Holy Island again

Holy Island wasn't nearly as good as a few weeks ago today, with the highlight being a Whinchat and 6 Spotted Flycatchers. There were also singles of Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Wheatear.

Spotted Flycatcher

Allen Banks

A family trip to Allen Banks today produced a bit more than expected given the cold weather. First off we heard a Pied Flycatcher and Redstart as well as a Dipper, and before long, a Wood Warbler, which gave good views a few minutes later. Another Wood Warbler was singing on the opposite side of the river near the first bridge (which is impossible to cross due to a fallen tree). Further up the river we saw several Grey Wagtails along with a couple of Common Sandpipers. A few Early Purple Orchids were flowering in the woods. A Spotted Flycatcher was also in the car park.

Wood Warbler

Common Sandpiper

Spotted Flycatcher

Early Purple Orchid

Wild Garlic

Allen Banks

The ruined suspension bridge

Spring Migrants!

I had one of my best days birding ever today. We went to only two sites: Holy Island and East Chevington. Immediately after arriving at Holy Island at 8 o'clock, my Dad did well to find a male Red-backed Shrike in the fog at Chare Ends. Walking around the dunes north of the straight Lonnen we could find no more than a Pied Flycatcher and a few Lesser Whitethroats. While walking down the Straight Lonnen we received news of a probable Lesser Grey Shrike in the main car park. Soon after reaching the car park we were watching the brilliant male Lesser Grey Shrike along the edges of some fields. After seeing the Shrike we decided to have a look in the Vicar's Garden, where we found a Icterine Warbler. At least one Pied Flycatcher and a Spotted Flycatcher were also in the garden. More news of the Rustic Bunting prompted us to go to the Snook, though after thoroughly searching the area it had last been seen we could find no more than a Tree Pipit. On the way back to the car I walked over a dune to find a male and female Red-backed Shrike sitting next to each other in the same bush! A nice addition to my self found list. Some of the migrant totals at Holy Island were:

3 Red-backed Shrike
1 Lesser Grey Shrike
1 Icterine Warbler
2+ Tree Pipit
8+ Lesser Whitethroat
3 Pied Flycatcher
2 Spotted Flycatcher
2 Redstart
4 Garden Warbler
4 Whitethroat

On the way back we had a look for the Great Reed Warbler at Chevington. We heard it singing several times and glimpsed it a few times.

Red-backed Shrikes

Lesser Grey Shrike

Icterine Warbler

Pied Flycatchers

More Collared Flycatcher photos

Here's some more photos of the brilliant 1st summer male Collared Flycatcher at Low Newton yesterday. A Barn Owl flew over and 2 Lesser Whitethroats were also present.

With a Lesser Whitethroat in the last photo

COLLARED FLYCATCHER

More to come...

Two ticks in two days

Although I have been playing a lot of cricket in the past few days, I have managed to get a couple of ticks. The first being the Purple Heron at Chevington which showed well at times though was a bit too far for the camera. This morning I finnally managed to catch up with a Great White Egret at Hauxley, which was nice to see after I missed one at Prestwick Carr about a week ago.

Great White Egret record shot