Was it Wilkins Micawber?

You know the chap from David Copperfield who famously said ''something will turn up!'' Well I suppose a great grey shrike in Co. Durham just about qualifies but I'd like something really special to celebrate the coming spring and all the goodies that lie ahead [Black crow Corvid-19 permitting]. Not that I'm greedy or anything.

Still, here's an account of the last few days. 

March 5th at Bempton with Barry. Caught up with first puffins, razorbills and shag from the clifftop. Picture time.

First kittiwakes actually paired up on the cliffs.

Kestrels kept appearing. First time overhead as we walked up to the VC.

Second bird at Flamborough Head almost oblivious of my presence level with the bird as it hovered out over the cliff edge. These are uncropped images - probably the closest I've been to a kes.

March 6th: I went to Trimdon to look for the great grey shrike. No sign so I headed for Saltholme before going home early.  A walk down the Greatham Creek right-hand path produced a few black-tailed godwits [I hoped for bar-tailed] shelduck and greylags.

Plus a distant sleepy greenshank with its back to me.

March 8th: back to Garmondsey Farm and success this time after a long wait watching the bird from a long way off. Just about recognizable!

There were 4 of us standing around. Suddenly I looked up and there it was, pretty close. 'It's here I said!' in disbelief. It certainly was!

142 UK 2020