As alluded to in my previous post I've just returned from a short trip up to Spurn point.
Travelling up on Thursday evening meant we could get a early start on Friday morning and we weren't to be disappointed with Spurn's first Firecrest of the autumn trapped just as we arrived - although it was in-the-hand it was a good start to see one so close!
The undoubted bird of the trip for me was my first Red-breasted Flycatcher - found the previous day around post 52 it was kind enough to linger throughout Friday and provided good views
Whilst the point wasn't absolutely dripping with migrants with a bit of effort decent birds could be winkled out and over the two days we saw;
Stonechat
Whinchat (several)
Wheatear (several)
Redstart
Lesser Whitethroat
Brambling (x2)
Goldcrest
Another Firecrest
Redwing (about a dozen)
Spotted Flycatcher - plus another unidentified Flycatcher at the Southern Tip of the point
Brent Geese
Pink-footed Geese
Plus a nice selection of waders on the flats, 3 Skuas (possibly Arctics) and a couple of distant Divers moving offshore along with excellent views of Common Scoter (my normal views of Scoter are of distant specks!).
You will not help but notice that Yellow-browed Warbler was not on the list! I do believe we were the only two birders on the east coast not to have seen one but I'm really not too fussed - ones bound to turn up in Leics & Rutland soon......else I may well take my own life.
 |
| Brents |
 |
| Whinchat |
We also stopped off at Blacktoft Sands Rspb on the way back yesterday to hopefully score on the Pectoral Sandpiper that had been present for a few days. And score we did which was nice as views were excellent compared to the distant speck that was the county-ticked Pec at Rutland earlier this month! On the subject of distant speck-like county ticks, Buff-breasted Sandpiper was also added in similar circumstances!
