Kites, Waxwings & more

A little drive around the local area in bright sunshine and light winds was very pleasant and rewarding, just wished we had more days like this.

 Blackbird

 Fieldfare

 Red Kites

 Redwing

 Starling

 Waxwing

 Wigeon

Blyth's Pipit

Finally got the chance to make a visit to Pugney's Country Park to see the overwintering Blyth's Pipit.  The weather was perfect with no wind and good lighting with the bird showing well at times but was very active making it a little challenging digiscoping.

At one point the bird had a very close shave with a Kestrel.  The Blyth's was feeding in long grass out of view when a Kestrel swooped down on it missing it by millimetres.  The Blyth's flew up just iin time and landed in a nearby tree calling.

Little Bustard

What a start to 2015, news broke of this Little Bustard on New Years Eve but due to work commitments we couldn't make it.  So it was an early start to the New Year in hope that the bird would still be there.  After a longish walk to get to the field where the crowds had gathered and what seemed an even longer agonising time to try and pick the bird up (it was surprisingly difficult to pick out in the short crop) it was eventually seen reasonably well in the trying weather conditions.

It was blowing a gale with poor light conditions and the bird was keeping low, the usual excuses for the poor quality photos, but a stunning bird all the same.

Christmas Greetings

We wish all our viewers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Seasonal Robin

Couldn't resist taking these shots of this Robin that was almost posing for a photo in nice lighting conditions.

and then ended the day at the starling roost with a nice sunset.

Starling Murmuration

An evening visit to the local starling roost over the weekend didn’t disappoint with a spectacular display on show.

Click here for video http://youtu.be/pDotZwz57pc

A single starling showing off its fine winter plumage

A few more Citrine Wagtail shots

Dancing Woodcock

This Woodcock crash landed on the beach at Danes Dyke, Flamborough head flushing the Citrine Wagtail we were watching in the process.  It then did a little bobbing up and down before settling down for a little rest after the long sea crossing.  While publishing this to the blog the chefs on Masterchef on the TV were plucking a Woodcock and preparing to cook it – how on earth anyone can kill and eat one of these magnificent creatures is beyond me.

Click here for videohttp://http://youtu.ben/6pFNR_iJg7c

Fly catching feast for Citrine Wagtail

Here is a short video showing the Citrine Wagtail on the beach at Danes Dyke, Flamborough.

Click here for video http://youtu.be/SWxvHQN3RrM

Citrine Wagtail

A last minute decision was made to travel back over the bridge into Yorkshire to catch up with the Citrine Wagtail at Flamborough and have another look at the nearby Rough-legged Buzzard.

When the sun came out there was an explosion of flies flying above the tide rack.  All the Citrine Wagtail had to do was stand there and snap open it's bill and a fly was caught.

 While photographing the Citrine this Woodcock flew in off the sea and almost landed on the wagtail before it settled down to rest after the long sea crossing.  It wasn't though too impressed on all the flies crawling over it while it was trying to get a little shut eye.

 Was a little delayed getting to the Rough-leg site due to the showy wagtail and Woodcock so just missed out on seeing the buzzard at close range but it was still nice in the afternoon sunshine.

Showy Rough-legged Buzzard

Decided to hop over the bridge into Yorkshire to see one of many Rough-legged Buzzards that have arrived in the country and was it worth it.  We only arrived with the last 2 hours of day light left but the bird performed well giving spectacular views straight over head. This made digiscoping difficult but did manage a few shots with the rest of the time spent just admiring the bird.