Return ticket to Easington for Isabelline Wheatear & Siberian Stonechat

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

View towards Spurn Point

Standing at Stonechat viewpoint looking across at Wheatear crowd

Siberian Stonechat

Welcome warm 

Looking towards Spurn Point

A single Golden Plover

Fantastic views of waders at high tide

Turnstone strutting out along shoreline

Two videos of the star videos (Alan Shaw)

With my second groin operation now approaching fast I’ve been determined to make the most of any opportunities to get some good birding under my belt. With the Alcester Squire back in circulation following his summer hiatus and two possible lifers on the East coast we duly set out at 6am. A traffic free journey was much welcomed as was the public toilets at Skeffling, the last village before Easington. As normal an army of khaki dressed middle aged birders were all taking advantage of these public services.

Parking up in the village in the designated parking area we made the ½ mile walk towards the shoreline & around the boat yard. With the waves crashing on the shoreline both of our target birds were within 200 metres of each other. First stop was the exceptionally rare Isabelline Wheatear. With scopes and large lenses set up I thought the bird was in the distance however it was feeding just 10-12 yards  from the edge of field.  Researching the meaning of Isabella I'm informed it is a pale grey & yellow or fawn/brown and the bird certainly looked very pasty.

Reading a few articles in books & online “Issies” are known as one of the most difficult birds to identify due to their similarities to Northern Wheatear. The bird certainly met the ‘pallid’ plumage description at first look and most certainly not like a buff warm Northern. The bird was very plain showing little contrast.

Edging over towards the coast the Siberian Stonechat was instantly on show varying with it’s distance from the birders & photographers.  I found this article online about Stonechats  which was an interesting read before I went. I can’t remember when I last bagged a double within such a short distance.

We just missed a early winter Waxwing but given the close proximity to houses we opted to head to Kilsea & Spurn for a coffee & shortbread, three large flocks of Golden Plover flying over us. Being the first customers of the day we even took all the benches off the tables to get our coffee quicker.

The Squire was having his first visit to this unique part of the country so I showed him around as best as possible. We walked down to the south end of the breach where there hundreds of waders feeding as high tide approached. Birds included Dunlin, Knot, Redhank, Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover, Brent Geese & Shelduck.

We also had a session of sea-watching where we recorded a Black-throated Diver, good numbers of Red-throated, flock of 20 Scoter, 6 Eider & 2 late Swallows heading south.

It would have been nice to catch up with the reported Waxwing and Shorelarks for the Squire but we will have to get them on our next visit.  Another good day on the east coast and it was interesting to note that both birds were not present on the following day !