19th October

In an ever-freshening southerly birding wasn't a doddle but for those that stuck with it there was a lot of variety on offer today, with a scarcity list that included the long-staying Rosy Starling at Easton, the first showing at Ferrybridge this season of one of the Fleet Black Brants, 34 Crossbills (in three parties overhead), 8 Black Redstarts, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Firecrests and singles of Balearic Shearwater, Merlin, Short-eared Owl and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Most commoner migrants were less numerous on the ground than they'd been yesterday although there did seem to be an improved spread everywhere of various 'under the radar' species like Wrens, Robins and Stonechats.

The Yellow-browed Warbler near Bowers Quarry © Simon Wood:


The Ferrybridge Black Brant © Andrew Slade:


One of the day's Crossbills © Joe Stockwell:


Purple Sandpiper at the Bill © Roy Norris:


One of our favourite birds of the day was this nice young male Brambling trapped at the Obs © Martin Cade: