East Yorkshire

Spent 3 days in early October based in Hull with a view to exploring the Spurn headland. The wind direction was stubbornly westerly and has been all Autumn this year so much of the 3 days were at sites more inland.

On the way down I caught up with the very obliging juvenile Long Tailed Skua at Goswick.

I also got very lucky with the Scops Owl at Ryehope near Sunderland. This was a British lifer for me.

I stopped at Fairburn Ings and had Willow Tit on the Centre feeders and good views of Green Woodpecker.

Little Egret at Fairburn Ings

The 2nd day was spent at Easington & Kilnsea. It was good to finally see sites that have held so many good birds over the years. The former site had a juvenile Rose Coloured Starling and a Red Backed Shrike.

Kilnsea Wetlands were good with c6 Little Stint among more usual waders.

Slav Grebe at Kilnsea

Down at the road end I saw a rather distant Whinchat that was my first for the year.

I spent most of the 3rd day at Blacktoft Sands. c10 Curlew Sands were a feature here. Also Spotshank & Marsh Harrier were notable.

Spotshanks

North Norfolk

Had a very enjoyable week staying in Thornham in late July. Visited Titchwell every morning and had in particular:

• Pectoral Sandpiper
• Great White Egret
• Turtle Dove
• Hobby
• Spotshank
• Barn Owl

Bempton Cliffs

Spent a day in June photographing the seabirds.

Caerlaverock

Pacific Diver Ladyburn Lake Northumberland

Unfortunately, it never came that close in the time I was there.

'The' Diver

Tufted Ducks with attitude

Water Rail

Whilst waiting for the Diver to come closer

Stopped at Dunbar Quarry on the way home & had a very distant Black Necked Grebe & 2 Long Tailed Ducks.

New Year

We were down at John & Eileen's caravan for New Year at the 3 Lochs. The weather on 1st January was bright & sunny but at Loch Ryan there was a stiff North Westerly blowing & the sea was crashing over the promenade at Stranraer.

Several hundred Scaup and a few Pintail were the best. At the Wig it was a bit calmer & I managed to pick out Slavonian Grebe & Common Scoter, Brent Geese were also here.

Back in Stranraer I had c20 Waxwing.

West Freugh airfield produced a female Hen Harrier.

Woodcock at the 3 Lochs on the 2nd was a bonus.

Eastern Black Redstart at Torness

Hopefully an armchair tick somewhere down the line.

Also saw 3 White Fronted & 1 Barnacle Goose in a field of Pink Feet & Greylag at Skateraw.

Failed to find any Water Pipits at Barn's Ness.