Finally a break from work, trips and whatever else, enabled myself and Ian to head up to Bempton Cliffs for the long-staying Black-browed Albatross and the recently-arrived Red-tailed Shrike.
We started off at Staple Newk Viewpoint after a 5-hour drive through the night. After a short wait, the albatross started circling just below us affording excellent views. Puffins and the usual auks were also present and the sounds and smells of the thriving seabird colony were in full flow!
Next up was a lengthy walk around the various tracks and farms in order to try and find the Red-tailed Shrike. Being an adult in spring plumage means this Isabelline Shrike can be proven to be a Red-tailed (or Turkestan) and was therefore very enticing to see since its arrival last week. Despite no news, we found several birders looking at the bird (frustratingly only 200m away from Staple Newk) and we enjoyed close scope views of this attractive bird.
Other bits before we drove home at 10am were many Tree Sparrows and a few Yellow Wagtails.
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| Black-browed Albatross |
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| Red-tailed Shrike |
