Marsh Warbler

Marsh Warbler, Cleethorpes, Lincs. Proved very elusive and sang every song in the book ! A little cracker and a new UK bird for us.

Sedge Warbler

An evening trip to Cleethorpes for the Marsh Warbler and this sedge warbler was in full song nearby.

A good day ........

Buzzard

Nuthatch 

Spotted Flycatcher

Turtle Dove

A very good day with our local spotted flycatchers back in full force, although they have moved house from last year ! Near their 'old house' is now a pair of nuthatches, busy moving in. A pair of Great Spot were busy feeding chicks and this turtle dove was not too far away either!

Dartford Warbler

Hobby

Stone Curlew flying in the distance

Dunwich Heath

Minsmere

With the sun still shining, we headed off to Suffolk on our annual pilgrimage to see the golden orioles and stone curlew and hopefully, Karen's UK bogey bird, Dartford Warbler. Success with all three so we just sat back and enjoyed it all! Three stone curlews were seen, 2 golden orioles and 4 dartford warblers plus many hobbies. The weather was glorious which was an even bigger bonus! We visited Minsmere as we had never been there before and what a place that is. Probably the best reserve we have ever been on. They have just got everything right. Bitterns were booming from every direction and many were seen flying. It was fabulous. And the hides........Ron Gilleard you have excelled yourself with Island Mere Hide ! WOW ! Then onto Dunwich Heath for the Datford Warblers which were not easy to start with but we soon got our eye in  and 4 were seen, with the sound of bitterns and a churring nightjar, loads of red deer and sunshine, it was a magical afternoon.
The following day we were up and out before 5am for the stone curlews and then onto Lakenheath Fen for Golden Oriole where we soon had 2 singing males but very brief views. Then the hobbies were up catching dragonflies in abundance. Wish we had that many......
We even parked up at RAF Lakenheath to watch the american fighters taking off and landing - ear shattering!
A wonderful 2 days. Back home for a trip to Spurn for hopefully more golden orioles!

Cream Coloured Courser

Quite a drive but well worth it. This came on the pager on Monday so Tuesday was booked off work and fingers were crossed that it was still there. The bird had apparently already been there a week and the local golfers thought it was a golden plover ! There were only a few birders there when we arrived and although there was a steady trickle, there wasn't the huge numbers that we thought would be there. It was a cracker of a bird, not too bothered about the golfers who passed very close to it at times. Birders obviously couldn't go on the greens as it was a very busy course, but the bird was easily visible from the edge. It looked fit and healthy and was very active. The golfers were very proud of their bird and stopped playing when it came out of the bracken, thanks.
These pics were taken at about 10-11am when the heat haze was beginning to build up.

Pied Flycatchers

She was a right poser! Some stunning birds in one of the nicest spots in Wales you could imagine. Must go back there for longer than an afternoon next time. The visitors centre is below - now that looks like our kind of place to live!

Redstarts

After seeing the courser we decided on some local birding and with the help of a local birder, we found a super birding sight with redstarts and pied flycatchers galore. The sun shone which was a rarity here in the UK so we decided to make a day of it. A local lady came out with a tray of teas and coffees, another birder produced biscuits and a good day was had by all!

Bempton's Gannets

Ended up at Bempton today after missing the citrine wagtail at Flamborough. The wind was biting, hard to believe that it's May. Not had a very good week on the birding front. Went to Spurn mid week for the golden oriole which was no-where to be seen, then onto try to see the Pallid Harrier at Patrington Haven which didn't come into roost there that night. The citrine wagtail was three dips in less than a week. Highlights yesterday were 3 sandwich terns which we had at Alkborough and of course, Bempton never fails to please. These gannets were simply hanging there in the wind - quite a spectacle!