Another Showy Shrike!

Another Showy Shrike!

We arrived at RSPB Bempton Cliffs at around 8:30am in hopes of seeing yet another mega shrike. We were accompanied by Carl and Kristian, who had given us a lift. We joined the crowd and waited only a few minutes when a large, sandy bird came into view midway up the bush. It was our target bird, the Daurian Shrike! The bird then decided to reveal itself in all its glory and sat up on top of the bush, giving spectacular views. 

Since this bird was a 1st winter, it had been ruled as an Isabelline Shrike sp, meaning it could either be Daurian (which would be a lifer) or a Turkestan (which I had seen two years ago, also at Bempton) Shrike. However, based off of its extremely sandy plumage, it is very likely that it is a Daurian Shrike. Satisfied with our glorious views, we made our way down to Flamborough Head to try and find a bogey bird of mine. 

As soon as we arrived at Flamborough Head, we made our way over to Motorway Hedge, where 3 Firecrests (a bird which I had dipped by mere seconds in the past) were reported the day before. As soon as we arrived, we noticed a flock of around 20 Linnets all flying up and down the hedge, along with many Reed Buntings. However, there were barely any crests in sight, only two Goldcrests. Suddenly, a moth flew right across in front of me and landed in some vegetation nearby. I snapped a quick record shot of it and identified it as a migrant moth which I had seen quite a few times now, a Silver Y. 

We then spotted a showy Yellow-browed Warbler as it started feeding right in the open, showing amazingly well, albeit slightly distant. We also spotted an odd bunting sat on the gorse besides us, which we soon identified as a Corn Bunting. Unsuccessful in finding a Firecrest, we decided to make our way over to Booted Gully to try and find a Red-flanked Bluetail, which we had dipped earlier in the morning.

As soon as we arrived at Booted Gully, we were met with a huge crowd looking into tiny gaps through the bushes. Waiting for the crowd to ease off and the bird to start showing, we decided to try for a Lapland Bunting, which had been reported in the fields nearby. While walking towards the field, which it was reported in, we spotted a large flock of Pink-footed Geese in flight as they started doing formations in the sky, before landing out of view. Once at the right spot, we waited for a while, however only managed to see a distant flock of Linnets in flight, briefly, before they disappeared into the stubble field. I also spotted a small, fast bird quartering over the field, which I immediately called out as a Merlin (which was my first self-found one and my first of the Autumn). We then caught up with fellow twitchers Mike and Joe.

We eventually decided to try for the Red-flanked Bluetail once again. As soon as we arrived, the crowd had eased off but the bird was still very elusive. Eventually, after a short wait, the Red-flanked Bluetail came into view, long enough for me to get eyes on it, but not long enough for me to get a record shot of it. However, there was a very showy Goldcrest on the same branch, as the Red-flanked Bluetail, which allowed me to get a photo of it. With no reported Little Buntings or Firecrests, we decided to make our way to Bridlington Harbour to try and find a more showy Grey Phalarope. 

As soon as we arrived at the harbour, we made our way down the wharf only to find out the bird had flown into the main harbour minutes ago, and was currently out of view. Not yet discouraged, we made over to the pier, spotting a very showy Turnstone along with a few Redshanks.

Once at the pier, we followed the other birders down the steps where the Grey Phalarope showed stupidly well, up to only a couple of metres at times. However, the bird was in bad lighting, only allowing me to get a few identifiable record shots of the bird, which weren't silhouetted.

We finally decided to make one last stop at the main headland along Motorway Hedge to try and find a reported Marsh Warbler. However, upon arrival we met a few disappointed birders, who said there was no sign of the bird. Exhausted, we decided to call it a day and headed home. 

Overall, a great day with 1 lifer (Daurian Shrike) and many new year ticks.