Spring is springing

Displaying singing Wheatear, drumming Snipe several male Ring Ouzel newly arrived including a mobile flock of 7 which just wouldnt stay put for a photo.  Local Little Owl making it sound and look like spring

Drumming Snipe

Great to hear and watch a local Snipe drumming. You can see the tail feathers that make the vibrating noise in the pics too!

Lesser Yellowlegs

Myself and Dave went birding today and for a change stayed fairly local. went for the long staying Lesser Yellowlegs at Aldcliffe. We were straight onto it and had good views of it alongside a Wood Sandpiper. We then went to Sizergh Castle in hope of Hawfinch but no luck, it must still be too early. We then went to Leighton Moss where it was pretty quiet. Best birds were a Marsh Tit on the feeders, a few close Snipe, a Raven , a very tame Robin and a Spotted Redshank. We finished off this short day at Woodwell again hoping for a Hawfinch but again they proved to be elusive. We did see another Marsh Tit and I heard its distinctive call.

Little Auks and more!

On the way to Flamborough Head we saw several small parties of Grey Partridges in the fields. At Flamborough Head we were straight onto Little Auks streaming past mostly heading North in small groups. There were good numbers seen in the couple of hours of seawatching myself and Dave did and the total for the day was recorded at 308. We also saw several Red-Throated Divers close in just off the rocks and 2 Velvet Scoters and a single Sooty Shearwater.
We then went to Easington in hope of a little bunting seen earlier. No luck but there was a group of Black Redstarts by the church one stunning male and three females. We also connected to a fabulous Great Grey Shrike by the cemetery.
Finally on the way home we went to North Cave Wetlands and had good views of the bizarre bobbing Jack Snipe along with a Common Snipe for comparison. We also saw a female Marsh Harrier.

American Vagrants

Went to the northeast yesterday and myself and Dave managed to see the Baird's Sandpiper at smelly Seaton Snook which was a miracle with all the dog walkers about. The waders were buzzed by two Peregrines and a Lapwing had to throw itself into the sea to avoid becoming lunch! Highly entertaining.
We also had a quick visit to Saltholme RSPB to see the Pectoral Sandpiper. Nice numbers of waders including Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and a female Garganey.


                                                             BAIRD'S SANDPIPER

PECTORAL SANDPIPER

GREENSHANK

PEREGRINE