FIRST FOR YORKSHIRE AT BEMPTON RSPB YORKSHIRE 

 

There are plenty of decent birds on the coast currently following a good spell of easterly winds but without question the pick of bunch is Yorkshire's first ever Pale-legged Leaf Warbler which is currently still present at Bempton RSPB. The bird was first thought to be an Arctic Warbler and had mostly been very elusive but after several days and some very smart work by a determined group of locals a sound recording was obtained which confirmed its true identity as a Pale-legged Leaf Warbler. As Britain's only previous definite record was of one picked up dead on Scilly this was always going to be of huge national interest too and with its true identity only coming to light (or dark!) late on Friday a Saturday of chaos was widely predicted. However, some very good organisation by staff at the reserve ensured that this was not the case and everybody managed to catch up with what was a very mobile bird. As we envisage no issue with the acceptance of this bird we are happy to allow it to be included on your Yorkshire Birding Listers League List with immediate effect and should be inserted between Arctic and Greenish Warbler.

Meanwhile, down the coast at Kilnsea, a very showy Arctic Warbler was enjoyed by many and was also backed up by a superbly obliging Pallid Harrier as well as an American Wigeon. With strong easterly winds and rain as we go to press what might we get next? Watch this space!   

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, Bempton RSPB, September 2024 - Damian Money

Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, Bempton RSPB, September 2024 - Ian Smith


Below, Arctic Warbler, Kilnsea, October 24 - John Hewitt

 East Feast!

A good blast of easterlies in recent days has brought a nice fall of drift migrants to the coast but best of all an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler at Flamborough which is only the Counties third ever record, following birds at Flamborough in September 2010 and Long Nab, Scarborough in September 2023,

Yellow-browed Warbler, Kilnsea, Sept 24 - Rich Willison

Red-breasted Flycatcher, Kilnsea, Sept 24 - John Hewitt

Eastern Stonechat, Spurn, Sept 24 -John Hewitt

Spurn Bird Migration Festival

A few highlights from the Spurn 'MigFest'

Bee Eater - John Hewitt

Male Red-breasted Flycatcher - John Hewitt

Wood Warbler - John Hewitt

Wryneck - John Hewitt

 

STILT STEALS THE LIMELIGHT

The big excitement for the majority of Yorkshire listers was the discovery of an adult Stilt Sandpiper at Beacon Ponds, Kilnsea on August 30th, almost 70 years to the day when Britain's first was discovered at the very same site! This latest bird was only the third Yorkshire record, the second being in 1989 when one was present at Flamborough on 2nd July (not twitchable for whatever reason!) before moving to Catwick next day and staying there until a rather premature departure on 4th. Because of this, quite a number of the top County listers had missed out, so the Kilnsea bird was very much an un-blocker, being seen by a good 500 people.

Stilt Sandpiper, Beacon Ponds, August 2024 - John Hewitt

CHEERS THEN BEERS!

What was presumably the Finningley Black-winged Pratincole (last seen in evening of 17th) was relocated at Kilnsea Wetlands next afternoon (18th) and then toured between Kilnsea and Easington becoming a surprise addition to almost every local birders garden list!

Black-winged Pratincole, Kilnsea Wetlands, July 2024 - Ian Smith

Below, Black-winged Pratincole, Kilnsea Wetlands, July 2024 - John Hewitt

 

STILL PRATTING ABOUT?

The Black-winged Pratincole is now finding its way on to many a Yorkshire list since it has become reliable to see in Yorkshire in its new chosen spot at Finningley. You may still have to wait though! Congratulations to Paul Morris who joined the Yorkshire 400 club by adding this bird. Meanwhile, there was more excitement over at Kilnsea Wetlands when a Gull-billed Tern paid a flying visit (less than an hour) on Sunday

Gull-billed Tern, Kilnsea Wetlands, July 2024 - Ian Smith

Gull-billed Tern, Kilnsea Wetlands, July 2024 - John Hewitt

REMEMBER TO UPDATE YOUR LIST

Added the Misson Black-winged Pratincole to your Yorkshire list or maybe need to let us know you saw last years lingering Black Kite which has now been formally accepted. Bring your list up to date now by letting us know. Or, if you require an electronic copy of the recently updated master list please email a request to yorkshirebirding1@gmail.com  and don’t forget to let us know whenever you add a species. Full details can be found by clicking the League Table option.   

Do you have photos of any scarce or rare birds taken in Yorkshire that might be suitable to post on this site? If so they would be very much appreciated. Please submit to  the email address above