The Lincolnshire Bird Club

For those that might be interested in further news of the Red-flanked Bluetail that turned up at Easington, near Spurn Point yesterday, the story is as follows.
News was put out at about 4.30 p.m. – it is not known at what time the bird was actually found.
We arrived at about 5.50 p.m. Viewing was from the garden of Willow Cottage with the bluetail showing on and off at about 100 metres range in a hedge on the far side of a pony paddock. When in sight, the bird was highly active either feeding or attempting to feed. It barely stayed on the same perch for more than 10 seconds. After going missing when appearing to be moving closer to the garden, the property owner decided to investigate and discovered the bird lying dead in the hedge bottom.
There was not a mark on it which would rule out an attack by a robin. As it was only about 25 yards from us when it died we would have seen and heard any commotion had it been attacked.
It was a very cold day in a strong north-easterly wind so it can only be assumed that the poor creature was unable to find sufficient food to sustain itself. Oh for the benefit of hindsight and some juicy mealworms !
The Willow Cottage garden has now hosted Pine Grosbeak, White’s Thrush and Red-flanked Bluetail in the last few years.

Roy.

Must have been severely exhausted after its long flight here, or not able to find the food it normally feeds on..... sad, but in the end, there's nothing you can really do.