PALE-LEGGED LEAF WARBLER-RSPB-BEMPTON CLIFFS-EAST YORKSHIRE

An elusive phyllosc had been present at Bempton Cliffs RSPB in East Yorkshire since Wednesday,it was Initially thought to be an Arctic Warbler and then the bird turned into a "possible" Eastern Crowned Warbler.Things then developed and with some diligent work by a local birder(including recordings) the bird was actually a Pale-Legged Leaf Warbler.

News broke to late to set off so plans were made for any early morning start over to Bempton Cliffs.Owen,Jenna and I set off at 5.30am and arrived on site just before 9.00am meeting up with the masses.We joined in with everyone peering into the low vegatation,this was going to be an absolute nightmare.We stood there peering into the hedgerow when the bird showed briefly and then moved further right.The bird eventually took off from the hedgerow and showed sat up in a tree briefly before heading right into the Dell.We all headed for the nearest spot and waited and then the Pale-Legged Leaf Warbler showed really well.

 This was the first live record of Pale-Legged Leaf Warbler for the Western Palearctic

The pale-legged leaf warbler (Phylloscopus tenellipes) is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. The species was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1860. It is found in Manchuria; it winters in Southeast Asia. 

Description

They are 12 cm in length with brownish upperparts and a contrasting greyish-brown crown and nape. The whitish supercilium contrasts strongly, not reaching the forehead but extending well behind the eyes. Its eyeline is dark brown and wider behind the eye. Cheeks mottled pale brown and throat whitish. White undertail coverts contrast with paler olive-brown rump and uppertail coverts, lacks greenish tinge. Breast and belly whitish, washed pale brown.

The Yorkshire bird is the second record for Britain,following one found dead after hitting a window at the lighthouse on St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, on October 21,2016.DNA confirmed the identification of this bird.

                     

St Agnes bird which was sadly found dead.

There is also a record of one in a garden at Portland,Dorset,on 22 October 2012 though it remained silent –so it wasn't possible to rule out Sakhalin Leaf Warbler

Write up on both birds was published in the British Birds Journal .Click on image below

After further views of the bird throughout the morning we made our way back to the car were we connected with a Yellow Browed Warbler in the car park.

On the way back home we called in at Stamford Bridge where a Hoopoe was showing well on someone's front garden.

Hoopoe!Showing Well!

A great day out birding and good to catch up with so many familair faces!Shetland next week bring on the MEGAS!