Blyth's Reed Warbler

20 June - There has been an unprecedented influx of Blyth's Reed Warblers into the UK this spring, mostly on the east coast. One bird in particular, at Far Ings nature reserve, has been giving exceptional views. I arrived early, with a sunny forecast after a couple of cloudy, breezy days, and the bird was audible as I walked up the lane to the waterside bushes where it has been holding territory. The song is distinctive, with loud chattering and some mimicry, and a lot less guttural than Reed Warbler. The bird was giving astounding views as it moved between song posts on its territory, overall the same colouration as, but slightly larger than its common congener, with short primaries and a fairly large head - it also adopted the "banana" pose at times. An incredible opportunity to see this species at close quarters - I've previously had 'scope views in Scandinavia, but nothing to be compared with this. Afterwards, a morning with a seabird fix at Bempton was in order. Gannets are the main fare here, and were constantly gliding and diving offshore, but a good population of auks as well, with quite good numbers of jet-black Razorbills in particular. Small numbers of Puffins too, perhaps 30 seen in total, mostly in flight. Kittiwakes are also here in large numbers (with their characteristic calls echoing along the cliffs) together with stiff-winged Fulmars. Also of interest, a sizeable colony of Tree Sparrows around the buildings.