Northern Wheatear

I had a trip to Spurn yesterday in the hope of some Spring migrants.I started at The Warren in the hope of a redstart that had been seen earlier, however it had been trapped and ringed so I thought this would certainly send it into cover and even if it did come out it would now be bearing a rather unsightly piece of ironmongery.
So I headed to Sammy's Point, first pass of the paddocks didn't yield much neither did the bushes at the south end but a single whitethroat was the first of the year.
On the way back I did see a very brief black redstart, couple of wheatears and a yellow wagtail.
I headed back to the Crown Car Park as rain broke out and there was quite a few common migrants in the bushes the best being a pair of blackcaps.
After the shower I went back to Sammy's and here the black redstart re-appeared and showed quite well albeit distantly, the wheatears however posed beautifully, they are a certainty at Spurn at this time of year and are just passing through-the males are always more immaculate in Spring than in Autumn.
The sun was diffused by low cloud and actually helped-these shots being taken around mid-day.

Bempton Gannets

I had a drive up to Bempton the other morning with the hope of a few shots of gannets and the other seabirds in early morning light, the forecast was for light northerly winds.
Upon arriving, it was cloudy, drizzling and a biting northerly gale! Undeterred, I put an extra couple of layers on and marched off.
Looking out to see, it was obvious that the sun was going to break out at some point and with the wind as it was the gannets were literally flying within feet of the cliff edge, ably supported by fulmars and the odd guillimot hanging in the wind.
What happened for the next hour was amazing, the sun whilst not fully out was obscured by cloud creating a dramatic orange effect and when the gannets flew in the right path it made for a rather pleasing background.
I called in at Flamborough on the way back for another go at the Tawny pipit but it hadn't been seen that morning.
By now the light had gone but I did see quite a few more fulmar, razorbills and 2 puffins.
Not a bad morning really....

Flamborough Tawny Pipit

I thought I would head up to Flamborough again this morning really to target the tawny pipit but also have another crack at the crag martin if it hung around.
I got there as dawn broke a wonderful clear morning quite chilly but very nice all the same.
I headed off towards there area where the pipit was seen yesterday but apart from a couple of hares, a roe deer and common resident birds there was not much happening.
It was at this point that news came out that the crag martin was still around do I began to make my way back to the car.
As it turned out the tawny pipit had relocated north of the golf course so I headed off soon beginning to wish I didn't have so much gear on.
Once there the tawny showed very well and the sun was behind me and the bird was quite close-then news of the crag martin being re-located broke so one birder chose to break rank and consequently flushed it-thanks for that mate.
It did however return and posed quite nicely, there was no further sign of the crag martin whilst I was there.