BIRDFAIR 2016: FILEY - ACE LOCATION FOR RARE MIGRANTS

Dusky warbler - the Filey bird (not this one)  was skulking in low vegetation

                                                                           
FILEY on the Yorkshire Coast may not be the best-known of  UK bird observatories, but it has a reputation for punching above its weight.

Mark James Pearson certainly sang its praise with gusto (one specific section of fence in particular)  in his excellent illustrated presentation at Birdfair.

                                      

Mark Pearson - lavish plaudits for a special place

"It's as good a place as anywhere in the UK to see migrants,"he enthused.

At this time of year, maritime species such as skuas, petrels and shearwaters are heading south, purple sandpipers are putting in an appearance on the beach and real rarities can sometimes be spotted.

Included in the last category were the likes of  red-spotted bluethroat - described by Mark as "a magnificent beast" - and dusky warbler which he came across in low vegetation while he was "plodding along the edge of a ploughed field".

But the greatest feather in Mark's cap was his discovery on April 22 of a Spanish wagtail - the first record for Britain.

*  Mark's blog is at: http://northernrustic.blogspot.co.uk/

*    The Filey bird observatory blog is at: http://www.fbog.co.uk/

* Photo of dusky warbler: Charles Lam/Flickr/WikimediaCommons