Spring Bank Holiday Summary

The forecasted Northerlies battered the east coast Friday, so bad that it once again damaged the peninsula road at Spurn setting back the undergoing work to repair it. However, the winds did benefit the sea-watcher, with sightings of Long-tailed Skuas along the coast including no less than six at Spurn where a large shearwater also flew north, thought by some of its observers almost certainly a Great. Possibly an even bigger surprise in conditions like that was the sighting of an Alpine Swift which flew south past the sea-watching hut there, although not everyone present managed to pick it up, hardly surprising given that it was over the sea in extremely choppy conditions. Inland, a stonking Red-necked Phalarope put in a rather too brief appearance at Old Moor, whilst other waders over the weekend included a Temminck’s Stint at Tophill and a Pec’ Sand’ at Swine Moor. 

Red-necked Phalarope, Old Moor RSPB - Chris Harris

Saturday, was a far calmer day and largely sunny, so it was no real surprise that the bushes took priority, though the action was almost confined to the Spurn area where there were at least seven Red-backed Shrikes as well as two or more Common Rosefinches. 

Male Red-backed Shrike, Spurn- Rich Willison

Common Rosefinch, Spurn - Ian Smith

Sunday saw a decline, though at least four Red-backed Shrikes remained, a couple of ‘Black Reds’ were seen and a singing Firecrest on the peninsular was a nice surprise.

Male Black Redstart, Spurn- Rich Willison

Today’s news is pretty sparse with a male Honey Buzzard at Wykeham Forest and the Dearne Valley Spoonbill at Edderthorpe Flash being as good as it gets so far.

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