East Coast trip – September

On Sunday September 12th, we met at Flamborough Head for the first full day field meeting since March 2020. There was a good turnout including several people who had not been on a trip before, which was really nice.

We started with some seawatching by the fog horn station. Three species of skuas, Manx and Sooty Shearwaters, Sandwich Terns and a good movement of Red-throated Divers were the main highlights. There was a less-productive walk to Old Fall and then on the the Bay Brambles for a few common migrants.

After lunch, we headed for Bempton Cliffs to try to twitch the Green Warbler. This gave very brief glimpses to some people. The group began to disperse after that, though Duncan and Adam saw the Black-browed Albatross return onto the cliffs. It was hidden away for a while after that, but did reward a few of use with amazing flight views in the end.

Meanwhile, Jono heard news of the Fea’s-type Petrel, but he articulates that story much better in his blog than I could here. See http://birdingdad.blogspot.com/2021/09/there-goes-fea.html for that, and another summary of the trip.

Many thanks to Jono for leading the trip. It was great to be able to get out again.