RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL in Cleveland

The impressive yet misty Huntcliff area just east of Saltburn-on-Sea, Cleveland.

With the east coast set to continue its decent run of rarities, I decided to stay overnight in Yorkshire again on the Saturday night.  Early on Sunday morning I heard that the East Midlands ASBO crew were on their way to hit Spurn... at pace.  Although tempting, I envisaged that the better quality birds would be making landfall slightly further north.  As I made my way up the A1 my instincts proved correct when news of a RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL in Cleveland came through on the pager.  With Steve Dunn and Mike Feely currently watching a superb Pallas's Warbler at Sammy's Point, had I made the wrong decision though? 

After parking up in the quaint seaside town of Saltburn, I hiked up and along the clifftops to Huntcliff.  As I plodded on, I was hearing the same sounds as I had during the previous day at Spurn.  Goldcrests were calling from the sparse sections of scrub and Redwings were streaming in off the sea.  The odd Brambling was also seen along the coastal footpath.  As I arrived on the scene I was disappointed to be told that the target rarity had just been ringed and released.  I was worried that the bird would either become very elusive after its ordeal or even worse, would disappear completely.  I need not have worried though as I soon picked up the gorgeous RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL sparring with a European Robin at the base of a broken line of bushes.  

The Huntcliff RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL prior to its release.

Photo kindly provided by Damian Money

After a while, the RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL became more elusive as more ramblers made their way through.  I then noticed a single bird fly from cover and land in a ploughed field behind where the small group of birders had congregated.  It was either a Robin or the Bluetail and I was delighted to see through my bins that it was the latter.  The bird showed well hopping around in the open with just a single Song Thrush and a Northern Wheatear for company.  Whilst enjoying the bird, I noticed a couple of immaculate Lapland Buntings walk into the same field of view.  I eventually concluded that there were at least five birds present.  What a great start to the day! 

Have the Samaritans erected this sign to prick the conscience of potential cliff jumpers or is it aimed of weary, insane birding year-listers like me?

LAPLAND BUNTINGS in Worcestershire

On the afternoon of Monday 20th September, an impressive group of five Lapland Buntings were located around North Hill on the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire. Having never seen this species in the West Midlands Region before, it was time to brush the dust off my walking boots and limber up for an high altitude hike. Unfortunately by the time I managed to get over to 'The Malverns' just a single bird remained, with the other birds no doubt continuing their migration southwards.

The beautiful Malvern Hills looking southwards from the North Hill area.

Photo by Adam Archer

After a slow, steady climb I eventually reached the North Hill area during late morning. As there were no other birders to be seen, it was up to me to locate the elusive rarity. It can be pretty daunting searching for a single passerine in such a wide ranging location but I do love a bird related challenge. It was time to knuckle down and methodically scrutinise every small bird that took flight.

As usual there were plenty of pesky Meadow Pipits around along with the odd Northern Wheatear to brighten up the morning. There was also a Common Kestrel patrolling the area that would helpfully flush the pipit flocks from the long grassy areas on the more sheltered areas of the hills. It was during one of these raptor fly-overs that a single bird arose and flew away from me at a great height. I could tell immediately from the distinctive flight call that I had located a Lapland Bunting (277). I was thrilled but I craved better views, preferably of the bird on the deck. Despite tracking the bird carefully from one place to another several times, it remained elusive. To add to my frustration it was way too easily flushed. I failed to get anywhere near it at all.

As the bird once more flew away from me for the final time, I heard another Lapland Bunting call nearby. As I looked up I was delighted to see another two birds fly through and land amongst an area of low growing gorse further down the valley. Hopefully this pair would be more obliging than the initial bird. After some careful stalking, I soon relocated both birds feeding in an area enclosed with an electric fence. I then enjoyed stunning views as they fed amongst the grasses no more than six feet away at times.

Lapland Bunting - Malvern Hills, Worcestershire - September 2010

Photo by Adam Archer

After getting mardy and throwing my digiscoping kit to the ground in frustration, I eventually managed to get this photograph by lying in the grass and waiting for a bird to hop by. This record shot is taken with a handheld Nikon Coolpix 4500 with just a 4 x optical zoom.

Lapland Bunting in the West Midlands Region

The Lapland Buntings that grace Britain in autumn and winter originate from two distinct areas. The nominate race lapponicus breeds in the tundra zone of Eurasia whilst the race subcalcaratus breeds in Greenland and northern Canada. It is therefore fair to suggest that the visitors to the British Isles are either from Scandinavian or Greenland populations. The differences between the races are slight, however subcalcaratus is a touch bulkier than the nominate race. It also has a slightly longer bill that is heavier and deeper at the base. The wing length is slightly longer too on average.

The first ever record of this species in the West Midlands Region was on the 21st October 1904 when a male was caught in a clap net at Acock's Green in Birmingham, West Midlands. Since this time there have been a further 20 records involving just 35 birds. Interestingly the majority of sightings have been in Staffordshire (12) followed by the West Midlands (4), Warwickshire (2) and Worcestershire (2). The first record for the County of Worcestershire was as recently as 2007 when a bird was heard at Grimley on the 7th and 8th October. These recent Lapland Buntings are therefore the first ever to be seen in the County and are well worth a visit.