Much out and not much about - but weather glorious

26th: Flixton, Filey, Bempton, Hornsea and North Cave

Flixton Carr reported a hooded crow but I couldn't find it. But it's always interesting to go somewhere you've never been before! On anyway to Filey. Up on Carr Naze soon spotted the pair of velvet scoters off the paddling pool. Otherwise the sea was unbelievably still and quiet. So I continued to Bempton where I photographed meadow pipits. A jackdaw was trying to cool off in the sun. It seemed to almost be panting!

At Hornsea a ruddy shelduck was reported: a group of us failed to find the bird which, unfortunately for me, was reported again after 5pm long after I had left. North Cave was quiet too but I did see small tortoiseshell, peacock and small white butterflies.

Jackdaw

Meadow Pipit Meadow Pipit

28th: Tophill Low, Hornsea, Bewholme, North Cave

Tophill Low did deliver the goods! A pair of lesser snow geese drew me towards the Watton NR hide. The geese, very wary, obliged along with the first little ringed plover of the year. Blackcaps  and chiffchaffs were both seen. In fact it was hard to get out of earshot of the chiffchaffs across the whole reserve! South Marsh West, I think that's what they call it, has a large new sand martin wall. I wish it success - sand martins seem elusive this spring. Further visits to Bewholme [always worth 10 minutes at Bewholme Hall lake] and North Cave produced nothing exceptional. There was a med gull at North Cave on the reedbed pool.

29th March: Broomhill; Wombwell; Bolton Ings; Wombwell; Broomhill!!

A merry dance around the RSPB Dearne Vallley sites! Broomhill is a more private concern funded by the Garganey Trust but open to all. It finally produced the green sandpiper I was hoping for. A lovely afternoon's walk. Warbler Way to Bolton Ings had plentiful chiffchaff and blackcaps.

30th March: Fairburn with Barry Bishop

A late afternoon visit. The warblers were audible but skulking. Down the cut Barry caught a glimpse of a sand martin. I finally saw one thanks to careful pointing in the right direction ['left of the pylon!'] on the way to Lin Dike. A good tally of 41 species in a couple of hours.Sand Martin

Photo taken last year in Fairburn village near the old village gaol.