Birding Highlights 2018 - Top 11

2018 has been an extremely successful birding year for me, with so many highlights, some I didn't put on this list. This is also just a list of birding events, so doesn't include the Birdfair or the People's Walk for Wildlife, even though they were probably the highlights of the year. 

It also doesn't include the best birding event of the year, Poland, because this is purely based on my birding top 11 in Britain.
Smew
One of my first birding excursions of 2018 was to Rutland water, without any specific targets. After seeing many good birds around the reservoirs, including Goosander and American Wigeon, I entered a hide to see a Smew, although not a real one, but one being filmed through a camera. I looked up to see a stunning drake Smew swimming a couple of metres in front of the hide, the kind of views you can get at from captive birds. It swam away and joined a female more distantly. Awesome views of an awesome bird.

Butterflies
Another highlight was searching for butterflies, which I only got interested in last year. Many of the species with restricted range could be found locally as well, sometimes within walking distance from my house! Not really a 'birding' highlight, but falls in to the category of searching for wildlife. 

Duke of Burgundy 

Purple Hairstreak

White-Letter Hairstreak

Gulling
After buying the Gulls of The World book at the start of the year, I begin to understand how to ID Yellow-Legged Gulls, and others. I can't say I can tell them all apart, but I'm better than I was. Events throughout the year also helped, as I went on a couple of 'gulling days' in Suffolk. Gulling also produced a recent Caspian Gull in London, one of the best-looking large gulls!

Juvenile Yellow-Legged Gull

Yellow-Legged Gull - near adult 

Little Gull, because they don't all look the same

Redstart

During a long weekend in Norfolk in May, seeing Purple Heron, Dotterel, Wood Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Cuckoo, Woodlark, Dartford Warbler, Nightingale and many other good birds, the highlight was probably this male Redstart, found by the warden of Holme Bird Observatory. It stayed out in the open and at extremely close range at all times, perching on open posts, low bushes and on the grass, often next to a Wheatear. 

Oriole Birding day trip 3rd February

An extremely successful day's birding in Norfolk, led by Jason Moss, Oriole Birding. Highlights were Glossy Ibis, Rough-Legged Buzzard, Merlin, Cranes, Barn Owl, masses of waders, male Hen Harrier, Mediterranean Gull and Bewick's and Whooper swans feeding in fields.

Migfest

I was delighted to be in the final of the young birders competition at Spurn, and although I didn't win the competition, the weekend was a huge success (ignoring the worst-quality tents I've ever had). 

I found Pied Flycatcher and Redstart, not 'mega finds' but both great birds. The Pied Flycatcher was thanks to David Walsh telling me what the call sounded like beforehand as well. I also had good views of Common Rosefinch, but it was the whole experience of the event that was the best thing.

Pied Flycatcher

Yellow-Browed Warblers

 I was concerned I would not have time to see one of these this year. However, in the end, I managed to see/hear about ten, including one trapped and ringed at Portland, and four self-found ones, mostly in Cornwall. With almost every bird, I heard the distinctive call, which, for me, has become a sound of autumn. One experience included one calling at the same time as a Dusky Warbler in Cornwall!

Yellow-Browed Warbler

Spurn in August

My second visit to Spurn (before the Migfest) and my second time in August. Even more successful than the previous year, with a trip that started with Spotted Crake and Stilt Sandpiper on the way up, and ended with a perfectly timed Citrine Wagail flying over my head as I was getting in the car to leave. 

Other birds included at least three Icterine Warblers, including one probably self-found (a chance it could have been a re-find, but was likely a different bird from the first), Woodchat Shrike, Black and Roseate Tern, Spotted and Pied Flycatcher (including three in one bush), Tree Pipit, Long and Short-Eared Owls, Fieldfare, loads of Whinchats and so many more great birds. 

Icterine Warbler

Spotted Crake (Gibraltar Point, on the way to Spurn)

Catbird and Bittern

The two rare birds I saw in 2018, the American Bittern involved a long range twitch and the Grey Catbird, involving pure luck, as it chose the week I was going to Cornwall to arrive and settled 10 minutes from where I was staying. Of course, right before I had amazing views of the it, my camera screen fell off and became broken beyond repair. 

The American Bittern showed well,after a four-hour wait, although it was distant, and began to display to a Eurasian Bittern, both birds standing out in the open some of the time. The day also produced a male Hen Harrier.

Local Birding

I would call it patching, but I didn't have time to visit my patch much during the second half of the year. My local area included much the Colne Valley, Ruislip Woods and a few other areas in between. The highlights of local birding included self found Dunlins (once again, might not be considered much of a 'find', but it was an unusual, underwatched site inland and in walking distance from my house), a Curlew flying over Broadwater, Garden Warblers, Bittern, Jack Snipe and Yellow-Legged Gull.

Countless other local highlights include Goldeneye, Caspian Gull, Kingfisher, Siskin, Bullfinch, Water Rail, Pintail, Hobby, Oystercatcher, Water Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat (singing at my school!) and Fieldfares in my garden.

Siskin

Bittern

Dunlins

Fieldfare

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

One of the highlights, mostly because of the six attempts it took to see it. The first five at Cassiobury Park, all of which didn't produce a sighting, although I heard one drumming briefly. However, for the sixth attempt, I visited a woodland in Buckinghamshire, where, after a bit of searching, I heard one calling, drumming and I got views of it. A success after so many failures!

Cornwall in October

Since the school holidays in October is at the end of the month, it is not really the peak time to visit migration sites. However, it is still a good time, with many species that can be found at other times in autumn.

A Black Redstart at Pendeen

The decision of where to go in the autumn had flipped around a lot, but I eventually settled on Cornwall, going with my aunt and staying with her friends near Land's End.

This turned out to be a good decision, as almost no birds turned up on the east coast because of the wind direction. Another lucky event was the discovery of a Grey Catbird a few days before I went down, which was not only showing well, but was about ten minutes from where I was staying.

The drive down to Cornwall was mostly uneventful, with a few Buzzards and Red Kites and some overcrowded service stations for lunch, but we eventually reached Cornwall, where the first stop was a brief afternoon visit to Drift Reservoir, near to where I was staying, but there wasn't much here.

I arrived at the cottage, but was out again a few minutes later for the Grey Catbird ten minutes away.

On arrival at the site, I walked to the end of the field and joined the large gathering of birders. After a short wait (and after the screen falling completely off my camera) the shout came that the bird was showing and, to my amazement, it flew straight towards us and landed in view in a small bush.

It was here for about five minutes, before perching out in the open on a bare branch for a few seconds, then diving in to the bushes, presumably to roost. An awesome bird to begin with, and one that showed well. I put a donation in the bucket and left, preparing for the following day.

A Black Redstart seen at Pendeen

The next day, I got up early to try for a second view of the Catbird, without success, and returned to eat breakfast. I was soon out again though, to Porthgwarra, one of Cornwall's best valleys. Things began well when I found a Firecrest in the trees at the bottom of the valley, and heard many Goldcrests.

I walked up the to Gwennap Head, where I searched for migrants amongst the few bushes that were here, but was instead given amazing views of Chough, which circled the cliffs and landed in the short grass to feed. Walking further through the valley, I came across a large area of bushes, with a lot of people grouped round them.

I was told that they had re-located a Dusky Warbler found earlier in the day, and I immediately heard it calling, then, unexpectedly, it flew over the path, calling as it flew. Annoyingly, it had landed in a dense patch of bushes. Over a period of time, it showed about twice more, for c.1 second each time, but it remained vocal throughout (there was a Blackcap in the bush to add confusion with the calls too). However, the best views were when it worked its way through the front of the vegetation, visible for about a minute.

A Yellow-Browed Warbler also called a few times, but remained unseen.

Once the crowds had cleared, the Dusky Warbler flew over my head about 4 times, continually calling. This was my second lifer of the week.

Stonechats were entertaining, with smart males perching at the top of the vegetation and calling constantly.

Wrens called from almost every bush, and a Grey Wagtail was flying around the top of one of the houses. I stopped to check for Rose-Coloured Starling on the way back from the valley, but without luck.

The next day was a slightly longer drive to the Lizard, an under-watched location in Cornwall. I started off at Church Cove Cemetery, where there were few birds, but a Yellow-Browed Warbler was present, although I only heard it. Next to Church Cove, with almost no birds at all, except Robins, Dunnocks and Blackbirds. Butterflies included Wall Brown, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral.

After lunch at a cafe on Lizard Head, with House Sparrows picking food off tables and Grey Seals in the water, I attempted to bird the surrounding area. However, the 'good' weather proved to be a negative, with huge of people to dodge as I walked down the paths and too much disturbance for the chance of many birds.

I ended the day looking for a reported Little Bunting, which I'm almost certain I saw. However, given the fact that it was distant and there was no size comparison and loads of Reed Buntings in the area, I don't want to confirm it. 

The next day was also uneventful, with almost nothing all day - one Yellow-Browed Warbler each at Cot Valley and Nanquidno Valley, both heard only, but the highlight of the day was a Yellow-Browed Warbler at Kenidjack Valley, which ended up showing very well, calling constantly. There were also Choughs seen in every valley, often as flyovers. 

An evening visit to a moorland site to look for Hen Harriers was unsuccessful, but I did get a brief flight view of a Wheatear, and saw many Ravens. 

However, the day after, bird quantity improved rapidly, with an early start at Drift Reservoir. Almost immediately, I heard a Yellow-Browed Warbler calling from the bushes, but, at first, couldn't locate it. I had a few glimpses after a while, but got the best views when someone else turned up and started 'pishing', which brought the bird out in the open for perfect views! After investigating the noise, it returned to feeding, but this time in the nearest bush. It remained very vocal, the most vocal one I had ever heard.

Next, I walked around the reservoir, hearing Reed Bunting and Chiffchaff along the way, and reached the hide, where most of the birds were gathered. Almost immediately after reaching the hide, someone inside said they had a Ring-Necked Duck showing well in front of it. They soon put me on to the bird, a 1st winter, and a lifer!

While watching the duck, a wader appeared on the shore of the reservoir - a Green Sandpiper. There were also Tufted Ducks, Teal, many Gulls, Wigeon and a pale Buzzard.

I think it is safe to call this a record shot - Ring-Necked Duck

Next I went to Pendeen, where I failed see anything on a seawatch, but instead was entertained by a showy Black Redstart on the lighthouse. I still had some time left before it got dark, so I went back to the Lizard area to visit Croft Pascoe pool, where there were reports of Vagrant Emperor dragonflies.

I reached the pool in mid-afternoon, where a few dragonflies were still active, mostly Common Darters. However, I soon saw a large dragonfly, which proved to be the Vagrant Emperor, although it showed only briefly, which another half hour after the first sighting with it not appearing again. While watching the Dragonflies, a flock of Siskins flew over.

I had only about an hour of birdable daylight time left, so I travelled to Stithian's Reservoir, a place where Temminck's Stint had been seen the previous day, although not reported when I went, so I wasn't expecting it to still be present. However, after taking many wrong turns and ending up on the wrong side of the reservoir, I finally reached the site to be told that the bird was still there.

I set up my scope and, although distant, saw a very small wader that was the Temminck's Stint! Another lifer, and a bird I had wanted to see for a while. Even distantly, I could see the the colouring of the bird matched what I had seen in books, but the easiest way to tell it was a stint was when a Green Sandpiper appeared next to it. Once the Sandpiper starting 'bobbing' I worried I had been watching this bird the whole time (as I had taken my eyes off the spot), but realised the Temminck's stint was next to it, so small it was barely noticeable until it moved!

I got up much later the next day, but ended up at Nanquidno valley with a few hours before setting off for Hayle. Unfortunately, no matter how much I scanned the brambles and field edges, I couldn't find a Ring Ouzel, and, in fact, found almost nothing at all.

So, later that afternoon, I ended up at Hayle, where I first looked around Carnsew Pool. There was a good variety here, with Grey Plover, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, a distant Spoonbill and Oystercatcher. I watched a small bird shoot across the water, clearly a Kingfisher, which then landed on the margin of the pool and showed well. 

As I was walking up the path, I heard a distinctive call from the bushes, and watched a Bullfinch in the closest vegetation - a bird I hardly ever see, despite them being present at most places.

Male Bullfinch

However, the best feature of the pool was that the 'distant Spoonbill' was walking closer and closer and, after a while, ended up on the shore directly in front of me and proceeded to give amazing views - the best I have ever had of this species. 

Spoonbill

Next I searched a few creeks in the estuary, where I again saw the Kingfisher, another Grey Plover, a lot of Redshanks and a Greenshank. Wigeons whistling and the sight of hundreds of Teal was also an exciting feature here.

I arrived at Ryan's field for the evening high tide, where I immediately saw the Great-White Egret that had been there for a while. The Spoonbill had also re-located here, and was feeding happily. To add to the numbers of 'big white things' here, there were a couple of Little Egrets arriving with the tide. Waders began to trickle in, although there weren't huge numbers. There were more Redshanks, Dunlin, Oystercatchers and Bar-Tailed Godwits, as well as Black-Tailed Godwits and Curlews.

Spoonbill with Little Egret

For the final full day, there was a planned, yet very random, day trip to the Isles of Scilly, decided about two days previously. It was mainly for the sea-crossing, although I had a couple of hours on St. Mary's. The crossing there didn't really produce many birds, but there were a lot of Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Razorbills. I also managed to miss 2 Sooty Shearwaters and a Manx Shearwater, as well as a group of harbour porpoise. 

When I arrived on St. Mary's, I had to make a quick decision of what to do - deciding the best thing was to search for the Rustic Bunting that had been seen quite nearby. One of the local birders kindly gave me and a few other birders a lift to the Rustic Bunting site which was a field near a cafe. 

It was here where it finally started to feel like autumn - the Yellow-Browed Warblers previously were very autumnal, but the number of birds made the difference - a huge flock of Chaffinches with numerous Bramblings in it, Redwings and Fieldfares constantly flying overhead, Song Thrushes everywhere and a Mistle Thrush bounding through the field.

The Chaffinch flock flew up to the bushes whenever they felt threatened (often by a Kestrel), but mostly fed in the fields. It wasn't too long before I was scanning through the bush and found the Rustic Bunting, which had stayed there while the Chaffinch flock was in the field. 

I quickly tried to get other people on to it, but through my shock and lack of practice, I was unable to give directions, and only one person got on the bird, something that I clearly need to improve on. 

However, the Bunting was once again found a few minutes later, this time only briefly, and almost everyone managed to see it. With patience, it was located in the field and went on to show amazingly well in the flock of chaffinches and Bramblings, almost certainly the highlight of the week (after the Catbird of course!) 

Right after this, it was time to go back on the Scillonian, where the crossing back produced more Kittiwakes, and a few pods of Common Dolphins.

The final bird was a small raptor seen for just a second in Penzance harbour, diving in to a starling flock and catching one (I think, as I heard a starling squealing from under the building it dived to). I am almost confident it was a Merlin, but couldn't say from this sort of view. 

The drive back included rain, hail, snow and sun in a 10 minute period, and eventually I reached London. It was a lucky decision to go to Cornwall, as it turned out better than I expected, with 6 lifers and highlights of Rustic Bunting, Grey Catbird, Temminck's Stint, Ring-Necked Duck, Dusky Warbler, Firecrest, Yellow-Browed Warbler, Black Redstart, close views of Spoonbill, Choughs and the sight and sound of the birds on Hayle Estuary. I will be back. 

Great-White Egret 

Portland - Searching for Yellow Brows

After not really getting out last October and almost doing nothing in the famous October of 2016, I made sure that I went somewhere this year. And since I hadn't been to Portland yet in the year, I decided to go there.

Unfortunately, the bird obs was full, so I once again stayed in the bunkhouse, as I had last September. It is fine as a hostel for a couple of nights, but the atmosphere isn't as interesting as most of the people tend to be rock climbing university students, who would speak loudly until 2am...

I did manage to get some sleep though, and got up just after sunrise on Saturday morning. On previous trips to Portland, I have spent the full day at the observatory, without looking around much, so this year I tried to spend the whole day walking around the island.

I started by walking to the obs garden, where a crest species appeared briefly in the trees, but disappeared just as fast. I walked up to Southwell, then to Easton, visiting quarries along the way.

The first quarry held a few Blackcaps and a large flock of Goldfinches, with the same in the next. The winds were strong in the morning, but died down pretty quickly.

In a small quarry, there was a lot of bird activity, so I waited here for a while. It wasn't long before I heard the distinctive call of a Yellow-Browed Warbler which sent me in to a run around the quarry. I did not, unfortunately, manage to see it, as it typically stopped calling as soon as I worked out its location. There was possibly a second bird too, but it could have just been the wind blowing the noise of the original bird around.

After stopping at Tesco for food, I tried to find the way to Suckthumb Quarry, and on the way saw a pair of both Stonechats and Peregrines. Upon reaching the quarry, I heard Chiffchaffs calling (and singing) and Blackcaps 'tacking'.

Along the path there was a Clouded Yellow, a new butterfly species for me, which settled in one of the fields.

Clouded Yellow

However, the rest of the day was quiet for birds, so I headed to the nearby reserve of Radipole Lake, where there had been a Lesser Yellowlegs for some time. I didn't know how easy it would be though, and could actually see it from the car park!

Lesser Yellowlegs - so close even I could get an identifiable photo of it

I enjoyed great views, as it was just on the spit in front of the visitor centre, along with a Dunlin, a Snipe and a couple of Mediterranean Gulls.

I then went back to the bunkhouse, very tired as I had walked about 15 miles, but worth it for the birds...

The next day the forecast looked really bad, and getting up in the morning didn't really fill me with hope - it was raining heavily. Today, a half day, I was going to stay around the observatory area to try and get views of Yellow-Browed Warbler.

I sheltered under the trees, where there was a Chiffchaff, which would prove to be more numerous than the previous day. Ravens flew over and called and a huge flock of linnets was flying around in the fields by the road.

Soon, the rain began to stop, and I stood in the front garden, where I watched a Merlin hunt a small passerine. Lucky for the pipit(?) the Merlin wasn't very accurate, and eventually gave up. I heard Yellow-Browed Warbler call a few times in the garden but failed to catch sight of one - while I was looking in the trees someone came to report to me that they were watching Yellow-Brows from the kitchen window! I failed to see them unfortunately.

There were a few more migrants around, with some flocks of Siskins landing in the trees and flying over.

The moth trap was then brought in from the garden, which was very interesting, although I struggled to remember all the names of the moths (the next subject I need to learn about). I remember a Large Yellow Underwing, a medium sized moth that really did have a yellow underwing.

A Chiffchaff was caught and found to already be ringed, apparently caught during the spring, and was on its way back from its breeding grounds.

Later in the day however, one of the ringers came with news that they had trapped and ringed a Yellow-Browed Warbler. It is always great to study birds close up, and this Yellow-Brow was no exception. It was released in the back garden, where it flew off to continue feeding.

Yellow-Browed Warbler

Unfortunately, soon after this, I had to leave, but checked the field full of gulls on the way. Here I saw a Yellow-Legged Gull - I don't claim to be an expect on gull ID, but all the features added up - narrow edges to tertials, white head and breast, dark eye smudge, advanced moult, brown coverts, greater coverts with a dark bar and becoming less barred towards the wing bend, and the slightly squarer head and thicker bill.

Yellow-Legged Gull

On the way back - I stopped off at Radipole again, where the Yellowlegs had moved, but I saw Mediterranean Gull and common ducks.

I try to get to Portland every year, as it is great for birding and everyone there is helpful and friendly - I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of going. However, during the Saturday, when I covered 15 miles, I saw no other birders in the many quarries. This was interesting because there could be anything lurking at Portland, it just doesn't get as much coverage as other places.

The People's Walk for Wildlife

I was looking forward to going to The People's Walk for Wildlife to show my support for nature and the constant struggle it faces. I was also given the opportunity to join other passionate conservationists to hand in the People's Manifesto for Wildlife at Downing Street, something I was not going to miss!

Speakers at the event

I travelled up by Tube, a very short journey, and arrived in time to see Kabir Kaul and his brother Aryan Kaul sharing their views on the problems facing our wildlife via the big screen.

I went over to meet them and Arjun Dutta, as well as briefly speaking to Alex White and Mya Bambrick. 

Me, Arjun, Kabir and Aryan with Bill Oddie 

The main talks then started, with powerful and inspirational speeches given by all, including talks on racial diversity by Mya (Birdgirl), and conservation from Bella Lack, Dara McAnulty, Georgia Locock, Ruth Tingay, and a very powerful speech by Dominic Dyer. Unfortunately, some of the talks had to be cut short due to time pressures, but I they were successful in getting a positive message across.

We then started our journey to Downing Street. I walked with Kabir, Aryan and Arjun, although Arjun had to leave soon after it started. It was so encouraging to hear that the estimated number of people was 10,000 (I was way off with my guess!). People played birdsong on their phones, of species such as Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap and Nightingale, and there were real birds there as well - Kabir spotted a Peregrine flying over. 

As we reached Parliament Square, more speeches were made, including ones from Mark Avery, George Monbiot and Chris Packham; all huge inspirations to me. 

Then, together with Chris, Dara McAnulty (who had travelled all the way from Northern Ireland to be here!), Bella Lack, Zach Haynes, Georgia Locock and Mya, aka Birdgirl, we were led through the gates to Downing Street to hand in the Manifesto.

This was, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of my life, going to Downing Street and presenting a manifesto that could spark serious change.

Conservationists at Downing Street - I'm happier than I look
Photo credit @LukeDrayPhoto

The day also gave me new ideas about what else I could do for conservation, including some things I can start doing immediately. 

- Volunteer for conservation projects. I know a few places I could do this, including organisations that clean waterways and help with habitat management and creation.

- Use social media and blog more about conservation and problems facing wildlife. 

- Campaign against events that destroy the environment, (for example balloon releases). 

- Write a letter to my local MP asking him what his thoughts are on the Manifesto and what steps he can take. (I should get this done in the next couple of days.)

Not everyone was so happy with this event, though. Certain people who enjoy hunting have decided to perceive this march for our wildlife as a personal attack on them, and have responded angrily to it. Surely if they really cared about conservation (most of the event was not even about hunting), they would have supported the walk?

After handing in the manifesto, we headed to Portcullis House to discuss how we would tackle conservation issues with Lord Randall, the Special Advisor on Environment, Prime Minister's Office, including ideas about helping young people to understand and appreciate nature.

I am hoping that there will be another Walk for Wildlife next year, as there is no doubt that I will be attending that, as all I have to say about this one is positive.

Spurn Migfest

I almost went to Migfest last year, but didn't know much about it or what happened, so it was exciting to eventually be going to this famous event for the first time.

I had been shortlisted as a finalist for the Young Birder of the Year competition, so I would be participating in numerous tests to assess my bird identification and general knowledge of birds and migration.

Unfortunately, the weekend began with some bad luck when my train was delayed by over two hours, and this meant it would be dark when we arrived at Spurn and put up the tents...at least it wasn't raining (yet).  The tents were very small but good enough for a couple of nights.

I did a quick tour of the barn where there were numerous stalls, although it was soon closing. I also briefly met Kabir Kaul, another young London birder and finalist for the competition.

I got up relatively early on Saturday and tried to do some birding before the assessments. The bushes were very quiet, so I joined the many birders vis-migging briefly, but still didn't see much here, although there were a few Meadow Pipits passing and 5+ Red-Throated Divers on the sea. I also saw a Redstart on the way to the Canal Scrape hide.

It was soon time to start the tests, so I went inside the observatory building and met the other participants, who were Kabir Kaul, Jack Bradbury, Angus Jennings, George Henry, and Rowan Wakefield. Nick Moran gave us a brief introduction speech then we were split in to groups of age - 14+ and 13 and under, with a winner being picked from each group. I was put with Angus and George in the 14+ group, and we were driven to do our seawatch and vis-mig test.

As there were 3 of us and 2 stations, I was the first to wait in the car park, where I heard a Lesser Whitethroat. Before long though, I was heading to the vis-mig station area, being assessed by the locally famous Jonnie Fisk.

There were hardly any birds going over, but I did see Meadow Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting in the bushes. I was asked questions about migration at Spurn and about migratory Pipits.

Next I went seawatching, probably my weakest area of birding, and was asked to identify three species of birds. I struggled on the questions at this station however.

Next we switched over with the younger birders, so I was about to be assessed on birds in the bushes. There wasn't much around, but I did see/hear Robin, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Kestrel and Siskin. I was also asked a couple of questions.

Next was the lab test, where I was asked to name feather areas of a stuffed Whimbrel and identify calls.

I am surprised to have misidentified Whitethroat song at this station, as this is a bird I can always recognise in the field.

My final section was the Estuary test, where I was asked to identify birds on the Humber from a hide situated in someone's garden, then was asked a question about which waders have white rumps.

All the assessors were very kind and helpful, and the tests weren't stressful at all.

We then had a buffet lunch and the winners were named, Jack Bradbury from the younger group and Angus from my group, both very well deserved winners. We then received answers for the assessment and discussed it.

Later that day, I went looking for the Rosefinch that had been seen earlier, and met David Walsh, Jack Bradbury and Kabir Kaul. It was raining quite hard now, and Kabir, David and Jack went to the seawatching hide, but I decided to stay and hope for the Rosefinch.

Soon after they had left, the Rosefinch did a quick fly-by and flew out of view. But a few more minutes of waiting saw it emerge from the bush and perch in view on the fence post. It showed well in various places throughout the next few minutes, so David, Kabir and Jack were also able to see it.

Unfortunately, even though there were good photo opportunities, the camera I use had broken.

That night, I attended an interesting talk about advances in migration studies at Long Point, and was presented with my prizes for being a finalist in the young birder of the year competition.

Next morning, I got up early to walk down Beacon Lane, where I saw Reed Bunting, but Beacon Ponds and Kilnsea Wetlands were quiet.

I spent most of the day in the Kilnsea churchyard, where I hoped for Pied Flycatchers but there was almost nothing there the whole time I was present. A brief view of a phylloscopus excited me for a minute, because it had the look of a wing barred phyllo (I didn't actually see a wing bar), but with 2 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler calling in the same spot afterwards, I had probably made a mistake.

I met David Walsh again, who I went looking for Pied Flycatchers with. We did not manage to find any but David told me many interesting things about bird calls and his patch in Suffolk. He also told me what a Pied Flycatcher sounded like, something I hadn't known up until now.

At the end of the day, just before I was about to leave, I was looking for birds in the Crown and Anchor car park when I heard a call which made me run over to where it was coming from, Kew Villa Camp Site.

This was because it sounded identical to the call David Walsh had played earlier to tell me what Pied Flycatchers sounded like. After a couple of minutes of persistent calling, the sound got louder until it was right above my head. I located it in the tree and got good views of it moving through the leaves.

Thank you to David Walsh, who taught me the Pied Flycatcher call. I wouldn't have identified it otherwise. 

I then got a taxi to head home, the Migfest weekend being very entertaining and something I definitely want to attend again, with many good birds, but also a lot of helpful and interesting people.

Spurn Again

A trip I had been looking forward to for a long time, although late August isn't the 'classic' time to visit. I went here at the same time last year as well, and it was successful, so I was hoping it would be similar, or better, this year.

However, I had a few things planned before I arrived at Spurn. The first was a pelagic trip off the Norfolk coast, but this was unfortunately cancelled due to strong winds. So, instead, we headed up to Frampton for the day.

Frampton was a reserve I had heard about a lot, as it has a huge variety of waders, as well as the bonus of the Stilt Sandpiper being present.

I arrived to large numbers of Sand Martins and Yellow Wagtails in the car park, and quickly headed up the path to view the marsh.

Birds here included Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Black-Tailed Godwit, Snipe, Gadwall and others, but the Stilt Sandpiper was apparently hidden amongst the Godwits. After a short while, someone noticed it in the flock and put me on to it briefly, but I could hardly make out any of the features.

A few more minutes and no sign of it, so I was beginning to think it had moved somewhere else. Just then, though, someone came with the news that it was showing well with a couple of Godwits on another marsh.

I rushed over there to see it, and found it was on the side of the marsh nearest to me! I got excellent views as it fed out in the open and occasionally hid behind vegetation.

I tried looking around the other marshes, where there was a flock of Spotted Redshanks and a few other waders, but there wasn't much of a variety. Snipe showed very well and I had brief views of a Water Rail from the 360 hide.

I headed up a path with thick hedges on either side where there was a lot of birds, but most refused to show themselves. I saw a Willow Warbler and heard what sounded like a Garden Warbler alarm calling, although I didn't confirm this.

I was staying in a hotel in Titchwell, where I found out there was a path to the RSPB reserve at the back. I took this path in the evening and managed to see Spoonbill on the fresh marsh, although I hadn't brought the scope.

On the way back, I witnessed an interesting sight of about half a dozen Chiffchaffs all feeding in a small clump of bushes. Within this group there was a flock of Long-Tailed Tits, a few Blackcaps and one Lesser Whitethroat.

Lesser Whitethroat

The next day, originally planned for Frampton, was spent at Gibraltar Point where a rain storm unfortunately started before I could look for any migrants.

So I took shelter in the Mere hide, where a Spotted Crake had been reported to be showing. Someone else in the hide told me where it was last seen, so I waited and scanned that area, and was surprised to see it walk right in front of the hide!

Over the next hour it appeared and disappeared, never showing very well or for very long. But, I got lucky as it decided to walk in front of the hide as it had done on the first view, but this time stayed out in the open long enough to get a proper view!

Spotted Crake

It was still raining hard, however, so there wasn't much chance of finding any migrant birds. I had lunch in the cafe then headed up to Spurn for the afternoon.

I arrived at the seawatching hut, where I hoped to see the evening tern roost. However, the hide was packed, and I had trouble viewing any of the terns, as well as the fact I had to leave early because I needed to make time to eat in the nearby pub.

It was quite a quiet day for migrants in the morning, with a few Common Whitethroats and Willow Warblers around.

The sea-watching hut gave good views of 5 Whinchats sitting on the fence posts, which was the most I had seen in one area.

Whinchat

However, later in the day I headed up to Sammy's Point where the bushes were a good shelter from the strong winds. Once again, there were few birds until I accidentally flushed a Long-Eared Owl from one of the bushes.

This had been seen a couple days previously but I had forgotten it was around. It settled in a dense clump of vegetation where there was no hope of re-finding it.

A brief visit to Kilnsea Wetlands produced a Pintail and an adult Yellow-Legged Gull.
There were a few Greenshanks calling from the Humber, including a couple which showed well as they flew past.

Later that day I headed to the Kew Villa viewing area, which is often good for migrants. A Pied Flycatcher had been seen here recently and it didn't take long to see it perched out in the open, although it didn't stay where it was and flew away without returning. 

Later in the day I visited the churchyard and managed to see a Pied Flycatcher, presumably the same one that was at Kew. A different bird on a wire caught my eye, and this turned out to be a Spotted Flycatcher, showing very well. A Wall butterfly was also a new species for me.

Wall

At the Kew Villa viewing area, it was possible to see both the Spotted and Pied flycatchers in the same bush at the same time, which was exciting as I'd never even seen them on the same day before!

I arrived at the seawatching hut early and spent over 4 hours looking at the sea. It was quiet at first, although a Bonxie and a few Arctic Skuas flew through, as well as Kittiwakes, Fulmars and a Manx Shearwater.

The tern roost was the highlight, though, with thousands of Common Terns passing, and among them a few Sandwich Terns. It wasn't long before I began to see Roseate Terns and Black Terns, the latter being a lifer. There were Arctic Terns in the flocks too, although I was struggling to pick these out.

The light started to fail, so I headed back to the observatory.

The next day I watched birds flying over in the observatory garden, and saw many birds including Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper and a flock of Tree Pipits, picked up by one of the local birders. 

Later that day, I walked down to Spurn Point, quite a long walk, made harder carrying the scope, but it was worth it, even if there weren't many birds. Wheatear, Willow Warbler, 8+ Lesser Whitethroats, and other common migrants including Common Whitethoat were around the bushes at the point, but, other than that, it was quiet. 

I took my place in the seawatching hide that evening and saw fewer common terns, just over 4000, but also saw many more Black Terns and had better views of two Roseate Terns. 

On Wednesday, I got up early to watch birds in the Obs garden, seeing my earliest ever Fieldfare, but soon went to the triangle to search for migrant birds. I realised the day would be good when I arrived here, as there were a lot of migrants making their way through the bushes.

Fieldfare with berries - it looks like winter!

Whitethroats were in almost every bush, a Sedge and Reed Warbler sat in the same view, Lesser Whitethroats called from deep in the vegetation and Willow Warblers were common, with one Chiffchaff as well. Yellow Wagtails were constantly flying over and I saw the Fieldfare I had seen earlier again. 

The best bird here was a Pied flycatcher that I had brief views of, but it showed the main features. 

Pied Flycatcher 

Upon entering the area where the path joined the road, one of the volunteers passed me and gave me the news that a Woodchat Shrike had been found at the Warren!

I rushed over to hear it was sitting out of sight in a dense bush, so I waited for it to appear. After waiting and circling the bush a lot, it started to show out in the open, although it was still hard to find an angle where it could be viewed. 

After another short wait, it flew over to the other side of the path, where it remembered it was a Shrike, and started to perch on bushes out in the open! I was soon enjoying clear views through the scope of what was clearly the Woodchat Shrike, with a very prominent white patch on the primaries. 

Woodchat Shrike

There were also two more Pied Flycatchers showing at the Warren. 

I walked back along the Triangle, seeing 5+ Whinchat and a Wheatear, then travelled to Sammy's Point. There were three more Whinchats and another Wheatear near the car park, although the bushes held disappointingly few birds, but the quality improved hugely when I found a bush containing three Pied Flycatchers.

Each one would make a short flight to catch an insect, then return to their perch, which was usually out in the open.

As I was driving back from Sammy's Point, I received a message that an Icterine Warbler was present in the Obs garden, so I headed in that direction. 

The bird hadn't been seen for half an hour when I arrived, and there was no one searching anymore, so I began to look around the garden. After about 10 minutes of searching, I noticed a bird moving through the trees, and when checking it more closely, I realised it was the Icterine Warbler (or an Icterine Warbler - it could have been a different bird to the original)! 

It disappeared quickly, and it was only seen a couple more times until it wasn't observed again. But while hanging around, I got the news that one of the Icterine Warblers had been caught in a net and would be released shortly! 

After missing an Icterine Warbler in the hand last year at Spurn (on this exact date!) it was good to see one in the nets. I like to get in-field views as well, but it is always exciting to study a bird up close. 

Icterine Warbler

I spent the rest of the day checking the bushes and watching common migrants, including one more Pied Flycatcher. 

The next day was my last full day at Spurn, and a large clear-out had happened overnight so I could find hardly any migrants in the bushes.

A few Whinchats in the Triangle was the best at first, until I heard news of a Barred Warbler at the Warren, although it was behaving typically and never gave perched views, and after about an hour waiting all I had was a couple of flight views. 

Other migrants about included Yellow Wagtails, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Greenshank and a few Whimbrels on the Humber. A Wheatear and a Kingfisher were also seen on a brief walk.

Wheatear 

My final day at Spurn was slow-paced but eventually turned out to be very good. It started with chasing an Icterine Warbler around and failing to see it for a couple of hours. One of the local birders told me that there were probably more Icterine Warblers around, and the best way to see one would be to find my own. 

I immediately went to Kew Villa viewing area, where there were few birds. However, a large warbler caught my eye, and upon looking at it more closely I was amazed to see it was an Icterine Warbler! It was most likely the one that had been seen at Kew the previous day, but I was still happy to record the first sighting of it for the day.

Later that day, on another brief visit to Kew Villa, the warden walked up to me and gave me news that a Citrine Wagtail was on Canal Scrape. I rushed over there, and guessed the hide would be packed so I took a risk and tried to view from the canal path, but as I approached the scrape, I heard the call of the Citrine Wagtail, sounding like it was getting more distant. 

I reached the group of birders who told me it had flown away, but another Icterine Warbler was about to be ringed in  Church Field. Someone kindly gave me a lift here and for the second time in a week, I was watching an Icterine Warbler in the hand, most likely the bird I had seen in Kew Villa. 

Iccy 2, looking even better than the first

I was due to leave in half an hour so I gave up hope of re-finding the Citrine Wagtail. 

I was actually about to get in the car to head home when a flight call alerted me and I looked up to see that the Citrine Wagtail was flying over my head! If I had left just one minute earlier, I wouldn't have seen it, so the moment was definitely very well-timed. 

Very satisfied by my time at Spurn, with six lifers over the week, including the birds at Frampton and Gibraltar Point. I didn't have to wait long before my next visit, as next week was the Migfest, which I will be writing about soon.