Spurn Point, Where Even the Lighthouse Is Ringed

I had hoped to squeeze in a visit to Spurn Point this year, and just managed to get there for the last weekend in October.

I hadn't been to Spurn for a long time, and it has hardly changed at all.  The old lighthouse is still a terrific building:

I headed down to the point early in the day.  It was fairly quiet, with the exception of a good number of Fieldfare heading south.  Most continued on down the point and out over the Humber estuary towards Lincolnshire. 

A pair of Sparrowhawks were present at the Point, clearly taking advantage of some weary migrants such as this female Blackbird which would have made an easy catch:

As with a lot of birds present, the Sparrowhawks were ringed too!:

Back up at Kilnsea a Pallas's Warbler couldn't be located, but whilst looking in the Churchyard I came across a Firecrest.  It was seen on and off throughout the day.  One of the most difficult birds to photograph, these speedy things never stop moving:

Later in the day it was refound along the road, when it suddenly dropped down behind the hedge at the Villa.  It had dropped straight into a mist net and was soon pulled out for ringing:

The smallest British bird, its tiny size was particularly evident in the hand:

A nice Lesser Redpoll also found its way into the nets:

Thanks to the ringers for showing the birds before release.