East Yorkshire Wildlife

Cattle Egret

2012-01-15T11:29:00.001-08:00

I've not posted for a while due to lack of any real quality shots (been on an unsuccessful mission to photograph hen harriers), but managed to connect with the cattle egret that has been hanging around Tophill Low.

I went to Hempholme yesterday and didn't connect, then went to Tophill today and walked to Hempholme! (5 mile round trip)

It was hanging around one of the farms then flew briefly into a farmyard then flew off back into fields again.

A nice bird and another addition to the list.

Filey Brigg and other East Yorkshire Hotspots

2011-12-11T00:56:00.000-08:00

I had a couple of hours at Filey Brigg yesterday and despite the fact that there was very little off the Brigg itself, the common waders in the corner were most obliging and the light was fantastic.

called in at a very chilly Bempton on the way back-the desert wheatear had been seen but wasn't hanging about so neither did I.

Then a very educational trip to Tophill Low looking for geese-to cut a long story short I walked a very long way for very little reward but did learn a lot about the extremities of the site!

Desert Wheatear

2011-11-27T11:37:00.001-08:00

I went up to Bempton today for the desert wheatear. It showed very well from the off and at times was only down to 2m!

There was a hairy moment when it got chased by a kestrel but most of the time it was happily feeding along the field edge.

Filey Brigg

2011-10-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

I had a cracking day on Filey brigg today. I figured that with the tides being so big it might be worth going to see what was about at low tide.

The walk round had the usual oystercatchers, turnstone, redshank, knot and a feeding seal close to the beach.

Further round, halfway to the end of the brigg was a rock pipit, common scoter and the target bird-velvet scoter, at first they were quite close then flew out and re-settled at quite a distance.

My mate Dave joined me for a short while before heading off to the end 'to see if there are any phalaropes about'.

It was at the end of the brigg where most of the action was-at least 10 purple sandpipers constantly feeding at times very close, a single sanderling, 2 grey plovers a ringed plover and a single curlew.

The tide ebbed back quite a distance revealing lots of starfish and other sea life not normally on view.

It was here that there was almost a constant stream of scoters flying in and out of the bay-at times the velvets were quite close.

the wind was whipping up all the time making standing up quite difficult, but the birds kept coming, a red throated diver sneaked past us and then the star of the show-initially i thought the sanderling had flown up but when it settled on the sea I knew staright away it was a grey phalarope. Initially it disappeared but then after a while spent the best part of an hour feeding amongst a kelp bed straight in front of us.

We left just after 1 to check out Hornsea mere but a half hearted scan produced very little.

Olive Backed Pipit

2011-10-28T13:16:00.001-07:00

I had a day off today and set off for Spurn, but with clear skies the night before I didn't hold out too much hope.

heading down Spurn Road I saw 2 merlin and a sparrowhawk as well as common waders, brent geese and 2 little egrets.

I had a walk round the point with birding guru martin garner (surely if anything was about he would find it!) we did see a lesser redpoll, chiffchaff and 3 flyover sparrowhawks but nothing really of note, so i headed back up Spurn Road towards Kilnsea in the hope of seeing the pallas's warbler. There was no sign and news of the Olive backed Pipit at filey had me heading north.

As soon as I got there it was showing down to 10ft, it looked a little unsteady and had a missing eye, despite feeding constantly most of the afternoon it didn't look in hte best of health.

I'd be surprised if it makes it.

Filey Brigg

2011-10-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

I had a ride out to Filey Brigg this morining, got there just before sunrise and it was a pretty spectacular one at that.

At first it looked pretty quiet with only common waders, a few distant scoter and shag on the end of the Brigg. Then the long tailed duck came into view but it was pretty distant so I had a look on the sea side-I was pretty surprised to see a tern fishing not too far out to sea, plus a couple of red throated divers, a fulmar and a few gannet.

back to the bay side and the ltd had come much closer so I crept over the rocks to get closer. It didn't seem bothered by my presence and although the light was harsh I was happy with my shots. there was also a few common scoter and 3 velvet scoters did a u turn in the bay. On the way back the common waders were very obliging in the corner.

Yellow Browed Warbler

2011-10-16T11:59:00.001-07:00

capped off a great extended weekends birding today. i was a bit pushed for time but i thought I'd have an hour at Kilnsea for a yellow browed warbler. caught this beauty in late afternoon sunlight, also got a distant view of a red-backed shrike and ring ouzel.

Spurn & Flamborough

2011-10-15T10:53:00.001-07:00

With the influx of migrants on the east Coast whetting the appetite, I went to Spurn again yesterday, didn't fare so well as Thursday but still managed to connect with the jack snipe (now moved further away after being flushed by the sheep!), merlin, short eared owl, ring ouzel and still lots of common migrants. things got quieter as the day wore on so I went for a look at Stony Creek, just a few common waders around and a massive flock of fieldfares.

Went again to Spurn this morning-it was obvious things had got quieter but still saw the jack snipes also the scaup on the borrow pit has been joined by a common scoter. A female black redstart was new in also a single wheatear along the road. I heard news that the red-flanked bluetail was still at Flamborough so headed off up there, there was quite a few birders around but no sign of the rfb. A yellow browed warbler revealed itself near the car park for a consolation prize.

With continued westerly winds forecast for next week, things don't exactly look prosperous.

Spurn Point

2011-10-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

It was a very Autumnal feeling about Spurn today. The wind blew steadily from the east, it was overcast and there were birds all over the place.

first stop was canal scrape to view the jack snipe that have taken up residence there. there were at last 4 there this morning along with lots of redwings and a few fieldfares. Next it was Sammy's Point-not much there in terms of rarities but again plenty of thrushes and quite a few goldcrests.

I then had a ride down to the point, again lots of thrushes and a very obliging kesterel. i went for some dinner at this point feeling somewhat disappointed at the lack of rare birds-that was soon to change. news of a great grey shrike crackled over the radio at post 41 so I headed off down there-never too close it gave some reasonable views before heading off to the north.There was also a short eared owl here.

Then back to the point where a long eared owl was showing well but distantly and at the same spot I had a fleeting view of a yellow browed warbler. i headed back up the road to have another look for the ggs but to no avail, however there was a nice merlin perched menacingly on the rocks waiting for some tired migrant.

I headed back up to canal scrape and the jack snipe were still showing well along with a ring ouzel and quite a few redwings, fieldfare and a single brambling.

Finally i called in at the crown and missed a yellow browed warbler.

All in all a pretty enjoyable day.

Pat Haven

2011-10-02T10:57:00.001-07:00

I had another cracking session at pat haven this morning.

I got there before first light and set up in a new spot-it didn't take long for the first greenshank to appear, then it was joined by a redshank and a couple more greenshanks. Then I heard an unusual call coming from behind and within seconds a cracking spotted redshank landed on the lagoon in front of me. It flushed with the rest of the waders when a raptor went through, then settled back on the lagoon even closer.

It was a smaller tide than yesterday so I had longer and the small waders just kept coming-the whole area was covered in mainly dunlin with odd ringed plovers and the long staying curlew sandpipers.

hardly any bigger waders though, just one grey plover being notable.

Must be getting near to the end of the pat haven season but whilst the warm weather continues so does the good birds.

East Yorkshire Waders

2011-10-01T09:23:00.001-07:00

I had quite a stroke of luck today-firstly I went to Patrington Haven and managed to get 20 minutes on the waders before the lagoon flooded and it just so happened that a curlew sandpiper chose to walk by me within 20 feet.

There were quite a few other waders on the lagoon including bar tailed godwit, grey plover, redshank and ringed plover. The only other bird of note was a merlin.

I had a quick ride out to Spurn after Pat haven, but a quick look on canal scrape and a chat with some other birders confirmed that there was little of note around.

I then went up to Hornsea Mere in the hope of seeing the pectoral sandpiper. At first there was no sign despite quite a few birders on site, then it appeared out of nowhere as 2 other birders and i watched it circle above us before flying off towards the south side. After a while it was re-located on the spit next to swan island. the only other bird of note was the odd little gull mixing with the black headed gulls.

One of the locals had arranged for the guy who owns the motor boat to take us towards swan island and within 10 minutes we were watching the pec and a rough at very close range. It was quite skittish and didn't hang around, but did stay long enough to get some cracking views.

we went further in search of a med gull which flew north and then we saw what at first we thought was a little egret but after some scrutiny the bird revealed itself as a great white egret.

Cracking bird to end a cracking morning.

Buff Breasted Sandpiper

2011-09-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

i went up to Thornwick Bay for the buff breasted sandpiper this afternoon. Quite a long walk uphill to get to the sheep field it favoured with very little in terms of birds on the way. A peregrine falcon being the best of it.

Once I got there the bird showed well in the north western corner, probably kept there by the buffeting south westerly wind. It was always a struggle to get a sharp shot in poor light and as a fairly heavy shower came over the bird took flight an alighted some 500 yards north west.

It was time to go. best other bird was a hobby.

American black Tern

2011-09-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

I went to Covenham reservoir yesterday for the black winged tern.

Posed very obligingly from the outset.

It patrolled up and don the east end and whilst there was quite a few people chasing it up and down, it was equally as rewarding to wait for it to cme a it eventually did.

the back up cast was provided in the form of 2 obliging little stints.

Went over to Rimac for the buff breasted sandpipers but they failed to show.

Nice late summers day but not a patch on this time last year-we need some strong easterly winds and quick.

Greenshanks

2011-09-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

A nice morning dawned today and i thought I'd have a couple of hours at pat haven then move on to Spurn.

Got there for just after 7.30 and there were already a few waders and gulls on the lagoon as well as a grey heron.

As the tide flooded the greenshanks came in and landed pretty close as did lots of small waders but by the look of it only one curlew sandpiper.

the greenshanks were quite wary at first then settled down.

then something really spooked them and they went into a mild panic, looking round, it was a merlin that had gone chasing the waders.

After the merlin had gone it had cleared everything off the lagoon barring the greenshank.

left at around 10.30 to go to spurn but it was dead quiet.

Waders at Dusk

2011-09-16T12:22:00.001-07:00

Went down to Pat haven a couple of times this week after work. First night it was blowing a gale and raining but cleared in the last half hour to give some fantastic light and very close views of dunlin, ringed plover and curlew sandpiper. Went again last night, again very close views of dunlin but didn't see any sign of cs.

Lots of dunlin and ringed plover on the lagoon, a couple of knot and odd redshank and greenshank. probably the last visit of the year for waders but quite pleased with the shots.

Bridlington Skua cruise

2011-09-10T10:27:00.001-07:00

I went on another Brid skua trip this morning. Quite a contrast from last week as southerly winds put a bit of a chop on the sea.

There were a couple of skuas on view from the harbour wall to start as well as a couple of red throated divers. Almost straight away the skuas were on view mainly bonxie but also the odd arctic. A confiding manx shearwater was nice as was good views of a sooty at the rear of the boat. There was a big flock of plunge diving gannets that was quite spectacular.

there was another flyby sabines gull which i didn't see, then on the way back there was some close views of a bonxie.

All in all another very enjoyable trip but far more difficult trying to photograph birds when the boat is pitching and tossing in the sea!

Pat Haven Re-Visited

2011-09-09T13:35:00.001-07:00

Went down to Pat haven tonight, small tides gave a different set of challenges but after selecting a spot and waiting a while I was rewarded with close views of a group of 4 curlew sandpipers.

Also present was a little stint and marsh harrier.

felt a bit sorry for my mate Dave-he went especially for the CS's and packed up no more than 5 minutes after these flew in.

Black Tern

2011-09-08T12:57:00.001-07:00

I went up to North cave this morning for the reported black tern.

Got there for around 7 and it was pretty miserable-with nothing else about I was pretty content to watch the black tern and slowly but surely the rain stopped and light got better.

There were a few waders about including ruff, green sandpiper, greenshank, common sandpiper, dunlin, golden plover and hundreds of lapwing.

It gave quite a spectacular show especially when it came close mainly picking small insect off the surface but also taking the odd fish.

Nice bird.

Bridlington Skua cruise

2011-09-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

I went on the Bridlinton Skua and shearwater trip today for the first time. seas were flat and the wind has been relatively calm for the last 4 days so I didn't hold out much hope of seeing much.

On the way out there was quite a bit of common stuff including razorbills, guillimots shag, sandwich and common tern. It wasn't long before we saw our first skua-an arctic, followed quickly by a sooty shearwater then a balearic shearwater, then the highlight of the trip was an adult sabines gull (which I unfortunately didn't see) then a great skua, arctic tern, little gull and a manx shearwater.

We toured round further out and put out a line of chum but this only attracted gbb, herring gull and fulmar.

The sun came out briefly and a breeze got up and this seemed to stir the gannets into action.

At about 11.30 we started to head back and closer to land we saw some more arctic skuas and quite a number of black terns and a small party of red throated divers.

By all accounts today was one of the better trips in term of species but there was not as many shearwaters as i'd hoped.That said it was a cracking day and I'll definitely be going back.

Arctic skua
Arctic skua
Manx shearwater
Manx shearwater
Sooty shearwater
Arctic skua
Arctic skua
Arctic skua and common tern
Gannet
Great black backed gull
Arctic tern
Little gull
Gullimot
Razorbill
Gullimot
Shag
Harbour porpoise

Patrington Haven

2011-09-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

I've been to Pat Haven 4 times in the last week with very varying results.First couple of visits were pretty unsuccessful, plenty of waders but set up in the wrong place or arrived too late.

there was some good birds though including marsh harrier, short eared owl, kingfisher and curlew sandpiper being the best, along with whimbrel, curlew,ringed plover, green sandpiper, golden and grey plover, avocet, turnstone, dunlin, snipe, hundreds of swallows, and good sized flocks of yellow wagtails and goldfinches.

I went again this morning with curlew sandpiper as the target bird, I picked out a spot and waited.Pretty soon there were hundreds of waders whizzing about all over the place, including a pair of cs's right in front of me.

It was quite a spectacle for about an hour until the tide completely flooded the lagoon and they all dispersed.

I went on to the end of the track and it was full of swallows and yellow wagtails.

there was also a few waders roosting on the rocks but no sign of the massive flocks that were flying about as the tide came in.

Brid skua cruise tomorrow which is a first for me, will post details here tomorrow.

Spotted Crake

2011-08-19T14:03:00.001-07:00

Showing well at North cave tonight.

Hornsea Mere Pelagic

2011-08-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

I went up to Hornsea mere again last night in the hope of some more shots of the little gulls.
The light was going to be an issue as thin cloud was hanging over there mere when I arrived.
I found out that there was an organised boat trip so seeing as the light was not good, I thought I'd tag along.
There was a few other local birders on board as we set off for the south bank.
A few common sandpipers feeding along the shore were the first birds on view followed by an extremely obliging juvenile spotted redshank.
Going further round the mere we saw plenty of little gulls streaming up and down along with a huge amount of cormerants, 3 herons and hundreds of coot.
We then headed for the spit near swan island and it was here we got our best views of the little gulls, thanks to our expert skipper he got us really close to the bank and it was here we saw a juvenile ruff and had a visit from another spotted redshank.
We continued on and went past a buoy with an extremely obliging common tern perched on top then after nearly 2 hours we headed back to dry land.
It was a most enjoyable evening, good company with a very priveledged access to a very special place.
If this was done on a regular basis (coupled with the frequent rarities that turn up at the mere at this time of year) it could be come very popular.

Pat Haven

2011-08-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

I had a look down at Pat haven this morning-got there early and being an hour out with the tides it gave me an extended wait.
Not much on the way down, quite a few gulls on the lagoon including a single little gull also common sandpiper.
As the tide flooded the lagoon began to fill up with birds-first the greenshanks, then a few knot and the hundreds of dunlin.
Nothing out of the ordinary buth the calm conditions and early morning sun made for some nice photo opportunities.
Single marsh harrier was the highlight of the walk back.

Marsh Sand-Again

2011-07-31T12:12:00.000-07:00

I went back to Blacktoft for the fourth time last night to see the marsh sandpiper.
At first and for most of the time it was quite distant, occasionally flushing with the other waders then returning to the same spot (it liked frequenting the fringes of the nearest island.
Eventually it came as close as possible given the location of the hide and it was then I was able to get my best shots.
It really is a spectacle at this time of year and I saw 13 species of wader last night.
the sun was setting and the light was fantastic for photography.
If only the hides were a little closer.

Little Gulls

2011-07-27T14:27:00.001-07:00

Went to Hornsea Mere tonight for the little gulls....
Awesome.

Marsh Sandpiper Revisited

2011-07-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

I went back to Blacktoft last night in the hope of some more shots of the marsh Sandpiper.
It didn't let me down although the light was poor.
A good selection of other waders there too although nothing different than what has recently been reported.

Brilliant Blacktoft

2011-07-17T01:49:00.001-07:00

Its not often that I would describe Blacktoft as brilliant.
I don't like the hides or the crowds or the people talking at the top of their voices on a mobile whilst sat next to you- none of that...
However last night at Blacktoft was brilliant.
Starting with the marsh sandpiper it gave distant views on marshland before moving to Singleton and there it performed nicely.
Also at Marshland was an obliging green sandpiper and some superb black tailed godwits, also lots of bearded tits but quite distant.
Then I went on to Singleton-two spoonbills were quite active -eventually, marsh hariers at varying distance including one that landed in front of the hide, wood sandpiper, ruff, spotted redshank,little egret and the marsh sandpiper.
There was a report of a hobby and garganey at another hide but I didn't go for them.
It was almost too much to take in-something was happening nearly all the time.
Yes last night it was brilliant at Blacktoft.

Marsh Sandpiper

2011-07-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

I went up to Blacktoft Sands last night for the marsh sandpiper.
Its a bird that I have been hoping to see for a while.
The views were inevitably quite distant but with good light it gave some decent views.
It kept walking in and out of view until eventually it was flushed by a marsh harrier.
It later re-located on to singleton lagoon but i was long gone by then.
I am always impressed at the photographic conditions created by good light and reflections at Blacktoft.
Its a shame there is nowhere else like it on the Humber because as I said most of the stuff is quite distant.

Canal Scrape

2011-07-11T12:24:00.000-07:00

I had a couple of hours on canal scrape over the weekend.
Nothing unusual but there were some nice photo opportunities.
The swallows feeding their young were particularly photogenic as was the flyby little egret.
Also there was a fairly showy sedge warbler, a few reed warblers and an elusive water rail.

Seaside Special

2011-07-02T12:23:00.001-07:00

Had a cracking morning at the seaside today. Again no rarities but the display from the puffins was awesome-twice I had to duck out the way as they flew straight towards me.
I have also posted some shots of gannets and fulmars from a previous trip.

Tophill Low

2011-06-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

With things going quiet just lately my thoughts turned to sites in the region that hold their own spaecialities.
Just lately the kingfishers have been back at Tophill, so there I went.
Quite a strong wind had loads of swifts feeding along the edge of D res along with a few little gulls.
The hide was empty when I got there and it took about 2 hours for the kingfisher to show, but I was kept entertained by numerous reed warblers, a juvenile heron and a family of little grebes.
The kingfisher stayed for around 10 minutes giving some fantastic views.

Nightjar Safari

2011-06-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

I had a great evening out of county last night on the hunt for nightjars.
First we walked through a dense birchwood in search of adders and despite the hot temperatures we were rewarded with great views of a basking male, we also saw a variety of dragonflies and the only one I could confidently identify was a broad bodied chaser.In the birchwood we had brief views of a jay, a pair of great spotted woodpeckers and a family of long tailed tits.
next stop was the edge of the marsh and again we were rewarded with the sight of two large heaths that posed rather obligingly.
further round we went and heard a distant cuckoo until we reached our intended destination.
It looked promising as we watched a hunting hobby and then we waited.
The mosquitoes and midges were absolutely unbelievable-we were unprepared and it was almost unbearable with constant bites and insect buzzing round all the time.
Fortunately another birdr gave us some insect repellent and this did the trick albeit we had already been bitten half to death.
The night was perfect and the wind disappeared, it was great to heard the birdsong at 10.30 in almost pitch black-we could pick out robin, blackbird, whitethroat and tawny owl.
Then as it was almost pitch black the nightjars started churring, first one then another we counted seven in all and a couple were clapping and calling.
Unfortunately and despite waiting while gone 11 we didn't see any in flight, but the experience was truly magical, even the insects added to the plot.
Will definitely be going again, thanks to Sam for great company.

American Wigeon

2011-06-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Just popped out to Tophill Low this evening for a look at a reported pair of American Wigeon.
Not exactly what I would expect at this time of year but a legacy of last weeks strong westerly winds?
No signs of any rings so on the photo list it goes.

Beacon Ponds

2011-05-30T00:44:00.001-07:00

It seems as though the migrants have started to thin out just lately so with that in mind I thought I would see if I could get some shots of the little terns at beacon ponds.
I went up on Saturday and in fairly strong winds, I got set up in a likely looking spot out of the wind.
during the 3 or so hours i was there I was treated to some fantastic close views of the little terns fishing although the poor light didn't help.
with having such a good day on the Saturday I was up there again yesterday, this time it was improved by not only close views of the terns but also a sprinkling of decent waders-not least a red-necked phalorope but also 3 little stints and some close view of common waders, and some interesting behaviour with herons and the little egret.
The walk back last night was in glorious evening sunshine punctuated by the song of skylarks and just as i got nearer the car a cracking corn bunting performed magnificently only a few metres away.
I must stress that the area is quite sensitive for breeding birds and anyone heading up there must stick strictly to the marked paths and not go anywhere near the breeding grounds of the little terns.

Tawny revisited

2011-05-24T14:07:00.001-07:00

I had a nice evening down at beacon Ponds tonight, I thought I'd go for another crack at the tawny pipit.
On the way down from Easington I saw a couple of wheatear and skylarks feeding on newly cut grass.
Further on there were some common waders around the lagoons including grey plover, ringed plover dunlin and oystercatcher.
The tawny pipit showed briefly as soon as I arrived then disappeared for half an hour before re-appearing and showing really well.
It remaoned distant but nice to see it out in the open.
I bumped in to Martin garner and a party of birdwatchers and he put me on to a magnificent summer plumaged curlew sandpiper feeding on Easington lagoon.
Also had little tern and yellow wagtail.
beautiful evening under clear skies, shame about the strong wind.

Rustic Bunting

2011-05-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

I had a couple of cracks at the superb rustic bunting at Filey this weekend.
I had good intentions of going to Filey when it was reported but waited until late afternoon and unfortunately it didn't show for me in the evening.
I went up again today after it was reported as still being there.I expected a big crowd but was pleasantly suprised by how few people were there.
Most of the time it was feeding on the track allowing good views but a bit distant for a shot, managed to get lucky (albeit view was hampered by vegetation) towards the end when it showed for me to about 15m.
Absolutely cracking bird and another to add to the photograph list.

Super Spurn!

2011-05-15T07:39:00.001-07:00

Had a couple of half days at Spurn this weekend.
yesterday was a bit difficult in very strong westerly winds-but I still managed some shots of a marsh harrier as it flew south past canal scrape hide.
Went again this morning in slightly better conditions-clear blue skys and a moderating westerly wind.
Started off with some nice views of common waders as the tide began to ebb.
Then news of a quail calling in clubleys field.
As I was driving down Spurn Road a golden oriole was called outat sammy's Point-a quick dash there and I had quite close but brief views of a first summer male.
Then as we scanned round a bee-eater flew north past sammy's point.
Finally I went to have a look at a reported water pipit at beacon lagoons.
I headed there from the north at Easington and arrived at the second lagoon just as one of the Spurn regulars was heading north along the bank.
I figured that if it was there he would flush it towards me and I could get a shot.
As he arrived opposite me he called'tawny pipit' as it initially flew out of view., After a while it re-appeared and gave intermittent views as it walked in and out of the grasses.
Cracking morning.

Short Stint for a Temmincks

2011-05-14T09:37:00.001-07:00

I had a quick look at Swinemoor last night-I say quick because it would have been longer if my camera battery didn't run out.
Despite the impending rainfall I decided to give it a go, straight away the resident wood sandpiper popped in front of my lens, then a redshank and a little ringed plover also a white wagtail but no Temmincks!
Then it appeared for a short while before scooting off amongst the grassy tufts in the shallow water.
Nice bird but views all to fleeting.
Went back this morning but no sign of any other waders apart from beligerent lapwings chasing everything off.

Hornsea Black Tern

2011-05-09T13:26:00.001-07:00

I went down to Hornsea Mere last night to look for the reported black tern.
I spent ages looking over the mere at a likely spot only for one of the locals to inform me that it was feeding further up and out of my line of sight.
When I got there the sun had moved round making the light difficult to get a decent shot.
However I was happy with these and just being there on a warm still Spring evening watching it hunting insect was a fantastic experience.

More from Swinemoor

2011-05-04T14:17:00.001-07:00

Swinemoor

2011-05-03T14:55:00.001-07:00

been down to Swinemoor on the lat couple of evenings to have a look for the reported wood sand piper.
Went last night in a very cold Northe easterly wind, quite a few birds around including whimbrel, green sandpiper,little ringed plover, greenshank and the wood sandpiper.
Also single swift and a hobby.
Went again tonight in gentle winds and better light.
Not as many birds but the wood sandpiper still there also snipe, yellow wagtail, white wagtail and kingfisher.
Really pleased with these shots taken on a wonderful Spring evening.

Collard Pratincole

2011-04-29T11:37:00.001-07:00

I had my second trip to Lincolnshire and faired marginally better than my last trip.
First I went for the tawny pipit at Tetney Lock and spent another 3 fruitless hours marching up and down looking for it.
The only consolation was some superbly coloured dotterel in the pea field long the side of the canal.
Then I went to Immingham for the collard pratincole. At first it was sat on a small island pretty close then it went hawking insects for about 2 hours giving some spectacular flight displays but making it pretty tricky to photograph.
I was very pleased with these results and could be tempted to go back tomorrow-unless something crops up at Spurn....

2011-04-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

I have had a couple of half sessions at Spurn over the weekend. Friday's was a bit disappointing as I arrived late and there was not a great deal of stuff about. yesterday I got there for 6.00 and the morning was absolutely gorgeous-no wind the river was like glass and the air filled with birdsong. I started off on beacon Lane and there were 4 singing grasshopper warblers 2 of which were quite obliging and happy to sing in full view whilst I was only 10m away, There was also a few whitethroats and sedge warblers about and a single reed warbler. Then on to Beacon ponds where there was a few little terns a single sandwich tern and a grey plover.
News of a red rumped swallow crackled over the radio as did 4 shorelarks at Chalk Bank.
On the way back down I saw a single green hairstreak flying north down Beacon Lane.

Spring Gems

2011-04-22T13:06:00.001-07:00

I had a trip out of county today.
Up before dawn and arrived on site at 6.00. It was still quite misty and no one was there.
As soon as I got through the gates I heard the unmistakeable sound of a nightingale.
Further into the site there was another 2 then even further was this one.
It was being coaxed to sing by a nearby female-the next couple of hours were awesome as it sang at the top of its voice and quite occasionally appeared out in the open.
One of natures true wonders.

Bempton Shore Lark

2011-04-19T13:34:00.001-07:00

I've been hoping to get a shot of a shore lark for a few years now and never fancied a trip to the Lincs coast in winter. Today I got lucky- there was at least one reported at bempton at mid-day so I thought I would try for it tonight. I had a walk down to the cliff top and headed south then came across a path between two fields- one was completely bare having being recently tilled and the other was a mixture of stubble and weeds-it was full of birds including at least dozen wheatear, a yellow wagtail, white wagtail, skylark and linnet.

Walking further down i saw a small brown bird fly up and land in the tiled field -it was a shorelark and the first one I've sen for nearly 30 years.

It showed very well in the two fields until the light faded and the temperature dropped dramatically.

Cracking bird.

Locustella Fever

2011-04-17T13:23:00.001-07:00

I had another day at Spurn today- I got there just after 6 this morning and it was absolutely gorgeous.

No wind glorious sunshine and the air full of birdsong.

First bird was a grasshopper warbler singing along the edge of the canal.

Then a couple of sedge warbles and a few more common migrants. I then went up to Sammy's Point but (at the time) it was quiet with less wheatears and wagtails than yesterday and again only common migrants.

Then down Spurn road for a couple of blue headed wagtails (more distant than yesterday) and it was here that news broke of the areas only second ever Savis warbler.

It was very elusive and I managed only a few shots. I hoped that it would show this evening but to no avail. Alaso managed some views of the black redstart around canal scrape. All in all a cracking day.

Sammy's Point

2011-04-16T11:51:00.001-07:00

I had a ride down to Spurn today.

First stop was Crown and Anchor-plenty of common migrants including quite a few blackcaps.Then on to canal scrape-it was very quiet so I had a look in the bushes again common migrants but nothing startling.

I then headed up to Sammy's Point here there were lost of wheatear and yellow wagtails. A walk to the far end yielded more common stuff including whitethroat, willow warbler and more blackcaps.

From Sammy's I went for some lunch at the Blue bell , it was here I heard the news of a red-rumped swallow crackling over the radio.Then back to the canal scrape, only a pied wagtail there so went back up to Sammy's for the second time.

As soon as I looked in the bushes there was a redstart and then looking over the paddock even better- a blue headed wagtail. With some very confiding wheatears it made for a nice afternoon,

Easterlies tonight so maybe something good in the morning?

5 Grebes in One Weekend

2011-04-09T12:06:00.001-07:00

The weekend didn't start off that well.

I went through to Spurn on Friday afternoon in the hope of seeing some migrants.To cut a long story short the best bird was a swallow and there were hardly any migrants about. So I thought I'd head for Waters Edge in the hope of a recently reported Slavonian Grebe. Upon arrival it was showing quite well and I soon had some decent shots. It kept doing a circuit of the pit that it was on and every now and then it would come very close.The best bit was saved until last-as the sun was going down the grebe went alongside some reeds in calm water this provided an extremely photogenic setting, but on its way back it came within 4 feet of the bank and I could see it chasing food under the water-fantastic!

There was also a pair of displaying great crested grebes and a little grebe.

Then today I set off in the hope of another 2 species of grebe. I've beenmeaning to go to hatfield Moor for the red-necked grebe for a couple of years and today was the day.Also there had been some black-necked grebes reported recently and these were my first quarry. The mist had hardly left Boston Lake when I arrived and I had distant views of the BNG but it was staying out of range.

Then on to 10 acre lake. The walk up was not that exciting-yellowhammer, loads of chiff-chaff and willow warbler and a good sprinkling of blackcaps. As soon as i got to the end of the lake I could hear the red-necked grebe calling and I had some decent views of it fishing and nest building.

I then got myself camped out and waited. It took a while but eventually he swam past twice and I was lucky enough to get some great views.

Then back to Boston lake to see if the BNG had come any closer-I was in luck it came within 10m of the hide albeit in bad light.

All in all it was a great day with loads of wildlife including adders, grass snakes brimstone butterflies and numerous other stuff-it is a great place.

Spurn Bluethroat

2011-03-20T12:45:00.001-07:00

I popped to Spurn this afternoon for the white spotted bluethroat.i didn't hold out much hope as usually they are very elusive at Spurn and seem to disappear soon after being reported.

This one today was slightly more obliging-it spent most of the time in the bottom of the ditch showing only occasionally. it popped up to the small bush along the ditch only once while I was there but it was here that it gave its best views.

As the afternoon went on it got duller and made viewing all the more difficult.

Still it was very nice to see and apparently Spurns first white spotted bird since the sixties.

What next?

Spring is here

2011-03-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

I had a cracking day out in the sunshine yesterday-nothing major but a nice sprinkling of early summer migrants and a close encounter with some obliging sanderlings.

The day started in glorious sunlight at Welton Waters-I went back in the hope of some better shots of the red breasted mergansers but unfortunately they were gone-however I did manage to get a nice shot of a chiff chaff along with sightings of marsh tit, brambling and goldeneye along with common birds in full song.

I then went to Barton for the black redstart but that didn't show but a quick visit to Far Ings yielded a pair of displaying great crested grebes-nice.

It was then on to Spurn for the afternoon-first bird was a distant med gull off the blue bell then on to the point for a black redstart-it was feeding around the gardens of the lifeboat cottages and then along the sea wall. At times it was quite obliging also there was a single mistle thrush that was very wary.

Finally as the tide flooded I had a close encounter with a small flock of anderling-bythis time the sun had gone and it was time for home.

fair weather in the next couple of weeks might entice a firecrest into the area...

Welton waters

2011-03-13T12:18:00.001-07:00

I had a couple of spare hours this afternoon so I headed up to Welton waters in the hope of a view of a red-breasted merganser.

I knew it had been sighted on the angling complex but didn't know where.

The walk down the lane was fairly uneventful with a few common species at the end the large angling lake was more viewable but there were only goldeneye, pochard and tufted duck.

there was one singing marsh tit also an an obliging wren and an even more obliging weasel.

As I went back up the lane the sun came out and I heard a singing chiff-chaff- my first of the year.

Just before I got back to the car I had one last glance at the angling complex and I managed to find the RBM.

Quite distant and the wrong light but at least I got half a decent view.

North Yorks Trip

2011-03-12T12:08:00.001-08:00

I was at a bit of as loss as to where to go this morning-a bit too early in the year for spring migrants so I thought I would go up to Scarborough for the wigeon, iceland gull and mediterranean gull.

I managed the first 2 but there was only 1 med gull at Holbeck and it stayed up on the nearby house roof not even coming down to bread.

I then went to Barmston to try for sanderlings and was very lucky to have an all to brief encounter with a fast moving flock but still managed some decent shots.

Roll on Spring.

Beacon Ponds

2011-02-06T11:20:00.001-08:00

I was in two minds as to where to go today-I knew the weather forecast wasn't great but I still wanted to get out and have a go at some shots.
I decided to head for Beacon Ponds with the prospect if nothing else of a record shot of the recently reported slavonian grebe-a bird I have yet to photograph.
I headed along the beach towards the hide and apart from a few fly by gulls, cormerants and oystercatchers I didn't see that much.
When I arrived at the hide I spooked some wigeon and then started to view what was on the lagoon.
The wind was howling making the water really rough.
There were a few wigeon, teal, pochard and a couple of distant goldeneye and little grebe.
From time to time the odd wader flew by as well as a few gulls but the gale force wind kept everything low.
After a while I saw a very distant slavonoan grebe and took some record shots that were next to useless.
The grebe kept disappearing from view until it appeared in the calm water directly opposite the hide. I thought I would try to get round the other side for a shot from the bank top.
Fortunately there were no other birders about along long bank and the grebe remained in about the same spot.
I crept to the top of the bank and there grebe was there about 50 yards out.
It kept coming closer then backing away feeding all the time on sticklebacks.
I stayed with it for a couple of hours until it started to swim further north along the edge of the bank.
There was a massive flock of brent geese with a few waders on the flooded field opposite the listening dish on the way back, but I didn't se a single bird down beacon lane.
In the end I was happy with these shots- just a shame the sun wasn't out.

Worlaby Owls

2011-01-30T01:49:00.000-08:00

I went out to worlaby yesterday and it was third time lucky for me when the short eared owls put on a magnificent dispaly.
there was one perched almost motionles on a tree stump for quite a while before going into a fantastic display.
As it got nearer to dusk the light was fading rapidly and unfortunately there wa some cloud cover, but the owls kept on hunting and displaying right until it got dark and it looked as thought there might have been about 6 or 7.
apparrently they hang around while march so hopefully we be back again in better light.

North Yorks

2011-01-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

I set off this morning with the intention of targetting 3 species, velvet scoter, mediterranean gull and iceland gull.

I started at Filey Brigg and got there for first light.

there were a few common waders on the car park including oystercatcher, redshank, knot, dunlin and bar tailed godwit.

Once on to the beach and heading for the brigg I saw some common gull species, grey plover, curlew,purple sandpiper wigeon and great crested grebe.

On the brigg itself it was quite rough and the scoters were keeping their distance as were the eider.

I also saw a small flock of snow bunting fly north.

I did not see a velvet but some of the guys down there spotted a couple.

next it was on to Scarborough and dodging between the squalls I managed some nice shots of the mediterranean gulls with a rainbow in the background.

Then it was on to the harbour.First thing I saw was a large seal then the great northern diver.

I threw some bread into the harbour and almost immediately a small group of large gulls appeared including the iceland gull.It posed nicely for about 20 minutes before disappearing.

After that I had a quick look at Scalby Mills at the wigeon flock but they were quite distant so headed for home mid afternoon.

Filey at dawn
Filey at dawn
Mediterranean Gull
Mediterranean Gull

Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Iceland Gull
Great Black Backed Gull
Great Northern Diver
Great Northern Diver
Great Northern Diver
Great Northern Diver
Shag

2010 Review Part 1

2010-12-31T09:31:00.001-08:00

JANUARY

January got off to a good start with this black-throated thrush at newholme in North Yorkshire.The product of some very cold weather it hung around for quite a while.

FEBRUARY

Another cold month.I had a trip up to Filey and managed some record shots of these long tailed ducks, also plenty of common scoter and eider along with a sprinkling of common waders.The woodcocks at the feeder centre at Tophill rose to 3 always at a distance.

Long tailed duck

Woodcock

MARCH

We had a long weekend in North Yorkshire which gave me an opportunity to get some shots of a red grouse.Also the bittern at Tophill was a legacy of a very cold winter.

Bittern

Red Grouse

APRIL

April was a fairly steady month.Usual spring migrants at Spurn but nothing particularly outstanding. Of note the water pipit below was only the 16th ever at Spurn.

Ring Ouzel

Water pipit

MAY

May was a fairly quiet month plenty of the usual suspects including garganey at Swine Moor, common Spring migrants at Spurn, and odd common waders at Patrington Haven.The highlight for me being the purple heron at Welwick.The distant shot below was taken at Patrington Haven looking East.

Garganey

Purple Heron

Redstart

Reed Warbler

Swallow

JUNE

June was rather quiet around East Yorkshire so I went travelling to find the birds.I had a trip to Norfolk with 3 target birds in mind.Firstly I saw the stone curlews at Weeting Health, then over to lakenheath for the golden orioles and finally finished up at welnet for the long staying bluethroat-a long but great day out.I also wnt up to Fen Bog for the whinchats and also saw some good insects including large heath, small pearl-bordered fratilliary, golden ringed dragonfly and keeled skimmer. During yet another trip away I went to Frampton Marsh and Gibraltar Point-fairly quiet but the corn buntings and turtle doves were nice.

Bluethroat

Corn Bunting

Sanderling

Whinchat

2010 Review part 2

2010-12-31T08:47:00.001-08:00

JULY

I spent a lot of my time at Patrington Haven, this monthwithout the true rewards I was hoping for.The waders were not particularly obliging, but the little egrets were some compensation and the med gull was a nice suprise.

Barn Owl

Little Egret

Mediterranean Gull

AUGUST

August threw up a couple of rare birds and I was pleased to finally get a shot of a common crane.I went up to Bewholme to catch up with the relatively long staying bird that was frequenting the Bewholme/Hornsea mere area.The white winged black tern was another nice bonus and although I took over 100 shots of this bird it was very difficult to digiscope, the one below was only one of 6 that were worth keeping.The undoubted highlight this month was the acquisition of my new camera and lens.

Common Crane

Pied Flycatcher

White Winged Black Tern

SEPTEMBER

September heralded the start of one of the best Autumns in recent history on the East Coast.rare bird after rare bird turned up and for me the best birds included citrine wagtail (Spurn) and eastern olivaceous warbler (Flamborough) but alas no pictures of either. There was a good mix of scarce birds and I was particularly happy with my shots of the red-breasted flycatcher.All photos below were taken at Spurn apart from the western bonellis warbler which was at Bempton.

Barred Warbler

Common Rosefinch

Great Grey Shrike

Red Breasted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Western Bonellis Warbler

OCTOBER

The superb Autumn continued into October with one particular Sunday being the most memorable.Favourable winds combined with right time of year and good light made for fantastic conditions.All shots below were taken around the Spurn area.The rose coloured starling signalled an abrupt end to what was a brilliant Autumn.

Goldcrest

Jack Snipe

Pallas's Warbler

Redstart

Rose Coloured Starling

Stonechat

Yellow Browed warbler

NOVEMBER

November was a fairly quiet month for me I got out on a couple of trips once to Hornsea mere to see a greta skua giving distant views and also to see the long staying rough legged buzzard at South ferriby.

Great Skua

Rough Legged Buzzard

DECEMBER

December brought one of the coldest starts to winter in living memory. not good news for the birds but gave some great photo opportunities.The barn owl was at Flamborough feeding over frozen fields, fieldfare at stony creek feeding on berries, the goldeneye was at Hornsea Mere in a small pool of unfrozen water whilst the peregrine stalked the gulls at the same site. The lapwing was feeding on frozen flooded fields at Kilnsea.

Barn Owl

Fieldfare

Goldeneye

Lapwing

Peregrine Falcon

Winter gets harder....

2010-12-25T01:09:00.000-08:00

The recent wintry weather has given some great opportunities for photography.
I set off for Spurn last Sunday but only got as far as Easington before the snow got too bad.Whilst on the way back I went round Sunk Island and it was here that a row of bushes laden with berries held a flock of thrushes which at times were very obliging. The weather was a mix of snow showers and sunshine and this gave some greatlight.
Next I went for a couple of hours at Allerthorpe Woods. Just the usual common species here, very tame and starving hungry.Unfortunately there were mo bramblings.
Lastly I had a morning at Hornsea Mere there is a small area that is ice free and amongst the mallards and coots there is a small party of goldeneye.
Mostly theye kep their distance but evey now and again they venture quite close and again prove to be very obliging.
There is also a juvenile peregrine falcon and this was causing chaos amongst the gulls although it didn't take anything whilst I was there.
One thing is for sure -all the birds are starving and whilst it helps with the photos, it will be a lot better when it thaws so they can feed up for the next bout of cold weather and with the way this winter is going it won't be far away.

Winter waders

2010-12-12T13:13:00.000-08:00

I set off for Spurn this morning for an outside chance of a male hen harrier.The day got off to a good start with a single waxwing perched at the top of a tree in Thorngumbald.
When I got to Spurn I noticed the massive amount of waders feeding in the flooded fields so using the car as a hide I stayed with them for a couple of hours.
Nothing unusual but the curlew,snipe,lapwing,redshank,dunlin,golden plover, oystercatcher, ringed plover and godwits made for some good photographic opportunities. I didn't actually get down to Spurn but called in via Sunk Island on the way home. A single pheasant in a snowy field was nice along with a mixed flock of thrushes including blackbird, fieldfare and redwing and finally a small flock of twite on the roadside.
The conditions are making things difficult for the birds and it looks set to get cold again next week.

Winter Bites!

2010-12-11T12:41:00.000-08:00

The recent weather has hit hard and last week I only managed a trip to East Park, most of the wildfowl had disappeared and only common birds were present.
I had a trip up to Flamborough and Barmston today. Neither place held anything special the highlights being a nice barn owl at Flamborough and grey plover and purple sandpiper at Barmston.

Lincs Rough Leg

2010-11-28T02:03:00.000-08:00

I managed at last to catch up with a rough legged buzzard yesterday. I went across the bridge for the relatively long staying bird at South Ferriby.
It was out of view at first but soon took up its customary perch on the fence line at the west end of the cement works. It was quite distant but showed very well and caught a vole whilst I was there (and another chap said he saw it catch another 4 after I'd left) so if there is plenty of foood around it might stay for a while.
After that I went on to Worlaby it was absolutely freezing I didn't see any close up short eared owls (although expectation levels were high) but true to form as a rattor hotspot I had distant views of hen harrier, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel plus a couple of SEO's anfd a fly-by barn owl.
Definitely will be back this winter but calmer days would be best.