Passage Migrants

 Several Whinchat and a young redstart at Castleshaw today

Whinchat

So far this lockdown spring I've managed to see Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Grasshopper warbler, Garden warbler, Tawny Owl and heard Cuckoo. One of my favourites though has to be Whinchat, seen at Burbage Rocks

Masked Shrike

Wow! Mega at Kilnsea today a juvenile Masked Shrike. Also seen were Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Red Breasted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Sparrowhawk, Redstart, Wheatear, Stonechat, and Barred Warbler

Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (Blythi)

Lovely day birding at Flamborough Head yesterday in warm sunshine. Loads of Whinchat and Wheatear straight from the Lighthouse car park.
 A little further down the path I heard a brief trilling song and then some tacking and thought Lesser Whitethroat. A showy bird came into view which in the glorious sunshine looked very brown on the mantle extending up to the nape and even onto the head in the photos. It also had brown in the ear coverts. On returning home and viewing the photos in detail one of them appears to confirm the correct wing formula for Blythi with p2 at the same level as p7 as described in Martin Garners new Challenge Series-Autumn book. I emailed Martin these pics and description and it looks like the same bird he saw today just south of the Lighthouse car park at Flamborough.  A Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (Blythi).  Also seen were Willow Warbler plus 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a female Pied Flycatcher and a pair of Redstart, a Marsh Harrier and a Goldcrest

Spotted Crake, Stilt Sandpiper, Wryneck and Red Backed Shrike!!

Classic birding day yesterday with all targets successfully seen. First stop Spurn where  I had crippling views of the juvenile Red Backed Shrike. We also saw the Wryneck that had hung around since last weekends fall but the views were fleeting as it darted from a bush. It was seen again in flight but no more after this. Also seen were several Whinchat, Redstart, Sparrowhawk and a female Crossbill. As the tide came in there were good numbers of waders including several very smart looking juvenile Curlew Sandpipers.
On the way back we stopped off at Neumann's Flash in Cheshire and had scope views of an adult Stilt Sandpiper. We then were undecided to either head home or go for the Spotted Crake at Belper Derbyshire. We decided on the latter and incredibly within five minutes of arriving with reducing light the Crake appeared and we watched it walk along the edge of reeds for several minutes. Sadly too dim for any photos.

Iberian Chiffchaff and Spring Migrants

Excellent birding weekend while the wife is in Spain!. Yesterday we dipped on the Rock Thrush at Spurn but made up for this with the Iberian Chiffchaff at Flamborough. No pics but an excellent write up with pics and sounds by Martin  Garner http://birdingfrontiers.com/2013/04/28/iberian-chiffchaff-at-flamborough/
Then onto Tophill Low for several Yellow Wagtails and a Blue headed Wagtail. We also bagged my first Little Owl of the year near Spurn.
Today a quick visit to Padley Gorge provided excellent views of 3 Whinchats 2 males and a female and a pair of Pied Flycatchers

Golden Oriole and Stone Curlew

Where do are start. Norfolk and Suffolk again provided an incredible day's birding. Myself and dave Evans drove down to Suffolk Friday 11th. May and stayed at the Swan Inn b and b so we could have an early start. We were up at 5 on Saturday and went to Lakenheath Fen. This is a truly magical site. Shortly after arrival we could hear Golden Oriole, booming Bittern, Cuckoo and Cetti's warbler all at the same time! We were quickly rewarded with 2 sightings of Golden Oriole, one in the black poplar plantation and another as it flew out of the trees and was mobbed by a Cuckoo! Other highlights were Hobby, Kingfisher in flight and 2 Cranes which flew by.
We then went onto Weeting heath and saw 2 Stone Curlew which sadly were a bit distant. Then onto Abbey farm at Flitcham where we saw Red-legged Partridge and another  Kingfisher. We then went onto the coast and visited Cley, Tichwell and Snettisham. Highlights were Cetti's warbler and Temmincks stint at Cley, Whimbrel and Red-crested Pochard at Titchwell and a summer plumage Grey Plover at Snettisham. Other notable species included Avocet, Marsh harrier, Grey Partridge ,Spoonbill, Whinchat and Egyptian Goose. In total we saw an amazing 92 species. We need to go back soon though and bag Montagu's harrier, Honey buzzard and the elusive Turtle Dove.

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