Best Breach Crossing Everrrrrrrr

It was an early Start for the Ticklers as myself and Stuart had planned to go to Heslington near York for a Savis Warbler so we had to be there early so Breakfast butties were made ready for the day ahead as we were heading to Spurn Point after York so Stuart picked me up at 4 and we were off. We arrived at the Church where we were going to park at 5am and walked to the site where the Savis had been reeling and seen for the past few days. When we got there there were two other birders onsite and almost instantly the Savis started singing and after 5 mins it popped up in the reeds and showed well intermittently for the next 10 minutes. During this time the Notts boys turned up Neil Wayne Anthony and Steve and we spent 10 minutes more chatting to the boys and watching the Savis before heading back to the car as we were going to Spurn to meet Ryan and Paddy. A quick phone call to Ryan and we were off.

On the way to Spurn we saw a Barn owl which was a new bird for the year list as the Savis was a lifer for us both. We arrived at Spurn and pulled up got out and asked a couple of guys what they were watching to which a reply of Pomerine skua which was a great Spurn Tick so i phoned Ryan and told him it was there but unfortunatley Paddys Indian from last night was making an appearance. The boys pulled up and joined us and both got the Pom Skua which was great. We then decided to go look for the Purple Heron which had flown on to the canal scrape.

We got there in a few minutes walking and stood at the side of the hide and looked for the Purple heron and it was soon seen skulking in the reeds and i was the last one to see it so was getting a bit panicky but soon enough saw it in the reeds before it took flight and headed off towards Sammys Point.

We decided to then go look around Church field and was hoping to find Mealy Redpoll which was seen the day before which Paddy needed for his life list We walked around this short area and was treated to a Sedge Warbler in the hand as they were Bird Ringing but sadly after about 20 minutes we couldnt find any Redpoll so we decided to move on and go park up and head down the point.

We parked up and as soon as we got out we bumped into the Notts guys again and they were telling us they had seen a Golden Oriole in flight and news had come over the radio that it had landed near the Warren. One of the Notts Guys Neil saw a bird in top of a bush which looked good for the Oriole but it soon dropped out of sight and couldnt be found so we said our goodbyes and we set off to go to the point. We had reached the breach when reports of the Golden Oriole came over the radio and was going south over the Breach the guys managed to pick it and eventually i did too it was amazing a lifer for me and number 3 of the day we watched it fly south and decided to carry on.

We met Jacob Spinks as we had got across the Breach and he told us of a near summer Curlew Sandpiper which was feeding with the Turnstones and sure enough we picked the bird up feeding on the Shoreline.

pics by Ryan and Paddy

We decided to carry on and found lots of Common Whitethroats singing in the bushes but not a great deal else of note. We got to Chalk Bank hide and was walking past when a bird flew across infront of us and landed in a tree it was the Golden Oriole what an amazing bird we watched it feeding infront of us and it flew a bit further away whilst we were watching the Oriole Stu found a Short Eared Owl which was a cracking bird to see also.

We got down near the lighthouse when we stopped for a cup of tea and a sarnie which was nice oh and a toilet stop lol

We got to the point and decided to go round near the Recreation ground to see if there was any migrants there and Paddy found a Spotted Flycatcher which stayed in view for a few minutes before disappearing never to be seen again and there was a Wheatear also feeding on the Parade ground which is always nice to see.

We decided to walk round the point to the Green Beacon to have another cuppa and food we heard Cettis Warbler and a very odd Blackcap singing it was imitating other birds and Ryan said he had read somewhere that newly arrived birds mimick birds they have spent the winter with. We also heard Lesser Whitethroat singing whilst at the point eating dinner.

After a while we decided to start the long walk back towards the cars so we set off and enjoyed the Golden Oriole again on the way back up and saw summer plumaged Grey Plover feeding on the mud. The Breach crossing was the best ever we have experienced in a looonnnggg time,

When we got back to the cars we decided to head back towards Kew Villa and Church field for 1 last look for Redpoll but after a short while we didnt see any so decided to go to to Kilnsea Wetlands and look for a Temmincks Stint which had been seen in the morning we pulled up and got out and viewed from the gate area but unfortunatley there wasnt any sign of it so we deided to walk up to Beacon Ponds and check out the Little Tern colony.

When we arrived there wasnt any terns and not a great deal of much else after about 15 minutes i picked up some small waders which flew across the pond and landed on the far side they were Common Sandpiper and 5 of them which was a pleasant sight and then Paddy and Ryan and Paddys friend who had joined up picked up some little terns in flight and we were treated to some good views of these birds fishing infront of us.

We decided to call it a day and head back to the car park so we set off and was talking in the car park when a big bird came into view and it was the Purple Heron which flew over our heads and over towards Spurn which was amazing.

A great day was had by everyone and we recorded 80 Species of birds in the day thanks all of you for your company in the day and looking forward to getting out again really soon and thanks guys for the pics

Stay Safe and Happy Birding

Justin