Isabelline Wheatear - Easington, Yorkshire!

With a prolonged spate of easterly winds over the past few weeks, it was only a matter of time before the eastern hotspot of Britain that is Spurn delivered once again, and true to form a fine Isabelline Wheatear was found at Easington on the 17th of the last month, hot on the heels of the first mainland British record of Siberian Accentor just a few days earlier.

With 36 past records of Isabelline Wheatear in Britain, despite becoming almost annual in recent years, they are still extremely rare birds, and having missed the Seaton Snook bird in Cleveland back in 2014, this was the first opportunity to catch up with one since on British soil. Luckily, the Easington bird stuck until the weekend (it was first found on a Monday – typical) and come a cold and blustery Saturday morning we were braving the biting nip of an easterly wind as we trudged along the field edge to catch up with our target bird. Thankfully, we didn’t have long to wait, as upon arrival the Wheatear was crouching in the grass relatively near to the fence line, offering great views through the scope before hopping up and heading further out in to the field. 

Watching as it flitted and scurried over the bare soil of the adjacent ploughed field, we could take in all the features that distinguish Isabelline Wheatears from the similar Northern Wheatears we’re more accustomed to seeing in Britain – the white fore eyebrow as opposed to the buff colouration seen on Northern Wheatears, along with the black alula of the Isabelline that contrasts with the pale wing. The thick black band on the end of the tail was also apparent on the occasional instances when the bird flew, as were the paler upper wings (Isabelline actually means a pale creamy-brown fawn colour – which the Wheatear definitely was!).

The black alula contrasting with the pale wing...

...and the thick black band on the end of the tail

Normally occurring in the Middle-East, Russia and Northern Africa, with the prolonged easterlies, presumably originating from the depths of these areas and capturing birds on migration, there has since been a slight invasion of Isabelline Wheatears, with a whopping further 6 birds found over the course of a couple of weeks. 

The field the Isabelline Wheatear was favouring

Whilst not the brightest of species, or indeed, individual, never the less this was a much welcome bird and a great autumnal Wheatear to catch up with. 

Autumnal Birding - Short-eared Owls, Scaup, Jack Snipe and Cetti's

With the rustic tones of autumn coming to a close and the cool chill of winter fast approaching, I’ve been able to catch up with a selection of good birds locally as the seasons shift and the birds follow suite.

Short-eared Owls in particular seem to be in great abundance this year, and I managed to see up to 6 different birds at Parkgate/Burton Point during the recent high tides, all taking advantage of the large numbers of voles and other small mammals forced out of the vegetation as the water levels rose. With further individuals at Frodsham Marsh as well as this beautiful bird found hunting along the banks of the River Clywd in Rhyl, the winter of 2015/16 already seems to be a bumper year for these charismatic owls.

There also appears to have been a mini-invasion of Firecrests taking place throughout the North Wales coastline over the past few weeks, with up to 5 spotted at Conwy RSPB near the pond bridge and further individuals scattered across the coastline and up to the Great Orme, particularly around Llys Helig Drive.

The female/immature Scaup at Eirias Park boating lake also provided excellent views when I visited, and having been associating with a group of Mallards for several weeks now, is still present. Whilst occasionally flushed by dogs (such as on one occasion while I was present) the Scaup seems to have taken this small patch of water to its liking, showing fantastically well and being easy to spot on such a small water body. With the lake slowly being drained for the winter however, it will more than likely soon move on, perhaps to the coast or to one of the other pools or lakes nearby.

Burton Mere Wetlands is also playing host to two Jack Snipe at present, most often seen from the first boardwalk screen hidden amongst the stubble of cut reeds. Cryptically camouflaged and usually asleep amongst the Common Snipe with its beak concealed, the distinctive facial markings give the ID away along with the darker and bolder patterns on the back. Luckily, we managed to get great views of one individual doing its characteristic bobbing motion as it moved through the reeds before settling back down and remaining hidden behind the vegetation.

Two Cetti’s Warblers have also taken up residence in the patch of reeds between the reedbed screen and the second hide. Usually remaining hidden deep within the depths of the reeds, with just the distinctive explosive call giving their location away, we were lucky to get amazing views as they became incredibly active late in the afternoon before heading off to roost, showing unbelievably well and performing right in front of the screen out in the open. These were by far my longest ever views of Cetti’s Warblers, having previously only ever got glimpses at various reserves before the bird dashed back in to the safety of the reeds. A pair of Brambling on the feeders were also lovely to see, completing what has been a fantastic few weeks for classic autumnal/winter birds.

Autumn weekend at Spurn

A two day trip to the fantastic coastal spot that is Spurn this weekend resulted in the expected scattering of east coast migrants as well as a lifer in the form of a Richard’s Pipit in one of the fields opposite West Mere Farm at Kilnsea.

Having not been seen for a good hour when I got to the field in question and with only 2 other birders staking out the grass where it was last spotted, it soon turned in to a waiting game and a test of perseverance. With Alex checking the nearby hedgerows for migrants, I stuck it out in the hope of connecting, and sure enough, after ten minutes or so, the only other remaining birder had it in his scope, the pipit giving good views as it hopped out in to the open in front of the water trough.

Much larger than a Meadow Pipit, with extremely long legs and an almost thrush like facial profile due to the head shape and bill, this distinctive pipit was a much awaited lifer for me after not counting a bird seen very briefly on the Great Orme 3 years ago having just got a fleeting glimpse of the top of a bird’s head!

After calling Alex back, we both got nice scope views as the pipit moved through the long grass, only becoming visible when it popped its head up to stop and scan around, standing upright with its neck outstretched. Despite moving quite a way across the field, we still managed to track the bird through the grass, occasionally coming right out in to the open so we could really admire the bird in full. At one point, it even flew up and came closer, giving a first-hand opportunity to hear that characteristic flight call – quite similar to that of a sparrow.

Satisfied with our views of the Richard’s Pipit, we stopped by to admire the cracking male Black Redstart that had been frequenting the garden of the house opposite, before heading to Kilnsea Wetlands where an American Golden Plover had just been found. Despite having already seen one in Cornwall at extremely close quarters last year, it was still nice to catch up with another bird, and we were all incredibly surprised when a second individual dropped by to join it! Despite the plumage differences between the two (with both birds seeming to be at opposite ends of the scale in terms of variation) when the birds stood next to each other it was clear they were both exactly the same size, and not an AGP and a Grey Plover like some had suggested. 

When both birds eventually flapped their wings to reveal dusky tones and no hint of any solid black armpit patches, the ID was settled beyond doubt. Around 20 Brent Geese, a whole field of Hares and two fantastic hunting Barn Owls in the fading light were a great end to the day.

Having stayed overnight in Hull, we returned early the next morning to see what migrants may have been brought in on the easterly winds during the night. Despite every single bush positively heaving with Goldcrests everywhere you looked (thousands must have been present at Spurn and Kilnsea alone) other migrants were seemingly thin on the ground, and it was hard work to produce anything of note.

Two Bramblings in the Crown and Anchor car park were a nice find, while a 1w/female type Redstart caused some debate as to whether it was of the eastern form samamisicus, or Ehrenberg’s Redstart as it is known, with some white on the wing panel hinting to this eastern form. Despite the relatively distant views as it worked a hedge at the far end of a field, some photos were obtained, although personally I’m struggling to assign it to anything other than a normal Common Redstart.

A cracking Yellow-browed Warbler in the third paddock at Sammy’s Point rounded off our second day nicely, giving brief but great views and calling loudly as it hopped from bush to bush – a true sound of Autumn and one I’ll never tire of hearing.

Sadly, the Pallas’s Warbler on Humber Side Lane in Easington didn’t play ball to the amassed crowd, and two visits failed to pay off, as the bird remained highly elusive as it presumably undertook a circuit around the cottages and fields, only being seen twice that afternoon.

With a Red-flanked Bluetail and a Dusky Warbler both being found at Spurn this morning, things are clearly on the move, and what has so far been a quiet Autumn looks to finally be getting some life injected in to it. With several weeks of October and the beginning of November left to produce the goods, there is still time yet for that much sought after Siberian beauty to materialise – a Rubythroat would look especially welcome perched nicely on the Cliff Farm entrance stone or hopping though Church Field!