Long-toed Stint & Western bonelli's warbler

An extraordinary day that cast the laments of a 'mediocre' birding autumn well and truly to one side.

A twitchy day that started at the stunning St. Aidan's RSPB reserve in South Yorkshire where the long-toed stint showed well in the glorious morning sunshine as it scampered along the scrape with several dunlin. 

A juvenile spoonbill was presumably one of the individuals from the breeding success at Fairburn Ings.  A few ruff were present as were around thirty black-tailed godwit, and a single common sandpiper.  A vocal group of bearded tit were flitting past the reedbed.

It was a cracking start to the day, but it was only the start.  Heading over to Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve where the white-tailed plover remained as it has done now for several weeks.  A single curlew sandpiper was present there as were a small group of snipe and a bearded tit low down in the reeds.

Ideally wanting to spend more time there, another dash, this time across the county to Flamborough Head to connect with the western bonelli's warbler that appeared within pines close to South Landing.  It was a bit frustrating being in proximity with a small but far too vocal assembled crowd.  A yellow-browed warbler was calling in the same area but remained elusive.

Incredible to get to two new species in a single day which is a rare thing these days.