A quick peep

No, not a rare wader, but a nice Holmpton tick at the weekend in the form of Sanderling (6). Also managed a Woodcock, Fieldfare (2) and Turnstone (13) at Spurn.

Still having IT issues with my laptop. Hopefully sorted soon...

500 UP!

Thought I'd mark this with a few shots from last summer's holiday to Colorado (let's face it there's not much around at the moment).

Below are some of my best images I managed of American mammals. Hope you like them...

Grizzly on Elk carcass watched by 4 Wolves on the river bank!

Was just leaving the resort of Estes Park when I saw this from my car window on a Motel lawn! This Elk was taller than me ...at the shoulder!!

This shot of a Mountain Goat was taken near the Summit of Mount Evans at approximately 13,000 feet...

Yellow-bellied Marmot next. This high altitude animal hibernates for all but the summer months!

Any resemblance to this lower altitude chappie?

That's it for now folks...don't like long posts! I'll post one more on this topic later in the week including a little American History that I took in...

Here and there

Managed another couple of addition to my fledgling Holmpton list in the form of a nice group of Golden Plover (44) circling the village at dusk on Sunday afternoon plus a passing Red-throated Diver flying North.

Bucketing down at North Duffield today. Hopefully a prelude to the Derwent bursting it's banks down on the the reserve.

Severe weather at the moment with the torrential rain following the gale force winds. Still daylight time is ever increasing. I've heard Mistle Thrush, Collared Dove and Tawny Owl prospecting for partners. The first hint of Spring?

There's optimism for you!

Too Windy!

A combination of gale force winds and a visit from my eldest and his Fiance meant birding was at a premium this weekend.

Digital Radio!

Got treated to one by Louise in the Christmas sales...£30 from Sainsbury's, a bargain apparently...she gets a lot of those!! Anyway, had a fiddle with it and found my dream station. No adverts (bliss!), no DJ's, no static, just classic 70's...Dreamlando!

So, what's it called...Smooth Radio. OK, it's not super stereo and every song isn't my cup of tea BUT the play list is enormous and varied. There's also Soul and 60's Channels. Great Memories if your old enough?

Over to Holmpton tonight...

8 Curlew over cottage as I arrived...nice!

First Impressions

Having spent the weekend at Holmpton and having driven from Spurn to Withernsea (11 miles) it was interesting to note the various habitats along the route. Most of you will be familiar with the "Spurn end" of things but I was surprised at the potential of things further north.
Holmpton, in case you haven't been, is a surprisingly wooded village with a decent amount of coastal scrub. Towards Withernsea there are some promising coastal fields and a decent Sewage Works. On the outskirts of Withernsea is a small airfield.

A short note of thanks to my followers who stuck with me through the dearth of posts over Christmas and New Year. My Stat' counter kept on turning! Feel free to add yourself to the followers section of the Blog so I can see who you are!

First Weekend

Well, put a few feeders up in the back garden and Bingo...Barn Owl, Tawny Owl (heard), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow and Coal Tit amongst others, not a bad start! Birding time limited whilst we get the place sorted as our weekend retreat but we had a drive down to Spurn this morning and I managed to pick up a few Year ticks. The road is blocked at the moment as the sea has dumped sand on the "rubber road". Still we had a drive around and I managed a short walk.
I've posted a few of my initial totals and I obviously hope to build these as time goes by. Patch list is from Spurn to Withernsea in case you were wondering (you probably weren't!).

I didn't manage to beat my Duff' year total although I'm pleased with 106. The dry year went against me and even now it's still pretty dry...RAIN is needed.

Disclosure!

I obviously don't know how old you are but as I approached 55 (November 20th) I started to reflect on things...dangerous! We had talked at length about buying a little place on the coast...this was after Louise amazed me by suggesting it!! So, that's the surprise, we've done it.

Where?

Holmpton...like I said...Where!

Here...



Only a modest abode but we like it. I especially like it as it's 7 miles from Spurn!!!
For the foreseeable future it will be our weekend retreat but eventually it will be our retirement home. I might even be able to find my own MEGA? The village itself is remarkably wooded along a mainly arable Holderness coastline.





So that's it, the secrets out. We're both glad we've taken the plunge. Lots of people talk about it...but never DO it...

Appointment with Physio' next week, then meeting with consultant to decide on the next step regarding the Hip. I've been working the muscles but the joint is still sore...

Back on line!

FINALLY sorted! Blogging to resume soon, probably Friday. A few surprises in store.  Bet you've missed my ramblings?

Remember me?

Still fully committed to Blogging. More details on my enforced absence to follow shortly...just like to keep you guessing!

I see Big John just missed out on the BIG YEAR RECORD. Still, a superb effort (albeit a VERY costly  one).

A New Year with many challenges ahead. I hope it's a great one for you...