We all wanted to head up to Bempton after a lifer was found there a few days ago, so we jumped at the chance to go when Brian found time, and I had no commitments. It's a 3am start. and we arrived at Bempton Cliffs around 7ish, a crowd had already gathered and we just walked around the corner to join them. A birder had a Thermal imager and he told me he had the Pale-legged Leaf Warbler in the bush in front of us, I got a quick view of the bird, it's a lifer for all of us. Over the next 2 hours, we all got good views of the bird but it was very active and it was dark in the bush so trying to get good photos was not going to happen, but was well worth the trip to see this first reported live one in Britain.
While here we get a year tick a Yellow-browed Warbler plus not needed for a tick but Tree Sparrows were everywhere.
Jimmy has dipped a couple of times with Icterine Warbler so with one being reported at Flamborough and only just down the road, we shoot off to find it.
The bird is reported just behind the Viking Hotel Holmes Gut. As soon as we arrive we get a year tick when a Red-breasted Flycatcher is spotted.
A short walk down to a closed-off bridge where a small group tells us the bird had not been seen for a few hours, so not looking good, Jimmy thinks it is another dip for him, then Brian who had walked off sends a call to say he has the Icterine in sight, we head up to him at speed, Jimmy a bit faster than me.
The bird gave us really great views and another lifer ticked for both of us.
40 miles away another lifer is reported at Spurn. So off we head to search for an Arctic Warbler. It has been seen at the Discovery Centre car park. Not a lot of birders here and it is not looking good, so once again Brian walks off and it's not long before we get the call he has found it around the back of the center. Everyone follows us and the Arctic is showing really well and was not disturbed by us being there, so cameras click away.
Down the road by the trap nets, we see a Spotted Flycatcher and a year tick when a Barred Warbler flew out of the trap and up the hedge row.
Just up the road at Kilnsea Wetlands we pay a quick a quick visit and spot an American Wigeon for another year tick.
Off home now as it's a 4-hour drive we leave sooner than we really wanted to and when we get home we find out we could have had a few more ticks but that's life. Still, we had a cracking day and got 7-year ticks 3 of which were lifers for Jimmy and me, Brian only got
one lifer but what a good one.
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| Red-Breasted Flycatcher |
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| Arctic Warbler |
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| Icterine Warbler |
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