Brilliant Bolton Abbey & Black-headed Beauty!....Sunday 9th June 2019.

After spending the night at the Holiday Inn at Brighouse after the epic Muse concert at Manchester,today was going to be a much calmer affair...or so i thought.
 We had planned to visit the lovely Bolton Abbey estate on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park,an annual event it seems,as we have visited there for the past 4 years in spring now.Today's visit was as nice as ever,with some lovely warm sun to enjoy also.
 Highlights bird wise went to at least 8 singing male Redstart and a couple of Pied Flycatchers,with singles of Common Sandpiper and Dipper along the River Wharfe.Other niceties along the river included 2 female and half a dozen Mandarin ducklings and a lovely female Goosander with 1 duckling.
 Wildflowers abounded here,as on my visits in the past and included Sanicle,Ramsons,Welsh Poppies,Herb Robert & Bennet amongst others.
 What a fantastic place to enjoy the hobby,this really is and it's a real privilege to visit.

After arriving home from the Dales,it was apparent that the male Black-headed Bunting was still present at Flamborough and i decided to go for it.
 An hour and a quarter later and i was parking up in the lighthouse car park and getting the gear together.
 The short walk up to Old Fall was a frantic one,as the edge of a rain front passed overhead and just as i arrived at where the Bunting was i saw it dive into cover....crap!
 The rain thankfully,soon passed over and it began to warm again.This had the desired affect and the Bunting soon made an appearance again,showing nicely through the scope.
 What a smart bird these are and a pretty rare one as well it has to be said,averaging only 1-2 records per year in the UK.
 After watching this stunning bird on and off for at least an hour and a half i went and had a half hearted attempt at seeing the reported female Subalpine Warbler,but sadly drew a blank.

A bit of a crazy day,with quite a few miles covered,but well worth it in my opinion,adding my second new bird of the year to my life list.

Female Goosander,With Duckling.

Male Blackcap.

Male Redstart.

Mandarin Duckling

Female Mandarin.

Male Black-headed Bunting....honest!,Old Fall,Flamborough.

Selwick's Bay,Flamborough Head.