Rob Little

@flamboroughbird.bsky.social #YorkshireBirding #RareBirdsUK

For those who managed to get to Bempton in time yesterday evening, the Needletail performed brilliantly, passing to and fro along the cliffs, often at very close quarters. It such a shame it has not been seen this morning. Once again, Flamborough Headland delivers a top notch rarity!

Never seen anything like it in Britain. Quite a few pale morph birds amongst them too.

#YorkshireBirding

Entertaining seawatching @flamboroughbird.bsky.social over the last couple of days. Seems to be a few large shearwaters in the North Sea at present with both Great and Cory's off the Head this morning (pictured) as well as quite a few Sooties and Manx. Long-tailed Skuas and Pomarine too.

#YorkshireBirding #RareBirdsUK

The Song Sparrow still singing and showing well on and off @flamboroughbird.bsky.social after going missing yesterday. Yet another fantastic bird for the headland.

It never showed for anyone for more than a few seconds though singing frequently. Not heard or seen since about 0945.

A couple of images of the female Subalpine Warbler @flamboroughbird.bsky.social this morning. The tail pattern suggests it is a Western / Moltoni's. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

#YorkshireBirding

On a cold, frosty morning @flamboroughbird.bsky.social a report of distant white-fronts turned out to be the Lesser White-fronted Geese last seen on 7th December. Now back in the same general area as previously. Where have they been since? The white blazes on the juveniles are now well developed.

#YorkshireBirding #ukbirding

The accompanying three juveniles were its offspring raised in northern Sweden this year with an unringed female, presumably one of the other adult birds in the flock. Prior to arriving here in from the sea on 9th November, these birds were last seen at Strijen in The Netherlands on 7th October.

The Lesser White-fronted Geese @flamboroughbird.bsky.social are still present today. Here's what we know from its history of sightings elsewhere. The ringed bird is a male and was released as juvenile in northern Sweden in July 2018, returning there each year since and wintering in The Netherlands.

An image from Feb '23 on the Dutch Birding website shows two birds with the same CR combo together with some interesting comments: www.dutchbirding.nl/gallery/deta...

Waiting on info about the ringed bird. Hopefully, we will soon know much more about its history. There are definitely four adults (full blaze, dark bars on belly), possibly 2 2nd year birds (reduced blaze, unbarred belly) and a definite juv.

Images of the group of Lesser White-fronted Geese at Palmer's Flash @flamboroughbird.bsky.social this morning. We know the ringed individual comes from the reintroduction scheme in Swedish Lapland. Presumably the remainder are 2nd generation or older from that scheme. #ukbirding #yorkshirebirding

Not especially. The group often stay very close together. The ringed bird does seem to be the dominant bird, being most often stood alert while the others are feeding.

One has a darvic type ring on each leg consistent with the Swedish reintroduction programme. Rest unriged.

There is a current ongoing thread on Birdforum on this topic.

There are photos but no text on the article on the BB website and can't find the article in any other archives 😞

An obliging group of half a dozen Twite was on the cliff face below the Seawatch Observatory @flamboroughbird.bsky.social this afternoon. #ukbirding

Much improved images of the Daurian/Turkestan Shrike at
Bempton_Cliffs in better light late afternoon. Still distant but not so much heat haze. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social #RareBirdsUK

New arrivals on Flamborough Headland today included a Rustic Bunting and a presumed Daurian Shrike @Bempton_Cliffs . Always distant in strong sun, here is a record shot. OBP, GG Shrike, RB Flycatchers two Little Bunts, Icterine all add a touch more quality. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social #RareBirdsuk

Some record shots of today's Eastern Olivaceous Warbler at Old Fall Hedge @flamboroughbird.bsky.social, only the second here, the last being in 1st-3rd September 2010. A headland first for me so many thanks to all involved.
#RareBirdsUK

As 2023 draws to a close, its time to reflect on a cracking year's birding on Flamborough Head with 5 new species - Great Reed Warbler, Brown Booby, Red-eyed Vireo, Red-headed Bunting & Two-barred Warbler although it was oddly quiet for many common migrants. @flambouroughbird.bsky.social #ukbirding