Spring Gem

I have had a summer plumaged curlew sandpiper on my target lsit for a couple of years now.
There is only about 3 weeks of the year when we can see them (in summer plumage) in East Yorkshire and about now is the best time.
I had been to pat haven on Monday night and saw one in half summer gear so I went with the intention of re-finding him.
I got to Pat haven at about 5.30 and the lagoons were still empty (although the tide was flooding fast) I was watching the black tailed godwits feeding in the lagoon when I noticed a small wader that was nearly all red.
Surely this was going to be a knot, I had a quick look with the scope and sure enough it was a curlew sandpiper in all its finery.
It was feeding along the edge of the lagoon as it was flooding all the time.
I reckoned if Istayed still it would move closer with the incoming tide.
the plan worked to a certain degree, then something spooked all the waders and it flew out of sight.
There were a few common waders about clinging on to the last of the rocks before being flushed by the tide plus a distant marsh harrier and an obliging yellow wagtail.
i mightbe back again soon if the great reed warbler is re-found.

Bank Holiday Birds

I thought I would have a look around canal scrape on saturday night for the melodious warbler, then a message from Birdguides had me diverting to patrington Haven for a terek sandpiper!
I got there about 5 minutes before the Spurn regulars-it was like wack races on the lane leading to the car park!
A quick walk and I was on the bank-the terek was showing distantly on some islands amongst the flood plane.
It kept moving out of view then flying up quite mobile.
It then settled on a small pool (still distantly) but the sun came out highlighting its de-curved bill and orange lesg.
A stunning bird it was a shame it didn't come closer.
Then on to Spurn for a quick view of the melodious warbler before it settled disappeared for the night.
I had an early start on Sunday-back to Pat Haven-no sign of the terek but I got some nice views of a little egret in superb light.
Back to Kilnsea after tea for some stunning views of the marsh warbler albeit quite brief-I was quite happy with these shots.
A few decent birds around just lateley-maybe a chance of a late fall like last Spring seeing as the weather conditions look quite favourable.

Swinemoor Stakeout!

I started off at Spurn yesterday and hoped for some rare migrants, although there were a few birds about it was disappointing.In the afternoon I heard of a temmincks stint at Swine Moor.
I thought I would take the dog along to have a look and sure enough it was feeding quite close to the main bank with a party of little ringed and ringed plovers.
I thought I would be able to get a shot if it came back to the same place so I set off before dawn this morning complete with bag hide.
Luckily there was nothing on the pool when I arrived so I crept to the edge and waited.
There were a few lapwings and redshanks about plus a very confiding pied wagtail (down to 3ft!) then after a couple of hours a little ringed plover came nearby.I thought I might as well get a few shots of that seeing as it was quite close then the temmincks stint scurried past the LRP!
It stayed for about 15mins feeding and preening then a greenshank came along.
After that, the whole lot got flushed by a roving sparrowhawk so I thought it a good time to pack up.
It was a superb experience out in the early morning, nice weather surrounded by brilliant birds and to top it some really close views of a rare migrant.
I was back in the house at 8.30 for breakfast.
Cracking.
Temmincks Stint

Temmincks Stint

Temmincks Stint

Temmincks Stint

Temmincks Stint

Temmincks Stint

Greenshank

Greenshank

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Redshank

Lapwing