Chris Lansdell's Birding & Nature Diary: Siberian Accentor and loads more! Spurn, 14 October 2016

Yesterday has to go down as one of the best days birding I've had for years in the UK!

After a rather anti-social starting time of 02.00 we were at Easington just after dawn. Parking in a designated area at the old bus station in the village we wlked down Vicar's Lane and joined the massive queue of c1000 birders. Thanks to sterling work by the organisers the queue moved really smoothly and within 15 minutes we were feasting our eyes on the Siberian Accentor, what a cracker! The 2nd record for the UK after the first on Shetland only 5 days before. We joined the back of the queue twice more for more views as the bird fed on mossy tarmac completely oblivious to the masses of admirers.

When we'd had our fill we wandered back to the car stopping in Vicar's Lane on the way back for a nice male Common Redstart plus Bramblings and Tree Sparrows and an argument with a couple of bellend locals (one of which blamed us for her kid falling off his scooter!). Down at Kilnsea beach carpark we enjoyed some nice close views of a Shorelark and a fly-over Grey Wagtail while the hedges and fields were chock full of Redwings, Fieldfares, Song Thrushes, Robins, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. The Goldcrests showing their continental/eastern origins with prominent grey shawls (see photo below). The ponds by the road here also gave us 5 nice Mealy Redpolls feeding in Rosebay Willowherb.

Back along the road we were checking Kilnsea churchyard when a pager message announced the release of a Dusky Warbler in Church Fields in 10 minutes time so it would have been rude not to have a look! A bonus Yellow-browed Warbler also in the hand and plenty of Siskins were passing through and a Woodcock flew over.

Back near Kilnsea beach carpark we then jammed in on a flighty and elusive Olive-backed Pipit and 8 White-fronted Geese moving north before retiring to the cafe for sustanance. A walk along the lane to Canal Scrape a little later and we soon bagged 2 Jack Snipe plus Little Grebe.

Back at Kilnsea around the Crown and Anchor carpark we got some brief and ropey views of a Pallas's Warbler and much better ones of a Firecrest before we got lured away to Sammy's Point. The Little bunting we'd hoped for had vanished but we did manage 3 Ring Ouzels, a Common Redstart, Northern Wheatear and 3 Reed Buntings.

To finish the day we popped back to have another gawp at the Siberian Accentor which this time showed down to c12 feet when my camera battery had died! Then back at the Crown and Anchor carpark we finally nailed the Pallas's Warbler down to some wonderful views.

Justin and I even made the national press - the Telegraph and the Daily Mirror click here and look at the 3rd picture of the big crowd!

What an amazing day!