Spurn Trip 13/10/2012 Will Rich
The weather was kind to us and we enjoyed sunshine for most of the day, whilst nearby Hull appeared to have been afflicted by heavy showers.
Stonechat Spurn 13/10/2012 Will Rich
Disembarking the minibus, we were told in no uncertain terms by June, our leader, to stop talking and start stalking. Obediently scanning the bushes for rarities we turned up a Chiffchaff, which gave good views, a small party of Goldcrests and a nice male Stonechat. A woodcock flew up out of a ditch and disappeared into a stand of trees. Very little else was seen at the landward end, so we took our lunch in the minibus and then headed for the point. There we spent some time observing the Heligoland trap into which a Brambling (a lifer for some of us) was desperately trying to get, for reasons best known to itself.
There were also Redwings in the elder bushes. One of the highlights of the day were the two Black Redstarts which were showing well as we made our way back landward along the road. The main “tick” however was the Yellow-browed Warbler, whose presence was indicated by the gaggle of twitchers gathered at the side of the road. It gave as good views as we could have hoped as it flitted in and out of the bushes, clearly displaying its pale supercilium and double wing bar. As the state of the tide was favourable, the day ended with some wader watching, which turned up Bar-tailed Godwit as well as the more common species.
Brambling Spurn 13/10/2012 Jonnie Fisk
We also did some sea watching, where a raft of Common Scoters was the main attraction. Unfortunately the wind direction was not tending to bring birds close inshore. A species tally in the region of 70 was cause for great satisfaction and all declared it to have been a very enjoyable day. Many thanks to June.
Will Rich