Thursday 23 March 2017

Eastern-black Redstart.....What A Bird!..,Sunday 19th March 2017.

I had been contemplating on making the effort to travel up to see this gorgeous bird for several weeks and along with Trace,we made the journey up through the Yorkshire Moors seeing a Red Kite and a hand full of Red Grouse along the way and onto the stunning coastline at Skinningrove.
 The weather was brilliant,with a stunning blue sky and a breezy westerly wind,the wind was a bit of a pain at times,but who can complain when it's sunny.
 On arrival at Skinningrove it was apparent the place was alive with day trippers and dog walkers,but i knew from previous experience that this doesn't affect the area where the bird spends his time.
 After reaching the birds wintering area,the huge breakwater adjacent to the pier,it wasn't long before i could hear him singing and there he was.Every time i see this beautiful bird,he just takes my breath away,what a cracker!.
 At first he was a bit elusive,mainly due to the unwanted attentions of a Robin as on my last visit in October,but also the wind was obviously annoying him as well,as we were both getting sand blasted on occasion.
 After a while though,he began to show at incredibly close range,too close for my camera at times,what a beautiful little bird.
 It was interesting to watch his behaviour when he disappeared,as there was one particular area of rocks which i could see into,where he would just sit out of the wind singing away,a great privilege to watch.
 When he disappeared for a short period,i went for a short walk and chanced upon a superb male Wheatear along the pier.Another stunning species and one that always brightens any birding day in spring.This was my first of the year and a very welcome one at that.
 Back to the resident stunner and i spent at least another hour taking photos and just watching this brilliant bird as he fed and sang in amongst his rocky home and i wondered if he will eventually migrate back east where he hatched as a chick the previous summer.
 After enjoying this lovely bird and taking my fill of images,it was time to leave and go and get some lunch,but what a great experience seeing this little beauty again,one of which will last in my memory for years to come.








Male Wheatear,My First Of The Year,

One Of The Resident Male Stonechat's.

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