Ben here, back from a short break in Yorkshire. Haven't posted much after the lack of faith from one anonymous birder. It was a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, and although my evidence isn't concrete, doesn't mean I'm lying! It was the first really rare bird I'd ever seen (other than a White Stork over Canterbury), so don't spoil it! Some of you should be content with the rarities you've seen/found. ANYWAY...
Yorkshire was great! All target birds achieved: Gannet, Red Grouse and Osprey, all 'lifers', to use a twitching term. It was nice to see so many Bullfinches too; they're so rare down here in Kent. An unexpected bonus was a migrating Short-eared Owl at Bempton Cliffs. It filled the gap that the auks left... they'd all left for the open ocean by the time we arrived. Here are some of the best photos from the excursion.
