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...