Spurn Week 12

Wednesday the 8^th was an exceptional day for the time of year. My morning started when Paul tapped on the window of the cabin with a full grown Barn Owl in his hands. It had obviously been roosting in the mouth of the Heligoland trap and had been pushed through when Paul had walked through in the morning. It was extremely docile in the hand, a real pleasure to ring. Beyond unexpected was a Bluethroat that was trapped and ringed at the Warren. I had the privilege of going down to ring the bird. I was surprised by the amount of blue the bird actually showed on its breast, a superbly beautiful bird. The morning continued to give when Jonnie picked a Firecrest out of the Heligoland trap, the only one to be ringed at Spurn this autumn. What a day.

-Barn Owl

-Bluethroat

-Firecrest

The 9^th was also an excellent day. After a steady morning ringing I decided to head up to Beacon Ponds to put some seed down in the hopes of pinning down the large Snow Bunting flock that had been present in the area. I walked down the beach so far as Beacon Ponds and was unable to locate the flock. I was just about to turn around and head back when I spotted movement on the beach in front of me. I raised my bins and was shocked to see a Shore Lark looking back at me. A closer inspection revealed that there were in fact three of them foraging among the rocks. After setting some seed down for them, I headed back and found the Snow Bunting flock right at the top where I had set off from. I put down my remaining seed and left.

-Shore Lark

-Snow Bunting

I had hoped that my seed would entice the birds down and that we would be able to trap and ring both species. As it happened though, fate was not on my side. I was struck down with a severe case of man flu, and the rest of the week was spent in bed with the exception of work and going out to ring a Woodcock. By the time I had recovered the birds had all left.

Species List:

Spurn Bird Obs: Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pink-footed Goose, Brent Goose, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Gannet, Cormorant, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Water Rail, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Knot, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Greenshank. Common Redshank, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Feral Pigeon, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Skylark, Shore Lark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Stonechat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Robin, Bluethroat, Wren, Dunnock, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Brambling, Siskin, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Snow Bunting, Red Admiral, Comma, 

Spurn Week 19

Spurn 24.10.2016

Without rain the easterlies did not deliver in the way that the previous set had. That being said there was still a host of goodies to be had. We started the day by going down to the Snow Bunting that was present at Sandy Beaches and had continued to show well. We were able to get fairly close to it and get some nice photos.

-Snow Bunting

We walked the triangle and ended up back at the Obs. Whilst snacking at the obs we received news of a Long-tailed Duck at Kilnsea Wetlands. We raced up there but the bird had already gone, shortly after to reappear on the Humber. Having got to wetlands in the first place I could not face continuing to chase the duck around and proceeded to count the wildfowl. However, when we had finished there the duck was still present, so I headed down. At this point the bird, which had been sat in the middle of the Humber, began to move closer and soon was paddling just offshore allowing fantastic views of the species which previously I have only seen out at sea.

-Long-tailed Duck

Buzzed from that I decided to have a walk round the triangle, for which I was joined by Mick Cunningham. We had a good walk, the highlights being the presumed Northern Bullfinch, but we did not hear it call and see the bird at the same time. We also saw a Yellow-browed Warbler in Canal Hedge, which was the first one I have seen for some time.

Species List:

Kilnsea Wetlands: Mallard, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Teal, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Knot, Little Grebe, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Curlew,

Triangle: Chaffinch, Goldcrest, Siskin, Blackcap, Robin, Bullfinch, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Snipe, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Mistle Thrush, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Chiffchaff, Brambling, Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Blackbird, Redwing,

Spurn 25.10.2016

Of the most recent easterlies period today looked the most promising. However it started slow and until the afternoon not much really happened. A pine bunting was seen briefly but flew north and was not seen again. The search round the area did not produce much and by lunchtime I had all but given up on it reappearing.

As a result I made the plunge and went down the point again to have another look at the Stenejers Stonechat. Given the wind change tomorrow, I doubt it will be staying overnight. I got down there and soon got to grips with the Stonechat. It was not showing massively close but was showing well and I was able to get better views of the rump.

-Stenejers Stonechat

I made a small detour to have a look for a reported Little Bunting, but I did not look particularly hard. I wandered round the point but became disillusioned with not finding any birds. As a result I called it quits and was about to set off back when the radio buzzed into life that a Red-flanked Bluetail had been found at the point. Despite a few rare things turning up back at the top I decided to stay and have a look at the Bluetail down here. On my way through the shrubbery to the location described I spotted a passerine lift up from the path into the bushes, and when I got onto it through bins I was surprised to see that it was the Little Bunting. It sat in the open for a few seconds before it dived into the shrubbery calling. I had a quick look but decided it was not worth chasing.

I got to the Bluetail location where a handful of people were already. Dave Constantine showed me the back of his camera and was absolutely stunned. The bird was a fully blue adult male. Now seriously excited I continued looking for the bird. The relief and awe when we first picked it up, before we got to enjoy it all and revel in what was a truly stunning bird. We saw it a few more times but the bird was mobile and quite elusive. It sat out when it showed but not for long, before it would drop into the bushes and go missing. Over an hour or so we had a few good views of it, but nothing that would allow me to get the cracking shots that would do the bird justice. After an hour it dropped and did not show again for long enough for me to decided that the time had come to leave and head back up north. Views through the bins were almost exceptional, and the bird was without doubt one of the best birds I have ever seen.

-Red-flanked Bluetail

Back up top I decided to check out the rarest bird of the day in Easington; an Eastern Black Redstart. Not a tick, but a really smart bird. When I got up there the light was fading but the bird was showing well and I was able to get a few acceptable photos of it. Obviously the bird is only a subspecies but it’s still a stunner and I’m glad I went up to see it.

-Eastern Black Redstart

Species List:

Spurn Peninsula: Little Bunting, Siberian Stonechat (Stenejeri), Red-flanked Bluetail, Reed Bunting, Siskin, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Sparrowhawk, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Brambling,

Kilnsea: Long-tailed Tit, Common Snipe, Stock Dove, Black Redstart, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Swallow, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow,

Spurn 26.10.2016

The weather changed again, from the short easterly period into a period of prolonged south-westerly. I was hoping for an insane vis-migging session, but sadly movement as very steady and there was not a great deal moving. The undoubted highlight was when a shrill call alerted us to the presence of a Waxwing on the bushes at the Warren and showing nicely. It showed for about 10 mins before it turned around and flew north.

-Waxwing

Late morning/afternoon was spent wandering round the wetlands and the triangle to see if there was anything new in. Wetlands was fairly quiet, with a large clear-out of wildfowl but still a few bits and pieces. Paul caught a Woodcock at Kew which I went to have a look at. During the afternoon I walked round the triangle where I had a smashing Merlin north and a flock of six Whooper Swans south.

-Woodcock

-Whooper Swan

A much quieter day overall than yesterday…

Species List:

Triangle: Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, Robin, Siskin, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Song Thrush, Merlin, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Wigeon, Teal, Turnstone, Redwing, Waxwing, Woodcock, Jack Snipe,

Kilnsea Wetlands: Mallard, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Wigeon, Teal, Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Knot, Brent Goose, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Goldcrest, Magpie, Carrion Crow,

Spurn 27.10.2016

With a RL buzzard on the east coast I was out at Numpties for first thing. Sadly though the bird never appeared and the steady state of passage that we had seen yesterday continued into today. In fairness though there were still plenty of good birds. Up to three Swallows went south, which could well be the last ones I see this year and are almost certainly my latest birds ever.

As yesterday, there was clear highlight when 3 Shorelarks flew south flying past numpties. Common Buzzard, Twite and a reasonable passage of corvids and tree sparrows made for a reasonable supporting cast. However once passage had slowed down the day ground to something of a halt, with previous days remaining birds seemingly moved on leaving us with not much at all.

-Shorelark

Species List:

Triangle: Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Shore Lark, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Starling, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Linnet, Twite, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Kestrel, Little Egret, Wigeon, Greylag Geese, Brent Goose, Mallard, Golden Plover,

Spurn 28.10.2016

With a Spurn wedding later in the day, the birding force at Spurn was vastly reduced. I was left in charge of the daily log and sorting the daily recording. I started up at Numpties, which was where I spent most of the morning. The passage was fairly average, with a good variety of species but no massive movement. A couple of Twite, a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl were the best of it, the Merlin especially giving great views as it flew by.

Come early afternoon I decided to get on with some outstanding jobs around the Obs garden. Whilst I was doing this the radio buzzed into life that a Rough-legged Buzzard was flying over Kilnsea. I rushed over the Obs to see everyone in it rushing out! The Buzzard was already on it was down being mobbed by a crow, but once it had entered the triangle to settled down and spent the rest  of the day blogging around. At times it showed incredibly well, sat on a fence post before flying only a few feet over our heads. So far as showing well goes for raptors, it does not get much better than this. The bird is thought to be an adult male, possibly a returning bird from the last couple of years.

-Rough-legged Buzzard

Species List:

Triangle: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, House Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Twite, Woodpigeon, Ringed Plover, Siskin, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove, Redpoll, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Common Scoter, Merlin, Pintail, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, Skylark, Jackdaw, Rook, Grey Wagtail, Knot, Golden Plover, Short-eared Owl, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Rough-legged Buzzard,

Spurn 29.10.2016

The continued lack of Spurn birders (for the morning at least) left open the possibility of glory, in that fewer birders to notice things meant more chance of picking it up myself. However, I was keener to test myself Viz-migging, see how much I had learnt. As a result I headed up to numpties where, for over an hour, I was on my own. It was a challenge but also rewarding, as I picked up a Lapland Bunting going down the cliffs, and a couple of Long-tailed Ducks going south on the sea.

After a while I was joined by a couple of other Spurn birders who were still on site. As the morning drew on we added a Waxwing going north and a pair of Snow Buntings going south. Overall it was a very successful morning. By mid-morning though birders started to return, so I spent most of the day either napping or doing odd-jobs.

Perhaps the most exciting bird of the day was when Barry radioed up that he had caught a Bullfinch and asked if we want to see it. I should state that I was unaware of the issues surrounding Bullfinches and ringing, so I blissfully photographed the bird. Fortunately the bird did not keel over and die in the hand, but in future I will think twice about Bullfinches in the hand.

-Bullfinch

Species List:

Triangle: Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Rook, Lapland Bunting, Long-tailed Duck, Jackdaw, Siskin, Rock Pipit, Greylag Goose, Skylark, Linnet, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Woodpigeon, Whooper Swan, Common Scoter, Waxwing, Twite, Snow Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Wigeon, Carrion Crow, Tree Sparrow,

Spurn 30.10.2016

The continued westerlies meant a lack of new birds incoming and as a result it made birding a bit more challenging that it had been the last few weeks. I headed down the point to check the beach for wheatears, but I failed to find any. That being said I did have a few nice bits and pieces, including a Snow Bunting, Purple Sandpiper and a personal highlight; Firecrest.

By midday I had returned from the point and spent the afternoon clearing up the garden by doing a host of outstanding odd jobs. In the end it felt like a rather productive day despite the lack of birds. That is all that I can really say for it to be honest…

Species List:

Spurn Peninsula: Snow Bunting, Purple Sandpiper, Firecrest, Blackbird, Robin, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Fieldfare, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Sparrowhawk, Wren, Dunnock, 

Spurn Week 17

Spurn 10.10.2016

For the first time in over a week the winds changed from Easterly to northerly. That being said, the winds were only northerly in this immediate area, but it did result in a clear-out of birds, especially the rarer birds.

Seawatching in the morning produced very little, and my walk round the triangle produced a Yellow-browed Warbler in the crown, which was the best of the clear-out. The real highlight was a Common Snipe threat displaying to a Meadow Pipit on canal scrape. It was insane to watch, really quite comical. I ended up doing most of my outstanding odd jobs, like writing up my tern report piece and sorting out the garden.

Species List:

Triangle: Siskin, Robin, Song Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Snipe, Meadow Pipit, Wren, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Skylark, Mallard, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Moorhen, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock,

Spurn 11.10.2016

The Easterlies theme continued, and with renewed vigour after yesterday’s northerly interruption. I started the morning down at Seawatching but that was completely dead. As a result I decided to walk round the triangle, which was more successful with plenty of Robins and other common migrants. The walk round was unfortunately punctuated by the presence of rarer birds. The first was a Mealy Redpoll trapped at the warren. Having only ever seen one previously this was an opportunity not to be missed. I cycled down to see a cracking looking bird in the hand, well worth diverting the trip for. I had just started up again when shouts came out of a Hawfinch in the obs garden. As opposed to recent reports, which had been flyovers, this bird was settled down, and after a short wait I finally connected with this elusive finch.

-Mealy Redpoll

The real highlight of the morning however was one of my most wanted to see in the hand birds, and given how obscured my views were on Sunday basically lifer it. Pallas Warbler! One was trapped at Churchfield, allowing me to get up close to this stunning little bird. At absolute cracker! One of my favourite birds to have seen in the hand.

-Pallas's Warbler

In the afternoon I went up to wetlands to count the wildfowl. I was about half way through when the radio buzzed that there was a Woodchat Shrike down the point. This was a lifer so I paced it down on my bike and was one of the few people to connect with the bird before it did a bunk. In the field it was distant but showed well. Another lifer to add to the collection gathered during these easterlies.

As alluded to before, the bird did go missing mid-afternoon and was not relocated until almost everyone had left, myself included. I had just returned to the warren when the last birder looking reported that it had found its way into the trap. I was talking to Adam at the time, and he decided that he was going to cycle down and sort the bird out. It was basically dark by the time we arrived down there, and only myself, Adam and Steve Web were there. The bird was ringed and shown in the light of the ringing lab, not ideal but still enough to get a couple of photos.

-Woodchat Shrike

Species List:

Triangle: Pallas Warbler, Hawfinch, Mealy Redpoll, Robin, Redwing, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Yellow-browed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Brambling, Chaffinch, Common Snipe, Meadow Pipit, Little Egret, Gannet, Common Scoter, Mallard, Moorhen, Teal, Wigeon, Brent Goose,

Kilnsea Wetlands: Redstart, Goldcrest, Lapwing, Greenshank, Wheatear, Black-tailed Godwit, Wigeon, Mallard, Golden Plover, Little Egret, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Ruff, Shoveler, Teal, Robin, Blackcap, House Sparrow, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon,

Spurn Peninsula: Mealy Redpoll, Reed Bunting, Robin, Goldcrest, Woodchat Shrike, Brambling, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Redwing, Song Thrush, Fieldfare,

Spurn 12.10.2016

A more mixed bag of showers and sunshine, along with the continued easterlies. Birds continued to be around in good numbers, especially robins. I started at Seawatching and got a few nice bits and pieces. A Black Throated Diver went south, and a Great Northern Diver and 2 Sooty Shearwaters went north. I stuck it out for an hour and then headed back to Obs. Initially I was going to walk the triangle but instead decided to spend the morning doing odd jobs for the obs.

By the afternoon I decided it was time to go birding again and so headed off to the Wetlands to count the ducks. A report of bean geese sent me up to Holderness field and around Beacon Ponds, allowing me to gather a full count of the wildfowl in the area. The undoubted highlight was a smashing 435 Wigeon, most of which were on Holderness field. 5 Canada Geese and a single Barnacle were also a nice addition. The best bird was a Twite that flew over me calling, Spurn and yeartick.

Species List:

Seawatch: Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet, Sooty Shearwater, Common Scoter, Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, Common Tern, Kittiwake, Black-throated Diver, Wigeon, Jackdaw,

Kilnsea Wetlands, Holderness Field and Beacon Ponds: Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Robin, Redwing, Lapwing, Ruff, Wigeon, Teal, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Greenshank, Redstart, White Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, Goldcrest, Fieldfare, Shoveler, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Twite, Song Thrush, Greylag Goose, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Grebe, Golden Plover, Grey Plover,

Spurn 13.10.2016

The rain started today, and it did not stop until after lunch. I was in no rush to get up but decided to head off to Kilnsea Wetlands and count the Wigeon early morning, followed by a walk around Easington Lagoons looking for shore larks. Sadly wildfowl numbers were well down on yesterday and there were no shore larks. The best of it was a very confiding Twite that I stumbled across whilst walking along, without doubt the best encounter I have had with this species.

The rain continued, and after unsuccessfully twitching a raddes warbler at Sammies point I made my way back to the Obs, fairly glum feeling not to lie. There was a paddyfield warbler at Flamborough and it seemed like it might be on the cards for the afternoon if nothing else happened. I did get a Spurn tick when four White-fronted Geese flew over the observatory.

-White-fronted Goose

Just after lunch Paul caught a Firecrest. I went round to have a look at it, which was great as nobody else was there. Nick and Sandra Carter came round and got to have a really good look at the stunning bird. 

-Firecrest

The paddyfield did not happen in the end, Tim decided it looked too good at Spurn and that we were going to stay. In hindsight this was the best decision ever made.  I decided to have a wander down to the bluebell and see if there was anything round there, when the radio crackled into life with a message that I will never forget…

‘Is everybody listening? I don’t want to cause alarm but there is a Siberian Accentor in Easington now, in front of me. Please can someone come and see this for me’

The message was calm and composed but obviously Lance, who found it, was extremely tense. I immediately began running back to the Obs, hoping that someone would drive past me. Within seconds John Wozencroft was coming down the road and I jumped in with him. The whole area obviously seemed in shock at what they had just heard.

I jumped out of the car at the described location and wandered up, four other birders were there. There, right in front of us, was only Britain’s second Siberian Accentor. It was hopping around on a tarmac slab right in front of us, with only about 20 people there. It was surreal. Nobody could quite believe what had happened.

-Siberian Accentor

Over the afternoon the bird continued to show well and more birders began to arrive, steadily at first but picking up towards the evening as people finished work and people travelling from further distances arrived. In the end about 150 people saw the bird before dark. It was an incredible atmosphere and an incredible bird. To be on the other side of possibly one of the largest twitches ever was a unique experience and possibly something I will never experience again. What a fantastic day. What a fantastic bird…

Species List:

Kilnsea Wetlands, Beacon Ponds, Easington Lagoons:

Easington: Robin, Goldcrest, Dunnock, Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Siberian Accentor,

Spurn 14.10.2016

Early am. I set my alarm for half 6 with the plan to be up in Easington for management at about half 7. However, at about half 6 Tim came running up to the caravan telling us to get up and that Easington was already chaos.

As a result the rest of the morning was spent doing our best to manage the twitchers cars as they pulled into Easington. On the whole we did the best we could and people applauded our efforts. It wasn’t until 10 that parking was considered done, and as a result I was allowed to leave and go birding. Just in time, as the first Dusky Warbler of what would be a minor influx had been caught and was being shown off. Over 300 people turned up to view the bird, and as a result views were distant but it was the only Dusky I saw all day, and it was a lifer so I was not complaining.

I headed back for lunch, and it was just after that I was summoned to do some more martialing. This time though I was stationed at the bird itself, and my duty was simply to watch the bird and occasionally shake the donations bucket. Hardly a hard job. It means I got to spend another 3 hours with the star of the show…

-Siberian Accentor

After my three hours were up I headed down to the triangle to pick up all the goodies found during the day. The Dusky warblers were a little too popular (The crowds too big) but I went and added Shore Lark to my spurn list with a superbly showy bird in the bluebell carpark, followed by ticking Tundra Bean Goose with 8 on the Humber shore. One of the geese could have been a taiga but the consensus seems to be a Tundra with an aberrant bill, structurally it did not look right for taiga. That was all I saw in the afternoon, but a cracking days birding none the less. Great for visiting birders that’s for sure.

-Shore Lark

-Tundra Bean Goose

Species List:

Easington: Siberian Accentor, Brambling, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, Dunnock, Woodcock, Woodpigeon,

Triangle: Shore Lark, Dusky Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, Bean Goose, Skylark, Swallow, Brent Goose, Mallard, Greylag Goose, Robin, Redwing, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Wren, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Siskin,

Spurn 15.10.2016

With yesterday’s experience under our belts we were able to better prepare for the Saturdays twitch. The system worked and we were able to coordinate our efforts so that on the whole there was no disturbance to the village. I spent all morning at car parking duty, starting at 6 in the morning and finishing off at 15.00. It was a knackering day, so that when I had eventually finished all I did was crash in bed. Whilst on duty I had a right time, seeing Great-grey Shrike, Woodcock and Short-eared Owl. It’s a great place is Spurn.

I made two trips out of bed in the afternoon, one for a Grasshopper Warbler that had been caught. Initially put out as a PG tips, but turned out to just be a regular Gropper. Even so, I was not disappointed, as Grasshopper Warblers are a species I have never seen up close, only ever having being flushed out of the grass. As a result I finally got to see what a Grasshopper Warbler looks like.

The other species I saw was Bearded Tit, a Spurn tick, when three birds were trapped down at the Warren early evening. Incredibly, two of the birds were actually males with full moustaches. Cracking birds to see in the hand.

-Bearded Tit

Species List:

Easington: Great-grey Shrike, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Redwing, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Robin, Wren, Song Thrush, Fieldfare,

Triangle: Grasshopper Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Lesser Redpoll, Robin, Goldcrest, Kestrel, Bearded Tit, Brambling,

Spurn 16.10.2016

Another morning spent up at the car parking duty. All good fun, and fortunately the day slowed down allowing me to go birding in the afternoon. Just as I got back the heavy rain for the morning started so I decided to have a nap until about half 2.

My afternoon was spent much the same as the previous day, walking round looking at the birds that had been found. I tried initially for the Radde’s Warbler found down the canal, but it was not showing. As a result I headed over towards the Shore Lark showing at the Bluebell. There were two now, and a Black Redstart but they were all much more distant than they had been.

-Raddes Warbler

I headed back to the Radde’s after, and I did finally get to see it. It had apparently been showing well but all I managed to see was it through a bush, an obscured view of its back. That being said I could make out its super, so that was a substantially better view than my previous encounter with this species.

Species List:

Triangle: Radde’s Warbler, Shore Lark, Black Redstart, Redstart, Wren, Robin, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Redwing, Siskin, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Mute Swan, Mallard, Little Egret,