Waxwings

This had to be the day of the waxwing with so many coming into the country. We had in excess of 300 at Asda, Hull. The day started very gloomy which made photography very difficult. The birds were also very skittish and unsettled, probably due to the amount of people and cars around the car park on a Saturday morning. After the birds had flown and not returned for a while, Karen went out on a waxwing hunt, quickly locating the birds a couple of streets away. With the photographing masses left in Asda car park, it was a delight to have these 300 birds to ourselves!

Bee-Eater, Seaburn, Co. Durham

European Bee-Eater, County Durham. We didn't go to see this bird straight away as we were sure that it would be fluffy and near death in the chilly northern England. How wrong we were. This bird was as fit as a lop, stuffing itself with bees and insects from a flowering ivy in a garden in the midst of a housing estate. An absolute stunner of a bird. It looked so out of place ! A UK first for us taking Karen's UK list to 329......slowly but surely creeping on !

Set ourselves a target three birds this year - hoopoe, roller and bee-eater and been successful with all three.

Glaucous Gull, Scarborough Harbour

A call into Scarborough on our way home from Durham to see this glaucous gull. Also 2 red throated divers in the bay.

Roe Deer

A quick drive down Black Bank after work. We have about half hour before dusk at the moment and make the most of every daylight minute! This lovely deer was standing out in the field with not a care in the world. We think she is beautiful.

Short Eared Owls at Worlaby Carrs

Called into Worlaby Carrs this lunchtime, hoping for stonechat and to eat our lunch. Was so suprised to see 2 short eared owls up and flying, quite close to the road, giving us a stunning Sunday lunchtime display! A male stonechat was sitting out proud near the car park, they really are a rarity nowadays.

Easington today

Was hoping for an Olive Backed Pipit today but afraid we failed there miserably. The pipits were not seen today, probably long gone. The Great Grey Shrike was easily seen from the cemetary where there was also a redstart. A cracking bird. A flock of twite were in the car park at Sammy's, drinking and bathing in the puddles, but these were soon flushed by a local dogwalker.  A little bunting was called in the village, but this was only seen by a couple of people before it flew. We seemed to miss more birds today than we saw but that's the nature of birdwatching. We still had a good laugh in great company.