In Lincolnshire the undoubted highlight of the year was the stunning Oriental Pratincole that graced Frampton Marsh RSPB reserve in May. Bonaparte's and Ring-billed Gulls together at Barton was a remarkable occurrence with a Semipalmated Sandpiper at Alkborough being only the second county record. A Wilson's Phalarope at Gibraltar Point attracted a lot of admirers, as did the very obliging Rough-legged Buzzard at South Ferriby. The Cattle Egret at Donna Nook proved to be a long-stayer but an Isabelline Shrike at Gibraltar Point lingered for just one day. At Freiston Shore RSPB reserve the elusive American Golden Plover was another very welcome bird for the county. Amongst a good selection of lesser rarities captured on film were Waxwings, Common Crane, Great Grey Shrikes, Red-breasted Flycatchers, Red-necked Phalarope and Barred Warbler.
Neighbouring Yorkshire had a remarkable year for rarities including Black-throated Thrush, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Savi's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, King Eider, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Brown Flycatcher, Western Bonelli's Warbler and Squacco Heron. In addition, a flycatcher filmed at Spurn Point stands a good chance of being of the Collared variety with DNA samples ruling out Pied Flycatcher! In Derbyshire a Great Reed Warbler was extremely popular, as was the Baird's Sandpiper in Notts.
Also included in this bumper production are some superb birds filmed outside the featured region - Lesser Kestrel and Alpine Swifts in Suffolk. Bluethroat, Lesser Grey Shrike Trumpeter Finch and Alder Flycatcher in Norfolk. Marmora's Warbler in Gwent, White-tailed Plover - filmed in both Essex and Kent. Pied -billed Grebe in Lancashire plus both American Bittern and Green Heron in Cornwall. Footage is also included of Western Black-eared Wheatear, Pied Wheatear and Red-flanked Bluetail on the Scilly Isles.
More than 80 sightings are featured in the 220 minutes of running time.
