Well, I certainly didnt expect such a fantastic morning when I headed out earleir today.

I was up with the lark and out of the house before 5am and Patrington Haven was the target destination. A nice array of warblers on the walk down including Sedge, whitethroat, reed and a signing blackcap got off to a good start. Two grey herons flushed from the drain and a pair of cuckoos was also a nice bonus.

I got set up in my usual place and waited for the tide to come in. It took longer than I imagined but when it did the waders were spectacular. Not in great variety but the grey plovers were resplendent in their summer plumage. there were a good few birds of prey around including a hen harrier, marsh harrier, peregrine and sparrowhawk.

Once the tide came in the waders moved off and it was time for me to do the same.

I'd heard that there were some dotterels around on Sunk Island near East Bank Road so that was my next destination.

I was stopped somewhat in my tracks along the way by a ghost-like harrier quartering a field. At first my thoughts were that it was a male hen harrier but it didnt look right with too much black on the underside. A quick check on the collins app confirmed my thoughts- Montagu's and my third harrier species of the day!

After a while it moved off so I went to look for the dotterel. As I travelled along East Bank Road a barn owl was hunting along the roadside. The dotterel were in a pea field but quite distant and never looked as though they would come close.

I had another drive back to where I saw the monty's and it was there again giving great photo opportunities. It disappeared again so went back for the dotterels still distant so back again to check the field for the Monty and it was there again!

News that the grey-headed wagtail was at Spurn again had me heading out there for a fleeting visit. It was showing very well for nearly an hour at Southfirld Farm before flying off West.

I had one final look for the monty's on the way home but to no avail.

Another cracking morning out in the wilds of east Yorkshire!