Welcome back

Crappy light, an advancing tide and increasingly numerous tourists this morning, but still, the waders on the Brigg never disappoint at this time of year. The first two Purple Sandpipers of the season were hunkered down towards the tip, while Dunlins, Turnstones, Sanderlings, Redshank, Whimbrel and Knot were all present in small numbers.

Returning shorebirds

While not yet arriving in any numbers, there's been an increasingly steady trickle of waders returning from northerly breeding grounds over the last week or two, including Dunlins (with juveniles in tow) and Knot (still to provide decent photo opps, but they should do so before long). No doubt there's more of these species, as well as various congeners, to follow over the coming weeks....

Reed Warblers at the Dams

Plenty of Reed Warblers kicking around along the edges of the Dams and East Lea presently, including this particularly fearless and gobby individual (attributes that probably account for his lack of tail).

Godspeed You! Blue Emperor

Well, blue and green, but still.... Headed up onto the North cliff to do my Kittiwake plot this morning, and dropped in at the Tip on the way back to check for waders and dragons; while there wasn't many of either, two summer-plumaged Dunlin were fantastically tame (to follow), and despite the strong wind, this accomodating Emperor surprisingly came out ok with the long lens and its increasingly knackered auto-focus. What a beauty.

Barn Owls & Sand Martins

It'a all about the breeders right now here in Filey, including Sand Martins on Carr Naze and Barn Owls at the Dams.

Mass, USA - June 2015: bits and pieces

Plenty of non-avian interest, with the majority of these shots (with the 400 lens, hence not great for close-ups) taken in or near the garden; others were taken opportunistically within a few miles of the house. The mammals and the butterflies aren't too much of a test but I've not yet looked into the Odonata ID's - hopefully I'll get around to it soon....