WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE IN EASINGTON

On Friday 2nd July when Spurn stalwart Rich Swales arrived back home at Greenfield Bungalows, Easington from an afternoon birding session at Kilnsea Wetlands his wife Pat showed him a phone photo of a dove that had been in their garden  about 30 minutes previous. Despite being a rather blurry photograph Rich could see enough to say the bird was a Turtle Dove and immediately put it out on the Spurn radio network. A short while later the bird visited next door but one neighbours Paul and Georgia French who were amazed to see the bird was in fact a 'Western' Rufous Turtle Dove and they quickly put the news out. Over the past few days a large scale twitch has ensued with almost all Yorkshire birders who have seen it adding to their County tally. Special thanks should go to the various residents in Easington and in particular of Greenfield Bungalows for their hospitality in allowing viewing of the bird for the numerous visitors.

All photos - John Hewitt

After teasing many Yorkshire listers in recent years the Black-browed Albatross has finally done the decent thing and settled in at Bempton and although it can go AWOL for long periods most keen birders have now caught up with it. For those who have managed to get stunning close range views like this it will likely remain the bird of the year.     All photos - John Hewitt

Bee Eaters, Kilnsea, June 2021 - John Hewitt.     There was a huge arrival of Bee Eaters into the County during June with twitchable flocks for Yorkshire listers at Whitby and Kilnsea