Another memorable weekend at Spurn come to a close this afternoon.

We arrived on Friday night and there had been some reports of some common migrants arriving. Its always an exciting time when we get the first movement of the ‘Autumn’. Its made up of what you might call the usual suspects-pied flycatcher, redstart, whinchat and spotted flycatcher. With a hint of east in the wind there is always the prospect of something a bit more unusual.

It started with a trip out on Friday night-there were lots of birds on Kilnsea Wetlands but they were all quite distant due to the rapidly diminishing water levels {hopefully this weeks rain might provide a much needed top up) Lots of common waders plus spoonbill.

Saturday morning dawned bright and breezy but very warm. I chose to stay local and first port of call was Sykes Field. A nice redstart posed nicely in the early morning sun as well as a few willow warblers. Next stop was the Churchyard then Crown & Anchor car park then Cliff Farm-not a single bird of note!

I wandered along the floodbank heading ina southerly direction. There was a few birds on the humber-waders, gulls and terns but nothin g unusual.

I walked back to canal scrape once I had completed the floodbank. I saw a small bird perched low on the roadside and it revealed itself to be a spotted flycatcher, quickly followed by a lesser whitethroat.

A quick look in canal scrape hide yielded nothing of note but a walk back alomg the road provided 2 whinchat in Walker Butts.

Back up to the Blue Bell and then into corner field and as the sun had risen, things had become more active. More willow warblers as well a a second redstart and a pied flycatcher.

Back for breakfast and some relaxing. I had another walk out late morning. I headed up yo the Cliff Farm/Crown 7 Anchor area and here there was at least 10 pied flycatchers and a redstart. Not great for photography in harsh mid-day light but very nice to see some good numbers.

BAck for a siesta at the van then later afternoon a black tern was on Kilnsea Wetlands I. eventually managed some fairly decent shots given how far away it was.

A nice evening was spent at The Spurn Bird Observatory annual barbecue and we watched the sun go down over the Humber.

Another early start and some wonderful light. My plan was to photograph waders in flight as they were moving up and down as the tide rose. The light was absolutely fantastic and it gave some great photographic opportunites as waders flew by and gulls, swallows and sand martins fed on the feast of flies.

The humber ws flat calm and with reflected pink and blue skies the backdrop was superb.

Once it reached high tide the aactivity slowed and I made my way back for breakfast.

Early morning and evening definitely give off the best light as can be seen in the shots below.