Find your own...

Tried to make the most of the daylight and was out of the house by 7.30. In the interests of "mop up" I decided to do a seawatch from Easington which meant I could exercise my 4 legged friend as well as hopefully cross off a few belated Spurn year ticks.

The first bird that past was a superb male Eider heading south (S.123). Then a long overdue Red-throated Diver (S.124) was found on the sea, several others passed south. Going well.

Next it was down to Spurn. My target was Snow Bunting. A few had been reported over the previous week but I didn't have a particular spot to focus on, so I just walked south along the beach from the car park. Just as I was setting off I noticed this Goldeneye on the Borrow Pit...

I left junior in the car as pooches are understandably not welcome on the reserve. I'd gone about three quarters of the way to the seawatching hut when I bumped into a couple of birders and I asked them if they'd seen any. They hadn't, so after a chat I carried on. I had all day, which was obviously nice...and relaxing, so I hung around for a while hoping I might catch a glimpse of one/some. Three more Eiders flew over the peninsular from the Humber and out to sea...

jizz test!

A Stonechat entertained on the nearby fence...

Still no luck with the SB. I turned and headed for the car park. Then I heard a familiar musical trill. Out of nowhere...a Snow Bunting (S.125) flew over the dunes and landed right in front of me! It had taken 90 minutes.

It was then joined by a second bird and they proceeded to feed actively amongst the grasses.

No apologies for a few pics...

OK, maybe just one more...

Shame about the twig BUT what a cracking bird!

Love these birds, full of character, bold and cute!

I then drove down to the Crown and Anchor. It was noticeable that large numbers of Blackbirds were present...with many resting in the bushes, obviously exhausted...

I then saw at least 30 drop out of the sky into the car park bushes! Great to witness this spectacle. The controversial Redstart was still present but I didn't return after seeing it well yesterday.

I spent what was left of the daylight looking for Raptors/ Owls down at Sunk Island. The best I could manage was this distant Buzzard...

On the way home I came across a large flock of Fieldfare, at least 300...

..and that, was that!

A (very) late Redstart...and a year tick!

I made my way down to Kilnsea on a glorious summer-like morning to take a look at an interesting Redstart. Who'd a thought it. Redstart (P.160, S.122) as a year tick on the 20th of November (my birthday incidentally...just thought I'd throw that in).

A controversial bird with some leaning towards Ehrenberg's Redstart? The extremely late date does get you thinking...doesn't it?

Anyway...here it is...

Pale wing panel and greyish wash to the breast

As Gary Taylor said though..."If it turned up at the end of September, would it get a second look?" It does make you wonder where it came from to arrive on such a late date. After having a chat with Gary, Mick Turton and Steve Exley I left to take Bud a walk. A couple of Chiffchaffs were present in the Crown and Anchor car park and a Redwing was actually singing by the Gas Terminal!

It was also great to see an old friend on the way home...

BLACK BRANT

Ever tried to pick one out of a large flock of Brents? I'd been scanning various groups on and off for about a week now. Nothing stood out. They can vary widely in plumage. 

I tried again this morning down Beacon lane. I picked a very large group up...around 400, feeding in the field west of BL.

I took my 'scope for a change (getting lazy in my old age) and decided to have a scan from distance (c.200yds). The field undulated and some birds were obscured. Is that it? Nah. That one? Nope.

What about this one...

Can you see it?

Once seen it does stand out...BUT...until it does?

I then took the footpath to Beacon ponds. Again the undulations were a problem (sounds like a disease that!) but eventually I picked it up again despite looking into the sun.

Call of the wild

Think it knows it's special!

Mop up

It's that time of the year when thoughts turn to remaining year ticks. Don't know about you but the enthusiasm at the last knockings ain't the same as first footings! Anyway I managed 3 yesterday. I had a male Gadwall (H.106, P.155) whirring north...a Village lifer no less. This was followed by a distant Great Crested Grebe (S.117, P.156) on Beacon Ponds...

and a couple of Shoveler (S.118, P.157) on a nearby pool.

19/11/1969...a wintering WALLCREEPER arrived in Dorset, staying till the 18th of April!!! Just a thought...

More on Florida...when I can't bird here!

Migration not over yet

Good numbers of Fieldfare...

Redwing...

and Kestrel...

around the peninsular this morning.

Raptors through the gloom

Late start this morning but I was stirred into action by a text from Gavin to inform me he'd had 13 Snow Buntings S along the clifftop. I soon joined him and we walked south to Old Hive but couldn't relocate them. He also had 3 Little Auks. I had an hour late afternoon but apart from a few RTD's...no joy.

In between time I had an hour cruising round Sunk Island looking for raptors. I soon found one...in a large conifer...

Buzzard

Then down to Pat' Haven and a distant cc Marsh Harrier...

Just to brighten things up, here's another from the Florida sunshine...

Great Blue Heron

Visible Migration par excellence - Swallow-tailed Kites!

...BUT before I do I feel it's worth mentioning another highlight of my time on Sanibel Island. It was our second evening and we were looking for somewhere to eat. There was plenty of choice! We'd just pulled into a likely spot when I noticed a bird floating overhead.

It was dusk by now but there above me was the unmistakable silhouette of a Swallow-tailed Kite. Problem was I'd packed up for the day and my camera was in the boot. A few minutes fumbling and I'd managed to sort things out...problem was the bird had disappeared! I'd previously seen a fly-by down in the Everglades

...but I'd not given up on this one.

Fortunately I picked it/one up again over the supermarket!

It was 7.11pm

The light had nearly gone...then I noticed another, then another...

EIGHT!!!

What a stroke of luck. They floated around for a good ten minutes before dropping into the woods to roost. I was there at dawn next morning and gave it a good hour but no sign.

A magical encounter with one of my favourite birds.

Deep South (3)

So, a great start. Being greedy I charmed? Louise into a trip to Fort Myers. Nothing to do with the Eurasian Wigeon that had been present in the area for quite a while. Always questions over vagrant wildfowl BUT this bird had been accepted by the Florida boys...so it was good enough for me!

The good news for Louise was that I found it straight away...you've gotta love eBird...

ABA 663

I'd booked us into the Best Western at Fort Myers for a few days. Again, nothing to do with it's proximity to Ding Darling NWR on Sanibel Island. A truly marvellous place AND my best chance for my No 1 target bird MANGROVE CUCKOO. I hasten to add that even here it was going to be a tough ask.

The island is a millionaire's playground but deep within it is an extensive mangrove swamp with an accessible wildlife drive. I spent three early mornings there but I couldn't drag one out of the mangroves. Again, unsurprisingly very hot and humid but I enjoyed the challenge. There was also plenty to admire...

Reddish Egret

The gigantic White Pelican...

Yellow-crowned Night Heron...

No luck with the main target but I had other plans for this bird later on the trip. Time to head north now to try a long shot for a long overdue species...

Deep South (2)

On the way back to Flamingo we had the last hour of light at the superb Royal Palm Anhinga/Gumbo Limbo (what a great name) trails. On the way we saw lots of Egrets and Herons at varying distances. Something made me stop at one pull in...glad I did!

Wood Stork

The views of the birds here are simply stunning. The evening light and the total lack of wind was helpful.

Wonder why they call it the Anhinga trail...

A fabulous bird...

A fellow grockle spotted this baby Alligator...

Then we all saw a larger one...

The tropical sunset and the superb wildlife was a wonderful start to our trip.

Then, an American Purple Gallinule put in an appearance just before dusk...

On our way back to the car we turned to see this group of Anhinga in the fading light. You can see why the native American Indians called them "Snake birds"

The Everglades...a fabulous place

Deep South review (1)

As promised many moons ago, it's time for my review of our spring visit to the States. Hopefully it won't be too long-winded.

The holiday started with a bang. A rarity chase. I'd been following "the latest" from home and I had my fingers crossed that a La Sagra's Flycatcher would hang around for me. In fact there had been a couple of reports but I reckoned the bird seen at Key Largo Hammock State Park was my best bet.

You can't always be in the right place at the right time. This was the case today (14th April) as we arrived at midday as the temperature was reaching 100F! I hate heat...and humidity even more BUT if there's a bird to see...I'll put up with it. Same applies to pelagics come to think of it!

Anyway I left Louise reading in the shade and ventured off to try and find the right spot where the bird had been seen 3 days ago. It was sweltering with (unsurprisingly) not a soul in sight...mad dogs and all that.

Encouragingly the directions I had started to fit into place and after around 15 minutes I reckoned I was at the right spot. I hadn't seen a single bird. I have to admit I was struggling badly with the heat...it WAS our first day.

Then a movement, surely not, a bird...it looked promising. I only saw it for around a minute but it was long enough to add LA SAGRA'S FLYCATCHER (661) to my ABA list...

Chuffed to grab a pic in the heavy shade and oppressive heat. Unfortunately I couldn't re-locate it but I have to admit I didn't try to hard...I HAD to get outta there! This species is a fairly regular migrant to southern Florida from the West Indies but to connect with it on holiday was a great stroke of luck in the limited time I had.

We then returned to the mainland and headed for the Everglades. My target here was Shiny Cowbird. We drove down to Flamingo and had some late lunch. The SC had been associating with the many common Brown-headed Cowbirds on the car park lawns...shouldn't be too difficult?

It was. There were hundreds of BHC in scattered groups. Yes, it was stifling here too. We drove slowly up and down the lanes, isn't air conditioning wonderful!! Finally success...

VERY Shiny (662)

I'd dipped on this species twice before on previous visits to Florida...this was a BIG tick for me. I hoped to mop up all the Florida specialities I still needed and I'd got off to a great start.

I could relax now...at least for today. We spent the rest of the day enjoying what the Everglades had to offer. A few more images...

canoodling Black Vultures 

American Crocodile - very lucky to see this reclusive species

What a beauty!

More tomorrow...

RLB re-visited

Last day off. What to do?

Search for the Black Brant again...maybe. Nice day...a (possible) last visit to the RLB at Brid'? The latter idea won out.

I arrived at Grindale at 9.30 and immediately picked it up in it's favourite hedge...alas 150yds from the road. I was hoping to get some views in better light. I had the light but the bird remained distant...all morning!

These were the best I could manage...albeit using the digital zoom due to the distance...

and a supa dupa zoom...

So, it was lunchtime now, always important. I gave Bud a good blast and then considered what to do next. The bird had favoured it's chosen hedge all morning and did the same on my previous morning visit. It was also clouding over by now and the wind was strengthening. My stubborn streak kicked in so I returned to the main road and waited. A few more hopeful souls had turned up but the bird had disappeared. Then it was spotted further up the road but of course by the time we'd got there it had vanished.

It was 3pm by now and I'd put 6 hrs in, most had left. Then, I picked it up distantly towards the village but lost it over the hedges. I drove down and took the side road towards Filey hoping I'd get lucky.

I did. There it was!! Hovering low above the road verge...

An admiring cyclist

I enjoyed a memorable 10 minutes following the bird in my car. I managed a few flight shots through the window...

This is my favourite though...

So, success and patience rewarded. Pity about the poor light BUT...what a wonderful bird...

Black-tailed Godwits

No sign of the Black Brant again this morning...maybe it's me?

Visible migration in evidence though as Blackbirds were streaming in over the triangle and no doubt elsewhere.

Whilst scanning the Brents I noticed a tight group of Godwits quite close in...Black-tailed! (P.158, S.119). A late addition I know but you've got to save some for November!

Geese

Back after an early birthday celebration in Leeds. Great to see all the family...I do like a Frankie and Benny's...even if they didn't have any bitter at this one!

Just before I left I had 5 Whooper Swans flying low south over Out Newton, a fine sight indeed.

Today I headed for Spurn after a good lie-in. The weather was more like summer, which was more than welcome in November on the east coast. I was hoping to connect with the Black Brant but despite grilling a decent group of Brents just N of Long Bank

I couldn't find it. Mixed in with them though were around 30 Pinkfeet (P.157,S.118)...

They soon departed south...

I'll try again tomorrow.

Underwhelming

I decided to travel north to Brid' again this morning. The journey was fuelled by the promise of further RLB views plus a Citrine Wagtail at South landing.

I reached Grindale around 9. It was clear but cold. I was the first there. It gave me time to give the lad a good blast. No sign of the bird from my elevated vantage point.

By 10 a few more potential admirers had arrived. Around 10.30 the bird was located in it's favourite hedge in the valley. It has this habit of hedge hopping (smart bird) which obviously saves energy especially in cold conditions. It eventually found/killed a rabbit and unfortunately that was that as far as I was concerned as it remained on the prey until I left at 12.30.

Nice to see and have a good chat with John Harriman. He mentioned he'd already been at South landing but couldn't locate "the wagtail" BUT there were some Little Auks passing close.

Unfortunately when I got there I could see nothing of note except Tony Dixon!

A disappointing morning followed by an afternoon hospital appointment. You can't win 'em all...

p.s. I'd have been better trying for Little Auks off Holmpton. Bad decision.

....................................................................................

A couple of cracking DESERT WHEATEARS arrived today. I wonder if there's one on the clifftop?

The last Hurrah?

A fast moving depression is heading our way from the west...but is it too late?

Hope not...as I've got 6 days off!

• 

Keeping the Faith

News broke this morning...

Cumbria...RED-EYED VIREO...Walney Island

Exciting?

I've just been reading some comments on-line.

"Just another REV", "Why is it a MEGA?" "I went for a Rough-legged Buzzard instead" etc etc

I find the dilution of these wonderful birds occurrences VERY disappointing. I've been fortunate enough to see 2. One at Spurn (a notable Yorkshire tick) and one on Scilly. I've seen many in the States BUT I'd love to see another in Britain and would make a major effort to get there.

I'm biased of course. ANY American Warbler/Vireo is special in my book. I feel this modern dismissal of many rare species is a disappointing trend. It's got to the stage for some it seems whereby it's almost got to be a first for Britain or don't waste my time!

Be careful what you wish for though. In this listing game of diminishing returns, if you're an " old fart" (like me) with a big list (well not bad) and the only time you're going to get a "rush" is for a Lifer. You're going to spend a long, long time in between times...er...not excited!

Surely better to appreciate ALL rarities that come our way...much more excitement...and contentment?


Young Andrew Kinghorn connected with the bird this afternoon. Sure, it was a Lifer for him and only c20 birders were present. I believe he will still appreciate the rare birds...when he's an "old fart"...like me!

A Bird Riddle

What's a bird that's very rare...but isn't a MEGA...

...this is and looks SUPERB!!!  Love to see it.

note: Thanks to Dean Eades for allowing the share.

Bus birding

A couple of examples from today...

Female Sparrowhawk in front for a good 400m working a hedge.

Buzzard sat in field 20 yds away by a bus stop.

Helps the day go by...and today was a long one.

...................................................................................

E.YORKS...BLACKPOLL WARBLER... Easington on Seaside lane!!!

I had two seperate hour+ windows during my all day shift but by 10.30 news has dried up so I went to the cafe with Louise instead! Great beans on toast. Tremendous find from Mick Turton. I also had a heads up call from Steve Exley...cheers pal. Photos here. I'm old enough to have seen the Flamborough bird at Danes Dyke in 1993 so no panic Yorkshire wise. It would have been a superb Patch tick tough. Another American bird on the East Coast. I live in hope!

Black Redstart

Had a leisurely drive down to Spurn this morning. The usual mixture of scanning and ball throwing! After I'd took the wind out of his sails (not easy) I drove past the Bluebell.

What's that on the roof of Bluebell cottage? I managed a quick pic out of the (parked) car window.

P.156, S.116

A quick turn, I parked around the corner but I couldn't relocate it. I hung around for 15 minutes...and it paid off.

It re-appeared on the roof...

...and then popped down onto the cottage wall. Nice...

VERY lucky to connect with this smart bird in such a short space of time. Then again...I was out there...looking!