Hessle Bullfinches

Despite the arctic conditions, I wrapped up warm and went out to the Country park at hessle this morning in search of bullfinches.
parking up at the Humber Bridge car park I was encouraged by the soft piping of a male bullfinch right above my head as i was getting my gear ready, it didn't hang around for long so I didn't get a shot.
I went futher into the park towards the small feeding station, on the way I saw a couple of obliging goldcrests but not much else.
On good advice from one of the Birdforum members I took some food and put it on one of the bird tables, one of the robins almost followed me as I sprinkled the food, with a bit of patience I bet you could get them feeding from your hand.
It wasn't long before the robins were joined by a good number of common birds, all extremely obliging.
After about 15 minutes a small flock of bullfinches landed in the bushes above me and they were quite wary at first, the striking red breast of the males was almost dazzling.
It dind,t take them long to get used to me and pretty soon they were taking food from the feeder about 15 feet away.
most times I have seen a bullfinch they have been a grey and white blur as they fly away, but these birds were extremely confiding and along with all the other birds, made for an enjoyable morning despite the intense cold.
A tip for anyone visiting-take some birdseed.
Enjoy.

East Hull Waxwings

I managed an hour on Marfleet Lane this morning to view the waxwing flock.

These really are beautiful birds and the large flock makes quite a spectacle.

They kept flying round from tree to tree and were being chased away from one rowan by a particularly agressive mistle thrush.

There looked to be quite a lot of berries so hopefully they will hang around for a while longer.

More Rarities

Pied Wheatear Pied Wheatear

Steppe Grey Shrike

Steppe Grey Shrike

Steppe Grey Shrike

Steppe Grey Shrike

Desert Wheatear

Desert Wheatear

I had a drive into Lincolnshire for the couple of rares that have been there for the last week.

First stop was the Steppe Grey Shrike at Grainthorpe.

The drive down was a bit dodgy, but easy enough to find.

I was rather suprised by the almost total lack of any other bids in the vicinity.

The bird itself was extremely obliging and despite the recent bad press about photographers hounding the bird, the small crowd was very well behaved and the bird just kept on feeding and perching totally oblivious to anyone no matter how close.

Then on to saltfleet for the desert wheatear, again a complete lack of any other birds 9apart from a flock of mobile snow buntings) but again it performed very well ad I spent a considerable amount of tuime watching the bird as it was too close to photograph.

The sun came out in the last hour and it was then I was able to get my best shots, I also used my P5100 and it did not let me down, I'm very pleased with these shots.

Today I went up to Scarborough and managed some record shots of the great northern diver but missed out on the iceland gull (we were on the wrong slipway!) and the long tailed duck.Then called in at reighton for the pied wheatear.It was quite elusive at first but then showed quite well as the temperature rose and the insects became more active.

Some cracking birds I wonder what will be next?