Something from the Weekend

Just a quick one tonight as I've been a bit busy. Highlights from the weekend, included Richard's Pipits (2), Red-breasted Flycatcher and more Yellow-browed Warbler and a Firecrest. A smart Little Stint and Jack Snipe were nice and possibly the rarest bird I saw was a Marsh Tit, in its local context! Saw a few more 'winter' migrants such as Goldcrest, Brambling and Song Thrush but the weather was just too nice and birds were presumably just going straight over. Also had a few southbound migrants such as Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Swallow etc.

Had a nice view of a Hobby in the village this am, flew in and sat on a snag in a hedge and let me get within 40 m! Chiffchaff in full song too.

Little Stint (Norwegian ringed bird)

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Richards Pipit (phone-scoped)

Richards Pipit (phone-scoped)

Jack Snipe bobbing!

Jack Snipe bobbing!

An afternoon with a confiding Red-breasted Flycatcher

Last week I had a fantastic trip to Flamborough where highlights were many.  One of the supporting cast members of this incredible day was one or two of the three Red-breasted Flycatchers that were giving those rare views. Out in the open, with no people about making noise, pushing in front to get their picture etc... It was more-or-less just me and the birds, perfect!

I managed to get the following record shots which I'm fairly please with. I'd only had the camera a couple of days so still learning re set-up etc!

More from Flamborough: I love this place!

Headed over to Flamborough again this evening, much much quieter than yesterday, though I didn't cover the exact same area as I wanted to explore a few different places.  Did manage the following though:

5 Redstart
3 Whinchat
3 Lesser Whitethroat
3 Garden Warbler
1 Blackcap (male)
1 Willow Warbler
1 Chiffchaff
2 Wheatear
86 'Alba' Wagtail
35 Meadow Pipit
4 Swallow
1 Barn Owl
1 Kestrel
1 Sparrowhawk
1 Song Thrush
5 Siskin
1 Golden Plover
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
1 Reed Bunting

Plus the usual Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer etc.  Didn't take too many pics today but here's some of them... and one from yesterday that I really like!

 Kestrel

Lesser Whitethroat 

Song Thrush 

 Whinchat (and Sheep)

Just the Whinchat

Barn Owl 

Barn Owl 

Red-breasted Flycatcher - really like this photo! One of 3 found yesterday, this individual would come to within 10 feet of us and at one time flew straight out at me to catch a midge! Not as crazy as the Spotted Flycatcher that took on a dragonfly!

Back in the local area we're rapidly sinking under water! Should be good for Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks for the local area year-listers in the next few days!  Decent flock of waders/gulls forming near Elvington where had several hundred Lapwing, 80 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Ruff and a 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull.  Today the waders had increase to 200 Golden Plover, 560 Lapwing, 2 Ruff, 3 Dunlin and best of all 2 Grey Plovers! Definitely one to keep an eye on!