Cumbria

Excellent day out yesterday in Cumbira. First off was Sizergh castle with good views of a couple of Hawfinch. Then onto Leighton Moss where we had the best views ever of a Great White Egret. Also seen were Marsh Tit, Greenshank, 5 Red breasted Mergansers Spotted Redshank Marsh Harrier and Tree Sparrow

Common Rosefinch

Back to Spurn today. Straight onto juvenile Red backed Shrike and managed some reasonable phonescope pics. Then got good views of a new species, Common Rosefinch. Nothing else interesting at Spurn so stopped off at Blacktoft Sands RSPB on way back and saw Little Stint female Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank, Ruff, Water rail and Spotted Redshank

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.

Barred Warbler and Red necked Phalarope

Saturday 18th. August had myself and Dave off to Spurn nice and early. We stopped off on the way at Bank Island in Wheldrake where a Red necked Phalarope had been seen the previous day. No joy but a cracking spot consisting of some water and flooded fields. It was alive with Snipe and a Spotted Redshank was on view. Also several Greenshank and Green Sandpipers.
Onto Spurn we saw Reed Warbler, a cracking Garden Warbler, Sedge Warbler and a lovely female Sparrowhawk. The main target though was a Barred Warbler and after a lot of waiting around we had two brief flight views of the elusive bird confirmed by a couple of expert birders including Steve Webb who is allegedly "number one" bird spotter as he proudly told one of the Spurn staff birders!!
We were about to sack the day when the bird messenger came up with a Red necked Phalarope at Frampton. So off we went. What a superb site it is too. Hundreds of Black tailed Godwits, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruff, Dunlin, Wood Sanpiper, Ruddy Duck and a fantastic adult Red necked Phalarope. A great day with two lifers for me and five for Dave.

Water Pipit

I had excellent views of one of two Water Pipits at Conder Green near Lancaster this lunchtime. They were still a bit far away for photography but I got some record shots anyway. Also of note were 2 Spotted Redshanks, a Common Sandpiper and several Meadow pipits which made good comparison to the less marked Water pipits.

Dave Evans visited Cumbria today whilst I was working, bugger! Went to Sizergh castle and saw 5 hawfinch and then onto Leighton Moss. Here are some photos of a spotted redshank and ruff, little egret,greenshank and snipe