Spurn!

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!