Bird Lover

In this morning's constant drizzle at Kilnsea, we came across a flock of 28 stunning Black-tailed Godwits.  Elaine noticed that the nearest was sporting a wide array of coloured rings.  It had another much nearer its foot!  Also present some people's first ever Whimbrel, plus Curlew, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Black-tailed Godwit

Yesterday, I thought I'd have a look at the Wassand hide during a time of the year I've never been before.  The woodland walk was very attractive with plenty of wild flowers and butterflies.  Nothing unusual or rare, but very pleasant nonetheless.  As we approached the hide the clamorous song of the Cetti's Warbler was almost deafening.  On reaching the hide it seemed very quiet on the Mere at first with just unmentionables, but a group of 10 adult Great Crested Grebes apparently marooned towards the left hand side of the hide was the largest group of this species I've seen at this particular location.   P erhaps 10 minutes or so later I spotted a Hobby on the far side of the Mere above the r eedbed.  It performed over a recently-mown field and spent some time "playing" above the mature trees running along the road on the opposite side.  Finally, two other Hobbies were seen, and eventually one came right towards the hide, but it was really too quick and errati

Female Peregrine with young Guillemot? On Tuesday we made our only visit to Allerthorpe.  The vegetation had rioted, and although we saw Willow Warblers and Yellowhammers the only photos I'm left with are flowers.  The birds we encountered included:  Cuckoo, Linnet x dozen, Yellowhammer x 4, Garden Warbler x 4, Willow Warbler x 3, Chiffchaff, Treecreeper etc Heath Bedstraw?   Climbing Cordyalis   Marsh Cinquefoil   Unusual fenced-off plant? On Wednesday we went to Sammy's Point first and found a privet bush  absolutely  crawling with 50+ Red Admirals, 5+ Small Tortoiseshells, a Painted Lady and a Large Skipper.  There was a Willow Warbler flitting among the bushes.  We saw Oystercatchers and 2 immature Herons across the fields.  We then went on to Kilnsea Wetlands.  We discovered that every Avocet chick had perished in the previous 7 days.  On a more positive note there around 40 Little Tern nests being incubated.  If they all fledge it will be a very successful year.  The bird