Ive had a couple of fairly fruitless trips to Spurn just recently then at the weekend things took a turn for the better-Spring arrived at Spurn.

We arrived on friday and got a few jobs done at the caravan-its looking very smart now. The sunset was dramatic and the two hares that are visible from our caravan were most obliging as they came close in the near-darkness. The sunset was dramatic and whilst I only had woodpigeons and curlews to focus on, it made for some nice images.

One thing we do like to do is set up the trail camera and after putting out a few peanuts, it didnt take the local badger long to find them. Also a woodmouse joined in to add a little variety.

I was up early on Saturday morning. I had donated a day’s photography course at the raffle for Migfest last year and two very nice people came up from Essex to learn a little bit about wildlife photography around Spurn.

We agreed to meet at 5.30 for the sunrise so I was there a little earlier just to check it out. Immediately I saw a badger on the island at Kilnsea Wetlands but it didn’t hang around. We quickly made our way to Beacon Ponds for the sunrise. There was surprisingly few waders or wildfowl around so our subjects were limited-an almost cloudless sky made for an unimpressive sunrise so we didnt hang around.

There was a close avocet in front of the hide then we started to walk back to the car. Not before seeing our first decent bird of the day-a hooded crow heading south.

We were hoping to go on to Long Bank Marsh but there were already 4 people ahed of us so we took a quick detour up to Sammy’s Point. here wer were treated to a spanking yellow wagtail (more of that later) and at least 3 wheatears.We continued along the riverside walk flushing a few common waders from the rocks as the tide was very high. On the way we say our first whitethroat of the year and on arriving at the third paddock, this was complemented by our first lesser whitethroat.

There was plenty of birds in the bushes and it was a pleasant walk through as we were out of the wind and warned by early morning sunshine.

it was here we heard the news of a great reed warbler that had been trapped in Sykes Field we had no chance of getting there before it was due to be released so just hoped it might show later in the day.

On the walk back we saw another first for the year-a whimbrel resting on the tank blocks.

From Sammy’s we headed to Sandy beaches where a black redstart had been seen. As we walked up to the ruins of the gun emplacement it appeared briefly near the beach thenpopped back out on the cliff top where it showed obligingly for arouns half an hour.

Next stop was canal bushes and canal scrape but it was quiet there but news of a firecrest near The Blue Bell had us heading back up to the car park. The firecrest showed almost immediately and was displaying and singing for most of the time.

A walk around Sykes Field produced singing sedge warbler and the now obligatory cettis warbler, but no sign of the great reed warbler.Flowering blackthorn attracted peacock, speckled wood and red admiral butterflies.

From Sykes field we headed to our final destination-a wander around the Churchyard, Crown & Anchor car park, the observatory garden and church field-the highlight here being two very fresh orange tips.

It was here we said our goodbyes and hopefully Nidge and Nic went away happy with some nice memories of Spurn.

I was up early on Sunday and set off with the aim of getting some photos of a yello wagtail. I was in position fo 6.30 and there were a few wheatears about albeit quite distant. After 10 minutes or so a gorgeos yellow wagtail landed in front of me and this seemed to spur the wheatears on to come a bit closer. It was a lovely Springtime experience to see these birds feeding in the dew heavy grass and early morning sunshine. I only spent an hour there before looking for waders at the gate. It was quiet there so headed back for breakfast.

A lovely trip again to the UK’s premier wildlife watching venue.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Spring Arrives At Spurn

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