Spring Migrants at Spurn

I had plans for photographing nightingales in Lincolnshire today, however it was a bit cloudy at first light so instead I set off for Spurn.

First stop was Sammy's Point I stayed around the first paddock in the hope of an unusual wagtail.The best was a cracking white wagtail as well as some yellows and the obligatory pied.

A stoat caused some wheatears to call alarmingly.Also distant views of a ring ouzel, whimbrel and a flythrough hobby made for a good start.

Then news of a red kite crackled over the airwaves and as I drove down towards the Warren I could see the kite over Kilnsea wetlands and eventually photographed it distantly from the gate.

News of a pair of wood sandpipers on Holderness Fields had me heading there and again distant views of both species.

I went back to Sammy's but no change there and then news of a rough leg buzzard broke.As it turned out there were two and after a bit of a wild goose chance caught up with it for some reasonable views.

I went back to the wetlands and the garganeys were slightly closer and the whinchat showed very well.

All in all it was a lovely Spring day capped of with some nice birds and once again Spurn delivers the goods.

Dusk and Dawn

I went up to High Eske last night and this morning with the hope of photographing displaying great crested grebes.

On both occasions I was fortunate enough to witness the 'weed dance' but unfortunately both occurrences were too far away.

Good to see at least 3 barn owls in the area also displaying goldeneye, little egret at least 3 chief-chaffs, very active kingfishers and the star bird was a green woodpecker first heard yaffling and then flew across me and landed in storkshill wood as I made my way back this morning.

No hirundines or migrant waders but ver nice all the same.

Early Spring at Spurn

Today I had my first proper trip of the year to Spurn and not a bad one it turned out to be.

First decent bird was a barn Owl hunting over the triangle, then a firecrest ringed at the warren made its way to canal bushes where I struggled to get a shot.

There were a few chief-chaffs about as well as plenty of gold crests.

Next there was a pair (male and female) of black redstarts at the Riverside Hotel accompanied by my first wheatear of the year.

A swallow flew north (my first of the year) and a short eared owl hunted towards long bank.

I had a quick look in the crown car park before I left and the first bird I saw was another firecrest, but by now the light had gone.

A short eared owl was hunting in fields on Easington straight on the way home.

I also collected my copy of Spurn Wildlife and I'm pleased to say my photo of the masked shrike was on the front cover.

All in all not a bad day, very rarely does Spurn let me down.