Fantastic Filey and Arctic stunner.........

Filey Brigg.

Common Starfish.

Grey Seal yawning.

Juvenile Dunlin.

Arctic Warbler,by Andy Hood esq.

With the prospect of a full day out with fellow birder Chris Atkin,we had decided to visit Filey and headed for the stunning North Yorkshire coast bright and early.After getting the equipment together and traversing the vertical path at the Brigg end,being more reminiscent of a couple of mountain goats rather than birders,we settled down to scan the sea.Birds seen over the sea included a couple of south bound Bonxie,6 Manx Shearwater which included a group of 3 north,a handfull of Arctic Skua,south and 2 Red-throated Diver,north.Commoner species observed,came in the form of hundreds of Gannets and smaller numbers of Guillemot,Razorbill,Common Scoter,Kittiwake,Arctic Tern,Fulmar and a few flocks of migrating Teal.On the Brigg itself,several wader species were observed included 8 Knot,4 Sanderling,Curlew,several Dunlin and the highlights 3 Purple Sandpiper,which consisted of 1 adult bird and 2 juv's which gave great views.Other species observed on and near to the Brigg included a single 2nd calendar year male Eider,which after spending his time crunching on crabs,settled down to sleep and a few Rock Pipits.Over Carr Naze a single Juv. Peregrine soared about on the thermals while a mixed flock of Goldfinch and Linnets swirled about.What was also apparent as we walked back to the car was the immigration of Butterflies flying in off the sea.This included at least 30 Peacock,10 Large White and a few Small Torts,with some of the Peacock's gliding in from high up,thermalling in from the continent,amazing to see!.Other wildlife observed here included 6 Grey and 1 Common Seal loafing on the Brigg,1 of the 'Greys' being particularly confiding and 5 Common Porpoise.In the rockpools we managed to find several interesting animals and seaweeds which included Common Starfish,Beadlet Anemone,Rock and Common Goby's,Kelp,Serrated Wrack,Irish Moss and the stunningly pink,Coral Weed.After our visit to the Brigg,we travelled the short journey to Filey Dams,this was abruptly cut short after a message was seen on Facebook of a Greenish Warbler at nearby Flamborough,so we decided to go and take a look.En-route there were rumours that this bird may be an Arctic Warbler a new bird for us both!we then spent a long 20 minutes behind every bloody 'Sunday' driver in the universe and eventually arrived at Old Fall hedge,we quickly parked and dashed down to the plantation as quick as we could.On arrival a small group of birders including BBRC member Martin Garner were watching the bird,a few minutes lapsed and then i got stunning scope views of this beauty!!.Dark lores,long 'Super',pale pinkish legs and mottled ear coverts confirmed this as an Arctic,further cracking images by Andy Hood and Martin confirmed the I.d.,YEEESSS,at last i had manged to see this,my most wanted of Phyllosc's.After the initial panic we settled down to enjoy more superb views of this cracking bird.Well done to the Flamborough lads for getting the news out so quick.What an amazing end to the day,with a most unexpected highlight,but that is birding and the wonders of bird migration also a  big thanks to Chris for driving.