Remember the back-up team!

Strange title to which I shall return later.

Saturday was a grand day out with a generous tour of East Yorkshire. We set off pretty early as the days are horribly short now and headed for Hornsea Mere in order to meet up with the great white shark, sorry, egret if he was still knocking about [as they say]. He was. Barry soon spotted him on the tiny fallen-down-tree island north-west of Kirkholme Point. I was still getting into gear..

Photo of tea-cosy man © Barry Bishop [used without permission as my agent says that as I am a brand name I retain a degree of copyright over pictures of me at work....]

The egret had the good manners to fly down our way [whilst I wasn't paying attention] and land in a tall tree across from us. Here he is.

Great White Egret

Pity about the twigs. Wished he'd nibbled a few off...

Great White Egret

That's better. Jacko came and tried to carry the bits away but he'd exceded his flight weight and soon crashed back to the ground!

Jackdaw

Jackdaw

We moved on. Next stop Mappleton where Barry was struck down with amnesia and didn't remember the best bit of Mappleton: the sparrowhawk swooping low across the car park and being mobbed by crows before she swept away across the fields. For his version of events go to http://barryjohnbishop.blogspot.co.uk/

Withernsea sewage works next. Remembered from many picture postcards, Hollym sewage works is a favoured spot for passing snow buntings.

We soon found a decent flock. I have a photograph [very blurred and not used here because it's rubbish] where I can count at least 25 birds [and possibly up to 28] and they were very accommodating. They even offered us a room for the night! We managed not to accidentally tread on any of them. Here's some nice photos: they'd make a lovely picture postcard, J. Arthur Dixon!

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

My favourite of the day.

Snow Bunting

Next port of call was at Kilnsea Wetlands where Barry spotted a couple of whooper swans. They took off and I missed another flight-photopportunity while tracking a dunlin. Annoying. But I was having a great time! Flocks of waders were flying along the Humber estuary. I assume knot. Well, actually I do.

Waders

A fairly long drive in Tiggy to Blacktoft Sands RSPB to round off the day. We said hello to Mike Andrews in Reception and he recommended Townend and Singleton [hides, not estate agents!] - so off we set. A few marsh harriers dropped in as the day drew to a close. Some greylags came straight at us before veering away.

Greylag Geese

Greylag Geese

Eventually as no hen harriers were gracing the scene we decided to call it a day dusk. A blackwit came ever closer to the hide.

Black-tailed Godwit

Back to the back-up plan

Tree sparrows disappear from our garden as spring begins to warm the air. Saturday night must have been pretty cold as, on Sunday morning, the first tree sparrows of the winter were visiting the feeders in our garden. A timely reminder to keep feeding the birds this winter and to maintain a varied selection of food. You never know what might turn up! Best birds in our garden ever: woodcock, waxwing, brambling, reed bunting, siskin and great spotted woodpecker.

Tree Sparrow

Photo from the kitchen window a couple of winters ago.