The Goole Waxwings

I have been watching the updates on Birdguides regarding the waxwings that had been residing on the outskirts of Goole over the past week or so. I try to avoid ‘twitching’ as much as possible these days but the prospect of close views of the magnificent birds, less than an hour away proved too much of a temptation.

They were very easy to find, parking wasn’t a problem and within a minute of me arriving I was already taking photos.

They are residing in a roadside hedge feeding on the remaining berries and periodically flying over the road to get a drink in the ditch. They are very tame and did not seem unsettled by the amount of photographers as well as traffic flying past at close quarters.

I suspect they will be on their way back to Scandinavia very shortly so I dont know if I’ll get another chance to see them.

A couple of tips for anyone who hasn’t been to see them. I arrived at around 10am and already the sun had moved round so it was more coming from the side and was very contrasty, so if you go, go early-the earlier in the day the bette.

Also they are viewable ffrom the side of the ban-if you photograph them from either the top or half-way down, you will get ‘land’ in the background as opposed to sky, which makes for a more pleasing image in my view.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Spring Arrives At Last!

Well, its taken its time coming but Spring is finally here. After what seems like months of grey, cold and wet weather, we have finally had some sunshine that has made it worthwhile going out with the camera.

This week, the tides and weather was right for a couple of sessions on the Humber, and then I thought I would move on to Kilnsea Wetlands and Long Bank.

On Tuesday, everything was perfect. High tide was around 6am and the sun was due to rise at around 6.45. I made my way to Skeffling and no sooner as I popped my head over the bank I was greeted by two hunting barn owls. I was happy with my images as they clearly show them hunting before sunrise in their most natural environment.

I then had the great dilema of choosing whether to shoot into the sun, or shoot with the sun on my back. There was a procession of subjects which included curlew, brent geese, dunlin, pintail and marsh harrier.

Not long after the sun had risen and the tide started to ebb, I made my way to Kilnsea. I looked on Kilnsea Wetlands but favoured Long Bank more. Again I wasn’t disappointed.

The star of the show was a ringtail hen harrier, with an excellent supporting cast of marsh harrier, peregrine falcon, another barn owl as well as more curlew, redshank, knot and displaying skylark.

A pair of inquisitive roe deer came quite close to the hide as did a rather soggy hare.

Whilst there wasn’t much in terms of rare stuff, what was there gave more than ample opportunities for photography. In a couple of visits I took over 10k photos!

The great light and orientation of the hide was also a great help.

I popped on to Kilnsea wetlands and managed a distant view of the black brant amongst hundreds of brent geese.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Barn Owl-Skeffling

Barn Owl-Skeffling

Barn Owl-Skeffling

Barn Owl-Skeffling

Brent Geese-Skeffling

Curlew-Skeffling

Dunlin-Skeffling

Pintail-Skeffling

Shellduck-Skeffling

Marsh Harrier-Skeffling

Mute Swan-Skeffling

Barn Owl-Skeffling

Pintail-Skeffling

Curlew-Skeffling

Hen Harrier-Long Bank

Hen Harrier-Long Bank

Peregrine Falcon -Long Bank

Peregrine Falcon -Long Bank

Curlew -Long Bank

Curlew -Long Bank

Black Brant-Kilnsea Wetlands

Redshank -Long Bank

Redshank -Long Bank

Skylark -Long Bank

Skylark -Long Bank

Roe deer-Long Bank

Roe deer-Long Bank

Roe deer-Long Bank

Brown Hare-Long Bank

Brown Hare-Long Bank

Great Grey

Well the weather system over the UK since Christmas has certainly been consistent with pretty much every day being the same colour-grey.

There has been the odd flash of sunshine which has provided a bit of colour but those days have been few and far between.

But it doesn’t matter.Yest the weather has not been great-there is no such thing as bad weather- just the wrong clothing. I’ve been determined to get out and I’ve been reasonably well rewarded.

A couple of trips to the Humber didnt produced the desired raptors, but it was still nice to be out in the bracing wind and fresh air.

I went out to Spurn a couple of times, once with a sprinkle of sunshine and it was nice to be able to get back on to Kilnsea Wetlands, which are now back at their winter levels after fully drying out over the summer.

I also had a trip today-the wind was blowing hard off the sea with constant drizzle often turning to rain but there was the nice sight of 6 Russian white fronted geese in Well field accompanied by some barnacle gees, along with some wigeon and common waders.

I gues the best bird I’ve seen was the great grey shrike at Filingham in Lincolnshire. It was mainly distant but a very entertaining bird. It was on view most of the time catching at least 3 voles while I was there. I’ll have another trip in better weather hopefully.

The forecast remains the same for the foreseeable-plenty of great wildlife to see at some amazing places-oh yes it might be wet and grey, I’ll just have to take my big coat.

Until next time, thanks for reading.