Spurn Firecrest

I thought I would go back to Spurn again today, mainly because the BBC weather suggested that the best of the sunshine was more likely to be in the East, however I wasn't exactly brimming with optimism given the weather conditions.
I did my usual and started at Sammy's Point again there were no wheatears and the bushes were very quiet with only the odd common bird present.
I was heading towards chalky point ion the hope that yesterday's Lapland bunting might still be hanging around when a firecrest was reported at the warren.
Given that it was pretty grim weather wise, I thought I would head over there.
At first in very blustery conditions the firecrest was very difficult to see let alone photograph but eventually the bird got into a bit of a routine and it then became more easy to predict, the best place to photograph it was when it was amongst the blossom at the back of the warren.
It was while waiting for the firecrest that a red kite drifted south but never came particularly
close and the only other bird of note was a rather confiding brambling that dropped into the bushes for a short while before carrying on its way.

Springtime at Spurn

Springtime is usually a little later at Spurn than the remainder of the country and its usually well into April before the migrants arrive in big numbers.
However the recent mild weather coupled with an almost non existent winter (in terms of cold temperatures) has meant that there has been a definite showing of signs that Spring has well and truly sprung.
First stop was canal scrape and apart from a couple of coots and little grebes, it was very quiet.
Onward then to Sammy's Point in the hope of a spring migrant (ring ouzel?wheatear?firecrest?) unfortunately on the first pass there was no sign of either although there was plant of bird activity and my first swallow of the year, the only other highlight being a couple of chief-chaffs.
I though I would concentrate on one of the chiff-chaffs for a while as quite often watching the antics of one bird can betray the presence of another, however on this occasion is was not to be.
Idid notice that the chief chaff was hovering quite a bit looking for early insects and I did manage to catch a couple of shots in mid hover that I was pleased with.
I then went back to the Crown and again common birds in the bushes so I went to collect my copy of Spurn Wildlife and it has to be said that this years is the best ever and it reflects in great detail what was a very exciting and eventful year at Spurn.
The wryneck from yesterday was still present but I only got fleeting distant views nothing like the showy birds of the Autumn.
It was at this point I saw a merlin heading south.
I thought I would have a look at Sammy's Point again before heading for home and it was here that I was duly rewarded with my first wheatear of the year.
All in all a very pleasant morning.

Springtime Snake!

I had a trip to a spot on the outskirts of York today in the hope of photographing an adder.The weather at first didn't look too promising with low cloud and mist obscuring the sun and keeping the temperature cool.
On arriving the woods were alive with common birdsong and chief-chaff, wren, robin, blue and great tits were all in full voice.
As I went further into the woods a green woodpecker called loudly on a couple of occasions and nearby a willow tit came close to investigate what I was doing.
Pressing on the next bird on view was a pair of very smart yellowhammers, the male proclaiming his territory for all to hear.
On arriving at the favored spot, it was clear that the temperature was still on the chilly side and there was no sign of the sun, however I began to look carefully in all the likely spots but to no avail.
Overhead a jay flew past and there was quite a few reed buntings and linnet and a single gold crest feeding amongst the gorse-but still no adders.
Eventually the sun broke through and there was almost an instant feel of warmth as the temperature at last began to rise.
After about 2 and a half hours I was ready to give up and decided to head for the car almost immediately I saw a small snake coiled up on the other side of a ditch.
carefully I got a little closer and after initially disappearing (soon to pop back out) it posed quite nicely almost oblivious to my presence.
I was joined for a short while by another photographer with his young family and both his children go very close views of this stunning creature.
Eventually I decide to leave it in peace to catch more rays.On the way back I managed some nice shots of another iconic spring creature a brimstone butterfly-the mild (but not hot) weather kept the butterfly somewhat dormant allowing me to get quite close.
This was the first time I have seen an adder at this spot and after quite a while waiting my patience eventually paid off.