A New Experience

Last week I was at Spurn again, staying at the Observatory. But not the old Warren Cottage. No, this was in the big, shiny new observatory building that is the future of Spurn Bird Observatory (SBO).

For those that might not know SBO has, until now, been based at the Warren Cottage. Originally there was a number of buildings, but these were condemned leaving just the cottage to accommodate visiting birders. Although I always enjoyed staying there, it could never have been called luxurious. It was old, too small, damp and chilly to say the least in winter. Having said that, I will miss it. It was also limited in the number of people it could accommodate as there were only three small rooms. Added to that, there was the inexorable march of the North Sea, which is now only about 30 metres from the back of the cottage. So,  the Observatory Committee decided to take the opportunity to purchase a detached property that became available in Kilnsea, not far from the Crown and Anchor pub (very fortunate). I know for a fact that a huge effort has been made by the Observatory and volunteers (of which I was ashamedly not one) to get the building ready for visiting birders, and what a job they have done. These pictures are just from downstairs where there is a boot room/ drying room, kitchen diner, common room, downstairs toilet and a twin room that is a bit 'special' in that it comes with bed linen provided for a small extra charge. Upstairs there are two shower/toilets and three rooms; two sleeping four and one sleeping three. You need to bring a sleeping bag or bed linen if staying in these rooms.

Common Room

Kitchen

Downstairs Bedroom

Unfortunately my photos just don't do it justice. It really is superb and if you've ever thought of staying at Spurn, but were put off by thoughts of cramped chilly nights in the Warren, think again. All the info you need is on the Spurn Bird Observatory website here, and whilst you are there why not become a friend of SBO too and get cheaper rates and contribute to the work of this fabulous charity.

Anyway, birds wise it was quiet. The weather just wasn't conducive to good passage and so it was slow. The 'rarest' bird was a Little Stint, but some of the waders in full breeding plumage were  stunning, and I spent a bit of time just 'scoping the waders on the Humber, admiring their plumage and re-familiarising myself with birds I don't get to see too regularly - Bar-tailed Godwit for example. I also amused myself trying out two new gadgets, a Canon EOS DSLR and a Phoneskope attachment for digiscoping. The photos below are a combination of digiscoped and DSLR. The difference is quite clear, but I am impressed with the Phoneskope accessory. However it is quite clear I need a fair bit of practice.

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Grey Plover and Dunlin

Grey Plover and Dunlin

 

Little Egret eating a fish

Little Egret

Little Egret

Little Stint (Honest)


 

Roe Deer

 

Staying at Spurn is always a treat, and is still something that excites me even after 20 years. The 'resident' birders know their stuff and will always help out anyone new. Staying in the 'Obs' inevitably leads to new friendships, and even if its slow on the bird front, time spent just relaxing is a pleasure.

Still Waiting for Spring

Another long gap between posts. In no small part that has been because there has been very little to post about, on the birding front at least.

Since my last birding related post I have had several days out - Ive been up to Sizergh Castle for the Hawfinches and failed to see them, followed by possibly the quietest visit to Leighton Moss Ive ever had. I walked into Lilians Hide, which normally has plenty wildfowl on show, to see nothing. Literally nothing. I have had a few days out on the Wirral visiting the North Wirral foreshore, Burton Mere etc etc and saw not a lot at all. And, I have traipsed around my local patch pretty much every day seeing two thirds of nothing! On the plus side, Wigan Athletic have won (barring Burton experiencing a miracle) League 1 and therefore automatic promotion back to the Championship.

Anyway. I had booked today off work in case I needed to run No2 child to an audition, but as that fell through I thought I'd get out onto the moors around Horwich. I did consider a run over to the east coast, but as the wind had been in the north for the last few days, with a swing to westerly yesterday and today, I didn't reckon it would be worth the 2 hrs in the car.

Looking South from Georges Lane

I was on the moors for around 06.00 and conditions were not exactly promising. The car was showing 3 degrees and the wind was a decidedly stiff westerly. A quick whizz up to the top of Winter Hill produced just a couple of meadow pipits and the usual carrion crows, the odd skylark and a kestrel. So instead I walked along Georges Lane to see if there was anything in the meadows. Again it was quiet with nothing unusual, and a drive around some of the lanes checking for wheatears in the paddocks only produced a single pied wagtail, so it was back home for a whizz around the local patch.

This was much better, if still a bit on the quiet side, but it did provide some new birds for the year. A sedge warbler was back on territory at the small pond, and another bird was singing in a scrubby area nearby - a new territory. There where a couple of whitethroats and blackcaps around, which were also new birds for the year, as was a common swift and house martin. So although still quiet at least its started to feel a bit like spring is coming!