As the sun rose this morning, it was clear that hundreds of Goldcrests were still in the Spurn area. Every hedgerow and every tree seemed to have at least one. I'd no sooner started my walk in the canal area when a Radde's Warbler was caught in the Heligoland trap in Church Field and was subsequently ringed. The image colouring is a bit 'off' with the early morning sun. During my walk around Kilnsea, I noticed more Redwings, found two nice Fieldfares perched up and three Ring Ouzels around Kilnsea Road. I briefly saw a female Black Redstart on the church roof, before flying over the road. While watching the numerous Goldcrests in Cliff Farm, this female Great-spotted Woodpecker flew in. Around mid-morning, I was suggesting to another birder that a Red-Flanked Bluetail would be a good find today and, ten minutes later, one had just been seen in Church Field. In the course of re-finding it, the Bluetail (a female) had found its way into the Heligoland trap and was also ringed. The Red-flanked Bluetail was only my fourth sighting, all previous ones seen at Spurn, on the Point. I was now very happy with two rare year ticks and great to have close views too. Today I hoped to see the American Golden Plover on Easington fields and was soon having distant views through the 'scope of yet another fine rarity. This was only my second record, my first being in Sept 2007 in Lincs. On the subject of distant views, I kept trying for a better look at the Richard's Pipit in Kilnsea, but it never really obliged! Finally, a cracking bird I always delight in seeing - Great Grey Shrike. This one was a beautiful bird in the afternoon sun, found off Peter Lane near Easington. Again, a bit distant unfortunately.
Another really excellent day in the Spurn area and some great records. Comments are closed.
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