Spurn Today

I had a drive down to Spurn today in the hope of some Spring migrants, although judging by recent form I wasn't really expecting much.

And so it turned out, there was a very smart redstart at the back of cliff farm, 3 whinchat, red-breasted mergansers on Beacon Ponds, quite a few wheatears, a single white wagtail and a couple of yellow wagtails and that was about it really.

It seems a bit slow this Spring, winds have been off the sea but yet to have a proper Spring fall.

Theres still time.

Marsh Harrier

I set out yesterday with the intention of photographing water voles, and unfortunately they did not really play ball and I only had a very brief view of one as he swam across a channel between reed beds.

It is fair to say that I didn't really go at the best time so I shouldn't be too surprised at the result.

I did however get a very fine compensation in the form of this magnificent marsh harrier.

Initially it dropped on to a bank about 70m away but then flew much closer and landed about 30m away.

The autofocus was struggling a little with the varied background but it came around 3 times at varying distances so in the end I was more than happy with the afternoon's work.

Springtime in Lincolnshire

I set of this morning with some doubts about how the weather would fare, it was cloudy then very foggy on the way, but as I arrived at my destination in deepest Lincolnshire the sun began to poke its head from behind the clouds.
For the first couple of hours it was a bit of a struggle to see my intended quarry, however there was adequate compensation from the supporting cast of whitethroats, garden warblers and blackcaps.
Eventually there was a particularly confiding pair singing and nest building in a quite open area and it was here that I got my best photos.
I stayed for the best part of the day and the nightingales kept on singing and showing fairly well.
There was also a few orange tips and brimstones around plus a rather confiding bank vole feasting on rose bush shoots.
Also good company (nice to meet you Paul) made for a most pleasant day in a fantastic reserve packed full of wildlife with the nightingales being the undoubted stars of the show.

Nightingale in song