A cold and windy day, with drizzle forecast in the morning. Nevertheless, to reach Kilnsea easily, Saturdays is the only day the Spurn Explorer bus runs, so I took it at 8:24 and just before 10 am I was at the Spurn Discovery centre. I dip into the Canal Scrape hide. It is very quiet, the only thing of note a Mute Swan on nest and a passing March Harrier that, with the wind, it seems to be flying backwards most of the time, Given the wind, I decide against walking along the bank and head towards Beacon Lane, seeking the shelter of the hedges. Another Marsh Harrier passes by. It starts drizzling to top the horrid wind. A Whimbrel, and then a group of 6-7 fly over. I get to Kilnsea Wetlands hide and I spot a Whimbrel feeding. Usual suspects from the hide, but it's lovely out of the wind.
A birder gets in the hide and comments on two drake Garganey at the wetlands on the other side of the road. Having missed the one at Bransholme reservoir, and quite relunctantly as it means leaving the comfort of the hide, I take advantage of the sky lightening and face the wind again. I'm wonderfully suprised to find Holly and Ryan at the other hide. They point at the Garganeys and a stunning summer plumage Bar-tailed Godwit. There are about 30 Curley about and a few Whimbrel too, one of them passes a Curlew allowing a side to side comparison.
I come across Holly and Ryan again, who had left the hide earlier. The wind seems to have eased a bit. They have heard news of a Cuckoo and we head for the bank. We see the Cuckoo flying. It attempts to land atop a bush, but it changes its mind and dissapears from vide. Just then I spot a Barn Owl hunting ovet the field. It gives us great views. It has probably taken advantage of the easing wind to do a spot of hunting.
We head for the Discovery Centre for a hot drink and lunch. Afterwards, I head towards Sammy's Point on the Humber Bank. There is not much about, but I record some saltmarh plants that are colonising the bank and footpath, including Sea Wormwood, which I hadn't seen before there.
The three of us meet again at Sammy's Point. Holly had messaged me that she had found a Redstart on the first paddock. It's a male, perched on a hawthorn and regularly flying back and forth to the ground. We watch it feeding for a while. Then I continue my walk towards Easington along Humber Side lane. I make a short stop at the cemetery, where I quickly find a male Brambling with some chaffinches. As quickly as they appeared, they dissappear! I carry on and admire the thatched roof tithe barn when I notice there are two Barn Swallows flying around the farm. I take some record shots, but, for my delight they land on an aerial and the male starts singing! I wander around Easington church while I wait for my bus back.
Male Redstart.
No comments:
Post a Comment