After missing the male Baikal Teal near Eldernell, Cambridgeshire about 2 weeks ago and with its subsequent re-appearance last week, thoughts of another trip to see it were mooted. Thursday`s news that the presumed same bird had been seen at Kilnsea Wetlands near Spurn was very welcome. Friday dawned and with a negative from Kilnsea that the teal was not present had us making other plans. Then, the bird was located at Hornsea Mere, so we hurriedly met at Kevin C`s home and along with Bob K, set off in Kevin C`s new Honda, very nice! The journey along the M62, then through to Beverley and Hornsea was without incident on a nice sunny day. The Baikal Teal was viewable, distantly at first, from the second field on the southern mere shore (famously the same place as the White Rumped Swift that we dipped) The bird was always in the company of a male Wigeon and flew quite a bit closer giving fairly good views, it was indeed a very well-marked bird! After about 30 minutes a Hobby flew over the mere, it seemed to be trying to catch its lunch.
We headed south along the road towards Spurn, the 28 miles of twisty cartracks via Withersea seemed to last forever, not as though we were in a rush to see anything. We reached Kilnsea Wetlands and visited the new hide but as the tide was out there werent the usual amount of wading birds to see. At Beacon Ponds a singular Bar Tailed Godwit was seen, then a couple of the Little Terns lit up the day with their calls and their very presence. A look over the sea from the hide was very underwhelming. We headed for home over the M62 back into Lancashire with one of our number having added a new bird to his list, persistence usually pays!
