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.
