Locustella Fever

I had another day at Spurn today- I got there just after 6 this morning and it was absolutely gorgeous.

No wind glorious sunshine and the air full of birdsong.

First bird was a grasshopper warbler singing along the edge of the canal.

Then a couple of sedge warbles and a few more common migrants. I then went up to Sammy's Point but (at the time) it was quiet with less wheatears and wagtails than yesterday and again only common migrants.

Then down Spurn road for a couple of blue headed wagtails (more distant than yesterday) and it was here that news broke of the areas only second ever Savis warbler.

It was very elusive and I managed only a few shots. I hoped that it would show this evening but to no avail. Alaso managed some views of the black redstart around canal scrape. All in all a cracking day.

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.