I had a very early morning start at Spurn yesterday.
I was in the hide at Kilnsea Wetlands for just after half past five. The mist was heavy and I could only just make out the avocets only a few metres away.
the air was full of birdsong, mostly skylarks but interspersed with any number of others all joining in on a fantastic dawn chorus.
As the sun rose the light improved and it made way for some interesting photo opportunities , the obliging avocets were also a help.
Soon after the sun rose it became quite harsh so I made my way out of the hide and headed for Sammy’s Point. There had been a few decent birds reported here recently so hopes were high.
There was still a fair amount of mist around and a small group of thrushes flew up as I took up my position.
It didnt take long for the thrushes to fly back down and there was a nice mix, blackbirds,redwing song thrush and a couple of smart ring ouzel.
I could hear the chakking of squabbling wheatears and then the call of the yellow wagtail one of my favourite birds. Firstly there was a single male then he was joined by a very smart looking female. The white supercillium was striking-it was the day before’s female blue-headed wagtail.
The early morning dew added to the scene ad it made for great photography.
A marsh Harrier headed south, curlews headed out east and whimbrel were calling over the humber.
As the sun rose further activity died down but a hunting short-eared owl was nice to see. The radion crackled with the news that 4 arctic skuas were heading out of the Humber and I managed to get distant views through the haze.
The last bird of the day was a cuckoo callling at the last paddock-a rather fitting end to the most Springlike of days at the UK’s premier wildlife watching hotspot.
Avocet
Avocet
Avocet
Greylag Goose
Teal
Mallard
Avocet
Avocet
Avocet
Willow Warbler
Willow Warbler
Willow Warbler
Ring Ouzel (female)
Ring Ouzel (female)
Ring Ouzel (male)
Meadow Pipit
Yellow Wagtail (male)
Yellow Wagtail (male)
Yellow Wagtail (male)
Yellow Wagtail (male)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)
Wheatear (female)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)
Blue-headed wagtail (female)