This morning at St Marys, the first hint of Autumn’s passage of migrants ,with Whinchat,2 Pied Flycatchers, a Spotted Flycatcher ,Garden Warbler and several Willow Warblers in the bushes. 2 Yellow Wagtails on the beach as were an adult and a juv. Curlew Sandpiper.
A message alerted me to what would be another county life-tick at Hadston , a Booted Warbler. A pale Hippolais warbler from the Russian Steppes. It was thought to have been present yesterday,with I. D. clinched this afternoon. It typically gave fleeting views over an hour or two in increasing rain, sometimes feeding on the sandy ground or in the scattered Hawthorns. Occasionally,pausing allowing decent views.Amazingly, it was in the very same bushes as it’s close congener from a couple of years ago , Sykes’s Warbler! My 5th county year -lifer.
Heading down to the hides at Druridge and Cresswell to escape the heavy rain, 5 Common Sands and 2 Dunlin were in front of the Druridge hide ,before a young Peregrine slowly glided by carrying prey. 2 Whimbrel flew over,calling.
Cresswell was busy ,with water levels condusive to feeding waders. A Little Stint,my year’s first.2 juv Spotted Redshanks,2 Whimbrel, a Curlew Sandpiper and3 Greenshanks and an Avocet all fed in front of the hide. Panic then ensued as a juv Marsh Harrier floated in over the reeds,before heading off north.
I did hear today of a Honey Buzzard being seen yesterday over Big Waters. Short eared Owl at Prestwick Carr too.
A.S.J.