Spotted Sandpiper

I was on my way to Blacktoft today when news of a spotted sandpiper came on the phone.
A quick diversion and I was there within half an hour of it being found.
Quite distant at first and at one point looked as though it was going to fly away.
It then settled and appeared to go through a routine of island hopping occasionally giving fantastic views as it landed on the island nearest the hide.
A good supporting cast in the form of medtierranean gull and green sandpiper along with a showy stoat and a good crowd in the hide made for a very enjoyable evening.

A Trip To The Seaside

With a lack of target birds around just lateley I thought I would pay a visit to Bempton Cliffs for a shot at the seabirds.
My plan was to get there for dawn with a hope of some good effects of orange sun on white birds.
It almost payed off but for a big black cloud just in the wrong place at the wrong time.The cloud eventually passed but the light had gone from orange to pale yellow.
Back to the birds and it was a real spectacle with what appeared to be good numbers of most species, especially puffins.
Even the herring gulls looked quite dazzling in natural surroundings.
There were plenty of meadow pipits and the odd whitethroat amongst them plus a couple of sedge warblers near the visitor centre.
As the sun rose it became a little harsh for photography but as a spectacle there is nowhere better.
Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Puffin

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Razorbill

Juv Pied Wagtail

Gannet

Spoonbill

I have been after a photo of a spoonbill for quite a while so when a report of 3 came up for Blacktoft Sands during the week I hoped they would stayuntil Friday at least.
I got to Blacktoft for about 3.30 and spent an hour looking for them in the wrong hide!(although I did see a bittern while I was waiting)
One was particularly mobile and kept walking up and down continuously swiping its bill from side to side and occasionally skipping theough the water as it chased shrimps.
It was joined by a couple of little egrets later in the evening as it settled down to roost.
Not a lot more to report other than a couple of marsh harriers,4 greenshank and the bittern.
Quite lucky as they have apparrently flown off today.