Wader Fest

Its getting to that time of year again when thousands of waders descend on the Humber Estuary and give some fantastic photo opportunities.
I've been to a couple of places over the weeked with mixed results as far as quality of shot is concerned but just got better as the weekend went on for birds.
Pat Haven was the first stop on saturday morning, got there for dawn.
Quite a few godwits feeding on the main lagoon along with Knot and redshak.Spooked a few birds as i set up then waited, the tide was flooding so hopefully it wouldn't take long for them to come back-and it didn't.
first was a couple of dunlin, then a redshank then a couple of grey plover.
Then a massive flock of mixed birds landed en masse mainly dunlin but at least 20 greenshanks it got to a point where I was awestruck by the amount and proximity of the birds the dunlin were at times only 2m away!
No soon as the birds had landed the tide came in and completely deluged the lagoon and most of the birds moved on.
On the way back a sinle dunlin was on the track and gave a close photo opportunity.
Next morning I was back but this time went futher down on to the main Humber Bank again plenty of waders but also some close encounters with the little egrets that were so close I could't focus!
On Sunday night news of the lesser yellowlegs at Paull broke.I thought I would take a chance and give it a go.Unfortunately it was absolutely bucketing it down and I only got a drenching.
Went again this morning and although it had been seen earlier there was no sign when I got there, luckily enough it made a show and I managed a record shot.
On holiday this week so hope to be out again.
Lesser yellowlegs

lesser Yellowlegs

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin

Dunlin

Curlew

Greenshank

Greenshank

Grey Plover

Grey Plover

Redshank

Turnstone

Little Egret

Little Egret

Notable

I took this at Hornsea Mere the other night and thought I would put it on Birdguides.
I was absolutely amazed at some of the comments that I got back and it was posted in the notable section under photo of the week.
Really chuffed and even more inspired to go out for another crack.

Collared Pratincole

Went up to Pulfin & High eske tonight for the collared pratincole.
Strange night really, drenched in sweat by the time I got there, clouds of midges, nearly pitch black at 7.00, chucking it down with rain while 8.30 then sunshine.
Got home (10 miles away) not a drop of rain.
Oh by the way a Yorkshire Mega showing well but in really poor light.
The bird looked ill to me didn't feed for the 2 1/2 hours I was there, tried flying a couple of times but only got about a metre off the ground.
Hopefully it will perk up but the signs aren't good.

Hornsea Mere Revisited

Having seen the recent reports about the good numbers of common sandpipers at Hornsea Mere I couldn't resist in having a go for them.
I set myself up in a likely spot and waited.
When I got to my spot a small flock flew off as well as a wood sandpiper.
Once I got set up it didn't take long for the birds to come back, some more obliging than others.
First was the juvenile common tern, almost oblivious to me as it came within 2 metres of my bag hide.
Then it was the greenshank, a little more wary but still good views at 10m.
Finally the common sands came back, always distant they had a small group of rocks they preferred and they didn't stray too far away.
In between there were plenty of little gulls to look at, a little egret that flew by also hundreds of swifts and swallows hunting low over the water.
A cracking evening, would like to get a shot of the wood sand so will be back again.

Hornsea Mere

Been down to Hornsea Mere acouple of times this week.
The first was just a recce, got some decent views of a hunting barn owl and there were plenty of litle gulls but quite distant.
the second time I went I was better prepared and I managed a cuple of shots of the barn owl.
On the foreshore there was a little more action with lapwing,common tern,common sandpiper and the best bird a wood sandpiper, plus the little gulls were a bit closer and I managed a cuple of shots.
Last night when I went it was overcast so not so good for photography but saw a black tern,greenshank,dunlin,oystercatcher,greenshank,a couple of little terns and again distant little gulls.
the water levels are quite low and if the drought continues and other traditional water holes (Swine Moor) dry out, it might just produce a goodie!
Will be back a few times over the summer to check out.