Sammy's Point

I had a ride down to Spurn today.

First stop was Crown and Anchor-plenty of common migrants including quite a few blackcaps.Then on to canal scrape-it was very quiet so I had a look in the bushes again common migrants but nothing startling.

I then headed up to Sammy's Point here there were lost of wheatear and yellow wagtails. A walk to the far end yielded more common stuff including whitethroat, willow warbler and more blackcaps.

From Sammy's I went for some lunch at the Blue bell , it was here I heard the news of a red-rumped swallow crackling over the radio.Then back to the canal scrape, only a pied wagtail there so went back up to Sammy's for the second time.

As soon as I looked in the bushes there was a redstart and then looking over the paddock even better- a blue headed wagtail. With some very confiding wheatears it made for a nice afternoon,

Easterlies tonight so maybe something good in the morning?

5 Grebes in One Weekend

The weekend didn't start off that well.

I went through to Spurn on Friday afternoon in the hope of seeing some migrants.To cut a long story short the best bird was a swallow and there were hardly any migrants about. So I thought I'd head for Waters Edge in the hope of a recently reported Slavonian Grebe. Upon arrival it was showing quite well and I soon had some decent shots. It kept doing a circuit of the pit that it was on and every now and then it would come very close.The best bit was saved until last-as the sun was going down the grebe went alongside some reeds in calm water this provided an extremely photogenic setting, but on its way back it came within 4 feet of the bank and I could see it chasing food under the water-fantastic!

There was also a pair of displaying great crested grebes and a little grebe.

Then today I set off in the hope of another 2 species of grebe. I've beenmeaning to go to hatfield Moor for the red-necked grebe for a couple of years and today was the day.Also there had been some black-necked grebes reported recently and these were my first quarry. The mist had hardly left Boston Lake when I arrived and I had distant views of the BNG but it was staying out of range.

Then on to 10 acre lake. The walk up was not that exciting-yellowhammer, loads of chiff-chaff and willow warbler and a good sprinkling of blackcaps. As soon as i got to the end of the lake I could hear the red-necked grebe calling and I had some decent views of it fishing and nest building.

I then got myself camped out and waited. It took a while but eventually he swam past twice and I was lucky enough to get some great views.

Then back to Boston lake to see if the BNG had come any closer-I was in luck it came within 10m of the hide albeit in bad light.

All in all it was a great day with loads of wildlife including adders, grass snakes brimstone butterflies and numerous other stuff-it is a great place.

Spurn Bluethroat

I popped to Spurn this afternoon for the white spotted bluethroat.i didn't hold out much hope as usually they are very elusive at Spurn and seem to disappear soon after being reported.

This one today was slightly more obliging-it spent most of the time in the bottom of the ditch showing only occasionally. it popped up to the small bush along the ditch only once while I was there but it was here that it gave its best views.

As the afternoon went on it got duller and made viewing all the more difficult.

Still it was very nice to see and apparently Spurns first white spotted bird since the sixties.

What next?