Cettis Warbler

I'd heard that there was a rather showy cettis warbler at Tophill Low, so I thought I'd set off early this morning in the hope of a shot or two.

As soon as I opened the car door at about 5.45 the dawn chorus was booming and it wasn't long after I started walking that the familiar sound of a cettis warbler was blasting out.

On the way to the hide I saw a tawny owl and heard at least 4 cettis warblers and then upon arrival the male was out in full view singing away.

The area it was showing in was in the shade to start with but as the sun rose the light improved, and it kept returning to the same spot for a short burst of song every 10 minutes or so.

Whilst waiting there was plenty to keep me occupied including a marsh harrier that drifted along the river, herons, reed warbler, sedge warbler, willow warbler, chiffchaff, blue,great and long tailed tit, bullfinch and a cuckoo called from the other side of the river.

After enduring an almost arctic blast of wind for a couple of hours, I was happy with my photos so headed back. I clocked my first swift of the year over D reservoir and on the way back I saw my first yellow wagtail of the year.

I arrived home at about 9.30 chilled to the bone but very happy with the mornings work.

Firecrest

After what appears to be a mini invasion of firecrests to the UK (101 at Dungeness in Kent yesterday), favourable winds at the right time of year meant that one or two at Spurn was almost inevitable.

I only had a very limited time today so I was pleased with these shots.

Initially it showed well then disappeared with the goldcrests it was with, then I re-found it showing very well but had no time left.

Still a good start to the Spring migrant season at Spurn and some favourable winds during the week might see more stuff at the weekend.

Spurn Visitor Centre

As we draw closer to the day the Planning Committee decide on the future of Spurn it has been interesting to note the points made in both the public comments section and then wider media and comments made at meetings about the Visitor a Centre, communications mast and associated parking arrangements,and the restrictions that go with it).
I have read every comment posted in the public comments section, and what has struck me is the amount of depth, detail care and passion that has gone into those offering their objection to the VC. Whether it be from residents, regular visitors, professionals and informed individuals it is clear that the case for not putting the VC in the preferred place is a strong one.
As a statement of fact (statements of fact by the way have been hard to find in the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust supporting documentation) those who oppose the centre far outweigh those who are in favour.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust wrote to all its 33,000 members on January 22nd.At the time of writing just 25 people have voiced their support, of which 15 of those were a copy and paste from an e-mail from Sir John Lawton YWT Chair and RSPB president in the last 2 days.
If this is not a clear and unequivocal message that YWT,'s own members do not even support the VC then I don't know what is.
Having read both the letter from YWT and the e-mail from Sir John, I can only conclude that both were a vain and desperate attempt to drum up some much needed support.
Fair play, however to the 15 people who took the time to copy and paste Sir John's cleverly worded letter of support- it must've taken at least 30 seconds.
One side that has not been strongly represented is that of sea anglers.for as many years as I can remember hoards of sea anglers have quite willingly contributed the access to the peninsula whether it be for bait digging or angling.There is a strong argument to say that sea anglers have made the biggest contribution than any other group over the years(and I say this as an avid sea angler who has fished at Spurn for the best part of 40 years).
I can also say that there was never any demonstrable sign of investment back in sea angling from the YWT.
Surprisingly, the new proposals do not cater for sea anglers in any shape or form.There will be a limit to numbers of parking places, a limit on opening hours and most importantly a restriction for disabled or less agile anglers imposing an extra walk all of which is tantamount to discrimination against the very body of people who have so faithfully supported the trust by monetary contribution over so many years.
The way that the YWT has gone about this whole process for me has been so disappointing. The very people who support the YWT whether it be anglers or people interested in nature have not been considered, indeed neither has Spurn itself a quote from Sir John in his desperate rallying call
"As many of you may know, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have recently submitted a planning application to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for the construction of a new visitor centre at Spurn Point.  For YWT, this is extremely important. "
Not Spurn
Not wildlife
Not local people
Not the very people who have supported the trust over the years.
Make your own decision the comments page is here https://newplanningaccess.eastriding.gov.uk/newplanningaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NZJYUBBJILC00