Heffalumps and Wouzels

I managed a couple of hours out with the scope at the weekend.
I thought I would check out sammy's Point which usually produces something of interest at this time of year.I had a walk along the riverbank without much success (not even a wheatear)then as I went back to the car I spotted what I thought was a rather pale looking blackbird, sure enough it was this ring ouzel and whilst it was a little skittish, I was pleased with these pics.
I then went up to Tophill Low and managed some shots of the reported Jack Snipe.
It was showing very well but kept its distance, this shot was about the best of it.

At Last!

I have been looking for Woodlarks for the past two Springs,without success -until yesterday.
because of the sensitive issues regarding this scarce breeding bird I am not going to disclose the location, although it is fair to say that the vast arable landcape of the east Riding is not the most suitable habitat.
I managed to leave work early and went to the first of two sites where I have found out that they inhabit.
No luck there so off to the next site.
Having never seen or heard a woodlark before,I didn't really know what to listen for.
The first 'probable' was a tantalising glimpse of a rather plump lark calling rather unusually.
Further into the site and I could hear a wonderful liquid song from what sounded like a couple of birds.
Not easy to trace in the trees, but then a pair landed about 20m in front of me and started feeding, wow I was in awe.
They kept feeding and calling for about 15mins before the male rose and continued his song.
Fantastic! I know these are not the rarest birds in Britain but I was thrilled to find them myself and get such wonderful views.

A Trip to the Seaside

I had a drive up to Flamborough yesterday to have a look for the recently reported King Eider, after a couple of hours staring at the murky north sea without any success,I decided to have a look on Filey Brigg.
I did manage to add quite a few to the year list including puffin,gannet,guillimot,fulmar,kittiwake and shag.
There were two dorks from 'out of county' on the cliff top at Flamborough making stupid remarks about Yorkshire people and Yorkshire birding.
In a way I am glad the king eider didn't show up because it made their journey completely fruitless and with their attitude, it was just deserved.
Rant over.
The brigg at Filey is not somewhere that I visit often and when I do I usually see some decent birds.Yesterday was no exception.
The purple sandpiers were quite obliging as were the commoner waders.
A shag close in was quite entetaining to watch as it fed along the wave line also a female eider was brave enough to let me get a couple of shots.
there was also a distant common scoter for good measure.
the most entertaing birds were the oystercatchers and watching them extract razorfish and mussels was fascinating.
I must make Filey Brigg a more regular venue, but thankfully it more than made up for missing the King Eider yesterday.