Wood Sandpiper

I went to a couple of spots at the weekend, first was Patrington Haven with george (the dog)in very blustery conditions.
No waders but quite a few yellow wagtails, single sedge warbler and whitethroat also 3 distant marsh harriers and a couple of little egrets was about the best of it.
I thought I would go to North Cave after tea and after a sharp shower the sun came out and the wind eased making for a nice evening, albeit a bit chilly.
Common sandpiper and a few avocets from turret hide, then round to island lake in the hope of some little ringed plovers, my attention was distracted by a singing sedge warbler and I tried without succes for about an hour to get a shot, on the way back I noticed a small wader being chased by a redshank on one of the islands.
When I managed to get a bit closer I realised it was a wood sandpiper, no doubt the one reported earlier in the day.
It was feeding along the waters edge and gradually getting closer, I managed a few shots in the nice evening light, but just as I hoped it would come even closer it took flight and was lost to view.
No LRP's but I was happy with the wood sand.

Black Redstart

I had a ride out to Spurn this morning in the hope of a blue headed wagtail.
I went to the Point first and almost as soon as I got there I heard this superb black redstart calling.
It was a bit dull at first but after a walk round the parade ground and bushes, the sun came out and this little fellow performed brilliantly.
Spending some time calling on the sea wall he then dropped down to feed sometimes coming within 10 feet (so close that i couldn't focus).
After spending a couple of hours on Point I went up to the canal zone and saw some common migrants plus a very nice clouded yellow.
No wagtails on walker butts and only pied at Sammy's Point so pretty quiet generally.
We need a nic fall of Spring migrants, but for that to happen we need a change in the weather.

Spring Jewell

After reading some rave reports on Birdforum about some nightingales at a site 'out of county' I decided to give it a go.
I left the house before dawn and got there about 6.15.
I was the only person there yet the sun was up and the woodland was absolutely alive with birdsong.It really was a job to distinguish one type of bird from another, but as I walked further into the woods I could hear the unmistakeable sound of a nightingale.
The first one was very shy and I caught a brief glimpse.
Continuing further in I got to the far corner of the site without hearing another.
Doubling back I caught a glimpse of another but still not a proper view.
Heading back to where I started I heard yet another in the undergrowth but this time it flew up into a tree almost fully exposed.
It went through its full repertoire whilst I took some shots, the rich warble decibels higher than any of the other birds.Its whole body vibrating s it sang out its tune.
I stayed for about 4 hours and got good views of most of the common woodland birds on site but the nightingales got quieter as the morning wore on.
This was the first time I had seen and heard a nightingale but these birds easily lived up to their legendary status.
Another couple of weeks and the leaves and undergrowth will be fully up so they will be even more difficult to view.
Today however was a day that will remain etched in the memory for a very long time.
Nightingale

Nightingale

Nightingale

Nightingale

Canada Goose Chick

Long Tailed Tit

Whitethroat

Blackcap