An Excellent Day at Spurn

May 02, 2021

I had another trip out to Spurn this morning. I got there just before day break and there was a fantastic sound as the dawn chorus was in full swing.

I started off at Kilnsea Wetlands and there was a few nice birds around including common sandpiper, yellow wagtail, grey heron, avocet, some common wildfowl and the resident whooper swan. After some nice photos in good light.I made my way to Beacon Ponds after a while. Not a lot there but some mute swans made for some decent photos in the morning mist. Also distant little terns were the first of the year for me.

I moved on to Sammy’s Point and whilst there was nothing of note there, it was nice to listen to more birdsong. An increase in whimbrel on the Humber and a common buzzard was about the best of it.

I then headed to Cliff Farm, with the intention of photographing waders in flight as they were pushed off the mud by the incoming tide. Quite a few whitethroats as well as a ‘reeling’ grasshopper warbler which was another first for the year. A wheatear posed nicely on the rocks and a short eared owl hunted distantly over the saltmarsh.

I had the intention of ending the morning by having another look at Sammy’s Point, however news of a Richard’s pipit in Walker Butts crackled over the radio, so I made a u-turn and soon I was watching a very distant pale pipit in heat haze-not the most enthralling of views but a nice bird all the same. As I was watching the pipit a spoonbill flew overhead.

I ended the morning with a view of a pair of house martins-another first for the year.

So Spurn delivered again this time with some nice photos and a sprinkling of quality migrant. Hopefully the change in the wind will bring some more Spring migrants.

Whooper Swan & Oystercatcher-Kilnsea Wetlands

A Nice Morning at Spurn

April 25, 2021

There is no such thing as a bad day at Spurn. Nor a poor day-not even mediocre. No matter how cold, how windy or even a lack of Spring migrants the default experience at Spurn is nice. A showing of common and scarce Spiring migrants would no doubt have elevated the experience to excellent or awesome.

The last 2 weekends have been full of promise but delivered very little in terms of Spring migrants, however the sunrises have been quite special, the open space and sound of the dawn chorus as well as the haunting sounds of curlew as they head ‘out east’ has made the experience nice.

Kilnsea Wetlands have been the best places for photography with the odd decent shot from Sammy’s Point and Sykes field.

Just hoping that we get a turn in the weather pretty soon. The best month is is still yet to come so all’s not lost just yet.

Early Start at Spurn

April 10, 2021

No real sign of any Spring migrants yet but I thought I’d go to Spurn anyway. There is always something to look at if you try hard enough.

I was up very early and at Spurn just before 6. My hope was to catch some waders in early light, however as I drove by Kilnsea Wetlands I had to do a u-turn-the colour of the water before the sun rose was stunning.

Within minutes I was photographing shellducks, teal wigeon and some black-tailed godwits in stunning light. Not a bad start at all. A barn owl came straight towards me and veered off alarmingly as it realised I was there-what a great start.

As the sun ros I moved on to the Humber.

The tide wasnt as big s I thought so waders were keeping their distance. A few meadow and rock pipits were around as were plenty of linnets.

After a while I thought I would try Sammie’s Point. A wheatear perched up on a bush was a good sign as I pulled into the car park and a buzzard perched up on a gatepost was nice.

I hoped for a ring ouzel or yellow wagtail but unfortunately there was no sign. The recent northerly airflow has slowed northbound migration to a trickle.

After a while a couple of wheatears came close offering some nice views.

It was nice to be out but there were few migrants around and it wasn’t long before I was on my way back.

A buzzard on the road side just outside Easington posed very nicely allowing some good views. All in all I had 6 buzzards during the course of the morning.

I was very pleased with the mornings efforts and even on a quiet day Spurn can still deliver the goods.

Rolll on warm south-easterlies in the next few weeks.