More Spring Migrants

A disappointing day at Spurn today although a male Black Redstart did restore something to the days birding. Other sightings were a smart Lesser Whitethroat and a White Wagtail. Several Grey Plover with one in almost complete summer plumage and a Knot again in glorious summer feathers

Yellow-Browed Warbler, Firecrest and jack Snipe

Lovely warm sunshine at the east coast for some quality birding at Spurn today. Highlights were good views of Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest and a bobbing Jack Snipe. Also seen were Curlew Sandpiper Grey Plover and Sparrowhawk.

Curlew Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpipers showing nicely at Hoylake on the Wirral amongst the thousands of Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Also of note was an adult Yellow legged Gull, several Bar tailed Godwit and some stunning summer plumage Grey Plover that were too distant to get a shot

Spurn visit 13/1/11

Myself and Dave Evans had a great day's birding at Spurn on Sunday 13th. November with great weather and some cracking views of Woodlark and Great Grey Shrike. We just missed out on a Dusky Warbler that was seen at the point earlier that day. It was trapped the following day. In total we saw 60 species.

Spurn Head and North Lincolnshire

Had a great day firstly at Spurn. It was relatively quiet due to southerly winds but redeemed itself with a fabulous female Black Redstart.

We also had good views of grey plover, redshank, bar tailed godwit, sanderling, curlew and knot. Other highlights were a great skua and lots of dark bellied brent geese.

We then went onto Far Ings just over the Humber Bridge to see the Ferruginous Duck and were told at the visitor's centre that it hadnt shown today. However, the Gods were with us and we had good views in a pool next to the visitors centre before it skulked off into the reeds!

We then went off to Worlaby Carrs where a rough legged buzzard has been seen the last few days as well as hen harriers and up to 8 short eared owls. We stared at the skies for 2 hours but it was a no show regarding the rough legged buzzard. We did see plenty of common buzzard, hunderds of fieldfare and large numbers of geese flying over, probably pink footed geese. As the light faded we at last enjoyed a great show of at least 4 short eared owls hunting.

Bridlington boat trip 9/10/11

had a brilliant day's birding on the skua/shearwater RSPB boat trip from Bridlinton. The highlights were awesome views of a pomarine skua as it hovered over the boat and a great skua. Also saw mediterranean gull (thanks for the pics Dave!), little gull plenty of red throated divers, common scoter and bried views of an arctic skua

                                                           GREAT SKUA

                                                          POMARINE SKUA

                                                   MEDITERRANEAN GULL

Also saw purple sandpiper in the harbour. Then went onto Spurn where had good views of artic skua from the sea watching hide, shorteared owl and grey plover. Overall myself and Dave Evans saw 58 species