Spring Arrives At Spurn

Martin Standley April 20, 2026

Ive had a couple of fairly fruitless trips to Spurn just recently then at the weekend things took a turn for the better-Spring arrived at Spurn.

We arrived on friday and got a few jobs done at the caravan-its looking very smart now. The sunset was dramatic and the two hares that are visible from our caravan were most obliging as they came close in the near-darkness. The sunset was dramatic and whilst I only had woodpigeons and curlews to focus on, it made for some nice images.

One thing we do like to do is set up the trail camera and after putting out a few peanuts, it didnt take the local badger long to find them. Also a woodmouse joined in to add a little variety.

I was up early on Saturday morning. I had donated a day’s photography course at the raffle for Migfest last year and two very nice people came up from Essex to learn a little bit about wildlife photography around Spurn.

We agreed to meet at 5.30 for the sunrise so I was there a little earlier just to check it out. Immediately I saw a badger on the island at Kilnsea Wetlands but it didn’t hang around. We quickly made our way to Beacon Ponds for the sunrise. There was surprisingly few waders or wildfowl around so our subjects were limited-an almost cloudless sky made for an unimpressive sunrise so we didnt hang around.

There was a close avocet in front of the hide then we started to walk back to the car. Not before seeing our first decent bird of the day-a hooded crow heading south.

We were hoping to go on to Long Bank Marsh but there were already 4 people ahed of us so we took a quick detour up to Sammy’s Point. here wer were treated to a spanking yellow wagtail (more of that later) and at least 3 wheatears.We continued along the riverside walk flushing a few common waders from the rocks as the tide was very high. On the way we say our first whitethroat of the year and on arriving at the third paddock, this was complemented by our first lesser whitethroat.

There was plenty of birds in the bushes and it was a pleasant walk through as we were out of the wind and warned by early morning sunshine.

it was here we heard the news of a great reed warbler that had been trapped in Sykes Field we had no chance of getting there before it was due to be released so just hoped it might show later in the day.

On the walk back we saw another first for the year-a whimbrel resting on the tank blocks.

From Sammy’s we headed to Sandy beaches where a black redstart had been seen. As we walked up to the ruins of the gun emplacement it appeared briefly near the beach thenpopped back out on the cliff top where it showed obligingly for arouns half an hour.

Next stop was canal bushes and canal scrape but it was quiet there but news of a firecrest near The Blue Bell had us heading back up to the car park. The firecrest showed almost immediately and was displaying and singing for most of the time.

A walk around Sykes Field produced singing sedge warbler and the now obligatory cettis warbler, but no sign of the great reed warbler.Flowering blackthorn attracted peacock, speckled wood and red admiral butterflies.

From Sykes field we headed to our final destination-a wander around the Churchyard, Crown & Anchor car park, the observatory garden and church field-the highlight here being two very fresh orange tips.

It was here we said our goodbyes and hopefully Nidge and Nic went away happy with some nice memories of Spurn.

I was up early on Sunday and set off with the aim of getting some photos of a yello wagtail. I was in position fo 6.30 and there were a few wheatears about albeit quite distant. After 10 minutes or so a gorgeos yellow wagtail landed in front of me and this seemed to spur the wheatears on to come a bit closer. It was a lovely Springtime experience to see these birds feeding in the dew heavy grass and early morning sunshine. I only spent an hour there before looking for waders at the gate. It was quiet there so headed back for breakfast.

A lovely trip again to the UK’s premier wildlife watching venue.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

The Goole Waxwings

Martin Standley March 27, 2026

I have been watching the updates on Birdguides regarding the waxwings that had been residing on the outskirts of Goole over the past week or so. I try to avoid ‘twitching’ as much as possible these days but the prospect of close views of the magnificent birds, less than an hour away proved too much of a temptation.

They were very easy to find, parking wasn’t a problem and within a minute of me arriving I was already taking photos.

They are residing in a roadside hedge feeding on the remaining berries and periodically flying over the road to get a drink in the ditch. They are very tame and did not seem unsettled by the amount of photographers as well as traffic flying past at close quarters.

I suspect they will be on their way back to Scandinavia very shortly so I dont know if I’ll get another chance to see them.

A couple of tips for anyone who hasn’t been to see them. I arrived at around 10am and already the sun had moved round so it was more coming from the side and was very contrasty, so if you go, go early-the earlier in the day the bette.

Also they are viewable ffrom the side of the ban-if you photograph them from either the top or half-way down, you will get ‘land’ in the background as opposed to sky, which makes for a more pleasing image in my view.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Spring Arrives At Last!

Martin Standley March 5, 2026

Well, its taken its time coming but Spring is finally here. After what seems like months of grey, cold and wet weather, we have finally had some sunshine that has made it worthwhile going out with the camera.

This week, the tides and weather was right for a couple of sessions on the Humber, and then I thought I would move on to Kilnsea Wetlands and Long Bank.

On Tuesday, everything was perfect. High tide was around 6am and the sun was due to rise at around 6.45. I made my way to Skeffling and no sooner as I popped my head over the bank I was greeted by two hunting barn owls. I was happy with my images as they clearly show them hunting before sunrise in their most natural environment.

I then had the great dilema of choosing whether to shoot into the sun, or shoot with the sun on my back. There was a procession of subjects which included curlew, brent geese, dunlin, pintail and marsh harrier.

Not long after the sun had risen and the tide started to ebb, I made my way to Kilnsea. I looked on Kilnsea Wetlands but favoured Long Bank more. Again I wasn’t disappointed.

The star of the show was a ringtail hen harrier, with an excellent supporting cast of marsh harrier, peregrine falcon, another barn owl as well as more curlew, redshank, knot and displaying skylark.

A pair of inquisitive roe deer came quite close to the hide as did a rather soggy hare.

Whilst there wasn’t much in terms of rare stuff, what was there gave more than ample opportunities for photography. In a couple of visits I took over 10k photos!

The great light and orientation of the hide was also a great help.

I popped on to Kilnsea wetlands and managed a distant view of the black brant amongst hundreds of brent geese.

Until next time, thanks for reading.