Red Rumped Swallow

I first heard about the red-rumped swallow in East Park, Hull on Monday but didn't have much time and views were ver distant.

News all day yesterday and today meant I would have a chance tonight.

A cold wind and cloud must have kept the insects low as the lake was full of hirundines, mostly house martins and swallows with the odd sand martin and waves of swifts apparently passing through.

At first the red dumped swallow was nowhere to be seen but after relocating to a different part of the lake, it appeared right in front of me and stayed feeding mostly low over the lake for a good 20 minutes.

It was a shame the light was bad, but after seeing it at such close quarters, I'm not complaining.

Hopefully it might hang around a little bit longer for another crack at it.

Spring Migrants at Spurn

I had plans for photographing nightingales in Lincolnshire today, however it was a bit cloudy at first light so instead I set off for Spurn.

First stop was Sammy's Point I stayed around the first paddock in the hope of an unusual wagtail.The best was a cracking white wagtail as well as some yellows and the obligatory pied.

A stoat caused some wheatears to call alarmingly.Also distant views of a ring ouzel, whimbrel and a flythrough hobby made for a good start.

Then news of a red kite crackled over the airwaves and as I drove down towards the Warren I could see the kite over Kilnsea wetlands and eventually photographed it distantly from the gate.

News of a pair of wood sandpipers on Holderness Fields had me heading there and again distant views of both species.

I went back to Sammy's but no change there and then news of a rough leg buzzard broke.As it turned out there were two and after a bit of a wild goose chance caught up with it for some reasonable views.

I went back to the wetlands and the garganeys were slightly closer and the whinchat showed very well.

All in all it was a lovely Spring day capped of with some nice birds and once again Spurn delivers the goods.

Dusk and Dawn

I went up to High Eske last night and this morning with the hope of photographing displaying great crested grebes.

On both occasions I was fortunate enough to witness the 'weed dance' but unfortunately both occurrences were too far away.

Good to see at least 3 barn owls in the area also displaying goldeneye, little egret at least 3 chief-chaffs, very active kingfishers and the star bird was a green woodpecker first heard yaffling and then flew across me and landed in storkshill wood as I made my way back this morning.

No hirundines or migrant waders but ver nice all the same.