On returning from my trip down to Somerset, I read about a Red Breasted Flycatcher that had turned up at Flamborough last Thursday 31st October. Apparently it had been showing well over the weekend but would it stay until Monday?
4th Nov….Monday arrived and with great anticipation I read the local Bird News … the flycatcher was still there – the twitch was on!!!! On arriving at Flamborough it was raining and the skies were very overcast. In birding terms this was good – as inclement weather often ‘holds’ migrants.
How many times have good birds turned up and during the following night there have been clear skies and ‘pffft’ as by magic they have moved on. But the omens were good. So in the light drizzle we; Alf, my birding mate and I set off. It was only a short walk over towards the Golf course and an oblique track led us down a path bordered by willows and brambles.
At the end of the track were some small Ash trees and within 5 mins a small bird flitted into the top branches – YYESSS !!! This superb Red Breasted Flycatcher showed on and off for nearly 20 minutes: what a treat!! A great addition to my year list , which now stands at 162.
Other highlights of the day included: Yellow Browed Warbler, Sparrowhawk, Redwing and some superb continental Blackbirds gorging on the Hawthorn Berries at Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve. Continental male Blackbirds unlike male British Blackbirds lack a bright yellow beak: instead they have a dark sooty face with a dark brown blackish bill.These continental birds flood in along the East Coast at this time of year a sure sign Winter is on its way.
