East Yorkshire

Spent 3 days in early October based in Hull with a view to exploring the Spurn headland. The wind direction was stubbornly westerly and has been all Autumn this year so much of the 3 days were at sites more inland.

On the way down I caught up with the very obliging juvenile Long Tailed Skua at Goswick.

I also got very lucky with the Scops Owl at Ryehope near Sunderland. This was a British lifer for me.

I stopped at Fairburn Ings and had Willow Tit on the Centre feeders and good views of Green Woodpecker.

Little Egret at Fairburn Ings

The 2nd day was spent at Easington & Kilnsea. It was good to finally see sites that have held so many good birds over the years. The former site had a juvenile Rose Coloured Starling and a Red Backed Shrike.

Kilnsea Wetlands were good with c6 Little Stint among more usual waders.

Slav Grebe at Kilnsea

Down at the road end I saw a rather distant Whinchat that was my first for the year.

I spent most of the 3rd day at Blacktoft Sands. c10 Curlew Sands were a feature here. Also Spotshank & Marsh Harrier were notable.

Spotshanks