Among the first arrivals of Autumn migrants, late August is the time I check some regular haunts for this strange but much-loved little visitor. Few birders would pass on seeing their first Wryneck of Autumn, a bird which can be either quite skulking or, seemingly oblivious to people when searching out their main food - ants. Classed as a rare migrant in the UK, this woodpecker-like bird is about the same size as a small shrike. If, as in the case this morning at Spurn, you are lucky enough to come across two Wrynecks, one may well be right out in the open. What I find fascinating in the Wryneck is the plumage - mottled, vermiculated, striped, every shade of grey and brown in the most intense patterns. One of the birds seen today was feeding well on the roadside, close to the canal hide. It was present for hours, undeterred by an increasing number of observers, as well as passing road traffic. Note how the plumage provides excellent camouflage when on the ground. I had met with my friend Steve and after watching the Wryneck, we set off in search of any new migrants. A Tree Pipit called, flying over and Meadow Pipit numbers were much increased. Two Whinchats were in Well Field and a further one perched along the canal bushes, eating a grasshopper. We found two to three 1w Pied Flycatchers and a few Lesser Whitethroats. An unusual sighting was the return of the ringed (introduced) White Stork which has been in the area for a week or so. Flying very high today, it continued its journey South and appeared to leave the area, perhaps returning to its original home. A second Wryneck was found briefly on the roadside near Church Field, but this was one which didn't want to show itself and remained unseen. Returning later to the first Wryneck, the sun had moved around giving an intense light on the still feeding bird. A sunbathing session in the early morning sun!
I was delighted to spend time with both these remarkable Wrynecks, truly heralding the arrival of Autumn. I was aware that the wind speed would reach between 40 and 60 mph on the coast today and arrived at Kilnsea, just before a high spring tide. There appeared little difference between the Humber estuary and the North Sea in terms of the waves crashing on the river side. Waders were waiting for the tide to recede, flying around in loose groups and battling the wind. A small flock of Ringed Plover and Dunlin flew low over the waves. A well timed radio call meant I was able to catch a Grey Phalarope fly past towards the sea, but no time to get the camera on it. The first skua I saw in the estuary was this dark juvenile Arctic Skua. Not good photos but in the wind it was difficult to stand still at times! The next skua looked really interesting. A distinctly greyish bird, slim wings and not as deep bellied as the Arctic. As the skua neared, tail bands were visible as was a dark chest band and a long, projecting tail. This was a juvenile Long-tailed Skua pursuing gulls over the river. The high winds put a wonderful array of birds on Kilnsea Wetlands this morning. The two long-staying juvenile Spoonbills were feeding when I arrived. The wind direction (South) had placed the roosting terns on a nearer bank than usual, giving better views of the juvenile Sandwich Terns. An adult Mediterranean Gull roosting with the terns. There was a great selection of wader species to work through whilst the tide remained high. A Curlew Sandpiper (centre) among the Common Redshanks. Red Knot with these Redshanks. A Pectoral Sandpiper dropped in for only a short time. A juvenile Ruff close by the hide. A fine Red Knot. The only Green Sandpiper seen on the wetland. One of two Curlew Sandpipers present. Black-tailed Godwits were present all day.
Other wader species seen here included Common Snipe, Dunlin, Little Stint, Avocet, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Curlew. Additionally, on the estuary were Grey and Golden Plover and Oystercatcher Finally, this gull (centre) is a sub-adult Caspian Gull, so I was told - not my strong point. Shows a faint neck collar and dark eye. The flycatcher below was subsequently re-identified by DNA as a Pied Flycatcher. A steady Easterly airflow in mid-August can bring in the first migrants, to the East coast of England. With the arrival of a small number of Pied Flycatchers at Spurn, closer examination of a trapped individual revealed it to be a 1st winter female Collared Flycatcher. Identification was only possible in the hand where - the white wing flash extended to a small spot on P3. Wing measurement was greater than female Pied Flycatcher. The bird was not heard calling, whereas the majority of Pied Flys were quite vocal. The different tones and wing markings on the Pied Flycatchers I saw today (around 15 birds), illustrates the difficulty in identifying first winter flycatchers. Pied Flycatchers were well scattered over the Spurn area and two or three Icterine Warblers were also seen by some observers. Two 1st winter Red-backed Shrikes were still present today, sometimes together and seen well from the canal path. A visit to Kilnsea Wetlands at daybreak revealed a Pectoral Sandpiper, present for a short while in front of the hide and, unfortunately into the sun. Also there were 2 Little Stints seen feeding with the Dunlins, (one shown below). Two juvenile Spoonbills were on the wetland and took to flying around quite frequently. Four Green Sandpipers were on the Wetland this morning.
This young Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture has wandered from the high mountains of Central Europe. Travelling through Belgium, it arrived in the U.K some weeks ago and has settled for now in various locations in the Derbyshire Peak District. On today's visit, the Lammergeier was at its most recent roost in the valley at Crowden, not far from Woodhead reservoir. We joined a small group of watchers observing the bird, surprisingly still at the roost mid-morning. Our timing was perfect as the vulture moved restlessly after a few minutes watching. Moments later, it launched itself into the air, showing its huge size on flat extended wings. We watched it glide from the roost, showing well in front of us. At this point, I assumed it was going out for the day but was totally wrong when, it abruptly landed above us, on the hill from where we were watching. I have read a number of Twitter comments recently, asking how close people have been to the bird when taking photographs. In this instance, the Lammergeier landed at half the distance we had been observing it initially, as walkers and birders came and went, no more than 100 yards away. The Lammergeier remained here for around ten minutes, gazing around before finally lifting off and losing some height, in my direction!! With some wonderful slow wing-clapping, the bird climbed away and performed a couple of circuits above us, before finally disappearing over the hillside. Clearly short of some tail feathers, this juvenile Lammergeier looked splendid and is known to feed well in the vicinity.
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