At long last......................

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Kilnsea - Ron Marshall

 As predicted the easterlies that finally arrived at the weekend ‘did the bizzo’. A crisp clear sunny day on 22^nd saw a mass arrival of Yellow-browed Warblers and thereafter many drift migrants were deposited along the Yorkshire coast making for some great birding. Red-breasted Flys’, Barred Warblers, Red-backed Shrikes, Common Rosefinches, Wrynecks, a couple of Corncrakes, Rose-coloured Starling and both Little and Ortolan Buntings all featured in a wet but wonderful period and although there was no major rarity found, Filey, Flamborough and Spurn all managed to pull in a Greenish Warbler a piece. And for those birders who found time to take their eyes off the bushes a host of seabirds were passing too, with multi-sightings of Long-tailed and Pom’ Skuas, Leach’s Petrels, Sabines Gulls Corys Shearwater and Grey Phals’ to name but a few of the species recorded. Below is a selection of photos from what has been a wonderful week.

Juvenile Long-tailed Skua, Spurn - Andy Deighton

Juvenile Long-tailed Skua, Spurn - Andy Deighton

Grey Phalarope, Old Moor RSPB, - Keith Pickering

Greenish Warbler, Kilnsea - Ron Marshall

Mostly seabirds in last couple of days including 2 Sabs' at Flamborough and a good spread of Long-tailed Skuas. New Pec' Sands at Swinemoor and Fairburn. The easterlies are coming at last and the first drift migrans are already arriving on the coast. Prepare for action!

Two birds much sought after by many Yorkshire listers made brief appearances today: A first-winter Gull-billed Tern was reported flying north at Flamborough at 09.15 and an almost as brief juvenile Black Kite alighted briefly at Spurn late morning before flying off north.

A rather uninspiring westerly wind has kept excitement to a minimum in the County during the last few days. Seabirds dominated and although the sea wasn't brilliant it did produce a couple of Leach's Petrels at Spurn and provided many headland birders with sightings of Long-tailed Skua. Perhaps the biggest (or smallest?) surprise was an extremely early Little Auk that flew down the Humber at Spurn. Also over the Humber there, were several Manx Shearwaters and huge numbers of Gannets, a couple of juvs of which even had the audacity to land in the bushes! A Pec' Sand also made a couple of brief appearnaces at Spurn when it flew over the Warren. Maybe the Pec' at Newington floods on the South Yorkshire / Notts border should have copied that birds elusive behaviour, as it sadly bird fell prey to a Sparrowhawk today. Lastly a Barred Warbler was at North Landing, Flamborough this afternoon.

No sign of American Golden Plover in Dearne Valley by mid-day. Ring n Duck still at Orgreave and of interest a Long-tailed Duck at Pugneys.

Today's main bird was an adult American Golden Plover that spent much of the day at Edderthorpe Flash (Barnsley) although it also made a brief visit to nearby Wath Ings. It was present at Edderthorpe until about 6.30 pm before flying off with a small group of Golden Plovers but may hopefully reappear tomorrow.

Adult American Golden Plover, Edderthorpe Flash - Kev Denny

Adult American Golden Plover, Edderthorpe Flash - Kieth Pickering

Adult American Golden Plover, Edderthorpe Flash, showing underwing - Kieth Pickering

Meanwhile, the Pec' Sand was still at Filey Dams (am at least), the Ring-necked Duck still at Orgreave and the photogenic Osprey still at Spotbrough Flash.

The juvenile Osprey at Sprotbrough today - Ron Marshall

Two Common Cranes at Hatfield today. Filey Dams Pec' still pres and likewise Ring-n Duck at Orgreave.