White Winged Black Tern

I had a cracking night last night at Rother Valley Country Park with the long(ish) staying white winged black tern.

After paying my five pounds it wasn't difficult to find the nature reserve lake that it had been frequenting.

After seeing it for all of 2 seconds before it departed I moved down on to the main lake and relocated it there. It took a while to work out its feeding pattern but having picked a spot at the end of the main lake and with the sun behind me, it made a series of tours up and down the lake stopping in front of me for 5 minutes or so before going back to the far end.

It did this on about 6 occasions each time spending 15-20 mins away.

A cracking bird and the first one I've seen in such stunning summer plumage.

Cettis Warbler

I'd heard that there was a rather showy cettis warbler at Tophill Low, so I thought I'd set off early this morning in the hope of a shot or two.

As soon as I opened the car door at about 5.45 the dawn chorus was booming and it wasn't long after I started walking that the familiar sound of a cettis warbler was blasting out.

On the way to the hide I saw a tawny owl and heard at least 4 cettis warblers and then upon arrival the male was out in full view singing away.

The area it was showing in was in the shade to start with but as the sun rose the light improved, and it kept returning to the same spot for a short burst of song every 10 minutes or so.

Whilst waiting there was plenty to keep me occupied including a marsh harrier that drifted along the river, herons, reed warbler, sedge warbler, willow warbler, chiffchaff, blue,great and long tailed tit, bullfinch and a cuckoo called from the other side of the river.

After enduring an almost arctic blast of wind for a couple of hours, I was happy with my photos so headed back. I clocked my first swift of the year over D reservoir and on the way back I saw my first yellow wagtail of the year.

I arrived home at about 9.30 chilled to the bone but very happy with the mornings work.

Firecrest

After what appears to be a mini invasion of firecrests to the UK (101 at Dungeness in Kent yesterday), favourable winds at the right time of year meant that one or two at Spurn was almost inevitable.

I only had a very limited time today so I was pleased with these shots.

Initially it showed well then disappeared with the goldcrests it was with, then I re-found it showing very well but had no time left.

Still a good start to the Spring migrant season at Spurn and some favourable winds during the week might see more stuff at the weekend.