Heading to Flamborough for Blacked-headed Bunting

Black-headed Bunting (Simon Slade)

 

 Black-headed Bunting (1st Bird of the day)

 Bunting twitch

Razorbill

Kittiwake

 Black-headed Bunting hedgeline

Puffin

Gannet colony

Gannet

Subalpine Twitching Crowd

It's been a very quiet year on the twitching front but that was going to change last weekend. A Black-headed Bunting was discovered on Friday in Flamborough, Yorkshire. In all seriousness the chances of the bird sticking were unlikely so we were delighted on Saturday morning when news emerged it was still present.  

We were on road for 6.10am for the long trip north. The weather was just horrific all the way making driving very difficult at times. As we rolled over the Yorkshire border the weather cleared remarkably giving way to an amazing morning.

Arriving at the Bunting site, we got a quick view through someone elses scope whilst we set up our own equipment. After a short wait the striking male Bunting from eastern Europe showed well on and off allowing some super scope views. I didn't get any photos myself as I was making sure our new car member the Silver Fox could get a good view.

Highly satisfied with our success, we headed down to the lighthouse where a Subapline Warbler was giving brief but typical views. Originally it was thought to probably be an eastern species however photos taken on the Sunday revealed it could be a Western or even Moltonis. We will await any DNA analysis with interest.

Next stop was the brilliant RSPB Bempton Cliffs which never disappoint. Here we recorded Puffin, Razorbills, Guillemot, Gannet, Kittiwake, Corn Bunting & Tree Sparrow. Feeling the effects on a very early start we had lunch in the cafe before setting sail for home. A cracking day.....

Eastern Subalpline Warbler at Dawlish Warren

Eastern Subalpline Warbler (first view)

A tough place to bird but rewarding 

Eastern Subalpline Warbler 

Local Devon birders

Key ID features

Meeting up with Wilson

Juvenile Stonechats

Land of the Dartfords

Dartford Warbler

Agenda on day 2 was going to see the Dartford Warblers however this changed as I was taking a couple of photos of the House Martins in Lyme Regis. Within a minute I got three different message SUBALPINE WARBLER - DAWLISH WARREN. Within minutes the postcode was entered in the satnav and I was heading west. The journey was trouble free and parking was easy (£3.60 for 3 hours).

The directions said east of main path, no knowing the reserve that well I'd planned to just look for other twitchers but didn't have any idea whether it would be a 5 or a 40 minute walk. As I edged towards the visitor centre I saw a small group of birders all looking up towards my direction. Picking up there line of sight there was the Eastern Subapline Warbler singing in a less scratchy tone than a Whitethroat high in the scrubery. I quickly snapped a couple of handheld images after watching in the scope. How easy was that ! (6th lifer of 2017, first since February)

Next job was to refind it as the bird had gone to ground. I headed round to where it was originally found and after another 50 minutes it re-appeared giving stunning scope views. It was much whiter than expected but it's throat was very rich and dark red with a blue & grey on top and a striking white sun-moustachial stripe. The bird was very striking and a real buzz to see so well.

Timing was prefect as I'd then arranged to meet cousin Sara & new dog Wilson for a short walk and a hot chocolate. We had a nice walk and quick catch up before heading off in different directions. 

My destination would be Aylesbeare Common Nature Reserve where I had to struggle for an hour before finally finding three Dartford Warbler (plenty of Stonechats including young. 

Quite a day, which was celebrated with the customary Coldplay in the car and a fine Itialian meal with a couple of local ciders.