Hooching

Quite often the highlight of my September visits to the east coast have been 'one Redstart' or a 'couple of Pied Flycatchers'. Yesterday, things were different, with easterly winds and rain creating the perfect conditions for a big fall of Scandinavian migrants at Flamborough Head late on Thursday. The headland was hooching with birds; Pied and Spotted Flycatchers sallied after insects from exposed branches and fences, Redstarts sat along hedgerows, dropping down into the grass to feed, whilst Wheatears bounded around the stubble fields. Overhead, bird of the day was a glorious Honey Buzzard, but I was in the wrong place when it cruised through. Over at Thornwick Pool, the dapper juvenile Little Stint was busily feeding with about a dozen Dunlins, whilst the juvenile Garganey was also still present. A smart Hobby circled South Landing later on, perhaps one of the last I will see this year. Having done the Old Fall circuit, Thornwick and Holmes Gut and South Landing, the migrants I saw were: Whinchat 2, Wheatear 30+, Pied Flycatcher 14, Spotted Flycatcher 4, Redstart 12, Reed Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat 5, Whitethroat 4, Willow Warbler 16, Chiffchaff 6, Siskin 4. Pretty awesome!

Hobby

Little Stint

Pied Flycatchers

Redstarts

Spotted Flycatcher

Reed Warbler