A Little Bustard was found near Bridlington,Yorkshire on New Year`s Eve. A couple of the A Team had not seen this species before, so a trip was planned for Friday the 2nd January (not our usual New Year`s Day trip due to poor weather forecast,Big Mistake) Now Steve K not really known for his "quick off the mark" theory to twitching, took his good lady out on New Year`s Day and saw the Little Bustard,well done Steve. On a bitterly cold morning the other 4 members of the A Team left Newhey at 7am reaching Fraisthorpe by 9am with myself driving. The narrow road down to the beach car park was surrounded by around 100+ birders all looking rather sad, the bird had not been seen or froze to death? After about an hour we decided to rescue what was left of the day and head for Bridlington Harbour. It's around 25 years since most of us have been there, when we did an RSPB "Seabird Cruise". A couple of Purple Sandpipers and lots of Turnstones were seen. A call at South Landing, Flamborough was next with Rock & Water Pipits seen, quite a few Red Throated Divers and a few Common Scoter also. A visit to the Grindale area was next but, to continue the "dipping" theme of the day, no sign of the reported Rough Legged Buzzard. On the journey over to Wakefield we would have expected to see a couple of Red Kite`s, but they were also not seen. At the Calder Wetlands near Wakefield the Blyth`s Pipit was looked for twice and the theme continued we just not connecting. A few duck species were added then a Common Snipe was seen and declared "Bird of the Day". A day to forget really as it was very cold. A nice early return over the hill into Lancashire and we all hoped for better luck in 2015. Around 60 species were seen on the day so not a bad start.
