Migfest 2019

September 10, 2019

Well another Migfest has been and gone and what a fantastic one at that.

It started for me on the Friday, I managed a few hours in the hide on Kilnsea Wetlands and the semi-resident White Rumped Sandpiper was still present giving some nice views to some of those coming early for the Migfest festival.

I went to set up my stand in the afternoon and the place was already starting to buzz. An intangible feeling of anticipation that a great weekend was upon us and that Spurn was going to be shown in its best light to the wider public. All we needed was for the wildlife to perform.

Strong north-westerly winds were forecast for the Saturday so the obvious choice was to have the first hour or so sea-watching. An early start of 5.45 and a torrential shower to blow away any cobwebs. It soon cleared up and the sea was quite busy. Gulls, divers wildfowl and skuas kept things interesting.I had a look on canal scrape and this yielded a green sandpiper. Then a quick look at the moths some stunners were on show including a fantastic red underwing and my new favourite moth a frosted orange-simply stunning. News came over the airwaves of a marsh warbler trapped in Church Field.

A quick look on KIlnsea Wetlands and the white-rumped sandpiper was still there.

The afternoon was spent back at Migfest HQ catching up with friends just talking to loads of people about photography and the many wonders of Spurn.A fantastic hog roast then a wander around Holderness Field, Beacon Ponds and Kilnsea Wetlands to end the day.

Another early start on the Sunday and it was back out looking over the sea. Compared to the day before it was very quiet with only a few ducks and gulls about. Typically a long-tailed skua was called out 10 minutes after I moved off. A look on canal scrape produced some nice views of a water rail (my first of the year).

Soon it was time for the photography workshop. I led 12 enthusiastic customers along canal bank and up to the crown and Anchor, pointing out good photography spots, best time of day and year and what species to target. A lot was crammed in a very short time but everybody seemed pleased with the session.

Walking back to the car I saw a young weasel running about on the road and it was only when I got closer I realised it was chasing a lizard! Something I have never seen before-Spurn just keeps on giving.

It was relatively quiet on the Sunday in terms of rare birds but a couple of barred warblers provided some new quality.

I headed back again the Migfest HQ and had another very enjoyable afternoon talking to more happy customers about photography at Spurn, all too soon it was over.

You had to be there to experience the positivity of the event, it was such a feel good factor and showcased Spurn and the surrounding area in its very best light. It was a privilege to be a part of it and credit must go to everybody, the organisers Spurn Bird Observatory Trust, Westmere Farm and the British Trust for Ornithology the speakers, volunteers and all those who attended for making it a truly memorable event.

Yes the best Migfest yet, and if messers Roadhouse and Garner had been looking down from above, they would have been very proud.

White rumped sandpiper, curlew sandpiper & dunlin

A few hours at Spurn

August 26, 2019

I went out for a few hours this morning at Spurn. I missed the early start so didnt get there while about seven a.m. First port of call was Canal Scrape. Through the fence I could see some waders sparkling in the early morning light. Doing my best not to flush them I crept into the hide and thankfully they stayed and allowed me to get some nice photos. 3 wood sandpipers, a green sandpiper, greenshank and redshank made for a nice variety.

The wood sands soon flew off but the green sand was joined by another 2 and later a dunlin.

A redstart was flicking about in the bushes on the other side of the canal and a whinchat was perched up on bushes along the canal bank.

A wander along the canal and around to the Crown and Anchor produced very little. The an couple of pied flycatchers in the Churchyard and one on the roadside livened things up a bit.

I walked round to Walker Butts and found a juvenile stonechat amongst the wildflower meadow.

Another pied fly near canal bushes rounded things up. I called in to Church Field in the hope of seeing a clouded yellow but this drew a blank.

A quick look at Sammy’s produced another 2 pied flycatchers. By now the sun was high in the sky and blazing so time to head for home.

A cracking little early morning session brightened up by what might be described as typical fare for the time of year but a very nice morning to be out nonetheless.

Early Start at Tophill Low

August 25, 2019

I thought I would get out early yesterday morning and hopefully catch the sunrise at Tophill Low.

As soon as I set off I realised I was already late as the sky went from a gorgeous purple to an even more impressive pink-I was the best part of half an hour away.

Once I got to the Izzard hide, there were already four people there and it was stiii only a quarter to six.

As soon as I set up the photo opportunities were there straight away-snipe, bar tailed godwit and greenshank all in front of the hide. Little egrets squabbling and fishing in the first light of the day. A kingfisher sat on a perch 5 yards away. And they just kept coming, for 2 hours as the sun rose it was non-stop activity.

There is no doubt that the Izzard Hide has made a massive positive contribution to this reserve and its popularity has soared as a result. Credit must be given to Yorkshire Water and the team down there for their vision in creating a unique wildlife watching experience with no doubt a considerable investment.

A superb wildlife experience-we are very lucky to have a place like this on our doorstep.