The type of wind and weather fronts almost guaranteed a good weekend for migrant birds on the east coast. So, with 2 of the A team joining with 2 of the lads from York, who had been to Spurn the day before, we would almost certainly have a good day`s birding!
I picked up Bob K in Milnrow, in the dark, then met Mark K and Nigel S over in North Cave. The weather looked quite nice as we decided that our first stop would be in Easington, upon arrival lots of birders had assembled and were searching the trees around the church. Nice to see Sarfraz and Craggy from the Rossendale area, welcome to twitching boys! Masses of Goldcrest and Chiff-chaff were soon seen and it was apparent that a large fall of birds had taken place. Behind the White Horse pub a Pallas`s Warbler gave a good, but to brief an appearance, what a cracking little bird, Bob K really likes Pallas`s Warbler`s. We moved onto the old cemetery at Easington, where a Red Breasted Flycatcher showed really well, which was more than could be said for a Firecrest that was hard to pin down in amongst the hordes of Goldcrest in the area, but we did see it.
We headed for Church field and the Crown & Anchor area to see if the Rustic Bunting was still around, alas it was not. The path around the field had to be walked very carefully to avoid standing on the Goldcrest`s that appeared to be everywhere, again good numbers of Chiff-chaff and along with a few Redwing, Tree Sparrow made it a nice experience. Mark K told us the news that a possible Pallas`s Grasshopper Warbler had been seen near the potato field almost at the point. Being mugs to add another dip on that species myself and Bob K made the walk. The York boys, very wisely, birded the canal area. It was a long 1 hour walk down to the area with a few Stonechat for company. Then talk of setting up nets to catch the bird etc seemed pointless in the rough terrain. The walk back was made all the better as a few Brambling and a few thrushes were seen, along with the Rossendale boys going in the opposite direction.
Back at the car we met Martin Q who was enjoying the hectic birding at Spurn, he told us where to watch the Great Grey Shrike from, which was off Green Lane near Sammy`s Point. Myself and Bob K had never been in this area before but we soon found the shrike and enjoyed fairly close views of it as it chased the local birds around. One last try for the Pallas`s Warbler again or the Northern Bullfinch in Easington village, no joy, then news of the Olive Backed Pipit showing really well near the gas terminal. Off we went again and were soon watching this cracking little bird down to 5 metres distance. The boys took lots of photograph`s of it as it showed well all the time we were there. Sarfraz and Craggy also got to see the bird as it was a new bird for both of them, well done to both of you! Time to go home now after a really cracking day and another Good Day at Spurn!
