Foggy Flamborough

Went over to Flamborough across the middle of the day in the hope that the fog/mist had lifted. It hadn't at first but did just before I left, however this didn't stop me having an enjoyable day. Nothing rare but an enjoyable sight in the form of thousands of Fieldfare when the mist lifted! I've birded on the east coast for a number of years but can't remember a sight just like this, back in 2002 or 2003 I remember being at Spurn in similar circumstances and it was awesome and this was similar. As the mist lifted there was approximately 8000 Fieldfare present with probably 1000+ Redwing (with Song Thrush) and huge numbers of Blackbirds too. This was impressive enough, however when a Peregrine shot through the sky turned black with thrushes!

Holmes Gut was difficult to work in the mist as I'd catch a glimpse of something then it would be gone. I did see at least 2 female and 1 male Blackcap with lots of migrant Robins (and one agitated resident Robin!). Loads of Fieldfare and Redwing. There was also a wave of Goldcrest, seemingly unaware, or unbothered by my presence hopping around at close range. Several Skylark were heard but not seen and lots of Chaffinch, and the odd Brambling were seen going through. There was also at least 2 Ring Ouzel present.

Brambling dropped down in front of me 

Goldcrest 

Goldcrest eating a moth that started out almost as big as the bird!

A quick walk along the cliff top in the half hour gap in the mist produced a single Snow Bunting flying north and a Brambling sat on the cliff-top. A flock of 11 Goldeneye flew south close in, they probably thought they were in the middle of the ocean, not over the cliffs! The cliffs were riddled with Blackbirds, I came across a one metre squared depression in the clifftop and when I was about 1ft away 8 unseen Blackbirds and a Redwing burst out of it! Lots of Robin and Goldcrest about too.

Brambling on the clifftop!

Robin - new arrival on clifftop

Whilst walking back to my car another Snow Bunting flew from inland back towards the coast.

Hopefully with improved visibility tomorrow might include some rare birds... something along the lines of Chestnut-eared Bunting or Pale-legged Leaf-Warbler would do, not so bothered about an Eastern Crowned Warbler though!