Alkborough Flats

Just a few pics from this weeks trips to Alkborough. One visit was ruined by the local farmer rounding his sheep up, which involved an hours pipping of his horn and a dog barking. Hardly suprising there are very few birds.  Walked round the corner to find that he had his sheep penned up on the public footpath, totally blocking the way.  Haven't seen the spoonbills this week but plenty of egrets on there.

Lincs Coast

This is typical - a Bank Holiday weekend and no birds to see ! We tried many stops on the Lincs coast on Monday, with a noticable lack of birds. The highlight was a merlin at Seaview Farm. These few sanderling were dotted at the waters edge. The beach was certainly deserted - lovely! Infact there was just us two.......

Killingholme Haven

 

 

 

 

A tiny haven of wildlife bang in the middle of industry and dockland on a massive scale from tens of thousands of imported cars to docks to petrol manufacturing, power stations, you name it, we have it at Killingholme. And right in the middle is this wetland. On a high tide a count of 2000 black tailed godwits can be seen infront of the hide.  With thunder, lightening, torrential rain and hail today we decided to head somewhere  with a bird hide. As there was also a high tide, Killingholme was the perfect choice. We saw our 2000 godwits, plus a few herons, egrets and redshank and kept dry !

Spotted Crake

 

An evening's drive to Leicester for this lovely Spotted Crake. The bird was out and walking when we got there, although not close and with plenty of foliage to navigate, photography wasn't easy. Still, it was a new UK bird for us taking Karen's UK tally to 325.

Red Necked Phalarope

Red Necked Phalarope at Frampton Marsh RSPB which stayed very distant all day. The weather this weekend has been gorgous so it was nice to be out and about, topping up the tan ! Other birds of interest were 1000's of godwit, 50+ egret, 18 snipe, 2 garganey and the usual supporting cast.

Snippy snaps from Karen's snippy snappy camera!

 Messingham Nature Reserve, sat hoping for an otter oblivious to this beautiful sky behind us. A hobby flew past going to roost and our local short eared owl was still around. A fabulous end to a not too good Saturday. Missed Ortolan Bunting at Spurn and only managed 2 seconds of a barred warbler's wing ! A winchat, a pied fly and 2 seals was about all we could manage between us!

 Lucy's art work. Commissions taken and will be personalised. They really are wonderful bits of art and make the perfect present.

 Wykeham Forest, North Yorkshire. Home to goshawk, somewhere !

Troutdale at Wykeham Forest. Pity, no dippers today.

Alkborough Flats, Lincs

There was approx 500 avocet infront of the hide this evening

4 Common Sandpipers this evening

Curlew

 Greenshank

 Meadow Pipit

 3 Spoonbills dropped in at dusk, but stayed distant

Wall Butterfly