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.....