Just keeping my eye in!

They say practice makes perfect. Well, in that case I've a long way to go! But I do believe in getting out there among the birds as much as I can. The last few days were more photo-opps than new birds. Only tick was a wood warbler at Sandy Bay with Alan Whitehead although I didn't get a brilliant view until he had moved on. And even then it was too quick for me to grab a shot.

I'm rambling. Back to the beginning...

Saturday 15th August I went back to Blacktoft to get a better photo of the spotted crake. I waited an hour or so but it didn't show. Greenshank and multi-egrets only. Greenshank Little Egrets x11

I headed for Kilnsea. Saw the wood warbler, missed the icterine. Wall butterflies everywhere. I said to a chap while we waited to see a barred warbler: 

'Walls everywhere. All around us.'

Guess he thought I was a head-case. He moved away. Walls! Wall Wall Wall

Sunday 16th August at Flamborough for a red-backed shrike. Tempted by quality waders at Thornwick Pool I decided the shrike could wait. When I finally got to Old Fall a tourist helicopter offering short trips round the Head had scared it off 5 minutes earlier. We lingered but never saw it. No regrets - the birding at Thornwick was brilliant. Nice to see Nigel Stewart there - good stint photos, Nigel!

Here are my Thornwick waders. Ruff first.

Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff Ruff

A couple of common darter dragonflies were flying around, attached to each other whilst the female was ovipositing as she was dragged around. Photographically limited but it was worth a try!

Common Darters

I waited while an adult little stint slowly came closer.

Little Stint Little Stint Little Stint Little Stint Little Stint Little Stint Little Stint

The stint never came as close as the ruff but the wood sandpiper did! One of my all-time favourite birds.

Ruff snd Wood Sandpiper Ruff snd Wood Sandpiper Ruff snd Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper Wood Sandpiper

All was pretty quiet along the Old Fall path [apart from helicopters]. Lemonhammer.

Yellowhammer The plan was to call at Hornsea to see if any little gulls were waiting to be photographed and then catch the crake At Blacktoft in the better afternoon light. Afternoons are usually better there as the sun is then behind you. I ran out of time but this fellow did turn up for me! Nice little gull.

Little Gull

Monday 16th August back to Blacktoft for a 3pm shift! Spotted crake duly turned up. Spotted Crake Spotted Crake Spotted Crake Spotted Crake

As did a great white. 

'Two a penny these days!' said one miserable birder.

There's quite a lot of them around you know. Great whites and miserable birders. I particularly don't care for those who tell you nothing; who don't reply when you say hello. I remember last year when Barry and I made enquiries of one chap he replied 'I prefer to find my own birds!' 

Moral: always greet; always share. More fun for all that way.

Great white then! In the distance at Singleton.

Great White Egret

It flew nearer... Great White Egret

...and nearer. Great White Egret Great White Egret Great White Egret

251 UK birds 2015