Been a While!

I'm finally mobile again! I have a car that is. Fortunately the thorough going over coincided with the visit of my Son Robert from Dubai. I drove over to York last Thursday to meet Haydn who'd kindly agreed to free-up a Day to go Birding while the XC70 was at the Garage. We then met Robert close by, who'd been dropped off by his Mother.

Next stop was Skipwith Common to try for Green Woodpecker, a Bird Robert particularly wanted to see. Unfortunately we couldn't find...or hear one. Haydn did manage to show him a couple of Tree Pipits though.

I treated them both to lunch at the St Vincent's Arms (highly recommended) before we drove back down to NDC for a couple of hours. Again it was quiet but I think he enjoyed the day before we picked the car up at the Garage, said goodbye to Haydn and returned to the Coast. Hobby would have been nice.

He did particularly like Whitethroat and Reed Bunting...

We started reasonably early on Friday as I gave him the "Grand Tour" of my main Patch Sites. We started down at Spurn then made our way along the Humber visiting Skeffling, Weeton and Welwick. We had great flight views of Reed Warbler at the first Site but couldn't manage a pic. We spent the most time at Weeton making our way up to the Floodbank to view the inlet. I was pleased to see around a dozen Avocets present which gave him great views...

...and a couple of Barnacle Geese were a nice bonus...and a Year Tick!

After lunch at Cakey Bakey in Patrington (again, thoroughly recommended) we headed down to Patrington Haven. As we parked I noticed a couple of large white Birds taking off from the first pool. "Spoonbills" I informed him. They circled a couple of times before descending back to the same area. We made our way over the bridge and approached the pool slowly. 

Turned out there were three...in superb breeding plumage...

The other bonus as well as sharing the moment was the fact they were on grass...and awake!

Probably my best ever views of this Species, considering the setting and company. More Avocets were nearby...

Saturday morning we ried the Sea for a while. It was incredibly hot for late May on the East Coast of Yorkshire! 24c at 9am.

We had a look off the Gas Terminal at Easington. A few Shelduck were resting on the Sea...and...another Bird? Difficult to view through the haze but...

Drake Eider

A real surprise considering the date! Again, great to share it with Robert...a Lifer for him! We drove further up the Cliff to try and get a better view but the Bird had disappeared!?

We checked out a few spots on the Humber before lunch then returned to Patrington Haven early afternoon. No sign of the Spoonbills alas but we enjoyed prolonged views of at least SIX Marsh Harriers...

A grand end to our Birding. Sunday morning I drove him to Hull Station as he had to leave for London. Priceless time.