Flamborough Double

Thursday morning had me checking out a few Sites around the Village. The Southern end turned up trumps, with my first Tree Sparrows (P.126, H.104) of the Year, a VERY welcome if belated sighting. I had a couple in the eaves of a house...

...then c20 in the hedge on the road...

Then at 11.40...

Bempton Cliffs RSPB, E.Yorkshire  ISABELLINE/RED-TAILED SHRIKE 1w in bush North of visitor near owl box

Here we go. Taxonomy rearing its ugly head once more. Shrikes are particularly confusing...well, they are for me! Different authorities hold different views. Lumping and splitting always clouds matters, as does the use of different names for the same Race/Species?!!!

Anyway there was a possibility of a Tick...IF it was Isabelline/Daurian and not Red-tailed..I'm confusing myself now! Any Shrike sighting is special so I headed North. There was a Great Grey on offer also. I arrived around 2 but there was no further news. I decided (wrongly in hindsight) to have a quick look for the GG as it was close to the main road. This proved fruitless in my 30 minute vigil which was ended when two Birders showed me a pic of the other Shrike!

I arrived at Bempton around 3, parked and walked down to the Visitors Centre. No obvious cluster of Birders, so I asked a couple sat on a bench if the Bird had been sen recently? They casually told me it was still present near the Owl Box...which was an obvious relief!

I was soon viewing the Shrike at around 100 yds. It stood out like a sore thumb in the bright sunshine. It struck me immediately as being VERY pale, even with the bright sunshine...

I set my stall out on a bench by the Visitors Centre and had a very enjoyable hour watching the Bird perform through my 'scope in typical Shrike style...

Time will tell I guess?

Today I returned, mainly on the strength of a late find by John McLoughlin. An adult male Red-flanked Bluetail...no less! Alas, no sign today, nor of the elusive and mobile Great Grey Shrike... I gave it 2 hours! After lunch I had a crack at the Icterine Warbler but again no joy. I've had better days. However, just visiting these sites and enjoying the fantastic autumn weather was pleasure enough.

Hoopoes - Double Vision!

I'd arranged to meet Haydn at Duff this morning as the Forecast promised a decent day? The first couple of hours didn't back this up as I drove through rush hour Hull in drizzle with heavy skies. I arrived around 8.30 and headed straight for the shelter of the Hide. I was soon joined by Haydn who'd had a walk out to the Platform.

We chatted ansd scanned till 11. Haydn picked out a couple of Stonechats on the "scrape" but I didn't see them. There were decent numbers of Swallows (c50) around and a scattering of Lapwings (c30). A couple of Marsh Harriers were noted. As it  was brightening up we decided to head for Stamford Bridge to try for the Hoopoe that had been present for some days now. I had seen this Species in the York Area previously at Dunnington, but the chance of another sighting was too good to turn down.

The directions were spot on. We parked and walked the short distance to the site. A couple of chaps were present but they gave us the disappointing news that the Bird had flown off after being present on the lawn for around an hour! 

We had a walk around the area and Haydn picked it up distantly perched in a tree...

Impressive

It soon flew, so we returned to the original spot to find the Bird was feeding again on the lawn...

A familiar face tuned up. It was Simon Slade on his way to Flamborough. After he'd got his pics we had a chat and I said I'd see him on Scilly...if not before!?

After returning to our cars I said goodbye to Haydn and headed for Hull...Brandsholme to be precise, as this was the location of the second Hoopoe. Remarkable!

Again the directions were accurate. After parking, I noticed a lone photographer who turned out to be the finder of the Bird! He gave me some pointers but there was no sign of it. He moved on and I waited in the area he'd recommended. After around 15 minutes another Birder appeared from a snicket and pointed me in the right direction. After emerging from the snicket I found around 10 admirers watching the Bird feeding happily at close quarters. No apologies for the following set...

Lets face it, many Rarities are dull "brown jobs". Whilst not being "Rare" the beauty of this Species is unquestionable...

A brilliant day...

Scilly Season

As it officially starts today and the weather here is horrendous, I've poured some Coffee, grabbed a few biscuits and thought I'd reflect on my Years here. Hope you find something of interest?

I first became aware of the potential of these Islands in the late 80's in my fledgling Years (see what I did there?). Richard Millington's exciting monthly accounts in Bird Watching magazine fired my imagination. Two young lads and my Football career prevented a trip but a visit was always in the back of my mind. Speaking to Birders and further reading made me fully aware of the heydays of the late 70's and 80's when some fantastic MEGA'S turned up there, whetting my appetite still further.

Eventually in 1991 when I'd started teaching, I negotiated a half-term trip to the Fortunate Isles in late October. I was Steve Naive then, not having a clue about logistics and conditions. I soon found out when the Spewlonian ventured out off Lands End into a Force 8!!! I'm still scarred. Anyway I made it and on arrival I made my way up to the Garrison Campground with my far from adequate two man tent. There were only 3 tents present: one looked like an old canvas Army job. The occupant was a Birder called Dave Abbott (some of you may know the name). One other was Pete Grimshaw and the third was a Birder called Ian?

We spent quite a lot of time together during the week enjoying the Birds on offer. I also managed to get a sickness bug and the Tent was far from waterproof...what joy. Bearing in mind I'd only been Birding a few Years, I had an interesting Trip List! The MEGA Bird was a SORA, which had initially been identified as a Spotted Crake. All the Rarities were news to me at this stage and I fell in love with the Islands and the excitement that it exuded. Other notables...

GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH - a fairly regular arrival but they dried up for quite a few Years after this one? There was an EYEBROWED and SWAINSON'S present earlier in the Month!!!

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR - this wasn't a Lifer as I'd seen one at Spurn the previous week!

Wryneck

Richard's Pipit

Tawny Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Nightingale

Barred Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Hooded Crow

Rose-coloured Starling

Lapland Bunting

Snow Bunting

Little Bunting

Responsibilities meant my next trip wasn't until 1996 and this was a two day Twitch, again at the end of the October Half-term. I'd missed some Whoppers in between including a YELLOW-BROWED BUNTING in 1994. I can even remenber where I was when the Pager went off...B&Q car park in York. Sad but true!

Anyway, back to 1996. I flew this time!! I arrived and headed for the Quay on the Thursday 24th. I caught the boat to Tresco and with limited information (pre-internet) I made my way along the Great Pool path to the location of said MEGA. After some confusion I decided I was in the right area. It's a long time ago but I can't remember many/any other Birders being present!? Then there it was, creeping up the trunk of a tree not 5 yards away...

BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER

It was a female and there had been a male on St Mary's earlier in the Month from 5th through 14th (which probably explained the lack of numbers here). Even then I realized what a monumental sighting this was. It is still the only one I've seen in Britain and I don't think the excitement and tranquility of that morning will happen to me again on the Islands. I also added a couple more in the form of AMERICAN BLACK DUCK there and AMERICAN BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT back on St Mary's. As I was waiting for my Taxi to the Airport on the Saturday morning, I bumped into Brett Richards who informed me there had been a report of a LITTLE BUSTARD on the Lizard! (I didn't have a Pager at that time). That's handy I thought. Once in the car at Lands End I gave a couple of other chaps a lift and we managed to connect with a prolonged flight view over the undulating farm fields before dusk...just! Quite a trip and definitely a good decision to travel in hindsight.

In 1997 my youngest son Robert came with me for the full week. He was only 12 but proved to be great company as he always is. Even his patience was tested by the VERY elusive COMMON YELLOWTHROAT around Harry's Walls on St Mary's. This wasn't the best situation to fuel a hoped for interest in the Hobby. Probably put him off for Life...although he's now showing interest again...at 40! We also saw a BLACKPOLL WARBLER...well...and a Pallas's.

I also made an optimistic twitch for the ill-fated SPOTLESS STARLING in February 1998 which turned out to be...a European!

1999 was a VERY Good Year. Even better for those who were there before I arrived at the usual Half-Term week. I believe SHORT-TOED EAGLE, SIBERIAN and WHITE'S THRUSHES were available on the SAME DAY!!! Nowhere like it! Fortunately I've seen them all subsequently.

However...I did have my moments...several of them. On arrival I made my way immediately to the North of St Mary's at Bar Point. A lone Birder was present, it was Pete Greaves a Scilly stalwart from Doncaster. He was already "on" the Bird and we were soon enjoying prolonged close views of...

CHIMNEY SWIFT

...not a bad start to my week! Things got even better later in the week...the 24th...again! A tip off from my Landlords neighbour early morning led to this yarn...

COMMON NIGHTHAWK

Full story here

That is why it's so special in my Rush Birds List - see left hand column. 

I also managed great views of a couple of...

UPLAND SANDPIPERS 

on the slopes below the Airfield. A flock of 5 White-rumped Sandpipers is also worth a mention. 

Into the new Millenium...

More successful Twitches were...

CREAM-COLOURED COURSER - 2004

OVENBIRD - 2004

GREAT BLUE HERON - 2015

YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO - 2019 

HERMIT THRUSH - 2019

RED-FOOTED BOOBY - 2023

I also tried for the BELTED KINGFISHER in 2018 and EGYPTIAN VULTURE in 2021. No successes but at least the last visit coincided with the appearance of the Walrus! 

Holidays

SPECTACLED WARBLER - 2000

SOLITARY SANDPIPER - 2000

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (3) - 2004

AMERICAN ROBIN - 2006

ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK - 2007

WILSON'S SNIPE - 2007. 2011, 2022

Aquatic Warbler - 2006

NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH - 2007

Red Eyed Vireo - 2011, 2020

INDIGO BUNTING - 2020

Pallid Swift - 2022

Pallid Harrier - 2023

I guess by now your seeing the attraction of these marvellous Islands for a Rare Bird enthusiast. They are the icing on the cake but the whole experience is more than just the Birds for me. It's a wonderful place to spend the last days before the clocks change and the gloom sets in. 

This will be my 30th visit to Scilly and my List now stands at a fairly decent 247. Maybe I'll reach 250 this trip?

Well, that passed on a few hours on a dreary, wet afternoon. I really enjoyed compiling a Summary, it brought back some fantastic memories. Hopefully plenty more to come. Hope you enjoyed the ride, I did!

We arrive on the 11th for 2 weeks. I'll be doing a daily diary which you may or may not, want to follow...

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler

A puzzling and VERY elusive phyllosc had been present at Bempton since Wednesday. Initially thought to be an Arctic Warbler, it then transformed into a "possible" Eastern Crowned Warbler. Things developed, no doubt due to some diligent work locally (including recordings), to establish that the mystery Bird was indeed a PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER!!!

It broke too late yesterday evening for an attempt, so I slept on it... lightly!

I decided to "wait for news"... for a number of reasons...

• I figured it would be a tad lively first thing!
• It would obviously save a trip and money, if it had moved on.
• A later attempt would hopefully mean more room at the site?
• If present, it would be there all day... probably.

Positive news came through first thing. I left home at 10.30 and arrived at Noon. The organisation was first class at Bempton. They had opened additional fields and the marshalls were effective and polite.

I descended into the car park area and had a walk around before deciding where to view from. I chose an open area which allowed a decent open view into the bushes. After only 5 minutes someone picked it up!!! I had a brief but unsatisfactory (and unidentifiable) flight view.

I gave it another 30 minutes but no joy. I decided to have a stroll around the paths. Birders where still present in good numbers (c150) as the Bird was proving VERY elusive and mobile. Many familiar faces were noted.

An hour passed with no sightings for yours truly although others had connected. I think en positioned myself adjacent to a couple of decent sized groups...and scanned from there, figuring "more eyes" would help.

Around 2.30 I noticed a tight cluster focussing intently into another reasonably open area. I listened to the conversations. A rat trap was mentioned as a locator. I couldn't even find that!!

Further prompts eventually led to a decent lead and I focussed on some ivy at eye level c20yds away. A few minutes passed...then there it was. I had the Bird, albeit briefly.

A couple of gentle nudges from staff regarding encroachment were taken well by the admirers.

So, success!

A First (live) for Britain and obviously Yorkshire. The occasion was enhanced by the wonderful Autumnal weather, bright sunshine and little wind. Perfect!

PFG - Yes!

Finally got my "fix" on Wednesday while sat on my bench...with my lad...

On Guard!

I made it 66?

Eventually they come to you (H.103)

Pretty sure this is the same lingering Redstart...

A special visitor

Scilly season is upon us. I'll be joining the Party on the 11th of October...

September Morn'

Today was one of those special Autumnal mornings. A hint of mist and dew, soon burnt off by the rising sun...marvellous. I spent a couple of hours checking out sites around the lanes and cliff but alas I couldn't locate anything significant. The best being a couple of Yellowhammers in the cliff hedge...which is unusual...

News raining in from along the coast but nothing here. Disappointing...but I'm used to it! Makes discoveries more special...I keep telling myself lol!! The company was good and the weather was stunning.

A few from the Cliff Hedge...

I spent a couple of days over at my Mother's midweek and we had a nostlagic trip to Lytham St Annes. Most enjoyable, in again, superb weather...

Not bad for 93...my Mother that is!

On the way over I stopped off at Duff...surprise surprise. Dry as a bone and hay collected...

There's always a chance of something though...and something turned up on the "scrape"...

My second record this Year, after an early sighting on January 4th.

Early hours of Wednesday I rose...not to Bird...but to enjoy this...

Partial Lunar Eclipse

A quick pic' of one of my Dahlias. Undoubtedly the largest I've grown, coming in at 6 feet...

...and to think, I thought it hadn't survived the Winter!!

Time to try yet again...

PFG on the way

Still waiting for my first squadron of Pink-footed Geese. They'll be worth waiting for...as always. Had an hour on the bench on Seaside this morning looking North to no avail. The area is looking a picture now the crops have been collected. Golden fields in crisp Autumn sunshine

The male Redstart duo have lingered for some time...

At Dusk

...but no sign today. I did have a couple of visitors to the Bird Bath...

Chiffchaff

Decent images through the double glazing!

I've done some Birding on the Humber this week checking out few spots. Highlights were Great White Egret 

and my first Brent Geese (4) of the Autumn...

2 Marsh Harriers performed well, if distantly...

Thursday evening there was a decent passage of Sooty Shearwaters North past Spurn. I had an hour but they must have passed further out...as usual! An Arctic Skua close in was nice...

Time for another scan of the Skies...no joy.

Lately

 A whirlwind week!

Birds only being a part of it...as it should be. My son Robert was over from Dubai for a much anticipated and welcome visit with his new Girlfriend Mariane. On Friday I had the day out with them and we ended up at Bempton after a wonderful Fish and Chip lunch at my namesake establishment at Hornsea! Highly recommended.

We'd had a drive over the Humber Bridge earlier in bright sunshine but as we climbed out of Bridlington I could see the dreaded "sea fret" approaching.Anyway we carried on and parked up in the main car park. They wrapped up and we headed for the Cliffs...and Fog! Fortunately we could see the Cliffs which was a big relief as I wanted Mariane to see them! 

We enjoyed a worthwhile couple of hours and saw many Gannets...if little else which wasn't surprising considering the time of Year.

News had broken on Friday of a summer plumage Red-breasted Flycatcher at Spurn. Obviously tied-up Friday and Saturday morning, I considered a run down in the afternoon but due to the numbers down there due to the Mig-fest I declined. The Bird was still present Sunday, so I went down early afternoon  with the added pull of multiple Wrynecks in situ. However before my visit I checked out a few spots in the Village and located another Redstart...

There were still decent numbers present down the road but the general atmosphere was convivial and I was soon enjoying a Wryneck at the rear of Rose Cottage...

I searched the area between the Crown and Anchor and Church Field but I couldn't find the RBF.

Haydn made the trip out yesterday and I gave him a tour of my greater Patch. A Peregrine (P.125, H.102) at the Sewage was a good start and a surprisingly late Year Tick. We moved down to Easington and checked out the South side of the Gas Terminal around Vicar's Lane. Plenty of common Birds around, the highlight being 6 Yellow Wagtails close together on turf...

Then down to Sammy's where a couple of Whimbrel were present...

...and "a few" Mediterranean Gulls.

We finished off checking out the Humber before he left for home. A great day in excellent company.

This morning I was stimulated by news of a FEA'S PETREL heading North through Linconshire early doors. This would be a Lifer for me. I considered joining the troops at Spurn but took the brave/foolish? decision to try from the Village! I gave it a couple of Hours before admitting defeat. A belated report of a possible from Withernsea was intriguing, although I find it hard to believe it would have passed Spurn unnoticed?!

However my sit wasn't wasted, as I enjoyed my best ever spectacle of passing Martins. A conservative estimate would be c200 Sand and c400 House. Amazing...at last to me...

Searchin'

 Buoyed by yesterday's success, I once again rose early and headed down Seaside to the Paddock. Surprisingly and unusually there was a small mixed flock halfway down feeding in the hedge and "rough stuff"...

Blue Tit 8

Great Tit 4

Willow Warbler 2

Blackcap male

Goldfinch 4

Chaffinch male

Nothing special but good sport.

On reaching the Cliff I started to scan. Almost immediately a Merlin (P.121, H.98) powered North offshore, possibly the Bird that Gavin had been seeing at the Sewage? I only had my bins but I could see enough including 2 Arctic Skuas (P.122, H.99) chasing a Sandwich Tern in the traditional way. 

On the way back more visible migration was noted in the form of Blackbirds (10), Robins (8) and Swallows (c50)...

A sample

After a coffee I left Bud for a nap and checked out another area. It was my lucky day...

Redstart

Pied Flycatcher (P.123, H.100)

Both Species were seen immediately on arrival. I had to remind myself I was in Holmpton! As always plenty down the road BUT these were MINE!!! I wasn't going anywhere soon and settled down to enjoy the star duo. Both were elusive but in time (2+ hours) I managed some better photos...

Freshly Bathed

A/the Spotted Flycatcher was also present throughout and typically more obliging...

Point blank views of a female Sparrowhawk shooting through the bushes was a spectacular surprise! I left them in peace at 1.

An afternoon visit to Tesco was in order and I stopped of at the Sewage to enjoy a snack. Again this proved to be a good decision as I immediately heard a Whimbrel (P.124, H.101)! I scanned out to sea and picked it up heading North offshore. It never ceases to amaze me how far calls can travel...even to my ageing ears! I lost it behind the parked JCB but I could still hear it. Remarkably it had flown over my car and was heading West...inland. I just manged to grab a record shot through the window...

As I was leaving the earlier site I saw the Spotted Flycatcher sitting motionless on a snag at the back of the bush. It was in deep shade. I managed to get a focused pic through the bush and was amazed how well it turned out. These modern bridge cameras are truly amazing...

A great day.

Over to the LDV tomorrow to meet Haydn. A Skippy/Duff double is in order...