Well, now five Siberian accentors have turned up in Britain, yes, five! So I decided, after working all weekend, to go to Spurn and do some birding and hopefully see another one of these mega species after seeing the first record in Shetland.
On arrival, I walked up to the back of the old school at Easington. There were only about ten birders present, and I was put on the bird straight away. The Siberian Accentor was only a few feet away from the fence and was happily foraging away.
Britain's second Siberian Accentor
As you can see, the bird was showing really well and was a cracking find by Lance Degan. Writing this tonight, there are now nearly 65 Siberian accentors seen across Europe! As I was watching the birds, news came through that the Isabelline Wheatear was showing well near the boatyard, so I got off. The Isabelline Wheatear was soon picked up in a ploughed field with two Shorelarks and three Bramblings. The bird was distant, so I managed to get some record shots.
Issabelline Wheatear
Brambling
Moving on to Spurn, the fields were full of Fieldfares and Redwings as I was driving. I pulled over in the car and watched hundreds of them feeding in the stubble fields.
Fieldfare and Redwing
Reaching Spurn, I parked the car and headed to the Bluebell car park, where I had great views of two Shorelarks feeding in a nearby field.
Shorelark
There were so many birds around as you were walking about. Siskins were in good numbers, and I've never seen so many Robins and Goldcrests; they were everywhere.
Goldcrest
Sisken
A quick stop off at the Crown and Anchor pub garden produced a Yellow-browed warbler and a Firecrest, but they only showed for a matter of seconds in blustery conditions, so no record shots, but not as though I didn't try; I just gave up.
The estuary was very quiet as it was low tide, but I did see Reed Bunting, Wheatear, and a few Grey Plover.
Grey Plover
Wheatear
Reed Bunting
After a great day birding, I headed home, leaving Spurn behind. What a magical place this is for birds, and hopefully it won't be long before I return.
