Spurn Firecrest

I headed for Spurn early this morning in the hope of a scarce migrant or two.

First stop was Sammy's Point nothing much around except my first cuckoo of the year.

next stop was the Crown and Anchor car park and the churchyard and again nothing doing.

Headed to the warren in the hope of a sight of the firecrest. At first it was pretty elusive but calling nearly all the time, then just as I was about to leave the sun came out and it began to show quite well.

Unfortunately the nets were opened and it was trapped and ringed signaling an end to the session.

Quite pleased with these shots though.

Black Necked grebe

Was out very early at the weekend to photograph black-necked grebes,and in the excitement caused by the red-dumped swallow in East Park I've only just got round to sorting through these.

Red Rumped Swallow

I first heard about the red-rumped swallow in East Park, Hull on Monday but didn't have much time and views were ver distant.

News all day yesterday and today meant I would have a chance tonight.

A cold wind and cloud must have kept the insects low as the lake was full of hirundines, mostly house martins and swallows with the odd sand martin and waves of swifts apparently passing through.

At first the red dumped swallow was nowhere to be seen but after relocating to a different part of the lake, it appeared right in front of me and stayed feeding mostly low over the lake for a good 20 minutes.

It was a shame the light was bad, but after seeing it at such close quarters, I'm not complaining.

Hopefully it might hang around a little bit longer for another crack at it.