Filey brigg all to myself.

Thought i would have a trip to the coast and give Filey brigg a go. Weather started out ok but started to go downhill fast.

Cloud moved in quickly and by the time i got to Filey brigg i could not help but notice that i was the only person there!!

Must try and find out how to id this bird....

 Very obliging Redshank on the way back to the car.

Oh and the reason i was the only person on the Brigg? the tide was coming in at a rapid rate and i just managed to get off in time!!

Redwings arrive.

Had a quick walk around the patch today and managed to get onto approx 25-30 Whoopers they were a bit spooked as there was a local shoot in full flow. It did not seem to bother them too much.
Noticed big numbers of wood pigeon crow and starlings all competing for food in the fields.

Male peregrine soon scattered these. Nice to still some dragonflies hanging on not sure what type they are think they are red veined darters but had at least a dozen.

First Redwings of the year feeding on the local hedgerow berries and good numbers of Fielfare (75+)

Skylark and a family of about 6-7 Longtailed tits capped off a nice walk.

Still no Barnies!

Still not seen any Barn Owls in the valley it is now a real concern, it looks like the early floods this year have had a catastrophic knock on effect with regards to the mice and vole populations.

Had a stroll along the derwent today and was pleased to see two Kingfishers chasing each other along the bank.A few Teal about and distant views of about 30 Whoopers.

Distant views of about 30 Whoopers.

Fieldfare were active about 25+ making their own distinctive calls. Didn't notice any Redwing among them.

Plenty of evidence of Otters on the river bank but as usual did not get to see any.

The water at the moment is crystal clear and seems to be teaming with fish so maybe i will bump into the elusive Otters at some point.

Th weather at the moment is cold with the remains of last nights ground frost evident but having said that i came across this Thistle which seems to having a late burst of flower (seems late to me!)

The crop of willows has been harvested so as you can see the nearby power station is at full throttle.

The Mute swans seemed to be enjoying the late sunshine until they were disturbed by the local farmer in his land rover but they did not seem that bothered.

I will try again tomorrow and maybe find out a bit more about the lack of Barn Owls on the patch.

Intruder in the house!!

A couple of weeks ago i was admiring my ever expanding troop of sparrows in my garden, the group are now up to 100 strong and are steadily eating me out of house and home.

Then all hell broke loose! A terrible screech was coming from the lounge and it sounded as though something was coming to a very sticky end.

I walked into the lounge to be confronted by a female sparrow hawk chasing one of my sparrows around the room, it had come in through the conservatory doors and was about to dismember the poor sparrow. Literally for 10 seconds it was so intent on lunch that it did not realise i was in the room.

When it finally noticed me it was out like a shot with the petrified sparrow a tail feather behind it.

more on this later.

Sunday afternoon walk down the valley resulted in some top stuff. Pheasants and french partridge scurrying around as usual and have managed to avoid the local guns. Dozens of Goldfinch and Linnet as well as good numbers of Meadow pipit.

Moorehen were a plenty as were coots and cormorant. Grey heron struggled in the gusts of wind but the local Kestrel and Buzzard were showing off their aerial prowess.

Lots of Great and Blue tits were busy in the hedgerows and as i followed the course of the river derwent it was noticeable that otter footprints were evident all the way along the banks.

Then a stunning Kingfisher shot across the river. Brilliant!!! Snipe hanging around.

Crystal clear water that must be a good sign?

Then if things could not get any better not one but two Green sandpipers were feeding on the river mud flats too distant and nervous to get a piccie.

Still stacks of Dragon flies about and butterflies a real Indian Summers day Fantastic.

And the naff pic of the sparrow hawk?

This bird put on a stunning performance flying just above the river in hot pursuit of a sparrow.

Question? was it the same one from my house??? 

I wonder.

Back to Gods own country.....

Cirl Bunting and Red backed shrike.

Just got the Cirl but could not get a decent pic of the Shrike...more later

More from France.....

The above picture does not do justice to the sight for real! Over 60 Buzzards and Kites in the air at the same time.

This Grey Wag was bagged at lunchtime shot through a storm drain pipe.

 Him again...

 Lesser spotted woodpecker at distance in poor early morning light.

 Happy family Back end of adult bird looking for food as youngsters look on.

 The wonderful Serin lovely song.

 These two searching for food on the roadside nice bonus.

 Oh and a wasp about two inches long get stung by one of these and its A&E for the night.