After a quiet day on Saturday, I was determined to make the most of the rest of the weekend. With easterlies blowing & a decent forecast, Spurn beckoned again. Squire was on driving duty and a plan was hatched to leave at around 6am.
The rain hammered down all the way until we reached Sheffield and then as every mile passed the weather improved. Early news on Bird Guides wasn't overly positive but the Red-flanked Bluetail was still at Cliff Farm.
That turned out to be our first stop but it was rather chaotic so we decided to get parked up and get birding. There were alot of cars everywhere considering there wasn't really a mega in town. The Blue-tail was clearly a big draw for many.
There were hugh numbers of waders swirling around the Humber as high tide was reached. A Bluethroat was found down in the dunes but we never really considered that. There was a huge influx of Song Thrush & Robins closely followed by Redwings as the morning continued. A Short-eared Owl flew past us which was then attacked by Greenshank of all things.
We estimated we saw 15+ Redstart during our day, the most either of us has seen at Spurn. There was at least four on the back of Cliff Farm when we reached the northerly tip of the triange. We watched the Blue-tail away from the crowd and I took a few pleasing photos before we scoured the Crown & Anchor car park. Sadly we only found a Spotted Flycatcher and good numbers of Goldcrest & Chiffchaffs.
The Squire is also now a Friend of Spurn so I took him up to Church Field where they were ringing. We saw some lovely birds in the hand including Brambling, Dunock, Robin & Song Thrush. Whilst in this area we noted more Redwings coming in and a Tree Pipit sat up nicely.
Just as we left Church field news reached us of a Bonelli's Warbler species by the gas terminal. Thankfully I knew the location and we were quickly on the march. Given how busy Spurn was it was going to be important we saw the bird fairly quickly then get out of there as we didn't want to into any scrums. We parked in village and strode up Vicarage Lane with our fingers crossed. A short walk took us to the south of the gas terminal and there straight above us was the Bonelli's Warbler, wow! We doubted if the type would be called by the bird gave sufficient calling evidence to be called as a "Western".
Western Bonelli's Warbler is a phylloscopus warbler that breeds in south west europe or north africa and has a browner tinge to the upper parts than an eastern type.
From there we had a good hunt up and down Beacon Lane where the only bird was a Yellow-browed Warbler. There had been showers forecast which we hoped might bring another fall of birds but this never materialised. Our final stop was Sammy Point where were recorded another Shortie, Redstart & yet more Chiffchaffs.
Many thanks to Luke Nash who kindly forwarded a couple of warbler images.
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