of Greylag Geese on Humber-
c.10 Common Scoter offshore
c.12 Little Egret
2 Gannet
1 Siskin
a few Tree Sparrows
Water Rail - heard only
Waders: Dunlin, Ringed, Grey & Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Turnstone, Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank
some good size flocks of Starlings around late in the day as the sun began to go down
Total: 59 species
Dipped on Firecest (churchyard), Yellow-browed Warbler (by 10 seconds!- Canal hide area), 'Northern' Bullfinch, 2 Scaup, Siberian Chiffchaff
This was my first visit to the Point since the breach a couple of years ago and made possible by taking my bike! - A nice ride after the initial difficultly in getting it across the soft sand! It seemed rather strange with no cars there anymore and far fewer people. The lifeboat houses seemed like a ghost town. But there is a viewing platform that has been constructed which gave good views over the point dunes which is a good idea.
-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Monday 24th of October 2016 12:09:30 AM
Isabelline Wheatear
Siberian Stonechat
Pallas Warbler
Ring Ouzel 2
Several large flocks of Tree Sparrow around Sammys c20 & c30 strong
At one point the Isabelline Wheatear and Siberian Stonechat were less that 100M apart, Sureal
Similar to recents visits
Still big numbers of Redwing, Fieldfare, Robin, & Goldcrest around
There was also report of a solitary Waxwing around Church field/Cliff farm area, Hopfully an indication of things to come.
-- Edited by Tim Wilcox on Wednesday 19th of October 2016 08:31:18 AM
Spurn Rerun. Sunday 16th October 2016
As the easterly`s had continued to blow lots of birds towards the east coast, it was a good plan to go again and see what we could find. So three A teamers with Steve K at the wheel headed to the Spurn area. The headline bird was again the Siberian Accentor at Easington. We parked in the car park, well field, being manned by the Spurn Observatory people. Again hurrying (have I done this before?) up Vicar`s Lane to the area the bird was in. It had moved from its normal place and was just about showing in the gas terminal compound area. Steve`s K and B saw the bird and seemed quite pleased to see it.
We visited the Shorelark behind the Bluebell café and it performed really well allowing people really close. At the Northfield Farm end of the canal area a Radde`s Warbler had been seen so we tried our luck. Now this species has been Steve B`s bogey bird forever, so, when it sat out albeit only briefly he had managed two lifers in the morning, well done Steve! As the weather began to take a turn for the worst with quite heavy showers we decided to go to Sammy`s point. On the way 15 Tundra Bean Geese had just landed on the Easington straight and we enjoyed watching them as they fed in the fields.
At Sammy`s Point we parked the car so as not to get wet and enjoyed about an hours birding from the car. Lots of Fieldfare, Redwing, 3 Ring Ouzel, Robins, Goldcrest, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Brambling, Chiff-chaff and a single Lesser Whitethroat were seen. The rain passed through and this allowed us to have another look at the Accentor, which had returned to its normal place and lots more pictures were taken. The lads enjoyed much better views than before. Another wander along the canal area hoping that the Radde`s would show a bit better, after 30 minutes it hadn`t. We had a final look at the Siberian Accentor and set off for home. Traffic was much better and we reached Rochdale by 6pm.
Dave O.
A cracking day with some Lifers, rain stopped play for 3 hours as Simon said but a fantastic full brekky and a coffee for £4 at the Sandy beaches caravan park and some good company in there more than made up for most of the lost birding time.
- 1 Radde's Warbler (Lifer) good views on canal path
- 1 Dusky Warbler (Lifer) brief but ok views in churchyard, seen in Churchfield minutes earlier
- 17 'Tundra' Bean Goose (Lifer) Easington stubble field
...the reported Taiga with them is likely to be a Tundra
- 2 Pallas's Leaf Warbler (C&A and churchyard)
- 2 Yellow-browed Warbler (Kew Villa and churchyard)
- 2 Shorelark (Bluebell car park)
- 3 Bearded Tit over the car on parking up
- 5 Mealy Redpoll (Bluebell Pond caravan site)
- flock of Brent Geese (Dark and Pale-bellied present)
- few Brambling over
Best of the rest included...
- literally 100's of Redwing and Fieldfare
- 4 Blackcap (2m 2f)
- lots of Chiffchaff
- few Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow
- 1 drake Pochard on Bluebell pool
- usual massive Golden Plover flock with 2 Greys
- Robin and Goldcrest everywhere including 1 tiny sodden individual that took refuge next to us under the caravan park canopy.
Also of note a Redstart was seen on the Humber rocks and it's plumage caused a stir.
It was then thought to be a Black Redstart, and within minutes it was elevated to an Eastern form.
Tim Jones hurried off for his trap, he caught the bird, it was examined and eventually released at Chuchfield, ID'd as a Redstart.
I also thought I had another Dusky Warbler along the canal reeds and shrubs late on, it looked really good for it and there was one reported there a bit earlier but Simon just missed it and didn't get on it, I would've felt more confident with a second opinion taking into account there's not too much to go off looking rather like a plain browny grey Chiffchaff. What I will say is the one I saw in the Churchyard showed a fairly well defined eye stripe and a rather fine bill so I was a lot happier with that one!
A cracking day in Spurn as always, that looked as though it was gonna be a washout but eventually turned itself around and I got most of the birds I wanted!
Images : Tundra Bean Goose, Radde's Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Shorelark, Lesser Redpoll, and the 'confusion' Redstart
-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 17th of October 2016 08:01:44 PM
Siberian Rushing. 13/10 & 14/10/2016
The mobile phone really is a great invention, it has certainly speeded up the flow of information between people. My phone rung on Thursday afternoon around 3-10pm and it was Mark K from York he said, There is a Siberian Accentor near the old school in Easington just before Spurn. He said other things but none are printable! I do have an understanding employer and if Bob K says yes we may as well give it a go. Common sense out the window time then (things like daylight, traffic etc) Bob drove (he also had a bad cold) and we headed along the M62 around 3-40pm. The usual nonsense around Bradford and Leeds slowed us up, but it was nothing compared to the gridlocked road through Hull. It must have cost us a good 15 minutes. The sky began to darken as we parked up in Easington village, we headed up Vicar`s Lane and were told that the bird was still present and showing well (in the gloom) Just then a sudden rain shower fell as we arrived in the vicinity. The bird had flown minutes before we did to seek shelter, it was not seen again that day. Thanks Nige S and Dave W for consoling us after our dip. After all our efforts, we cursed our luck and the traffic in Hull. It was a sombre drive home.
After a few reassuring calls from birding mates, myself and Bob K hatched a plan to wait for news then decide what to do. I had asked work for a day`s holiday just in case the bird was still present. At around 7-10am another call from an elated Mark K told me that the bird was still present (thanks pal) So, Bob K was informed and we left Milnrow around 7-40am with myself at the controls. It is always a difficult journey along the M62 whichever way you try to go around this time of day, but we did reasonably well and managed a good **mph when possible! Mark K, Martin Q and Mark R all kept us up to date on the birds whereabouts, thanks again lads. We arrived in Easington and headed straight for the bird and were rewarded with great views of this Siberian stunner. The bird was feeding happily on small insects that it was catching around the moss covered area. Around 1200 birders saw the bird by the end of the day. The twitch was well marshalled by the lads from the Spurn Observatory. After looking up from my twitchers glasses it became apparent what a big event this was, the bird was the first on mainland Britain, so most birders would make an effort to see it (even some of the chequebook birders who had gone to see / dip the first on Shetland)
We headed towards Spurn / Kilnsea and the amount of people and birds present was quite staggering. We called firstly to see a very tame Shorelark, near the Bluebell Café, meeting up with Martin Q along the way. Then along Beacon Lane to see 20+ Brambling, masses of Redwing, Fieldfare and a few Ring Ouzels.
THIS HAS BEEN COPIED FROM THE SPURN LOG: - The SIBERIAN ACCENTOR didnt disappoint and performed admirably all day to around 1200 well behaved observers.
There was an awesome arrival of 5 Dusky warbler with birds at the Point, the Narrows, Warren, Canal Scrape and by Rose Cottage with 2 trapped and ringed, a Tawny Pipit was in the Sheepfield, an Olive backed Pipit was by the Bluebell, there was 1 Pallass Warbler in Kilnsea churchyard, 2 Richards Pipit, a Little Bunting at Sammys point, a Quail in Clubleys Field, the Great grey Shrike on Vicars lane, 18 Shorelark while during the day there was a fantastic movement of 254 White fronted Geese and 15 Bean Geese .
Migrant totals were 26 Woodcock, 5 Short eared Owl, 1 Woodlark, 214 Skylark, 14 Rock Pipit, 505 Robin, 5 Black Redstart, 6 Redstart, 12 Stonechat, 17 Wheatear, 33 Ring Ouzel, 425 Blackbird, 955 Fieldfare, 97 Song Thrush, 870 Redwing, 6 Mistle Thrush, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 29 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Yellow browed Warbler, 90 Chiff chaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 182 Goldcrest, 7 Firecrest, 510 Brambling, 60 Siskin, 6 Twite, 58 Mealy Redpoll in the area, 5 Crossbill, 2 Bullfinch, 9 Lapland Bunting.
We did not see all those species but it was a once in a lifetime event. We met lots of people we had not seen for many years, in fact someone said that it was like the birders having their AGM at Spurn!
We arrived home around 6pm after again battling our way through the M62 morass, but we did not care we had finally, got the bird.
Dave O
Finally managed to get over to Easington this morning for a look at the Siberian Accentor. Arrived at the location just before 08.00 to find that the bird had "just gone missing"!!! Given the fact that I had limited time to stay over there it was a relief when it was picked up soon afterwards by another birder underneath the gas plant inner fence and once I got my eye in had some cracking views of this interesting little visitor as it bobbed in and out of cover.
Didn't have time to do any general birding but was a bit disappointed to hear later that an Isabelline Wheatear was reported at Easington boatyard/lagoon about an hour after I left by which time I was well on my way home, still you can't win them all!!!
Another coach trip with Stockport Birdwatching Society, with high anticipation of a good day. Tumbleweed must have been rolling down Marple High Street and through Bramhall Precinct as a packed coach set off.
A superb day's birding was enjoyed by everyone. The vast majority of folk disembarked in Easington to view the Siberian Accentor and the bird showed well. Then people found their own way to Kilnsea, chiefly via Sammy's Point and the lanes. The clear highlight for me on this walk being a lovely flock of 100+ Brambling feeding in the ploughed furrows of one field. A Ring Ouzel showed well at Sammy's too.
In Kilnsea itself a plethora of migrants showed well. I managed great views of Pallas' Warbler in the Churchyard, Dusky Warbler and Bearded Tit on the canal bank, Radde's Warbler at the Big Hedge and Shore Lark (Shorelark?) at the Bluebell Cafe. Other members of the party added White-fronted and Bean Geese over, Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warblers, and everyone of course enjoyed the sheer numbers of birds. This was felt to be one of the classic trips in the club's history by some of the long-standing members, and it was a happy coach that headed back to Stockport. Also very well organised marshalling by the Obs Committee and helpers as the guys below have said.
I headed back to Spurn on Sunday 16th with Rob Creek to see if we could catch up with the same set of Warblers and all the other goodies. A massive downpour from 10am until after 1pm didn't really help, but we got onto some great stuff in the afternoon. All in all a brilliant weekend of birding.
They possibly said Spurn Bird Observatory Trust. The whole visitor centre thing has become quite unsavoury, and many of the YWT staff at the site are stuck in the middle - I am certainly still friends with a couple of them, but YWT name is mud with many residents of the area, hence why I thought I'd mention it.
Also, I probably assumed there was a direct link between the Trust and the Observatory. I really don't know how closely allied they are or if the opposite is true. I certainly wasn't aware of the visitor centre controversy until yesterday.
So... Well done, Spurn Bird Observatory
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 16th of October 2016 04:20:59 PM
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Sunday 16th of October 2016 04:48:33 PM
A few years since I've been to Spurn but very rewarding , and not just for the rarities. A heady mix of passage/winter migrants, some in fantastic numbers - especially goldcrests, robins and redwings. Many fieldfares too with a few bramblings. Smaller numbers of departing summer migrants also present e.g. chiffchaff (the most common), common redstart, swallow, grasshopper warbler, blackcap. Passerines took centre stage with a varied selection of waders (mudflats mainly) and wildfowl too.
European White-fronted Goose c12
Taiga Bean Goose 1
Woodcock 5/6
Shore Lark 1
Siberian Accentor 1 (Easington)
Black Restart 1
Yellow-browed Warbler 1
Pallas's Leaf Warbler 1/2
Dusky Warbler 1
Radde's Warbler 1
Firecrest 1
Bearded Tit 3
The staff and volunteers of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust deserves a special mention for guiding and controlling the large numbers of birdwatchers so efficiently, and in such a welcoming and informative way. Providing accessible and free parking was much appreciated. It all made life so much easier, especially after the long drive. It also appeased local people, some of whom were becoming agitated by the invasion - of people, not birds! Well done, YWT.
Friday 14th.
Not much to add to previous posts, but the Accentor was indeed a stunning little bird.Many thanks to the guys from Spurn for their great work,in marshalling the crowds.Nice to see so many familiar faces from GM and Liverpool.
Once again Spurn rarely disappoints,with a plethora of other superb birds, Dusky Warbler, Shorelark,Tundra Bean Geese,Ring Ouzels and Redstarts to name but a few....Not to forget the ubiquitous Robins and Goldcrests!
Cheers Chris
Great to see so many NW birders, Manchester, Cheshire,Merseyside, Lancashire, North Wales & even Staffordshire mates at Spurn yesterday. Too many to name check & yep, spoke to lots but saw others in passing who I didn't manage to grab a word with. birding was so full & rewarding it was hard to grab five minutes for a chat sometimes!
I arrived at 7.20am and was pointed to a good parking spot by Spurn volunteers and made my way to the queue for the Siberian Accentor. Apparently at dawn it had been a bit manic, with surges from birders when the first sighting was called out. I was glad I hadn't been there then! The downside was a queue of around 400-500 folk! Luckily another volunteer walked down the queue asking who hadn't seen the bird at all (lots of folk were queing for 2nds and 3rds of the bird). Telling him I hadn't he then took me 400 or so places up the queue to the viewing area and I got right by the fence! The bird showed immediately and what a little jewel! It was too dark for photos so I had my fill and gave up my place to others, heading to meet a mate at Spurn for a days birding. I did go back later, no queue and better light let me spend as long as I liked there & I got my shots (1 attached at low resolution).
Otherwise a fabulous days birding with self-found Yellow-browed Warbler, I refound a Dusky Warbler, had views on the deck in the open of an Olive-backed Pipit, saw 2 Firecrests, a Shorelark, Tundra Bean Geese (with a probable Taiga in with them), European White-fronted Geese, Dark-bellied Brent Geese and hundreds of commoner species. These included up to 10 Goldcrests hopping about on a lawn, always an enchanting sight to see, and more Redwings & Fieldfares than you could shake a stick at! A Brambling in stunning plumage showed down to a few feet and a few Mealy Redpolls were seen. All in all a great day for all of us there, and the good news is the Siberian Accentor is still there today