Blacktoft Sands RSPB 30-6-13

Today I decided on taking Jacqui to Blacktoft somewhere she had never been before just to see what we could find in general.But the thought of Purple Heron at Tophill Low did cross my mind but didn't fancy sitting around for what could be a long wait.
We arrived around 11.00 and made our way round the various hides missing a Bittern by minutes and no sign of Bearded tit either that had been seen earlier at Marshlands,but was told they have had a very good breeding year this year so hopefully their young might spread down towards Far Ings so we can get a resident population back.
Also the Marsh Harrier have had a good year along with Bitterns so where is Far Ings going wrong ?

Filey Brigg 29-6-13

With a male Surf Scoter turning up mid week I just had to hope that it would stay until the weekend now i'm back at work and only getting weekends off.
Luckily it stayed and Jacqui and myself set off after about a hours drive we arrived and quickly hurried down to the sailing club not thinking that the tide was still high and didn't realize that we couldn't go that way until it was a bit late,so we headed back to the car and drove up to the top car park and made our way down to the brigg on before a young Sand Martin sat on the gate allowing us very close up shots and views,we got down on to the brigg and soon picked out the Surf Scoter in with a small group of Common Scoter,nice views with the bins but not so good for the camera looking into the sun,but managed some record shots.
Other birds encountered was Fulmar,Kittiwake,Cormorant,Shag,Guillemot,Razorbill,Black-tailed Godwit,Common Redshank,Oystercatcher and a few Sandwich Tern.Our other plans was canceled due to a bit of car trouble so headed off home and got it sorted.
Another lifer in the bag taking me to 333 for Britain

Crowle Moore 16-6-13

Not much around in the way of birds,we decided on a trip to Crowle moore for a few hours for some macro photography.
Jacqui still managed to get 2 lifers in the form of Tree Pipit and Garden Warbler,it wasn't a bad day really for birds which included Barn Owl at the new car park several Cuckoo,Common and Lesser Whitethroat but a previous late trip produced Turtle Dove and 4-5 Nightjars.
I did manage a new Butterfly in the form of Large Heath.
A few photographs from the afternoon

Small Copper

Large Heath

Latticed Heath

Large Red Damselfly 

Cotton Grass

Four-spotted Chaser

Spurn 5-5-13

With Jacqui up and out at the crack of dawn leaving me fast asleep but was up by the time she got back !!!
Another hot sunny day and Dotterel again showing at Kilnsea the decision was made to get Jacqui another lifer although I knew they would be distant,we set off but with a slight detour to Paull Holme strays with the chance of me getting a Life/Brit tick in the form of Tawny Pipit being found,but having a look around and a chat to another birder we decided on not wasting anymore time and continue to Spurn.
We arrived around midday making our way up to Beacon ponds first getting Jacqui a lifer with the Little Terns first then finding out where exactly the Dotterel was,we made our way down the bank to find Richard Willison already in position with his friend who I know the face but couldn't put a name to.We spent about an hour watching and hoping they would come closer but they just kept their distance,so we made off for canal scrape to see what was down that end but all a bit quiet.
a couple of record shots below but nice to see all the same.

Bits n Bobs

My first Turtle Dove of the year on 2-5
and found a local male Black Redstart on 4-5

Whisby Nature Park 30-4-13

Today we decided on going to a new reserve about a hours drive,Sun was out so it was a nice hot day for us
a look around the visitor center something Far Ings could do with looking at.
We worked out a route which would take us to the furthest end of the reserve enable us to work our way back,but it was not to be only a few minutes of starting our walk we bumped into my old friend Dave Hutton and Dean Eades,it wasn't to long before Jacqui was viewing her first lifer of the day in the form of Nightingale which I love to hear.
We stayed around hoping for some photo's but not a chance so we continued around the other lakes and found a Black-necked Grebe which gave some cracking photo opportunities,Jacqui's second lifer of the day we headed back to the Nightingales for another chance of pics but again they didn't want to play ball,after a while we headed back to the car for a coffee and food by this time it was getting on so Dave and Dean decided on calling it a day but we decided we had a hour left on our ticket and would use it in the hope the Nightingales would show and was we glad we did.
A cracking day with some great company.

Spurn Point 26-4-13

With the chance of a lifer in the form of Rock thrush it was a case of shall we go now or wait until the next day and then with Anthony messaging about it,the we decided on waiting until the morning bad move because we missed out on Caspian Tern even though it would have only been a year tick for me.
With Anthony arriving after his night shift we set off for the short drive to Spurn point,after arriving we was onto the bird in minutes although it was always distant maybe due to being pushed around a bit.
After watching the bird for a while we made our way to the canal scrape where the Long-eared Owl was sat out in a hawthorn bush again distant but nice to see.
The Hoopoe that was found earlier had flew off north towards beacon pond we had a quick look around but no joy with that.