After catching a few hours much needed sleep I headed for Bempton this morning, arriving at 7.30am. The first Birder I saw was Phil. I parked next to him and we set off to find some birds! There was also a very slim chance the BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS was still in local waters.
The morning's Birding was superb. I also enjoyed some excellent company. The trees and bushes were hopping with migrants...it reminded me of Holmpton!
After an initial mooch around I spotted Trevor (Charlton) and we joined him for a coffee. News then broke of a Bluethroat on the coastal footpath. When we arrived it had typically disappeared but it eventually showed superbly out in the open...
In a five minute spell by a small area of water I saw Greenish...
and Yellow-browed...
Then an Arctic Warbler was located! I managed reasonable if brief and fairly distant views.
It was now time to look for the Star bird. I had plenty of time and the weather was good. I'd also seen 2 previously. I enjoyed a good hour following the little gem around. It was in almost constant view and gave a fantastic show. It's behaviour was very distinctive, often flicking up from branches and circling back to cover. It also perched, stationary on several occasions. It's "whiteness" was very apparent in the strong sunshine.
A few of my EASTERN-CROWNED WARBLER efforts...
I've blown these 2 up somewhat to show the features...
A final effort...
MEGA'S bursting out all over this evening. A Stellar male SIBERIAN THRUSH on Unst this evening. Twitchable? Not in my book...but my book's looking a little frayed at the moment. Yorkshire Birder Johnny Holiday has connected. He made the right choice. I'll have to ask him where he's going next Autumn!!!
Back on the Patch tomorrow...
Hi Al, you're Greenish pic shows very yellow super and breast! Any more pics?
ReplyDeleteOnly got the one. Probably the light!
ReplyDeleteHiya Alan. Your 'Greenish' appears to be the same bird as the 'Arctic' (which was photographed while calling). It's not a straightforward Arctic, having a very weak loral line, but all relevant plumage features seem to be the same when viewing various people's photos; the loral line, the length of the primary projection, bare part colouration, exact pattern on the tips of the greater coverts (judged on both wings), bill structure etc. Unless anyone had the 'Greenish' calling (and bare in mind people were using playback at times), or are certain two different birds were showing at the same time, I remain convinced only one bird was present and it was an Arctic, just one towards the Greenish end of the scale of similarity, enough for different viewing conditions to lead to real confusion. I certainly took it, in the field, to be an Greenish at first. See, e.g., here http://www.birdguides.com/picture?f=502346 , and here;
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Many thanks for your comment
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