Our annual trip to Spurn was a reasonable one with quite a few migrants (mainly common one`s) passing through. Due to a prior commitment, my grandson`s christening, I had to travel on my own. Kevin C & Bob K met me on the M62. Our first stop was at Stone Creek to meet an old friend, John Ward who has been counting the birds there for years. We had a nice time watching the resident Kingfisher and having a good chat, there was not much flying south though!
Next stop was Easington to catch up with a juvenile Rose coloured Starling, it took time to locate but we had some decent views of it eventually. We were joined by Billy Jackson and enjoyed a Red breasted Flycatcher in the garden at Kew, also a Yellow browed Warbler was in the area. A couple of Pied Flycatchers were also noted. A trip down to the Warren revealed a smart Redstart and another juvenile Rose coloured Starling (no not the same one) the sea was very quiet, so a check around had us soon watching a smart Whinchat. A trip to the riding stables, in search of a Red backed Shrike only revealed a man asleep in his van! At Sammy`s Point a hunting Barn Owl was the real highlight with only a smattering of small birds being seen. We made for our accommodation at The Marquis of Granby in Easington, which was very nice. Martin Q joined us and after we ate a hearty meal we had a couple of pints and retired for the night.
Up at around 7-30am we all headed for the sports field and sewage works area. A Ring necked Parakeet was the only real bird of note. A cracking breakfast was thoroughly enjoyed and then back out to look for the Red backed Shrike again, still no joy. Another RB Shrike was now reported in Easington village up Vicar`s Lane, we headed there, but after a while we did not see it. Martin met one of his old buddies, who had just bought the bungalow which had held the Siberian Accentor last year, lucky man. Back to Easington Cemetery to finally catch up with the shrike, that showed really well, at last! We called in to watch the warden at Spurn ringing a couple of Redpoll, it was quite informative. We had our evening meal at the Crown & Anchor and a couple of pints then again to bed. Great to meet up with the lads again and have a good chat.
