Wednesday morning saw me heading for the East Coast to join Stu, Suzanne and David at the cottage in Flamborough.
The weather was not brilliant but undeterred we headed for Bempton. A red- flanked blue tail had been reported and we joined several other birders looking for it. It was misty and a cold wind was blowing, so the bird sensibly stayed under cover. We waited for about an hour and decided to return to Flamborough and watch the bird ringing.
The ringers displayed several birds that they had caught in their mist nets. Goldcrest, yellowhammer and tree sparrows were amongst the birds we were able to see in the ringers hands.
After lunch we decided to do a seawatch from the observatory hide. There was a steady stream of gannets flying south with a few teal and wigeon also going in the same direction. The highlight of the session was an arctic skua which Stu saw near the cliff top.
We decided to end the day with a visit to Thornwick Pools. We added little grebe, grey heron, dunlin and water rail to our trip list. Suzanne and David went for tea and then to Bempton for a talk by Will Scott. Stu and I went to Filey. It was high tide and we watched the waves splashing over the sea front. A cormorant was fishing in the nearest rollers, showing how strong swimmers they are. Stu then enjoyed a fish supper. It was good to be able to spend some time with Stu, away from Blacktoft.
Thursday dawned a better day weather wise and after an excellent breakfast we planned to go to RSPB Bempton to watch the bird ringing. Suzanne as always kept us up to date with the latest bird reports and she told us that a Pallas's Warbler had been seen at Flamborough near the lighthouse. David drove us to the site and while he sorted out the parking, Stu, Suzanne and I joined other birder looking at the warbler. It was flitting about in the bushes, far too quickly for me to get a photo, but David managed to get this excellent pic.
Also nearby were black redstarts. When we went to see it, we were surprised to see 3, two female and a male. Another one of David's photos.
We then decided to return to RSPB Bempton to watch the ringing. On the way Stu remarked on how good it would be if the managed to get the red flanked bluetail in their mist nets. As we arrived on site, the ringers were going back to their base as they HAD caught the bird.
This was a small part of the queue to see the bird.
We spent some time at the feeding station in the hope of seeing a hawfinch, but no luck. We returned to the cottage for lunch and then went back to Flamborough Headland. A Radde's warbler had been reported and we joined several birders looking for the bird.
After a while Glen joined us and as we were watching a woodcock flew in off the sea. We soon noticed a group of birders to our left looking at something.
We joined them and before long Suzanne managed to spot the bird using her thermal imaging scope.
David got this picture of the bird
The Radde's warbler was my 199th tick of this year. The others generously offered to go to Thornwick Pools to try to find a little bunting, so that I could get my 200th tick. However we were unable to see the bird. We then returned to the cottage where Suzanne worked her magic in the kitchen and produced and excellent Cauliflower curry.
Sadly on Friday morning I had to leave early to attend a H&S meeting at Fairburn.
I had a magical couple of days with the three of them, they are all excellent company.
Many thanks to David for doing all the driving and taking the photos.
Suzanne was a wizard at keeping us up to date with the latest bird sightings, finding birds with her thermal scope and cooking a superb meal. Without wanting to wish my life away, I am looking forward to the Migweek in 2024.