Sunday, 15 August 2010

Autumn Comes Early

Some favourable winds on the East Coast produced some pretty decent birds over the weekend. Fairly steady reports of scarce migrants on Saturday promised a good day on Sunday.
I popped down to Patrington haven for an hor on Saturday night it was fairly quiet but 7 ruff and a group of roosting little egrets made things interesting.
On Sunday I set off for Spurn with the intention of starting at the point and working my way back up.
This plan was scuppered when news of a citrine wagtail had me shooting back up to the warren.
Initially giving brief views on the spartina off the warren it soon headed towards canal scrape. I got into the hide in time for some decent views but then it got spooked and disappeared north.There were also 5 little egrets, 3 green sandpipers and a wood sandpiper on canal scrape.
From here I went to see a red backed shrike, this was again distant but showing well.
A report of an ictrine warbler at the point had me heading back south but a quick scan around didn't promise much.
Another icterine warbler was reported at cliff farm so being nearly time to go I thought I would call in. No sign at first but an appearance by a pied flycatcher was quickly followed up by an appearance from the Icky.2 lifers in the day!
I saw a report of a white winged black tern at Hornsea so had a ride out after tea with my daughter. Initially there was no sign but after about 20 minutesthe tern showed vey well down to about 30m.Finished up with 3 lifers.
I've had worse days;)















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