An almost casual drive up to Bempton yesterday afternoon for the Red-tailed Shrike that had been relocated up a fine looking lane inland of the cliffs - the bird showed very well but due to the number of people it was difficult to be in the right place at the right time when it was closest and in good light, on a decent perch - I like the habitat shots in the umbellifers best
Omitted to post these images from last week; the first Baird's Sandpiper for the Flats and a stunner in full summer plumage present for just one day on the 21st it came to light via Birdguides after I posted the images that the same bird had been seen near Angers in central France from the 18th - 20th June so the question was it going north or south at this date in June was answered - it was certainly going north - could it now be in Svalbard or Greenland?
The first and last two images were taken in the morning in very bright sun with the RF100-400 lens as that was all I had with me at the time and the remainder were taken with the 400DO2 and 2x converter at 21:15 in better light -- water crowfoot has carpeted the areas of open mud and shallow water at Alkborough this spring
More about being there and listening to the mix of Nightjar, Little, Tawny and Long-eared Owls, roding Woodcock and barking Muntjac
a sound recording is on my website here Long-eared Owl calls
searched for Variable Damselflies on the River Eau last week but could only find two males; water quality in the river looked pretty poor and the banks had been dredged over-winter so little bank side vegetation left - then took a small detour on the way back from Wykeham to Forge Valley where I finally connected with Beautiful Demoiselles the first I had seen for about 35 years! All taken as usual with the Canon R6 and the RF 100-400 lens
