04.07.21
I thought it was July and I could start turning attention back to my butterfly list but the birds just keep coming. Saturday was a difficult day as plans in the evening meant I was a bit restricted. I had a failed attempt for the Oriental turtle dove in the morning, only for it to be back when I was home and nothing I could do about it. In addition, no Caspian terns around for consolation despite them lingering all of the week.
I therefore started Sunday in a not particularly hopeful mood but with a team ready to go and try again with the dove. Pretty much walked right onto the bird which gave great if slightly backlit views from a tree that I'd looked in any number of times the previous day.
Easington
226. Oriental turtle dove - 1st UK
This took the pressure off and I envisaged a relaxing day at spurn. After some nice birds such as Spoonbill, little gull, little tern and curlew sandpiper, everything changed with reports that the Albatross was back at Bempton and there was an "orange billed tern" at Cemlyn.
With one of our group needing the albatross we made haste for this first, noting on the way out of Easington that the dove was now sat prominently in a tall bare tree next to the road.
The albatross was just about showing on arrival but on the water, distant and hazy. By now the orange billed tern was being reported regularly as Elegant tern, a world lifer for us but a hideous drive from out present location. We stuck with the albatross a while, walking up the coast to hopefully get closer and better views but never did relocate it. When we returned to the viewing platforms, there had been no further sign and we decided that what we had seen would have to do. It was time to go cross country!
With one member of the team not up for the late finish, and another contact in Lancashire eager to go, we set off, changing cars and personnel along the way.
We finally arrived at Cemlyn around 18.30 having seen some horrific traffic in the opposite direction, we had no inclination to abort even when a negative report had come out.
Terns had been spooked on arrival and were all up in the air but fortunately the Elegant tern seemed to be favouring a particular section, and soon returned. It appeared to be displaying to the Sandwich terns, strutting round and nodding it's big orange hooter up and down most of the time we were present. Also great to see a constant stream of Manxies very close in, one even coming right into the bay during our stay.
Cemlyn
227. ELEGANT TERN
Late finish but what a day again!