Sharpes Birds CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

kingfisher

2012-02-07T04:16:00.000-08:00

Thought I would put a few more of the Kingfisher on as she was so obliging and also because its not very often you can get so lucky

Redpol

2012-02-01T13:10:00.000-08:00

One of four Redpol seen down at Cromwell Bottom which have been around for about two weeks now.

Cromwell Bottom

2012-02-01T13:08:00.000-08:00

Great views of the Kingfisher along the Canal Path going towards Elland

Snow Bunting

2011-12-28T11:56:00.000-08:00

After seeing the Calderdale Blog and pictures of the Snow Bunting we decided to go up and see if they were still around. After walking around for about 15 minutes one was spotted in the longish grass to the right of the mast by a couple of bird watchers . We had heard the call a few times earlier but were pleased to see this one down to about 20 feet away.

The first of the year

2011-11-25T08:35:00.000-08:00

A bird we always love to see is the Waxwing. This one was at the back of Kew but disappeared after about 5 minutes. That was all we needed

Snow Bunting

2011-11-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

They had been flying overhead for a few days and then we spotted some on the New Rocks down on the Humber.Two days later a flock of about 25 flew south

Robin

2011-11-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

Yes I know , there are millions of them. I just couldnt leave them out. New colours and cockey as hell , just had to put them on

Pied Wheatear

2011-11-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Another lifer for us was this Pied Wheatear which favoured the beach area but landed on the Lifeboat rooftop for us to get a quick picture before it returned to its prefered area

Pied Flycatcher

2011-11-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

Very accomodating and very tolerent to our presence we spent about 15 minutes watching this Flycatcher around the Church . A cracker

Little Egret

2011-11-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

Just alittle bit of poetic licence .I darkened the picture and just highlighted the wing edges to give a different look , a bit more artistic.The original one was taken flying down the Humber

Isabelline Wheatear

2011-11-25T08:08:00.000-08:00

A lifer for us was this Isabelline Wheatear down the Peninsular. It hung around for quite a while but kept its distance from us .

Brambling

2011-11-25T08:01:00.000-08:00

There had been a few Brambling flying through but not many on the ground.We found this one down at the point.

Birds Ringed Recently

2011-11-25T07:59:00.000-08:00

Brambling Richards Pipit Woodlark and YellowHammer are a few of the different birds ringed recently. Just look at the markings on the back of the Richards Pipit. Amazing when you can see them close up.

Incoming Geese

2011-11-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

There has been quite an influx of Geese the past couple of weeks including Bean Geese , Whitefronted, Barnacle , Brent , Pink Feet and the odd Grelag. A fair number have been in the fields on Long Bank Marshes and down on the Humber

Arctic Redpol

2011-11-25T07:40:00.000-08:00

Just as it was about to become dark this little fellow made an appearance.It was so dark this is the only picture i could get .Iso 1200 at a 15th of a second.At least I got one

BlackRedstart

2011-11-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

One of the regular species that finds its way onto the cliff top at the northern end of the camp site is the Black Redstart.This one had apparantly just been either caught in a shower or had just been bathing. Either way it tolerated me for a while to get a few pictures of it.

Just a few more from last week

2011-10-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Reed Bunting

Ring Ouzel

Sanderling

Scaup

Tree Sparrow

Wheatear

Various Birds from During the Week

2011-10-27T13:05:00.000-07:00

Cormorant landing

Corn Bunting at " Garrys"

Curlew and Bartailed Godwit

Jack Snipe

Little Egret

Pinkfooted Geese on the move

Purple Sandpiper

RedBacked Shrike

2011-10-27T12:54:00.001-07:00

Superb little bird stayed around for a couple of days

Raptors

2011-10-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Kestrel on New Rocks

Little Owl outside Sandy Beaches

Merlin along Big Hedge

Heligoland Trap

2011-10-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

This shows the basic configuration of the trap , the birds entering under their own volition and they procede down from the large open end to the narrow section and then into a catching box.

Here at the catching box they are taken out recorded occassionaly shown in the hand and then released unhurt by the experience. Here Tree Sparrow were being extracted by Barry .

Grey Seal

2011-10-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Slight diversion from birds as this fellow popped in to see what the human race was up to. And very welcome it was.

2011-10-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Not very confiding hence the distance it kept us , but Great Grey Shrike are good at any distance

2011-10-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

Tiny little Goldcrest

Fieldfare

Beautiful Kestrel

Very sedate Merlin

Ring Ouzel

Just a few of the birds ringed over the past week. The total number was well into the 100,s

Brent Geese

2011-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

A couple of pictures of Brent Geese . They were gathering in quite good numbers at Beacon Ponds and down on the Humber

Autumn Watch at Spurn Point

2011-10-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

These are a few of the pictures taken in the car park with a Hawfinch being the centre of attraction . The crew were around most of the week , unfortunately the birds werent

Corn Bunting

2011-10-27T11:51:00.001-07:00

Rosefinch

2011-10-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Shoveler

2011-10-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

Just sat there , totally alone. A bit like me that day.

Wheatear

2011-10-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

Probably one of my all time favourite birds the Wheatear .Always stands proud and looks you straight in the eye . A little cracker

Mute Swan

2011-10-03T07:43:00.001-07:00

Flying around all week was this bent necked swan. Anyone any ideas ?

Swallow

2011-10-03T07:41:00.001-07:00

This one nearly left it too late for a second brood but they were away last week.

SparrowHawk

2011-10-03T07:38:00.001-07:00

Nearly missed this one as he came out of absolutely nowhere

sparrowHawk

Osprey and Peregrine

2011-10-03T07:36:00.001-07:00

A couple of raptor pictures that were unfortunately quite a lon gway off but not too bad a record shot

Pintail

2011-10-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

Pintail dropped in for a brush up and left a few minutes later to cheer up a pretty barren day

Med Gull

2011-10-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Probably the best views we have ever had of the Mediterranean Gull and obliged us with a couple of pictures

Meadow Pipit

2011-10-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

There were great numbers of Meadow Pipits during the week on migration and a few stopped in on the way for a brush and clean up plus a little bit of sustinence .

Lizard

2011-10-03T07:21:00.001-07:00

Common Lizard warming itself in the mid-day sun. There was a little one but it was hiding under the bark

Little Bunting

2011-10-03T07:18:00.001-07:00

Probably the best bird of the week for us was this Little Bunting caught and ringed ar the Warren . It wasnt quite as pleased to see us as we were to see it.

House Martin

2011-10-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

Just thought id show you how house proud a House Martin can be .Dont know who they expect to clean this lot up though

Great Spotted Woodpcker

2011-10-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

Caught in the trap and ringed then shown in the hand. Quite an obliging bird

2011-10-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

BlackTailed Godwit found on site with damaged leg. We took it to Kew but I dont think it survived

Dunlin

Some pistures of Goldfinch feeding on thistle heads on the Canal Scrape.

Plover and Greenshank

2011-10-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

Plover and Greenshank heading down the Humber

Blackcap in the bushes by the Crown and Anchor

Cormorant flying over our heads down Borrow Pits

Little Gull

2011-08-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

Little Egret Quietly Feeding at Dusk

2011-08-11T14:14:00.001-07:00

Knot in Great numbers fighting for space to feed

2011-08-11T14:10:00.001-07:00

HummingBird Hawkmoth at 3000th of a second

2011-08-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Heron and Housemartin . Quite a difference in size

2011-08-11T14:03:00.000-07:00

GrassHopper Warbler at Bottom of Scrape

2011-08-11T13:58:00.001-07:00

Young Blue Tit , and Crow coming down to water to dunk its bread

2011-08-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

BlackHeaded Gull .Just look at that tongue

2011-08-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Bar Tailed Godwit

2011-08-11T13:46:00.001-07:00

Bar Headed Goose

2011-08-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

Other Than Birds

2011-08-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Pipistrelle bat

2011-07-24T03:17:00.000-07:00

This little fellow came into the garden but didnt seem too keen on flying .After two days feeding up and watering he flew off into the night sky apparantly no worse for wear .Just look how small them feet are.

Sedge Warbler

2011-07-17T13:30:00.000-07:00

This one was not too happy about something in the area. It wasnt us.

Sandwich Tern

2011-07-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

Just popped in for a little brush up

Grey Heron

2011-07-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Grey Heron flew around the Scrape and then popped in for lunch.It was only a quick one though

Fox Cub

2011-07-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Waking around like he owned the place this little young one will have to be kept south of Beacon Ponds

Reed Warblers

2011-07-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

Just after we got the pictures of the GrassHopper Warbler we were very lucky to get these of a Reed Warbler and young. Very pleased with them both for beimg sociable

Swallows

2011-07-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

These are two young ones ready to face the cold cruel world. Best of Luck to them

Grasshopper Warbler

2011-07-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

At the bottom of the Canal Path on the right hand side with a little patience and luck we caught this Warbler on three occations though not always obligingly sat out for its picture taking.

Lizard

2011-07-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

Walking past the Canal Hide there is aspot where this little fellow sits in the sunshine , its on the right hand side just before you get to the Hide door on a round horizontal post

Grey Wagtail

2011-06-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

This is our first Grey Wagtail for the year at Spurn and thanks to Tony who spotted it and pointed it out to me . Cheers Tony

Young Wren

2011-06-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

Just had to put this little one on.The future generation. Lets hope he makes it

Perching

2011-06-30T13:30:00.001-07:00

Just a few different perching birds. Nothing rare , just nice to look at

Pomerine Skua

2011-06-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

This was a first for us and to get so close was especially good. Usually only seen at great distance this one flew from the Beacon Ponds area and down the Peninsular before disappearing out at sea . Lucky us

These are a few of the birds for June

2011-06-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

From Juvenile Pied Wagtails to MarshTit in the hand it had been a pleasant week and totally enyoyable. Unfortunately we missed quite a few of the passing migrants including Spoonbills Crossbills Bee Eater just to mention a few. Always next time

Swallows

2011-06-03T13:50:00.001-07:00

Subalpine Warbler

2011-05-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Nice to get them both in the environment and also in the hand

Nightingale

2011-05-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

After missing out on a Wood Lark this certainly made up for it.Just look at that cracking tail

Kestrels

2011-05-13T12:21:00.001-07:00

GreenShank

2011-05-13T12:18:00.003-07:00

Common Whitethroat

2011-05-13T12:15:00.001-07:00

Common Sandpiper

2011-05-13T12:11:00.001-07:00

Kestrel

2011-05-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

There has been a nice movement of raptors the past few days including Buzzard and Harriers and Kite

Moon from the Other Night at its Closest

2011-04-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

You can Take Him on if you Want , but not Me

2011-04-11T07:49:00.001-07:00

Gadwall

2011-04-11T07:41:00.001-07:00

Nice Male and then one of Male And Female

Coal Tit after Ringing

2011-04-11T07:37:00.001-07:00

BlackRedstart

2011-04-11T07:34:00.001-07:00

Another Black Redstart up on Sandy Beaches

Barn Owl

2011-04-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

This ones going home with its supper .

White Wagtail

2011-04-11T07:29:00.001-07:00

White Wagtail flying around the canal with four Pied Wagtails and a Yellow Wagtail

Ring Ousel

2011-04-11T07:27:00.001-07:00

One in the hand and one in the grass

Just a Few Various

2011-03-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

Just a few various photogenics from the week including the Barn Owl silhouette heading over the Humber

Curlew

2011-03-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

Not the rarest bird of the week but nice to be able to get a nice close up . This is the one that spooked the Red Crested Pochard .Slight consolation

Red Crested Pochard

2011-03-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Andy and Barry we were put onto this cracker down at the Canal Hide which was a first ever for us. Once again it was quite a highlight as it was the first for the recording area since the late sixties. It seemed to be with a pair of Mallard and disappeared with them after being spooked by a Curlew. It didnt return while we were there so we presume that it left the area.

Egyptian Goose

2011-03-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

This was by sheer luck as the weather was terrible with thick fog and very dismal.I had to lighten the photo in Adobe to even recognise what the bird was , to the amusement of quite a few "expert birders"

Bluethroat

2011-03-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

One of the best surprises of the week was the arrival of this Bluethroat (WhiteSpot) .The last time one was seen just outside the recording area was 1966

It remained in the base of a ditch for over 2 days breaking the surface only occassionaly to tease us.

Tree Creeper

2011-03-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

Spotted this Treecreeper down on the canal this afternoon. Just shows what great camoflage their colours have against the bark of the tree

Waxwings

2011-01-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

Had a phone call from Clare and Eddy this morning telling me there were 70+ Waxwing at the top of Garden Road. . I went straight up and they were there feeding on the apple tree . Cracking birds

Common Gulls at Mount Tabor

2011-01-05T13:46:00.000-08:00

Blackheaded Gulls at Mount Tabor

2011-01-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

We met up with Nick D at Mount Tabor looking for the Med Gull . Whilst there we had the usualg Gulls including these Blackheaded . Looks like one got a pair of earphones for Xmas

Nuthatch

2010-12-17T13:21:00.000-08:00

We went looking for Redpoll but finished up with 104 Canada Geese and this little cracker

Waxwing at Waring Green

2010-12-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

Superb birds .Never get tired of looking at them. The trouble was that two Mistle and one Song Thrush didnt want them around and kept flushing them

Bullfinch with Papillomavirus

2010-12-04T13:11:00.000-08:00

We had been up at Lane Head taking some pictures of Waxwing when we spotted this Bullfinch. Unfortunately we noticed its lower leg and feet.We have been informed that it is a disease named Papillomavirus . Itdidnt seem to spoil its appetite for the Rowan Berries

Black Redstart

2010-11-23T12:51:00.000-08:00

Male redstart in breeding plumage at the top of Sandy Beaches Holiday Park

YellowHammer

2010-11-23T12:45:00.001-08:00

Eight YellowHammers in Bushes by the Listening Dish

Twite

2010-11-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

Twite on the Beacon Ponds and after Ringing

Pallas's Warbler

2010-11-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

This little fellow was on at Sammies Point.Unfortunately he was being "pursued " by about 20 birders who kept flushing him from bush to bush. If they had just stood still they would have had better views of him.