Filey and Bempton, 16 September 2011

Filey had been recommended to me by Marcus Conway and as I was staying near Bempton, just along the coast I decided to try it after leaving Blacktoft Sands. The light was very poor but there were plenty of birds on the beach and I quickly located a smal flock of Knot which I have not often photographed. I spent quite trying to photograph these as the tide was coming in. Also found a young gannet that appeared to be hiding from the sea behind some rocks, presumbaly unsettled by the recent storms.

Walked to the Brigg but by now the tide was coming in quickly and waves were crashing over it so I backtracked and headed to Bempton RSPB reserve. Still plenty of Gannets on the cliffs and a pair of Peregrines passed by (to quickly to photograph). As the light faded I headed to my B&B reasonably satisfied particularly considering the weather.

Weekend in Yorkshire - 16th to 18th September 2011

Travelled to Yorkshire for an RSPB Skua and shearwater cruise, of which more later. An early start on Friday morning and I reached the RSPB Reserve at Blacktoft Sands by 9am. Had visited once before but a new hide has been built that was  excellent with close views of numerous Snipe, Ruff, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Black Tailed Godwits and Teal. Weather was breezy and damp but I enjoyed a productive 3 hours or so in this hide. Elsewhere on the reserve water levels were low and birds scarce although a group of Tree Sparrows were on the feeders.

A spotted redshank attempting to swallow a fish provided some entertainment as well as some nice shots

Backsand Scrape - hoping for migrants

Spent Saturday at Sandwich Bay hoping for migrants. Met Steve Reynaert at the Restharrow hide where 3 ruff were keeping their distance but otherwise quiet. Walked down to the beach and back looking for migrants without success then decided to head for Backsand hoping for the reported Curlew Sandpiper and other migrant waders. THe photographic hide was occupied when I arrived so amused myself taking egrets and greenshank in flight

Looking I across the scrape I located the Curlew Sandpiper on the far side. After about an hour it had moved in front of the north hide so I walked around and was able to get a few shots. Exposure was tricky into the sun  and it wasn't as close as I would have liked but these were the first shots I have got of this species since 1987!

Looking back across the scrape I noticed the photographic hide had been vacated but despite the tide rising all that came close in the 3hours I waited were the greenshanks, green sandpipers and the tufted duckling that I took 5 weeks ago when it was just a ball of fluff

Not a bad day but not my most productive trek to Backsand either. Had hoped for a bit more and would have been nice to get the Curlew Sandpiper from the photographic hide.

Bank Holiday

Mixed weather and mixed fortunes this bank holiday. The highlight of an unproductive trip to Dungeness was this dozy Common Lizard.

Of the birds, the Great White Egret was in its usual spot at the back of Denge Marsh but like everything else too distant to photograph. All in all a disappointing day.