Ortolan Bunting

Had another trip out this morning, this time for the ortolan bunting at sammy's Point.

It showed almost straight away although it was flighty at first.Posed nicely for about 5 minutes for these shots.Another good day in the Spurn area, I saw the wood warblers in the Crown car park plus a female red backed shrike in the canal zone.

Plenty of other bits and pieces about to keep the masses of birdwatchers happy.

Red Backed Shrike

Had a quick trip to Spurn tonight after reports of a considerable fall of late migrants, from yesterday and today.The most productive area had been around post 62 so I headed there first.

Almost immediately I saw a flight view of a golden oriole, then almost straight after that I saw this magnificent red-backed shrike.

It was flitting about from post to branch and I managed to get within 20m for some nice views.

near the warren I got within 5m of a singing marsh warbler but it stayed well down in the undergrowth.

Not a bad couple of hours at all.

East Coast Waders

'Tundra' Ringed Plover

Grey Plover
Ringed Plover


Broad Billed Sandpiper
Broad Billed Sandpiper

Curlew Sandpiper

Broad Billed Sandpiper

Dunlin

I went over to Spurn at the weekend in the hope of a curlew sandpiper and anything else that might be on offer.Beacon Ponds and Spurn near the warren were very productive.

I managed to see the CS but also got a superb bonus of a broad billed sandpiper.It was feeding with the waders as the tide flooded and ver flighty, however it did stay put long enough for these record shots.

There were plenty of birds about including summer plumaged sandpipers, knot and bar-tailed godwit.

Also there were a couple of 'Tundra' ringed plovers.

The wind spoilt any chance of a decent photograph, but the quality of birds on offer more than made up.