Ornithological Idiocy

My baby Olympian

2012-02-01T09:46:00.003Z

Due August 2012

Bully's Back

2012-01-31T10:28:00.000Z

The Bullfinches have returned to the garden for the 4th year on the trot. Last year they arrived a day earlier on the 30th and the year before it was a week later on 6th Feb. Even better was the interest a male showed in the feeders. Peak numbers in the past have been 8 simultaneously so here is hoping for double figures this year.

Cattle Egrets are Crap

2012-01-29T17:44:00.001Z

White crows. Thats all they are. Saw the Tophill Cattle Egret today. Looked at it for maybe 15 seconds. If was huddled up in a ditch in the same pose as when I saw it in Blakeney in the Autumn. For excitement it looked left and right. If you ever catch me twitching one of these in the future, shoot me. They arent too bad when they are hunting but they are rubbish otherwise!

I found 7 Lesser Redpolls between O reservoir and South scrub in willows. They then flew high toward the car park. Heading back to the car park there were about 50 Siskins in the trees opposite the garage and these held a handful of Redpoll but despite looking I couldnt pin a mealy (despite false alarms). I went for the Willow Tits on the D woods feeders and these werent in evidence but 3 Goldcrests feeding in the brambles and a couple of Treecreepers were also in evidence.

There was not a lot going on in the gull roost and apparently I was being missed by Izzy so I bailed at 3.30. Just waiting to hear how I missed a white-winger. On Friday I got a bit of a surprise as a Pheasant was stalking the garden. It is the first in garden record although I have seen a few from the garden sat up on the fence by the railway.

No Egrets

2012-01-26T16:54:00.000Z

A quick smash and grab for the Tophill Low Cattle Egret failed but I enjoyed a ramble around the compound and up to Easingwold Farm with my daughter. We did manage a few other birds including hundreds of Redwings passing by the entrance, singing Mistle Thrush and a some Grey Partridges on the approach road.

Abject failure was fully embraced and bumping into Mat from Sheffield unexpectedly was a nice surprise. Better (sorry Mat!) was the discovery of a mixed flock of finches adjacent to north lagoon containing a few Siskin and Lesser Redpoll. The former was a year tick whilst the latter was a site tick. A paler bird may have been a Mealy Redpoll but I am waiting for news from my field agent Flowers. Fingers crossed.

Stuck in the Middle

2012-01-21T09:55:00.003Z

A work jaunt to the east midlands was a touch underwhelming this week but it did lead to a few year ticks and a handful of decent birds. Working on a major reserve we suffered due to the pools we were working next to being frozen. This prevented birds feeding on them and we were left with a loafing flock of gulls for the most part. By the end of the week the pool had opened up and we had good numbers of birds on.

Our travel day was completed early and we had a wander round the nature reserve which we were to work on. A redhead Smew on an island looked an awful lot like a juvenile male and a male Goosander was a year tick (and one I didnt manage in 2011 - how rubbish am I?). We saw swathes of Tufted Duck & Pochard amongst the manky Mallards and a Bahama Pintail. A couple of Egyptian Geese were rather lame lifers for my colleague. I also year ticked Lesser Black-backed Gull with an adult loafing with some Common and Black-headed Gulls. Steady away...

Our first day of work was greeted by singing Mistle Thrush and unseen Green Woodpecker yaffling away. On the work site calling Cetti's Warbler was only seen briefly when going for a pee but a Marsh Tit was calling above us in the frosty morning which was registering -4 C. Quite cold enough. The day passed off with crash landing Goosander and Cormorant but little else aside from a Bittern coughing in the adjacent reedbed unseen, probably forced in by the brief freeze.

Day 2 held a little more for us with LBBG and Herring Gull briefly joining the loafing small gulls. Herons were seen regularly around the pool and small numbers of Mallard and Teal were seen.

By the third day most of the pool was unfrozen and we recorded Shoveller, Goosander, Cormorant, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose & Moorhen. Not much better but a definite improvement. Not the most exciting survey but a nice place.

Travelling back we called by Clumber Park and Harewood House. At Clumber I year ticked Buzzard, Treecreeper & Nuthatch but failed with big finch and micro-pecker. A very brief sojurn to Harewood revealed at least 4 different Red Kites. Very tasty and takes me onto 123 for the year already - only another 85 to beat 2011 which should be straight forward. In fact only 90 to be my best yearlist for 4 years after 222 in 2009 (I managed 253 in 2008 and seems probably unattainable until my daughter is a teenager. Only a decade then).

Twitching Norfolk

2012-01-17T21:09:00.003Z

Western Sandpiper

At 4.30am Mike rocked up at mine and ten minutes later I picked up Jess Stokes in Driffield. Onward to Hull and to meet John. As we passed Tophill Low a Fox came scurrying out from the undergrowth giving lovely views. Fully loaded we headed in the direction of Norfolk. For about 6 miles and stopped at McDonalds. It was still before 5.30 and we needed crap food fuel. A steady passage south had us at Buckenham Marshes for 8.20 where we bumped into a bunch of wessies! Fancy that. Keith, Pete, Rob and Ken arrived about 10 minutes before us.

Our quarry was located relatively quickly amongst a flock of Taiga Bean Geese (which was a lifer in its own right although I have seen a few Tundra's before). The Lesser White-fronted Goose was pretty distant but prolonged views helped nail it. Some Cat C Barnacle Geese were also evident on the marsh which were a year tick. Further year ticks were plentiful with Barn Owl & Cetti's Warbler amongst them. We quickly moved off to our next destination - Cley.

We made the mistake of heading to the visitor centre rather than the East Bank car park and thus were a few minutes behind the wessie crew. Due to this we got crippling views of Bearded Tit and Stonechat as we made our way up there. The beardie was a particular star as tantalising views 10 metres in to the reeds suddenly stopped and a mini mandarin pitched up on the nearest reed top. We landed at Arnold's marsh as the Yankie peep was missing and this gave us the opportunity to grill the place. I turned up a smart adult male Yellow-legged Gull right in the centre of the marsh and there were a number of Spotted Redshank. Then suddenly Rob asks me to check out this bird in his scope - a small Dunlin-esque peep with a strong super, long bill and crucially one leg. Oh no hang on, I mean rusty rear scapulars. Yay! It did hop about for the next 20 minutes and was at one stage joined by a Dunlin & Ringed Plover illustrating its small size.

Soon after our schedule was catching up with us and a rumour of Snow Bunting flocks at Salthouse led us to a diversion there. These were seen before we had even arrived flying over the car park. Some lovely males were present including a stonking bird with a pinky rump. Seksie! Whilst there we cast an eye over the sea for year ticks turned up a Black-throated Diver and then we all grabbed our scopes and Red-throated Divers and 3 Slavonian Grebes were soon turned up. Sweet!

The only photos I took all day!

We hit the cafe at Cley for coffee and cake as it was now 7 hours since my McCrap breakfast. The wessies bombed on to Holkham and we followed once satiated. Pink-footed Geese everywhere and a Tundra Bean Goose emerged from the flock only to disappear back in as I tried to get the others on it. Turning round we had a Peregrine sat in a field and one of the Rough-legged Buzzards sat in a bush. We were cooking on gas. Walking through the pines we spied our mates on the saltmarsh. We ambled in their direction where they appeared to have espied the Shore Larks. Infact as we arrived they had pinned down the 4 birds pretty close and we got top, top views. It was now 2pm and we had to leg it to catch up with our final target.

Arriving at Titchwell we were soon on the redpoll flock and a number of classic Mealy Redpolls amongst a number of the commoner cousins. A particularly pale individual was picked up by Pete and we talked through the features, chamois wash to the face. Tick. White rump. Tick. Single undertail streak. Tick. We had the bugger! Nice views were had but the sun was low and as the bird moved about we struggled to keep on it and silhouette was replaced by it moving into a distant alder and then disappearing completely. Good times. Another lifer. We moved down to the freshmarsh where a Chinese Water Deer was foraging on the shooting marsh to the west. It showed down to about 10 metres without being bothered by punters moving along the path. A mammal lifer and one with quality tusks that looked like a Llama crossed with a terrier. We moved onto the sea and turned in a few more waders and 7 Red-breasted Mergansers. It was time to go and a failed Golden Pheasant twitch blighted the trip home. More junk food and then home. Knackered but elated.

Scarborough Wax

2012-01-13T15:08:00.001Z

Went to Scarborough today to take Izzy to the seaside. Sadly spent most of the time in Sainsbury's after she had an accident but we did have a nice time walking around marine drive and the harbour once she was suitably rebooted. On the way in I had some brief and distant views of 10 Waxwings at B & Q. I gave up after they disappeared into a housing estate.

Whilst mooching round the harbour a single Shag was knocking about and the usual Herring Gulls. Cruising around marine drive was a male Peregrine Falcon which briefly alighted above us. Sadly this was at the same time as Izzy was desecrating her clothes. Post sorting her out we went to Holbeck car park and managed brief views of an adult and 1w Mediterranean Gull. It was a bit rubbish compared to usual as they disappeared as fast as they arrived.

We left as it became evident that Izzy was getting bored but had to stop when the Waxwings were showing well at B & Q. Here I bumped into Andy Hood as the Waxwings came down next to the cars to feed. Shame it was dull but better than nothing!

Off to Norfolk on Sunday for the Ross's Goose, Western Sandpiper, Arctic Redpoll, Lesser White-fronted Goose combo. Fingers crossed!

Nickelodeon & Birding

2012-01-10T21:05:00.000Z

Its not often that the endless repeats of Peppa Pig & Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom stimulate me. I have seen every episode. Thrice but recently it has been running adverts about the Big Garden Birdwatch and has reminded me (the parent) and informed Izzy (the child) simultaneously. What a corking idea. I take my hat off to the RSPB. 3 weeks of reminders and you should drum up plenty of support from parents of small kids for the citizen science hour. Almost immediately I drove to the garden centre that is 20% cheaper than buying from Bempton and a better selection. Got home and upscaled from my peanut feeder, no mess platform and fatballs to a full 9 feeder array with peanut tray, fat block, nyjer and sunflower hearts. It was pretty busy out there before but now it is buzzing, with Goldfinches adding to the melee. Still plenty of Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows & Chaffnch plus Wren, Dunnock, Song Thrush and 3 Robins. My Coal Tit seems to have moved on this winter but the common cousins are still present. Also got a Mere first, in a party of 4 Canada Geese. Considering we have regular Gadwall and Tufted Ducks with records of Pochard & Goldeneye, the fact it has taken 4 years nearly to chalk up is a surprise.

Got a new Giottos Tripod today. Not flash but urgently needed. Going to Norfolk a ticking on Sunday. Quite excited. Try a bit of Peppa Pig.

Tales from the Riverbank

2012-01-09T20:59:00.002Z

For some the title will bring back memories of childhood television, for others it will be the modernist phase in their teens (latter for me generally) but right now it refers to my local watercourse, a trout chalk stream. I hadn't really explored it much in the 3 1/2 years I have lived here, preferring less virtuous birding at local honeypots such as Flamborough, Tophill Low and Spurn to a lesser extent. A new years fitness...cant really say drive as that would over state the matter...erm...more a modest perambulation has led to me exploring down here allied with tales from my dog-walking neighbours of Kingfishers. I have tried local patching before and cant guarentee that I am cut out for it - Im just not dedicated enough without cash enticements. Anyhow - the lure of regular light exercise, stories from the next patch along of Cattle Egrets by Bob Askwith and a Shag flying inland with Cormorants got me exploring (to be fair it was mostly looking for year ticks, the above is all bollocks).

Yesterday a family walk was short but fun with 3 Mistle Thrushes shouting at each other like nobody's business. Made me feel spring wasn't far off. I was expecting to year tick Yellowhammer but what I didnt expect were 60+ birds feeding in the set-aside. The walk took a long time for short legs as found on my toddler but we managed to find a Kingfisher which moved up the river just ahead of us, allowing us to catch up only to dash away again in a streak of azure. My wife and child were suitably impressed. As was I. It was a year tick.

Today I was without companions and as such lugged the big bun down with me. The light was brilliant. Except the birds were all in the trees on the wrong side, and then when the sun when behind the cloud my camera wanted me to shoot at 1/40th of a second with only a monopod for company. Rubbish. What was less rubbish were the two Reed Buntings in with the Yellowhammer flock which was possibly a little closer to 80 birds today although keeping track of them was difficult. Another couple of expected year ticks occurred with a decent smattering of Stock Doves & Redwing passing overhead and through the tree respectively. It did quieten down however and I was reduced to checking the stream for fish. Two species were recorded - Three-spined Stickleback and a decent sized Brown Trout.

I noticed decent numbers of small gulls nobbing about and they seemed to be catching emerging flies (?january, hello!) which were troublesome as the temperature broached double figures. No matter how often I looked at them they were all Common or Black-headed Gulls. Not to worry. A Kestrel flew from the far side, hunting over the field but something was odd about it. It didn't hover but was hunting in a more harrier like fashion. Bizarre. It was an odd shape. Then the penny dropped - it was a Peregrine Falcon. I still cant work out why it was flying like a harrier, quartering the field, very odd. I watched it for half and hour or so as it alighted a couple of hundred yards from where I stood and having occasional flights around the fields being harried by crows. Suddenly its wings closed and it dropped like a stone on an unseen Feral Pigeon which are numerous on the neighbouring farms. A few other scattered but this unlucky soul didnt even get off the ground. A further 15 minutes of feeding were watched at distance before the growing band of crows forced the falcon from its victim, disappearring to the north over Nafferton. Very nice indeed.

Pretending to be a Hen Harrier

A different Jet Fighter

Culling Grey Squirrels

2012-01-06T16:05:00.003Z

That is what several of my readers have suggested I tackle in my next blog post but I think for the moment I will stear clear. At least until the bunny huggers bog off anyway ;) Today I was doing WeBS counts around the Humber and it was fantastic weather as the wind had subsided and the sun was shining. A bit chilly early morning but it soon picked up.

Birdwise it was steady with a handful of waders and plenty of small gulls knocking about. I managed to year tick Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Fieldfare, Dunlin, Turnstone and Ringed Plover. Highlights of the day came in the form of hunting Peregrine and Sparrowhawk passing within a couple of metres of me. Nice year ticks both of them. Sadly no pics due to time constraints. Next time - Signal Crayfish torture.

Ruddy Ducks - How informed are you?

2012-01-04T18:36:00.002Z

Recently I have seen a lot of shit spouted about Ruddy Ducks on various listserves, facebook pages and forums. I have seen threats to beat up those that endorse or aid the cull. It all seems ridiculous when you look at the science and legal obligations of the UK. Here is my attempt to untangle the web of bollocks talked about it. I am not involved in the Ruddy Duck cull in any way but I do fully endorse it as an unsavoury but necessary action.

male Ruddy Duck

Firstly a bit of history. About 70 Ruddy Ducks escaped from collections in the 50s and this dropped down to an estimated 20 birds by 1962. WeBS data suggests that there were 6,000 birds by 2000. Birds were first recorded in mainland Europe in 1965 and a wintering population of over 200 birds were recorded in France. That these birds eminated from the UK is indisputable as the French breeding population peaked at 20 pairs. Numbers peaked at 7 pairs in the Netherlands. By 1984 the first birds were recorded in Spain and between 1984 & 1999 a minimum of 139 birds were recorded in Spain at 43 localities. These must have been British in origin due to the numbers and genetic studies showed this to be the case (British Ruddies are a pretty undiverse lot genetically). So pre-cull we have Ruddy Ducks occuring at a rate of about 10/year in Spain and 6000 birds in the UK with maybe 100 other birds in the nations to the south of the UK. At this point there had been NO recorded vagrancy of Ruddy Duck in the eastern Atlantic. There has been a single subsequent record, of a female on the Azores in 2009.

male White-headed Duck

A brief look at White-headed Ducks shows that numbers dipped to 22 pairs in the seventies but thanks to the protection of a number of sites they currently number 2,600 pairs approximately. This represents 25% of the world population and all of the European population. Birds are restricted to sites in the south and east of the country and breed in emergent vegetation fringing small eutrophic lakes. 84% of birds breed in protected areas.

Now a bit of biology. Ruddy Ducks outcompete male White-headed Ducks when they share territory. Ruddy Ducks are preferred by female White-headed Ducks to the males of their own species. In addition Ruddy Ducks are more aggressive when courting making them more likely to win an territorial battles for females. Thirdly, unlike White-headed Ducks but in common with many duck species, Ruddy Ducks will have forced intercourse (rape) with females including female White-headed Ducks. Basically when in direct competition Ruddy Ducks win hands down against White-headed Ducks when it comes to breeding success. And here is the shocker - hybrids are viable to at least the third generation. Those Ruddy genes are in the population and not getting out. So the big question is then - would it happen in the wild? Well 59 hybrids were recorded to 1999 at 23 different sites. Thats a lot. Ruddy genes are not thought to have introgressed yet as culling of Ruddy's and hybrids occurs in Spain but it only takes one or two broods to remove pure White-headed Ducks from a discrete area by introgression. I have heard people say - why cant we just cull birds in Spain. They do but Ruddy Ducks kept arriving and as mentioned above due to the viability of hybrids the gene pool would quickly get diluted by Ruddy genes if any were missed - better to treat the cause at source. Eradicate alien Ruddy Ducks.

Now for some politics. The UK is part of the EU and as such is a signatory of the EU birds directive (you know, the one we use to berate Malta about) and as such we are bound by the Bonn and Bern conventions. We are also a signatory to the African-Eurasian Waterbirds Agreement (AEWA) which includes White-headed Ducks. This means we are legally obliged (and rightly so) to conserve birds named in these agreements (which White-headed Duck is). I have heard people moan about shooting of the Ruddy's but a feasibility study showed that oiling eggs and other measures were not effective due to the population size. The Ruddy Ducks had to be removed. That is killed if you dont dress it up.

So in summary. We let Ruddy Ducks become established. They did. They went to Spain. They outcompeted the recovering White-headed Ducks and threatened to dilute the gene pool as hybrids were viable. We eradicated (more or less) Ruddy Ducks through shooting. White-headed Ducks are significantly less threatened. Where is the problem? There are plans to clean up the few remaining in Britain and the near continent. Is LGRE upset about the loss of a year tick? Maybe when White-headed Ducks have spread to the camargue and western France and are regular vagrants he will be less vehement? I support the cull. Do you? If not why not?

some links:

Defra report

Genetics Study

Study for Possible Vagration

Feasibility Study

Gull Fun

2012-01-03T17:46:00.004Z

'Inspired' by Not Quite Scilly I decided to have a look at a few gulls. Sadly being saddled with my daughter meant that it was from Kirkholme Point, Hornsea Mere. No Caspian Gulls or Yellow-legged Gulls for me but this 'orrible 1st winter Herring Gull was amongst a large flock of Black-headed Gulls with a sprinkling of Common Gulls.

I spied amongst the flock a couple of ringed birds - one a colour ringed Y20, an adult plus an additional adult with just a BTO metal ring which I could only get the final number for definite. 4. Doh! The colour ring has been submitted to EURING so hopefully I will get an interesting return which is suggestive of further google maps.

Also knocking about were a large number of Jackdaws which I scanned through looking for northern birds where a couple of very feint pale collars failed to raise any real interest. What was seen was this horror! Yuk!

There were a few ducks and I managed to year tick Coot & Canada Goose.

Year Listing Fun

2012-01-02T12:15:00.001Z

Yesterday my intention was to go for a big day but the drizzle and my lack of planning put paid to that. A few years ago I managed 102 I think and that was the last time I twitched a Desert Wheatear on New Years Day so I thought that would be a sensible plan (making no heed for other tricky species). No photos sadly as the drizzle was a bit omnipresent.

A look out of the curtains this morning produced a surprise in a group of Long-tailed Tits on the feeders along with Tree Sparrows and other standard fayre. I started at Barmston which failed to supply divers and/or seaduck but there was a solitary Great Crested Grebe and more suprisingly a couple of flyover Grey Wagtails. Score. I gave up quickly and pushed off to Bempton to twitch the Desert Wheatear. Despite Keith Clarkson's assurances it was just round the corner it wasnt to be seen. From the cliffs I had a probable Little Auk flying with a Guillemot but failed to clinch it. Shame. 2 Red-throated Divers were amongst a flock of gulls and Gannets & Fulmars were all over the place. Just as I was clearing off the wheatear was seen on the cliff face feeding amongst the Gannet nests. Thats now 2 Desert Wheatears seen in 4 years. In the style of Opta on Twitter. Padder.

I was then informed that my day pass had been shorted and I negotiated a couple of hours at Tophill rather than the tour de force that I had planned. Even that said I wouldnt be seeing the gulls or SEOs. I headed for a packed Watton nature reserve with many of the local great and good present trying to pick out the varied gems on show. I also bumped into Pink Cuckoos for a year tick. Down at the hide the Garganey, LEO, Bitterns and Greenland White-fronted Goose stayed out of view but I still managed the drake Green-winged Teal which was kicking about with an interesting, well marked female. Open wing shot someone please! There were also over 100 European White-fronted Geese present and a redhead Smew. Working through there were singles of Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, Egyptian Goose and Pintail. All nice year-tickage. A pretty good assemblage considering that Watton consists of 3 small borrow pits and a few seasonal pools.

Walking back a bounding Great Spotted Woodpecker plus an overflying Little Egret presumably headed to roost at Watton were bonuses. And thats it. A pretty good day and nice to see the various birders I bumped into.

2011 - A postscript

2012-01-01T17:28:00.001Z

2011 has been a somewhat mixed year in chez Spencer with personal disappointments dominating the summer balanced against the improved health of my father in his battle against terminal cancer to a point where he is currently in remission which is reason to celebrate and hence him coming round with my mother tonight for some fizzy pop and a knees up (or a whisky and sit down).

The good from a personal point of view has been the continued development and growth of my beautiful daughter Isabelle who has gone from a cute as a button baby into a proper toddler full of ideas and opinions.

Dad, who was still recovering from radiotherapy over the winter period last year has returned to his former self and is able to help me on work assignments when he can drag himself away from his allotment. We dont know how long he has but we are gonna bloody enjoy it.

Dad is the one on the left!

Rather more disappointing was the double whammy of my wife losing twins and me being laid off in the summer. The pregnancy never really got going and although Ange was a way through when she lost them, they had stopped developing at 6-7 weeks. We managed to rationalise quite well but it still hurt a lot and continues to do so. My increased free time due to being unemployed was a bonus but the lack of money was not. On the upside, I am now working under my own auspices and actually doing ok. We will have to see how profitable spring 2012 will be but I am busy until April at present so I live in hope.

From a birding viewpoint this has been a really good year - I have done plenty, largely thanks to work but also a couple of foreign jaunts. I havent found the elusive first BB rare but I have managed some good stuff both at home and away. One of the best things that happened was my ropey DSLR set-up which whilst hardly award winning, has helped me document my birding in exactly the way I hoped. I managed a number of brit ticks including Ring-billed Gull, Firecrest, Purple Heron, Bluethroat, Sabine's Gull, Marsh Sandpiper, Olive-backed Pipit & Isabelline Wheatear plus a further few additions to my Yorkshire list including a very nice self found Storm Petrel at Spurn which flew over the surf. I also saw my second Desert Wheatear and third Red-flanked Bluetail. A respectable haul of Yellow-browed Warblers totalled at least 7 including 2 self-founds. The Olive-backed Pipit was pretty special as I was the only person on site to get a view and I managed a photo as well. Not high class but it was doing a mouse impression. I used a bit of nouse and peeled off from the group figuring it would be hiding from them and thus visible from 90 degrees. It was and I was delighted.

Work gave me the opportunity to travel to many places across the country and highlights included Storm Petrels aplenty, Grasshopper Warbler and Snow Bunting on boats, 27 Spoonbills on Brownsea Island, a winter Pomarine Skua in the North Sea, a self found Smew on a pond in Lincolnshire, stumbling on a Dartford Warbler in Norfolk and some distant White-beaked Dolphins at sea.

On the home birding front, the Bridlington Skua and Shearwater cruise was outstanding with a Sabine's Gull overflying a very dark Balearic Shearwater and plenty of Black Terns around (plus the good company I kept that day). Disappointment abounded when a selfish Flamborough birder entered the field with the Stone Curlew in it flushing it to kingdom come just as I was reaching the twitch with my daughter on my shoulders. I was very unhappy that day. In the back garden, the welcome addition of Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting to the late winter avifauna was surely due to the harsh winter but gratefully received nonetheless. The final memory of the year from the UK was the cracking White-throated Robin in Hartlepool which my daughter inadvertantly flushed the bird as we returned from the playground unaware of its presence.

My two sojourns abroad were excellent with a spring trip to eastern Spain (set to be repeated in 2012) followed by a summer holiday to Boa Vista on Cape Verde.

Best bits of Spain were a very nice male Spectacled Warbler, Great & Little Bustard, Calandra Lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and a nice fall of Pied Flycatchers which included a smart Wood Warbler. In Cape Verde, the Brown Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebird were great and Cream-coloured Coursers and Hoopoe Larks were pretty rocking as was everything really.

So 2012... targets are again LT Skua, Spotted Crake, Icterine Warbler and Stone Curlew but at least in 2011 I knocked off Bluethroat, Firecrest and Purple Heron.

Fire in Babylon

2011-12-27T23:02:00.000Z

I rarely if ever step outside the birding sphere on this blog. Occasionally there are allusions to my fanatical support of Tottenham Hotspur or a music video to accompany a post. If I am feeling really adventurous I may stray into ornithology which as my profession makes the header but as a subject I dont like to write about in an informal manner unless it broaches conservation. Today I am going to address something entirely different. My first love. My childhood. My now. Cricket.

Cricket is the greatest sport ever created in the history of the human race as it has both brutality and subtlety at its heart. As a player I am moderate managing the subtlety (and skill) whilst wholely lacking in the brutality. I try and at my peak I was decent enough (av 24.2 in 2003 batting at no.5 in the 3rd tier of 8 in Yorkshire cricket). I am currently in self-imposed retirement. No time. Children. Work. Wife. I know what is important.

Despite the above I would still stay awake an entire night to watch a beautiful innings or some destructive bowling. Michael Vaughan in 2003/4 in Australia. Flintoff and Thorpe in New Zealand. Harmison in the West Indies. Brian Lara versus Australia. Wasim Akram against anyone. I love it. I love the skill and the bravery and the fire.

This evening I am watching 'Fire in Babylon', the film documentary about the West Indies cricket team of the mid 70s to mid 80s. There are a bunch of blokes in their late 50s to early 70s being interview about matches that happened nearly 40 years ago. And they speak with soul and with fire and with brimstone. There is meaning and joy in what they achieved and they understand this. They were blazing a trail for black men and women across the planet against their old masters in babylon. Some, like Vivian Richards, were aware of what they were trying to achieve in creating a new order. Throughout the first half of the film (for I have only seen half thus far) I have been struck by the beauty and emotion of this piece with a soundscape of West Indian artists conveying brooding emotions throughout. Sadly I cannot be eloquent enough to convey exactly how important this film is but if you like sport watch it. If you like politics watch it. If you believe in equality, watch it. This film does not exclude anybody but consumes you in a peoples fight to take it to their former masters come what may. If you dont like cricket, you will stil enjoy this film as it contains such a strong message and some equally forceful characters. Im not sure anybody will reach this stage of the blog post due to my departure from normal procedings but if you have, please comment as I am intrigued by other peoples opinions.

cheers James

Watton Wildfowl

2011-12-23T16:37:00.001Z

I snatched a brief period at Tophill yesterday and spent the entirety at Watton. On arriving the hide was stacked but none of the assembled throng were seeing the decent birds. After 15 minutes or so I picked up the Green-winged Teal very close to the hide but with its back to the hide and thus nearly impossible to see the vertical stripe. Record shots below.

I promise its the bird in the middle. Bit too far for my lens... The redhead Smew was also quickly picked up but was up and down, feeding all the time.

There were plenty of other bits and pieces, with over 30 European White-fronted Geese, 3 Pintail, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and plenty of other things.

A selection of the Y-fronts and wildfowl

This was one of a number of swans that overflew me when I was walking back..

All said a very pleasant trip and it was my second Green-winged Teal.

Surprising Turn of Events

2011-12-21T22:59:00.000Z

I write this at my kitchen table instead of in Suffolk as I should have been. A turn up for the books meant that we came back a day early but not until we had visited a couple of Suffolks RSPB reserves. We werent due to start work until midday and as such we decided to go for a ramble around Boyton Marshes in the hope of some Cranes.

Initially we got stuck on the wrong side of the river at Gedgrave marshes but some quick stearing had us redirected. Upon arrival it was evident that a vast flock of feral geese were in the fields adjacent. Canada Geese were in the majority with lesser numbers of feral Barnacle Geese and Greylags. Thankfully a few wild birds had tagged along and we managed to pick out at least 15 European White-fronted Geese. Walking on to the marshes were large numbers of Teal and Wigeon with a sprinkling of Shoveller. The ducks and Curlew grazing in a further field attracted the attentions of several raptors with 2-3 Marsh Harriers and a single ringtail Hen Harrier hunting the margins. As we returned to the car an adult Peregrine lazily flew overhead before putting on the afterburners and disappearing over Havergate island. No sign of the cranes but very pleasant.

We rolled up to work only to find the site closed and we soon called it a day and headed off to Minsmere to make the most of the remaining light. Aside from a couple of Reeve's Muntjacs and a good number of Marsh Tits not a lot was seen but the sound of the marsh in the late afternoon was glorious with pinging Bearded Tits and Lapwing passing overhead. A couple of Green Sandpipers were seen in flight over the woods as we left which was odd. A gloomy picture below shows the view from the Bittern hide with a flock of Lapwing visible (if you squint).

Another good day of birding. Hopefully I can catch up with the Green-winged Teal and Greenland White-front tomorrow. And whats this I hear about a Cattle Egret just outside the village?

Choked on Bitumen

2011-12-20T17:22:00.002Z

We were back on the floodbank today but the wind had changed to WNW and thus the bitumen fumes came our way for 6 hours. I felt pretty rank by the arse end of that. There were less birds of interest today although we had much more pleasant weather and thus a few more pleasant photo opportunities but unfortunately the birds then stayed away. Doh.

Waders were close with Redshank and Dunlin within 15 metres regularly. Shame the light disappeared as they got closer. No avopigs, greenshank or egrets today but a couple of hundred grey geese landed in the valley about 2km away. Probably Pink-feet as they showed a lot of white in the tail but could have been flying monkeys tbh. Raptors were more distant and less regular today but a minimum of 5 Marsh Harriers were seen along with 2 Buzzards and a single Kestrel although we did have this distinctive cream crown hunting set-aside for an hour before dusk 6 hours after our previous sighting of it (noted by its moulted secondary awaiting replacement). It stayed over 100m away at all times sadly though.

The brief visit the Stonechats made to us allowed this shot but it wouldnt face a decent direction and I gave up quickly, distracted by actual work.

Before we started work we had a quick trip to Tunstall forest for a dawn walk and were greeted by 2 Sika Deer which were a lifer for both of us (we also had Reeve's Muntjac yesterday which were my first in 15 years or so after being stuck in the northern wastelands). A Green Woodpecker was expected fare on the sandy heath and a nice sighting due to the paucity at home. Siskin and Coal Tit were amongst commoner species in the pines but no crossers sadly. Plenty of Jays screeched their way around the common. A good start to the day to precede the inactivity that followed.

Frozed like Block

2011-12-19T18:13:00.000Z

I spent today sitting by a flood bank in Suffolk. Which is fine, except it didnt creep above freezing until 11am. We got tooled up in our marine gear and thermals and sat tight. There was some corking raptor action just off site with at least 5 Marsh Harriers and a single ringtail Hen Harrier with a Buzzard chucked in as an additional bonus. It clouded up mid morning and we then got pretty damp as it drizzled for the remainder of the day.

A plucky pair of Stonechats were feeding to within feet of us all day and despite the gloom I managed a few reasonable shots.

On the marshes highlights included a Greenshank and a few Black-tailed Godwits. A 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull flew upwinter and we had a bizarre albino Pheasant in the fields behind. Hoping for a drier day tomorrow so that I can get a few more photographs.

Ghosts

2011-12-17T13:44:00.002Z

Another photo-less post I'm afraid dear reader. Sadly the perpetual drizzle has encouraged me to leave the camera in the car when I have been out and about. Yesterday was cold, damp and precipitous but this didnt lead to me being downhearted as the site on the humber produced the goods a couple of weeks ago.

I got stuck straight in walking the floodbank and doing my counts. Good numbers of Knot and Dunlin with plenty of Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey & Golden Plover. In the early morning light, Little Egrets left their overnight roosts in small numbers. It was overcast and the thermometer nudged above freezing topping out at a tropical 2 degrees.

Then BLAMMO. In my second count sector I had a male Hen Harrier flying round me and a female Merlin flushed from the marsh. The Hen Harrier continued to show down to less than 20 metres as it hunted actively. It was then joined by a ringtail and these birds hunted in tandem over the saltmarsh, flushing another/the same female Merlin. As if this wasnt enough, a female Sparrowhawk made a raid on the waders, failing on this occasion. A male Kestrel was looking for small furry things but not observed to catch successfully.

The rest of the survey was less interesting as the rain became horizontal but it was corking to be out and about. The week coming I am down in Suffolk working so hopefully there will be plenty to post about and even some photos.

On thursday I was working at the desk at home and ventured away a couple of times to the village garage (where fortunately my car was passing its MOT). In the morning a flyover Crossbill was a complete surprise and later on a skein of 120 Pink-footed Goose went over south in the twilight.

Walk in the Rain

2011-12-12T11:51:00.001Z

Not my photo but wholly representative of my surveys on the middle humber yesterday although it is missing the rain that sporadically drenched me. Not a huge amount to report with some nice close Bar-tailed Godwits and a good flock of Lapwing in 10km of walking. Did find some awesome habitat on the south bank though which I imagine is where the Arctic Redpolls have been supressed in the past. It was heaving with finches and thrushes with tonnes of alders and pools. Seemingly all in the possesion of various fishing clubs but worth a look. Hopefully gonna catch up with a goose or 2 this afternoon when I will come in with a more interesting report.

Havin' a Barnie

2011-12-10T16:33:00.001Z

Went up to Hornsea Mere today and bumped into Andy Nunn, from uni where he works with fish. Andy was scoping the south side of Hornsea Mere and like myself resolutely failing to see much. We ambled on to Heslop's Reeds where the Slavonian Grebe was showing reasonably closely but briefly as it fed. Other birders informed us that the Long-tailed Duck was still about but we couldnt find it after a maggot drowner flushed a large number of the wildfowl. About 100 Barnacle Geese were bombing about carrying a Canada Goose with them but this wasnt the Richardson's type thing but a regular feral nasty. The barnies by the way are the genuine article thanks to a sharp-eyed ringing recovery when it was assumed they were feral birds from the humber or flamingoland. Further ambling revealed little aside from a squealing Water Rail and good numbers of Shoveller.

As we walked back east we stumbled across the Barnacles feeding in a field - I made it 105 and Andy made it 99 so 100 or so... A Bullfinch was feeding with a small flock of Reed Buntings but this dispersed as we made our way past. No further wildfowl of interest were picked up but 200 or so geese dropped in raising hopes but these all proved to be Greylags.

Before I hit the south side I had tried Kirkholme but this presented little of interest except the feral wildfowl and associates providing aesthetic interest for photography in reasonable light.

Quickie with legs

2011-12-07T21:49:00.001Z

Silly one this but I was on the train home from Beverley today (car costing best part of a months salary. Bonus...) when I spotted a buteo hovering just south of Arram. Jizz was spot on for Rough-legged Buzzard. No plumage detail but a long-winged and flat flying bird (relatively) with a similar jizz to the Lincs bird earlier in the autumn. As I have mentioned in other places I'd put a tenner on it not being a common but I dont think I will submit this one...

Stinky Sei Whale

2011-12-06T21:28:00.001Z

Today I was working on the humber and this gave me the opportunity on my break to visit the Sei Whale which drowned in the river and was washed up at Skeffling. It is pretty ropey now with the action of the spring tides and warm autumn taking its toll, leaving mostly the shell of a carcass. The tail stock is still complete but the body is desicated and decomposed, stinking to high heaven. Apparently it was much worse 6 weeks ago. Here is a video and picture of the whale for those with voyeuristic tendencies. Pervert.

Skeffling Sei Whale

Aside from the whale the birding was pretty good with juvenile Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Whooper Swan and some confiding Twite all seen off survey. Some distant White-fronted Geese were a bonus and a couple of skeins of Pink-footed Geese were expected fare although nice nonetheless.

A trip to Tophill Low yesterday for an hour failed to produce the expected Greenland White-fronted Goose amongst its Russian cousins but on D reservoir were three Whooper Swans which were a nice find. Cue record shot.

This post was more in depth but blogger deleted it so I had to start from scratch. There should be plenty more to blog about in the coming weeks if all goes to plan but there may be plenty which I cant say...cryptic!

Heavy Metal Penguin

2011-12-03T07:39:00.001Z

Just Deserts

2011-11-28T13:28:00.001Z

I had to hold on for this bird until this morning and as it wasnt a Yorks tick I had no leverage to get away earlier so the gripping photos were turning me green. I got to Bempton around 11am and the bird was refound within half an hour. It showed very well and I managed some record shots in the chilling cold but the poor light stopped the pics from being gems. Anyway - here are my efforts of the Bempton Desert Wheatear

A stooping Peregrine was nice although Im not sure the pigeons thought much to it. A surprise was a Weasel hunting the crop edges and bundling along the path. Too quick for my camera sadly.

Recently I have dipped Waxwings at Carnaby and on Friday I managed to see 48 European White-fronted Geese at Tophill Low which was pretty cool. Daughter was in tow so no shots of them sadly either.

Vicarious liability for Raptor persecution in England

2011-11-22T20:04:00.001Z

Serious message today folks. Gamekeepers suppress raptor numbers but do so to keep their jobs. Those that pay their wages should be held to account so that the pressure is to conform to legislation and not history. Which is what our birds of prey, especially those in upland areas, may become. Please sign the e-petition to get this debated in parliment.

Scotland, recognising that those who persecute birds of prey frequently do so at the direction of their employers or others with vested interests, has introduced an offence of vicarious liability, the purpose of which is to bring those parties to justice. This petition calls on the government to introduce an offence of vicarious liability to bring to justice those who direct or turn a blind eye to raptor persecution in England. As an indication of how bad thing are, in the last year only four pairs of hen harriers successfully reared chicks in England, fourteen peregrine falcon territories failed on grouse moors in Lancs forest of Bowland, and only one successful goshawk nest was recorded in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire. Current legislation is not enough to deter those who break the law and destroy our heritage; the introduction of vicarious liability would hit those directing the slaughter.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/23089

Things I may/may not have seen this week

2011-11-18T15:39:00.001Z

I have been at sea. I cant say where and I cant say when. I may not have seen the following.

Birds & Whisky...

2011-11-13T10:10:00.001Z

... are two of my favourite things. The lack of posts hasnt been malaise or lack of juicy material but a trip to Islay to get my ESAS certification. Me and my old boss Lucas headed for a load of crossings from Kennacraig on Kintyre to Port Askaig, Islay.

View of Jura from the breakfast table

We arrived at Tarbert, Kintyre in darkness and decided to overnight on the mainland. Whilst here we bumped into another group of ESAS'ers. Having been given a tip off by Fat Paul Scholes I enquired as to whether their pre-raphaelite-esque trainer might need a haircut which suprised him as he had never laid eyes on me before. I explained the situation and laughs were had all round - not least by his trainees. Yet another group of ornithologists were sharing the hotel and despite twitter spamming each other work got in the way of introductory beers for myself and @celaurie and so their was no twitter/reality crossover.

MV Finlaggan

The next morning we had to hitchhike the 7 miles from Tarbert to Kennacraig as there is no public transport to the ferry and the only local taxi driver was pissed up when I rang in the evening. Many thanks to the trucker who picked us up - only took 20 mins of thumbing for a lift in the dark. A hearty breakfast on board gave way to a blowy survey aboard the new ferry, the MV Finlaggan. Highlights were spartan with a few Red-throated and Great Northern Divers. Two hours later and we were in at Port Askaig and booking in at the wonderful Port Askaig Hotel. Its a bit rustic but the welcome is certainly warm. And the bar...

Blowy!

Our heading back was similar to the first and the highlights were a couple of Ravens crossing West Loch Tarbert. Numbers of divers were down from my previous trips to the area. We birded around the ferry terminal (which is clad in dwarf Silver Birch) and managed to find good numbers of Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye and a single Woodcock which gave great views as it flushed.

The final crossing of the day was uneventful save for a Lesser Black-backed Gull and we settled into our digs at Port Askaig with a few Whiskies and a game of darts. We sampled a touch of Bruichladdich Rocks and a Black Bottle (a better class of blended whisky). Pre-drinking we went birding down towards Caol Ila distillery - this whole area looks amazing for migrants with birds being funnelled up rhododendron hedges away from the coast. We managed lots of Chaffinch and some more Raven as well as some mega distant Barnicle Geese. A pipistrelle bat hawked over the road and was a sucker for the coin trick. Large numbers of thrushes and Stonechats were present and a Buzzard floated past. When we got back we found a migrant 1st winter male Blackcap trapped inside the entrance to the hotel and we quickly caught it - fat score of zero so probably just in and realeased it into the rhododendron.

The next day was grey and windy and we did a return crossing with best birds a Black-throated Diver at the mouth of West Loch Tarbert and the remarkable sight of 16 Great Northern Divers in a tight flock out in the sound - Lucas managed a photo so hopefully I can show you this sometime soon. We also found out that two juvenile White-tailed Eagles that have taken up residence in the woods to the south of Port Askaig. Sadly the wind kept them out of sight for the duration. We were beat so we didnt go birding on our return, instead getting stuck into the Coal Ila single malts in the bar (and being given a nightcap worth a tenner - amazing hosts). More darts were backed by some Gaelic music from the jamming musicians sharing the front bar with us (about half the size of my front room).

Our final day woke up to a fine morning but the sea was still a bit rough - as were we after a touch too much of the good stuff. Some decent stuff was added on the last leg of the trip with Golden Eagle over the peaks of Islay and Velvet Scoter in the mouth of West Loch Tarbert and three Common Scoter in the loch were the final decent addition. Public transport home from here takes a long time. Yawn...

The Daughter Bird

2011-11-05T11:34:00.002Z

Had a chance to see the bird that we named our little girl after today. Just over 2 years ago I was flicking through my Collins trying to bone up a bit on features whilst quite,quite drunk and I had an epiphany whilst looking a sandy small passerine - we'd call my daughter Isabelle. Not after the more glamourous shrike but after Isabelline Wheatear.

Sadly sandy bird on sandy background in low light doesnt make for
great pictures

I had the chance to go for the Filey bird in 2006 but it was quite late in the day when news broke and I was still pretty much a newbie so I passed. Yesterday news broke when I was in the soft play centre with my daughter that one had been found at Spurn and I couldnt get away thus fearing another missed opportunity. I hatched a plan to head down this morning with trepidation as they are a species notorious for doing a bunk after a single day. Fortunately it stayed and I got pretty awesome views as it flew round the crowd early this morning. Very sandy without the bluetones of a northern, it had an indistinct super which was almost entirely infront of the eye. When the bird was feeding on the sand of the humber it was evident it had a black alula as well and the 'jizz' was a bit different from its commoner congener but not as distinctive as has been suggested. My thoughts are that it seemed easier to pick on plumage than behaviour.

Although I was only there an hour I also saw a Hooded Crow flying across the mudflats north (a Yorkshire tick for a friend that took him to 300 - what a tart) and a flock of c25 Crossbills heading south. It looked immense and if I didnt have commitments Id have stayed all day. I overheard an owl had come in and 2 Snobs flew past the obs and thrushes were piling out of the sky. I would be very much surprised if something else good isnt turned up by the end of the day. The wheatear was a world tick and a pretty cool bird. Im glad we named our daughter after it.

Nudge Nudge Wink Wink

2011-11-01T13:24:00.005Z

Had a corking garden tick when about 100 Pink-footed Geese went over. Id heard them a bit before they arrived and it was obvious these werent the village Greylags which regularly take a trip over (flock is about 50ish at roost times at the moment). I could see them emerging over the houses to the north so I nipped in and got the camera. They literally went straight over the roof at about 60 metres height - pretty low really. 2 skeins in quick succession. Photos the usual standard but Im glad I got any record of them.

Ibis at the Dams

2011-10-31T14:34:00.000Z

Got a twitter tip off about the Glossy Ibis being back at Filey Dams. It seems that this bird has probably been on East Lee (?) for the last few days as it kept flying too and fro, disappearing for periods before arriving back on the dams although never close.

The local Sparrowhawks were obviously hungry as they showed amazingly well.

On the way home I was leaving Burton Fleming, in the wolds, when I noticed a biggish raptor was flying fast up the lane. It showed a white rump and was obviously a ringtail harrier. I caught up and ditched the car to see an adult female Hen Harrier hunting the fields on the Thwing road. Views from the car were point blank but by the time I had my kit together it had cleared off to the other side of the field so photos are grim but you get the idea.

It was big and pale with no boa and 5 primary tips so no stringing it for a Pallid... The Glossy Ibis was a new bird for Yorkshire for me taking me on to 287 (plus Collared Flycatcher still awaiting final judgement).

OBP OML

2011-10-27T16:18:00.002+01:00

A rather skulky pipit hiding in a small copse isnt going to like a crowd. I moved away and as such was the only person to get views like this for perhaps 20 seconds before the galoots stomped through to where I was. I got an initial untickable view earlier as the bird flew up and dropped down but this was like a mouse crawling through the leaf litter. I massively underexposed the shot as I was set up for it landing on a branch at eye level. Lovely little bird and a little sod at the same time. Olive-backed Pipit on my list.

Whale Surveyor

2011-10-27T11:07:00.004+01:00

Thanks to a couple of days in the flatlands of the Lincs/Norfolk fens I am now a fully qualified UK & Gulf of Mexico marine mammal observer. An interesting couple of courses courtesy of Alison Gill at Intelligent Ocean mean that once I have my upgraded medical and a few safety courses then I can work out in the briny as a whale man. Which is nice!

As reward for the classroom based shenanigans I rewarded myself with a day birding. Starting at Cley there was little of note with a single Brent and a few Black-tailed Godwits the pick. Walking back to the car a couple of Cetti's Warblers piped up and the whole reedbed started to ping. As I walked along the path Bearded Tits were all around, none showing well but views over the reeds. A couple of Stonechats were guarding a bench as I walked past.

I moved off to Salthouse where no laps or snobs were seen but a Long-eared Owl came in off and a probable Black-throated Diver came past close in but I didnt notice it was interesting until too late, assuming it would be a Red-throat. Indeed several Red-throated Divers were on the sea and parties of Common Scoter and Eider went past.

I called in at Blakeney freshmarsh whilst traversing the north coast and had views of the Cattle Egret preening. Massively underwhelmed I moved off to Titchwell being almost totally ignorant of this coast aside from the honeypots. At Titchwell I managed plenty of views of the Yellow-browed Warbler before establishing there were two. Thrushes streamed over and plenty of finches were present. Quickly it was half 3 and I had to get back to Yorkshire, where I belong...

Raptor Porn

2011-10-21T22:58:00.003+01:00

Okay - not quite but bloody brilliant views of the Rough-legged Buzzard and male and immature Hen Harrier at Worlaby Carrs today. It appears that the Buzzard has been suppressed for a number of days by the north lincs massive. Poor form!

Orange-sided Bushchat & Inornate Warbler

2011-10-17T14:42:00.000+01:00

Had a cool couple of hours at South Landing this morning refinding both the Red-flanked Bluetail and Yellow-browed Warbler despite plenty being present. Im especially pleased that I remembered to get the Bluetail calls off Xeno-canto as it responded VERY quickly to them once the crowd had got bored and dispersed as it appeared to evaporate. Managed the ropey shots because of this... Be aware that I used the calls responsibly in short bursts at intervals and the bird was feeding happily about 10 metres away.

Pictures were pretty tough as it was in the dark of the Hawthorns
and flitted about quite a lot.

Prior to this whilst everyone else was looking at Hawthorns I decided to get away from the crowd and refound the Yellow-brow which showed nicely a few times. Several Goldcrests were also present along with a single Willow Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff and what looked like a Sibe Chiff but didnt call and I failed to get a photo.

Sa-weet

2011-10-15T22:17:00.000+01:00

Todays highlight was very definitely the co-find of two Yellow-browed Warblers at Holmpton with Jim Welford and Graham Shortt. Jim was trying to have us on by playing the call and two birds responded either side of us. We got views of one reasonably well and saw it then have a bit of a chase with the other but they vanished quick smart leaving us checking the Goldcrests again.

YBW habitat as no pics were gleaned...

Earlier I had a Tawny Owl sat in the side of the road en route to holderness. Looked like an RTA victim sadly. The arse end of a Yellow-brow wasnt much cop in the churchyard at Kilnsea but evidence of movement by the thrushes streaming through - especially Blackbirds and Redwing. A couple of Siskin touched down briefly.

The borrow pit by the Blue Bell held a moribund Common Scoter and a more lively looking Scaup although it took until my 4th pass to get both at once.

Beacon Lane held a Blackcap and Canal Scrape a distant Jack Snipe that I couldnt be bothered with. A Great Spotted Woodpecker moved south past the warren which was a nice surprise. I imagine its a tricky bird south of Easington. 13 Twite flew past as we watched the Scaup. A female Ring Ouzel was skulking in the bushes south of the Canal Scrape hide making sure the sun was behind it and hawthorn in front. Twat! Sammy's was empty as birds moved straight off. Lunchtime and all quiet - so then we went to Holmpton.

More Monsters

2011-10-14T20:36:00.001+01:00

Another floor creeper. This one was more polite but I got the feeling it was waiting for me to turn round so that it could kill me and loot the corpse. Looks to be a different species to the Mouse Spider - bigger all said but smaller abdomen and less hairy with markings. Any ideas?

In addition I went to Hornsea this morning to dip the Glossy Ibis. Did manage a few Pochard and the usual feral shite. Gulls were nice and friendly but the light was dross.

Yesterday I went to Tophill with my parents and despite the coast creaking under scarce and rare I resisted temptation and stayed put. Fat lot of good that did me - 4 Siskin, 1 Crossbill and 1 Little Egret the highlights. Was nice to spend time with the olds and good to see my dad managing the day despite his varied ailments (hernia being more of issue than the cancer thankfully).

Izzy was well behaved but I failed to conjure a Kingfisher as promised although plenty of Redwings were evidence of the easterlies. Earlier in the day I had 3 migrating Buzzards over Driffield town heading south over Tescos.

Dont think Im going to Norfolk tomorrow but gonna hit the head...find my own Rufous-tailed Robin or not.

There be MONSTERS!!

2011-10-12T20:44:00.001+01:00

This guy scuttled out from under a unit in the kitchen last night. Pretty sizeable! He told me to fuck off and chased me up the stairs. I'm quite scared. Anyone know the species? I'm thinking wolf spider sp.

Can I Have a Retweet?

2011-10-08T17:11:00.002+01:00

Went to Tophill Low today for a couple of hours. Headed up to north marsh and met a couple of blokes on the way who said they had seen nothing. I walked in and was greeted with this bad boy.

A dull day but still enjoyed getting these mediocre shots of the Kingfisher. Suddenly 'glip glip glip' as a party of 11 Crossbills dropped in the tops of the conifers adjacent. Not easy to get anything better than silhouette but here are the results.

A Redwing in the treetops was the first of the autumn for me. Ratty was in evidence with a brief view of one crossing the marsh. In addition there were squadrons of Cormorants heading in and out of the reserve. Walking past D reservoir a flight of 5 Curlew were adding a whimsical tone to proceedings.

Before heading home I thought I would check south marsh west for the Jack Snipe and it was there bouncing about on the mud. Jacks are brilliant with their teetering and oblivious to dangerness so that if they are in the open they dont flinch. Magic. No photo of the bird as it was a bit far for my DSLR but a habitat shot especially for Keith Dickinson.

Finally with regard the title:

Chris Packham replied to me on twitter. Im such a fanboy - or so it would seem. Sadly it is geekier than that - he mentioned seeing American Redstart at Spurn and I suggested that it may have been Gibraltar Point as Spurn hasnt recorded one. Here is the exciting bit. He agreed! Yay - i'm so cool - I mingle with the stars.

Re-ee-tweet

Semisonic - Forgotten Gems

2011-10-07T09:32:00.000+01:00

One of my forgotten favourite bands from the turn of the millenium. Corking tunes from a brief spell in the spotlight

Quick Update

2011-10-05T21:07:00.000+01:00

Sorry for falling behind but this has been a crap autumn thus far in this part of the world and my enthusiasm has waned a little. No doubt a decent bird or day and I will be laughing but nothing recently.

I went to a secret location in a secret place that involved being in Poole Harbour at some points over the weekend. This was a bonus as Yellow-legged Gulls and Mediterranean Gulls were all over the shop and a whopping 27 (TWENTY SEVEN!!!) Spoonbills were present on Brownsea. They were awesome - flopping about in trees and the like. I got back on Sunday night late on and hit flamboro head earlyish in an effort to catch up with the Yellow-browed Warbler in old fall as I havent seen one for a couple of years. I failed on that score but did manage plenty of Chiffchaffs, Wheatears and Goldcrests. One Chiffchaff gave a tristis style call and responded to tristis recordings but then went all disyllabic on my arse and despite an apparent lack of green tones I think a pale abietinus is the likely answer there.

Yesterday Garry Taylor found an American Golden Plover 5 minutes from my home but I dipped it despite being there post haste as the plovers bombed about the slope off the wolds. Boo!

Swimming anyone?

2011-09-28T09:44:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I renewed my Personal Survival Training. Its supposed to be a lifetime certificate but hey ho - needs must. A morning in the classroom was followed by an afternoon flipping liferafts and making chains and groups across a pool before fitting 18 people in a liferaft made for 16 in the dark whilst being sprayed with cold hoses and having weather sound effects played LOUD. It was great fun although I was cream crackered afterward - I think its the concentration rather than the excertion although it is physically tricky. I was in the bottom third in the class to be honest although that was probably due to half the class being made up of marines who were leaving the forces to do marine security on tankers in the Gulf of Aden. So from the rest I was above the giffers and gimmers and fatties but below a couple of sprightly 20 year old pleasure sailors (aye aye!)

Slightly dodgy photo that I robbed that illustrates what we did

Buff-breasted Bugger all

2011-09-26T15:46:00.002+01:00

Went up to Flamborough for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper this morning and by the sounds of things it bugged out just after I arrived to sheep field unknown. Que sera. I did have a pleasant walk in the sun and some nice views of Wheatears and Meadow Pipits.

I've got a Buff-breast

A few Yellow Wagtails were knobbing about on the short grass and at least three Kestrels blogged about but little else was achieved.

Certainly not scarce

Yesterday with ma famille I went up to Wykeham for a walk with Forge Valley providing the standard Nuthatch and Marsh Tits. There was also a Treecreeper sitting about for a while. Apologies for the superbad image.

Along the stream we managed a party of Bullfinches and some more Marsh Tits. Suddenly all the pigeons exploded over the ravine (metaphorically of course). A mid sized accipiter glided across the valley showing a gleamy white undertail and extensive fine barring plus rounded tail corners - a fine male Goshawk. Chuffed to bits we headed up to Wykeham. Once up in the forest we had lots of finches buzzing about with big red oves and small green ones the order of the day. About 250 Siskin pratted about backward and forward between trees whilst more sedate a group of 50 ish Crossbills were spread thinly across the clearing at the viewpoint.

Bad crosser pic

We ventured to the raptor (or rapture) viewpoint but in light rain saw little of the valley and gave up. Dotting the path were these delightful fungi - like fly agaric but without spots. I have no idea.

From an entomology viewpoint today was pretty reasonable with good numbers of common butterflies, especially Small Tortoiseshell and this little Dragonfly.

female Ruddy Darter?

This Is Hardcore

2011-09-19T16:11:00.000+01:00

I Love Pulp

I want to have your children, oh yeah!

I want to sleep with common people

Flat Flam

2011-09-18T17:14:00.000+01:00

Was at Flamborough yesterday for a seawatch and migrant bash. Thin pickings on both fronts with a few Manxies and Sooties plus a few Arctic & Great Skuas. Red-throated Divers were in evidence moving south in decent numbers and plenty of Teal were moving into Bridlington Bay alongside smaller numbers of Common Scoter and Wigeon. A Wheatear briefly popped up at the seawatching point before dropping down the cliffs. I gave up at half 10 but apparently it picked up later with a Sab's and a Black-throated Diver.

On the land it was difficult with Holmes Gut providing a couple of Blackcaps and two Whitethroats but little else although a Barn Owl was roosting in one of the willows. Thornwick Pools were quiet and only a Sparrowhawk landing by the hide sparked any interest.

Moving onto Old Fall and again pickings were thin - I bumped into a couple of regulars who pointed out a distant Buzzard being harassed by corvids. There were no migrants in the plantation but the highlight of the morning was a juvenile Hobby hawking overhead and buzzing me a couple of times. Further migrants in the form of an overflying Snipe coming in off and a group of alba wags which included a single definite White Wagtail were seen round the fields. There must be something coming soon?

20,000 Hits!

2011-09-12T20:57:00.001+01:00

Many thanks to all that have visited the Blog since it started. Today the 20,000ish visitor registered on the counter. Now aside from the 13,000ish hits lost on the first counter when that packed up and a few thousand on other broken counters. Over 3 & a half years I have posted my inanities on here and I am grateful for every visitor (even if I was half of them). Below I have posted a few of my favourite images from the last 3 years.

Hard Work

2011-09-10T15:12:00.000+01:00

I went to flamborough this morning hoping for some passerines. I didnt feel like seawatching which meant I missed an adult Sabine's Gull although little else. Starting at bay brambles I saw...nothing. Moving onto the gorse field I managed two Meadow Pipits and a Whitethroat. Not brilliant. A Yellow Wagtail nobbed about with sheep and there was nothing in the gullies up to old fall. One of the mornings highlights flew over and rode the strong southerly, an adult Peregrine nice and close. Always cracking to see!

Moving up old fall hedge I managed a few early Goldcrests but little else. As I arrived at the plantation 2 Green Sandpipers flew west inland. Ollie Metcalfe was at the plantation, and had seen Spot Fly and possible Redstart but the wind was cranking up and I decided to get some lunch and pushed off to the car.

Pasta pot in hand I noticed Ollie had called me - what had I missed? There was a reported RB Fly around the gorse field although apparently nobody saw it. I went back to North Landing where an unstreaked acro in the bottom of Holmes Gut was on show for a nano second. I bumped into the local ringers and they hadnt had much and the Blackcap that I had just seen had evaded their nets. A few more Goldcrests were down in Holmes Gut but I was getting bored. Thornwick Pools provided 3 Dunlin and a couple of Yellow wags bathing. And that was that. I met Ollie and we both decided it was crap and sacked it off.

Tophill Today

2011-09-09T21:32:00.001+01:00

Rolled into Tophill Low today for a spot of ringing. I took my 2 year old and she L.O.V.E.D it. Was a really happy kid allday thanks to her morning out, so a big thanks to Jess, Graham and Richard for aiding and abetting. A small catch was interesting with a couple of re-traps (Treecreeper and Whitethroat) plus a handful of Sedge Warblers, Reed Warblers and Blackcaps.

I called in at South Marsh East on the way home and saw the three Curlew Sandpipers plus two Ruff, the second bird we heard drop in as it flew over.

Other bits and pieces included flyover Sparrowhawk, Lapwing and lots of aerial feeding Black-headed Gulls. Leaving took some time as my girl pointed out every 7-spot Ladybird we passed which seeing that they were reaching plague proportions was quite a few.

On the exit road a group of three Roe Deer were a pleasant surprise and a scan through the loafing gulls produced 5 Lesser Black-backs including a single adult intermedius and two adult graellsii. There were also two Herring Gulls and four Common Gulls amongst the Greater Black-backs.

Near Hutton Cranswick there was a field full of Common Gulls following ploughs and amongst them were two Herrings plus this beast:

Now I cant decide if this is a BIG male LB or a YLG. Gonna ask people who know these things...

Fin Whale Calf in the Humber

2011-09-07T21:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterday this whale calf was rescued from Immingham Harbour. Initially ID'd as a Minke it is pretty obvious that its a bit big if its a calf - 10.6m, when adult Minke's weigh in at 9.8m. In addition it shows no white band on the flipper. Re-identified as a calf Fin Whale which makes more sense but pics only show one side of the head (which is dark). Fin whales are assymetrically marked on their jaws which means they show a light side and a dark side. This would I guess be the clincher in a young calf. Unfortunately its not particularly hopeful for the calf as it has remained near Immingham for most of the day but we shall see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for the picture go to Jon Butterfield, one of the rescue divers who helped refloat the leviathan. If it is refound or rebeaches I will be twitching it!

Cruising for a Sab's

2011-09-05T22:40:00.000+01:00

I was extremely fortunate to be on the RSPB Cruise out of Bridlington on Sunday. Firstly we had Martin Garner calling and secondly it was fricking awesome! Despite spending far too many hours surveying (350+ at current estimate) I hadn't seen a couple of regular british seabirds but now only Long-tailed Skua is left.

A good turnout with perhaps 15 birdforum members in attendance and a place at the head of the queue mean't we commandeered the front starboard side of the boat. From this position we were able to move about without pissing off too many old codgers and we skorred BIG. My McBrekkie was spot on allowing plenty of change for the car parking thankfully.

In the harbour a couple of Purple Sandpipers were in attendance and a flyover(under?) just missed my hash brown. Pretty rapidly the harbour was just a stinky stain on my smell-o-vision and we were out in the bay. Common and Sandwich Terns were very much in evidence with plenty knocking about and a small group of Common Scoter nipped past at range. There was not a lot doing with the conditions - although there was a weak front going through mid-morning meaning seastate 2 dropped to seastate 0. This grounded tonnes of birds amongst the flightless auks which were in rafts a couple of miles off Flamborough head.

First up was a distant Arctic Skua which was soon followed by the flying cigar that is a Sooty Shearwater although this individual was more stationary and bobbing like a cork, moving short distances when the boat got a little close allowing views of the all dark body and pale underwings. Another Sooty was called pretty soon and this again was sat motionless on the surface. I wasnt happy with it - sure it was dark but its proportions were all wrong - it was more cigarillo than full blown cigar. I voiced my concerns to my compadres suggesting a dark Balearic Shearwater when I was promptly put back in my shed by a pompous old fucker who said too dark. Thankfully it then flew and it showed a pale chest and belly in a narrow patch and this diffused into a dark vent. Structure said Balearic and once it settled I could make out a small pale area on the chest whilst sat on the water. The following pics make it more obvious than it really was due to levels being played with. These are Michael Flowers' pics and they clinched it and shut the old b'stard up about projecting feet beyond the tail tip. SOOTY SHEARWATERS DONT SHOW PALE BELLIES YOU STUPID TWAT! is what I wanted to say. But didnt, obviously because like Will off the Inbetweeners, I am a speccy wanker and thus dont do that sort of thing. So there you go - self found Balearic when 100 people are looking at it including the UK's number 1 ID guru (who was having the same thoughts apparently but my big gob opened first).

Resting on my laurels a shout went up of Sabine's Gull! Much to our collective astonishment an adult Sab's went past in almost full sum plum. Not that I knew it at the time - I got onto the same views as the photo (due to the photographer being next to me - thanks Jim (James Thomas) but was intent on the wing markings and as it was called as a juv didnt think anymore until the photos came out. Tickable but arse-end views of a handsome bird. It zipped straight through and didnt come into the chum.

Aside from spectacular feeding Harbour Porpoise it quietened down with a handful of Manx shearwaters making their way past and a Bonxie blasting straight past. The yorkshire belle was pointed toward a flock of terns which held a juv Arctic Tern which again I called, a little hesitantly (bar on trailing edge rather than wedge in primaries was all I could remember). We moved on and found a flock of 20 or so Little Gulls. I should insert some nice pictures here but sadly I just formatted my CF card instead. doh. A few 1st winters and 3 juvs were in evidence.

We had been out a while and so started steaming back where we encountered a few more Little Gulls and an adult Arctic Tern. Once back in Bridlington Bay it was pretty mental with a good few Arctic Skuas harassing the gulls and terns plus 5 Red-throated Divers flying high including a group of 4. A Curlew blogged past Dane's Dyke but star prize went to Jim and his Black Tern search image which sorted out 9 birds including a flock of 6 as we re-entered the harbour. I did have quite a reasonable photo but that went in the great CF disaster of 2011.

Fish, Chips and congratulations were the order of the day back in Brid before a decamp to Flamborough for a chance of the Buff-breasted. No go but a few Whinchats, Stonechats & Wheatear were a brucie bonus at North Landing. Myself and Rob/Trystan (name is Rob, moniker is Trystan not 2 people) had a quick trip to Hornsea where two female type Red-crested Pochard plus a female Pintail were the highlights along with a couple of cream crown Marsh Harriers but no Glossy Ibis (a party of 5 had been seen over Atwick in the morning headed toward the mere). It was late-ish and raining so I called it a day leaving Rob to try Blacktoft for Curlew Sandpiper (successfully).

Corking day, great company, good birds and Sab's was a lifer so 323 UK and 285 Yorkshire. Sa-weet.

Pink Cuckoos Blog

2011-09-01T23:33:00.000+01:00

Crazy title I know! Cuckoos are much crapper colours than pink (although some of the tropical cuckoos are pretty cool!). Just a link for a local young birder/naturalist who is having a stab at blogging and has already blown my weak artwork away in a few posts. Try http://www.pinkcuckoos.blogspot.com . I will bung a link on the right as well.

Flamborough

2011-08-29T22:32:00.000+01:00

A seawatch this morning was good without hitting top gear. 150ish Manxies, 50ish Arctic Skuas, 4 Bonxies, c25 sooties plus invisible Whimbrel, 3 Sanderling, a few Arctic & Sandwich Terns amongst the commons. Pretty good. Shame about the two Balearics i missed and the Sabs that went through this afternoon. With the wind in the north west and sunny spells I checked the south side of Old Fall and bumped into Darren Ward where a male Redstart was flycatching with 3 Willow Warblers but little else. 2 Swifts frolicked overhead - my first since i went to cape verde.

Cape Verde Trip Report Final Installment

2011-08-27T22:15:00.000+01:00

Day 10 was samey with a flyover Osprey in the pool the highlight so on Day 11 I ventured all the way to Ilheu do Curral Velho to get a better effort on the frigatebirds. Sadly a fail but I did manage 3 Cream-coloured Coursers on the stony desert plains prior to the sand dunes. Quality birds that I loved seeing that were like a cross between the Hoopoe Larks and a Lapwing. There were plenty of Brown Boobies doddering about on the islet but nothing else sadly...

Day 12 was my day out and I headed to Rabil lagoon - the premier wetland site in the Cape Verde Islands and the premier place for rare herons. En route I had a troupe of Helmeted Guineafowl , a lifer although Cat C on Boa Vista.This on recount was my 400th world lifer. Not too bad... Additionally a few more Coursers were noted as we traversed the morning desert.

At Rabil Lagoon plenty of waders were noted along with singing Spectacled Warbler. Sadly the birds were all the same sort of thing as on the lagoon with Sanderling, Turnstone and Curlew Sandpiper dominant with lesser numbers of Stilts, Kentish Plover and 2 Wood Sandpiper plus a single Greenshank and Ringed Plover. A juv Grey Heron overflew getting me excited for 7 milliseconds. A few Whimbrel were noted further up the lagoon and amongst them the big trip rarity - a Curlew. Curlew are a 3 star rarity apparently in Cape Verde with 7 records by the time birds of the atlantic islands was published in 2006. It looked to be a male, dwarfing the Whimbrels but without a very long bill of a female. After a couple of minutes it flew high out into Sal Rei bay.

Not a Black-headed Heron...

A few tourists on Camels ventured over the sand dunes as I headed back to the main road disatisfied with my return. An Osprey fished over the bay and a Little Egret had moved onto the lagoon when I got back to the top.

Overnight the heavens opened and Boa Vista received the heaviest rains in 15 years after a completely dry wet season last year. 13 Maids were put in hospital by newly sprung rivers overturning their vehicles and we were nearly flooded in our hotel room as water poured through the hotel flooding adjacent rooms. The pool was filled with mud off the gardens and looked like a sewer in the morning.

Im not swimming in that!

A wander down to the lagoon showed it had tripled in size and similar lagoons had sprung up behind the beach in several places. Waders had spreadout in this new haven and only a Ruff and 3 Black-winged Stilts were in evidence. A seawatch provided a passage of Shearwaters at c5/minute. These were all at 2km range and I could only identify Cape Verde Shearwater and a couple of Sooty Shearwaters. A few pteradroma-esque birds could have been fea's but who knows frankly... Sooties it turns out are pretty rare but I cant think of any other large shearwater that would show an entirely dark underside and upperside that would be more likely. Far too big for Bulwer's. A plan was hatched for an early doors seawatch from next to Ilheu do Curral Velho.

ABORT ABORT ABORT - my 2 year old decided that staying awake all night would be fun and alongside light rain caused the abandonment of the seawatch of dreams. GAH! Oh well - reason to head back to Cape Verde if not Boa Vista. The last sighting of interest was the only migrant passerines of the trip - 3 lucky juvenile Barn Swallows. This took the trip list to 32 species - not bad for August on a family holiday I dont think.

In addition 4 species of Butterfly were noted - a male Mimic, African Emigrant, African Grass Blue and an orange tippy type small white with green mottled tips.

Trip Report part 2

2011-08-26T10:35:00.000+01:00

Late afternoon on day 3 found me checking the waders again and a similar assemblage with additions of a moulting male Ruff and 2 Wood Sandpipers which are both considered scarce in Cape Verde - although that may be due to them passing through in August when there are few birders... An additional trip tick came in the form of a Greenshank that was in amongst the species from the day before. A Whimbrel skulked along the edges.

Ruff were seen on most days at the lagoon and also latterly at Rabil lagoon. A maxima of two birds at the lagoon between the hotel and Curral Velho with a male and a female present on and off. There is apparently a further lagoon east of Curral Velho which I did not visit.

Wood Sandpiper was perhaps the commonest passage wader encountered at the lagoon with a peak count of 4 birds, probably 5 although they were quite mobile and wary with several days at 3-4 birds.

Whimbrel were regular on the beach and lagoon with a max of 3 birds on the lagoon and several along the stretch of beach. In addition several were seen at Rabil Lagoon.

Movement was in evidence as numbers of the waders in situ from the previous day had altered although I had a hunch it was exchange with another local waterbody mainly as birds appeared to return (or identical individuals in the same stage of moult ;) ).

Day 4 produced no new species but a good view of a female Alexander's Kestrel on the deck and some new arrivals at the pool with two families of Black-winged Stilts taking the total to 13 adults and 3 juvs. A new Curlew sand was in with almost complete winter plumage. Due to the lacklustre lagoon I tried a seawatch which produced c20 Brown Boobies and 2 distant large shearwaters which were very likely Cape Verde Shearwater but seemed closer to Maio than Boa Vista. Meandering back to the hotel - 2 Ospreys passed overhead. They are a pretty common local breeder here and expected but always cool.

Day 5 produced a slightly tarty WP tick in the form of Spanish Sparrow - these guys behaved almost like Tree Sparrows, having a colony in the vicinity of the more urban area but yet avoiding it slightly letting the Iago's do their House Sparrow impersonation. That said this post breeding colony were very smart and it was a species I was chuffed to catch up with.

Some changes in numbers at the lagoon but no new species. Days 6 & 7 produced more of the same although by now both migrating family parties of stilts had moved on. It was getting a bit samey and I had a wander up to the Loggerhead Turtle refuge up toward Curral Velho.

Day 8 and I went for a wander with a couple of lads from the complex who wanted to see the Turtle conservation stuff and find out a little about them. A Bar-tailed Godwit was new in on the lagoon and was about for most of the rest of the holiday. Curlew Sandpiper numbers peaked with the original brick-red bird returning and an additional moulting bird. We marched on toward the turtle sanctuary and found some turtle remains. In discussion with the wardens it seems the remains are whats left after poachers kill the turtles for bush-meat & skins. 1,100 Turtles were killed on the beaches of Boa Vista last year from a laying population of 3,000 - that is not sustainable and is extremely worrying. Thankfully in conjunction with the hotel greater awareness is spreading and the wardens I spoke to were optomistic of success against the poachers.

Then the warden said the magic word. "FRIGATEBIRD". There up above us a male Magnificent Frigatebird circled in the face of oncoming cloud. I was joyously remarking to my compadres how it was the only male of the relict eastern atlantic population and that they bred less than a km from where we were. The warden then shows me how lucky I have been by telling me it was only the 2nd time in three months there that he has seen the bird. Absolute score.

There are many other similar photos and worse but I wont bore you! We wandered onto the sand dunes of Curral Velho where lots of swimming crabs were mating on the rocks below.

Scene of the frigatebird sighting

The walk back was quick as the three of us had been a very long time, and we didnt want to incure the wrath of those that must be obeyed. The way back produced further turtle remains and thousands of Red Locusts. Arriving back in the hotel a rather mundane trip tick appeared as three Rock Doves headed into the desert.

Day 9 was a morning of culture at the other end of the island as we visited the capital Sal Rei. I was hoping for Tropicbirds in the bay but it appears that I went at the wrong time of year as none were seen. I did manage a Little Egret as we crossed Rabil Lagoon in the coach and we saw lots of Alexander's Kestrels and Brown-necked Ravens. Sal Rei was pretty cool - poor but pretty with a lovely church and the old fish market is very West Indian with noise and colour.

The return journey saw an Osprey sat in the airport amongst the Ravens and Kestrels.

Part 3 tomorrow.

Boa Vista Trip Report

2011-08-25T16:18:00.000+01:00

So my wife said - "the travel agent suggested Boa Vista in Cape Verde. Where is cape Verde?". I just said tropics and west coast of Africa and that sold it to her. For me it was the last breeding place of Magnificent Frigatebirds in the Western Pal. Little did I know that I would be 3km from the breeding place as well!

This was our first proper holiday as a family after a couple of practice jaunts to see relatives in Spain. A rather tricky 6.5 hours was negotiated although Angela and me were creamed trying to contain our nearly 2 year old bundle of fun...

Arriving in the airport on the 7th August the first lifer and Cape Verde endemic arrived in passport control (which has no roof). The smart Iago Sparrows were flitting about picking up morsels that were dropped by the recently arrived. These were an ever present during the holiday but were not particularly common in the hotel complex despite being present in plague like proportions further north.

We transferred to our hotel on the south coast - a mere 15km away from the airport. The road however only covered half that distance and this would cause issues later in the holiday. Brown-necked Ravens were a regular site on the journey and a treefull of Cattle Egrets was an expected site in the Ribeira do Rabil. I have previously had a very brief view of Brown-necked Raven from a bus in Egypt but on this trip they were regular on the beach - hoping to mop up turtle remains incase poachers had been active. A number of Bar-tailed Larks flitted beside the road and as we approached the hotel a Hoopoe Lark flushed. The former was an expected list padder and a little unspectacular although in nice light the rufous wings were cool. The latter was a much wanted bird with Boa Vista being one of the easiest places to see them. Both proved common throughout the holiday. After arriving at the hotel we decided to chill by the pool and no further birds were seen.

hmm.

An early start to day 2 due to the two hour time difference led to some time on the balcony where the resident larks proved easy to see along with Iago Sparrows. Amongst the two species spied the previous day were large numbers of the diminutive Black-crowned Finch Larks, one of those charismatic species which only just enters the western pal but one which was common as muck on Boa Vista. They were easily seen only 50 yards from the balcony. Whilst watching I noticed a small falcon fly into the opposite block - it was a female Alexander's Kestrel. This distinctive subspecies is likely to be split and would be an island endemic.

As Isabelle was in the pool the whole time she needed an afternoon nap each day and this was a brucie bonus for me as my wife wanted to read on the balcony with her new present from me, a Kindle. Cunning, eh? So U went for a walk and discovered a small lagoon behind the beach about 0.5km to the east toward Curral Velho. Here I found c10 pairs of Kentish Plover and 2 pairs of Black-winged Stilt with three fledged young. Passage waders were very much in evidence with a single Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper plus 3 each of Sanderling & Turnstone in a variety of plumages. The Curlew Sandpiper was in almost full summer plumage. A Spectacled Warbler of the Cape Verdian endemic race was flitting in the bushes.

Day 3 produced the same balcony birds with all 3 larks and the Iago Sparrows in the flower beds. I noted a massive wasp which proved to be pretty common plus some jewel like beetles in the plants adjacent to the balcony. As I was watching these, a Brown-necked Raven fly past.

A walk on the beach provided a lifer in the form of 8 Brown Boobies. An incredible bird which is tricky to catch up with in the WP. These were seen in varying numbers everytime I went to the beach and bred on the nearby islet of Ilheu do Curral Velho.

To be continued...

Boa Vista, Cape Verde

2011-08-24T20:37:00.001+01:00

Premium Petrel

2011-08-03T22:34:00.001+01:00

Some pretty poor record shots of a few of the 20+ Storm Petrels we have had this week. Fab birds and always bobbing round the outside of the feeding aggregations. I had a flock of 6 with a 7th fluttering about, all tripping on the sea whilst three intermediate morph Fulmars looked on. There were also a handful of Sooty Shearwaters seen plus 15 or so Manx Shearwaters with both Arctic and Great Skua hassling. Infact our 1st Sooty soon became an ex-sooty as a Bonxie drowned it. Very sad but cool to watch the skua doing its work.

Manx Shearwater, honest guv.

We also noticed very few auks aside from a plethora of Puffins. Gannets were in evidence with close birds giving good views.

Ugly Bonxie

Not a lot in the way of mammals with Porpoise and Seal about the extent.

Today on the way home I checked East Heslington and nearly drowned in the apocalytic rain that fell. Best birds were Stock Dove and 3 herons.

Chap-hop

2011-07-28T17:13:00.002+01:00

Mr B: The Gentleman Rhymer work of absolute genius

Stormin' Spurn

2011-07-25T22:27:00.003+01:00

Was at Spurn with the BF boys (Michael Flowers, Keith, Rob, & Mark). It was a cracking day with the undoubted highlight a self-found Yorkshire tick in the form of a Storm Petrel struggling north over the surf from the seawatching hide. We also managed a juv/1st winter Yellow-legged Gull in the roost at Chalk bank. I picked it initially on the unnotched tertials and despite the fact the bird sat down with its beak under its wing for the most part it did eventually show its mask, long legs, faint pale window in the primaries and strong bill plus it was bigger than the Herrings in the roost so presumably a male. It wasnt very pale headed but I wrote that off due to its young age and thus lack of wear/bleaching.

juv/1st winter YLG showing no useful features

The day started with a seawatch from the Bluebell between 7-8 but the light was awful and a lone Sooty Shearwater, 2 Common Scoter & an Arctic Skua were picked up along with plenty of Sandwich Terns. Once the rest of the chaps arrived we ambled down to the seawatching hide with a Yellow Wagtail or two puntuating the journey.

Once we arrived at the hide we saw nothing for a while but it picked up with 7 Manx Shearwaters south in a two small groups. An Arctic Skua passed at the same distance. This was interrupted by the amazing views of the Storm Petrel. 2 Velvet Scoters flew north slowing our leaving of the hide swiftly followed by a Bonxie and then an Arctic Tern or 2. The seawatch lasted until 11 and yet aside from the Manxies and first Arctic Skua all were seen between 10.30 and 11 - not typical seawatching times.

We checked Canal Scrape out and a Yellow Wagtail blogged about with a Lesser Whitethroat feeding in the bushes at the back. A good number of hirundines were seen dip feeding and a Reed Warbler sang uncertainly.

House Martin or Storm Petrel

Small Skipper

By this time we had seen a number of Butterflies - Wall, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Peacock, Small White, Green-veined White, Common Blue & Small Skipper. Time was marching on and we headed to Chalk Bank for the wader roost. We had Greenshank, Little Tern, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Knot, Sanderling, Grey Plover and Sandwich Tern with the waders and amongst several hundred Dunlin a single juvenile...

Amongst the gulls was aside from the YLG was a single adult intermedius Lesser Black-backed Gull.

We then hiked up to Beacon Ponds where a Solitary Sand Wasp was found and we also discovered that 3 out of the 5 of us were deaf as me & Rob could hear Mole Cricket & Roesel's Bush Cricket which sounded like air raid sirens to me and yet...

We found an odd wader which I couldnt place at Beacon ponds but was probably just a Dunlin. A Curlew Sandpiper was delicious as were a few Little Egrets. Lots of terns bobbed about but we failed to nail a probable Black Tern which flew through.

Blurry Inverts

2011-07-22T16:05:00.000+01:00

I have attempted mothing using no moth trap a couple of times over the last week. It mostly involves a lamp, my old labcoat and painting a mixture of boiling water, sugar and tia maria (we cant stand the stuff - got to use it somehow as its been in my wife's possession as long as I have and is still 2/3's full) on the fence.

Success thus far has been mixed BUT there have been a few bits and pieces of interest including a Common Plume Moth

a footman sp.

Plus a Caddis Fly, Limnephilus lunatus

And a Dung Beetle Aphodias rufipes

And finally this unknown moth - the closest I can get is Marbled Beauty but doesn't seem quite right.

Any clarifications most welcome - apologies for the picture quality as I only have my iPhone camera to use at the time. Two new additions to the garden mammal list taking it to three were Pipistrelle sp (presumably Common) and Noctule. The other is of course Rat. Bumsy.

Rat features!

2011-07-17T22:58:00.000+01:00

Water Voles finally - shame it was cloudy so I had to step down to 1/50th as I was trying to shoot at f8. Whilst waiting for the Voles to show I saw my first village Kingfisher which was a ruddy followed by azure blur as it barrel rolled down the stream. A female Sparrowhawk was escorted over the stream by the entire villages quota of crows and swallows. Plenty of Trout were jumping.

In the garden it seemed all the juvs had fledged simultaneously including a Chiffchaff. Here are a few of the highlights...

rainy...

What to do with people who burn hides?

2011-07-17T10:36:00.001+01:00

Birdforum is often a haven for extreme opinions and it seems that I may have produced one such opinion on there - I stated that children of poor sociology-economic background dont often become birders and that this section of society is under represented in birding. This was my response to suggestions that public execution should be used for those that vandalise reserves. Further to this I suggested that education and social engagement would reduce vandalism on reserves. At this I got jumped on. The warden of Spurn suggested that he would build a wall which he would shoot vandals and myself for being a bleeding heart liberal against. Other people jumped up and shouted...IM POOR!.

I am married to an educator. I work (for the next 3 weeks) in an educational institution. Education works. My wifes schools have always been in underprivileged areas with high levels of deprivation with issues such as single parent families haunted by drugs, violence and alcohol and yet they achieve fantastic results year on year due to excellent leadership which taught my wife how to teach and engage these children initially, how to lead and latterly by leading the school herself. As results improve conversely so does discipline and yet staff are encouraged not to shout or threaten. Punishment has its place but the type of punishment encouraged by the birdforumers is interesting - who is the punishment for? the aggrieved party or the offender? Or the panel of self appointed guardians of birdwatching?

I got jumped on further when I drunk posted that my assertion that people of poor backgrounds are unusual in birding. I probably got this a little wrong - my wine clouded judgement failed to put the word socio-economic in the mix. It is deprivation that causes disengagement of individuals not lack of money. But I wasnt trying to offend people I was trying to get the point across that in order to reduce vandalism on reserves perhaps nipping it in the bud by getting the deprived to value their natural heritage rather than alienate them by threats. Once a crime has been committed then their must be punishment - as deterrent and as a stand alone punishment for wrong doings but this should be proportional.

Now I am sure you can read into this my liberal values but I am no pushover and dont believe in nanny stating. What I do believe in is attempting to solve the problem as a whole issue rather than as individual perpertrators. Social engagement is the answer. I am sorry if this doesn't read as a particularly coherrant arguement - I merely needed a platform to put my point across without flooding the excellent Yorkshire Forum with bile, both mine and responders. If any of them want to respond on here then I will allow all responses that arent abusive even if they dont line up with my own opinion.

Potter Wasp ID

2011-07-15T21:03:00.000+01:00

can anyone help? I think its a potter wasp of some kind

Ringing - Sunday

2011-07-15T12:56:00.000+01:00

We had another CES session this Sunday. It was pretty slow with only 12 birds caught but a nice variety with 9 species. Highlights included a male Bullfinch, freshly fledged Blue Tit and re-traps of Song Thrush, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler. Of even more interest was news from the previous visit that we managed a control of a Sedge warbler. At the moment we know nothing more but I will fill you in when I get the chance.

Ringing demo by Graham

The slowness of the session allowed appreciation of the other wildlife in the vicinity including a gorgeous solitary wasp - Chrysis ignata. Sadly we failed to get a photograph. we also managed a Common Frog - a tophill rarity!

We also had Grass Snake on the hay bales and tonnes of grasshopper sp. which we think are a combo of Common Green Grasshopper and Field Grasshopper but I am so woefully naive with insects its untrue.

Common Green Grasshopper

Red Admiral

Ringlet

Butterflies were the main attraction with many species on the wing including Small & Large Skipper, Marbled White and lots of Ringlets.

Skipper ID

2011-07-13T23:54:00.000+01:00

Im rubbish at Butterflies but I have this down as Small Skipper - any thoughts?

Marsh Sandpiper, Blacktoft

2011-07-12T21:03:00.001+01:00

Midget Greenshank with the head of a Wilson's Phalarope

A hoped for event when the Marsh Sandpiper, sensibly, decided to leave Lincolnshire for God's own by hopping the Trent. I was at Blacktoft for half 10. Not too many there and I got really good if a little distant views. It was parading round with a posse of Greenshank and took a little picking initially but once my eye was in I could see the subtle differences in leg colour, face pattern and bill morphology plus the smaller size. A very smart sandpiper - no doubts. Too far for the DSLR to cope with.

The picture here was a Greenshank...DOH

Plenty of supporting cast as well with 2 Spoonbills, 9 Little Egret, 2 Green Sandpipers, a dozen Spotted Redshank, Arctic Tern, Marsh Harrier, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff and plenty I have forgotten I am sure...

Green Sandpiper

Ruff

Sleepy Spoonbill

Wansford

2011-07-11T23:08:00.000+01:00

Went for a walk at Wansford this evening. There were 3 singing Sedge Warblers which is a new thing and I guess down to post breeding dispersal. Great Spot and Barn Owl were present along with plenty of Swallows and a fly through Kingfisher - my first of the year. Very nice.

Also went ringing yesterday but once I have the photos I will post on that.

There's a Moth in mi Office, what am I gonna do?

2011-07-07T14:41:00.000+01:00

Dark Arches

This bad boy was floating round the office kitchen. ID was a collaborative effort as it was quite large and feisty.

Laid Off

2011-07-05T21:51:00.001+01:00

My shit week has got really shit. I have been laid off with a months notice as there is no work coming in. If anyone knows anyone who needs an ornithologist let me know. A CV can be provided on request. I have experience of writing ornithological sections to EIAs, several surveys, am competent on all regular british birds, have over 340 hours offshore survey experience and have worked as an ornithologist for the last 18 months.

Local Cream Crown

2011-07-03T22:39:00.000+01:00

Went for a listen of the local Quail this evening. One bird was calling in the field adjacent the meadow where they had been which has now sadly been mown. This perhaps illegal cutting will probably have waylaid the first broods but hopefully now they are in the Barley they can get some young off. A mid-sized bird of prey with a shallow tail fork caused minor pant filling. Its actual identity was a Marsh Harrier heavy tail and wing moult with new central tail feathers. Minor palpitations subsided.

On returning an aquatic mustelid crossed the river but sadly slipped into reeds before I could get a proper handle on it. Gut feeling was Otter but honestly not good enough views to do anything more than speculate. Dammit. Before I got back to the car I watched a family group of at least 6 Mistle Thrushes feeding on the cut hay meadow. An Oystercatcher kleep'd over head along with a couple of Tufted Duck heading up river. A Little Grebe was whinnying on the river.

Mistle Thrush - honest, it rattled when it flew

In the garden a pair of Song Thrush and at least 1 young bird continue to forage in the garden along with a persistant Wren.

A Hoverfly was pratting about on the trellis. Any ideas on species gladly received.

Turtle Doves

2011-06-30T21:30:00.000+01:00

After checking all spring I finally refound last years Turtle Doves at Hutton Cranswick. They bred last year and Im hoping they have done the same this year. Two birds were on wires just outside the village in a shower this evening on my commute home. Poor pictures below.

Not the greatest pictures but I will endeavour to manage better before the summer is out.

Bat revisit

2011-06-27T22:59:00.000+01:00

I have been told that the ear on my bat may be the key to speciating. Concensus has been a myotis, principally Natterers or Daubenton's - both common enough round here.

Bat Ear

Also some really sad news. My wife, Angela lost twins this weekend at 10 weeks pregnant. We are both cut up and pretty numb.

Went for a Rat, Got a Bat

2011-06-25T15:39:00.001+01:00

Went down to Nafferton Beck to take shots of Water Voles and whilst I got brief views I was left disappointed. I was considerably happier when I noticed this mid-sized bat roosting on the outer aspect of the footbridge. Any ideas for ID?

Also had a Sparrowhawk shoot through. Continuing the theme of inverts here are three more for ID.

Hylobius abietis - Pine Weevil?

grasshopper sp.

Buff-tailed Bumblebee? Bombus terrestris?

Entomological Idiocy?

2011-06-25T13:21:00.001+01:00

In an effort to keep myself distracted without bunging three million quid in my cars fuel tank I have been playing with the idea of pan-species listing...or in my case looking at the invertebrates in the garden. Now I managed to deduce a few bits and pieces but I am a complete novice never having had any interest in this field before. I need help with some ID's if anyone could or knows someone that could?

I think this is your bog standard House Fly Musca domestica

But I have a few other flies that I have no idea over. And some bits that I don't even know if they are flies.

I also managed a few beetles. First up was the standard shiny yellow flower loving job which I have no idea what it is called.

followed by this sneaky devil hiding amongst them on a flower head

As for Bees I think this is Garden Bumblebee Bombus hortorum

While I think this is the Common Carder Bumblebee Bombus pascuorum

I also saw Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius which I know is common but was good to see. I made a mess of various other photos but will endeavour so please help a poor referenceless innocent and ID my arthropods.

Pissed Off

2011-06-20T13:48:00.000+01:00

Went for the Flamborough Stone Curlew yesterday, safe in the knowledge that its a night migrant. I hauled Isabeel to North Marsh from North Landing with scope, camera and bins. And I was greeted with, that fat,twat in the hat has just entered the field to get a photo and flushed it to the horizon - did you see it fly? To which I swore. It was such a selfish thing to do by a very noted birder. I wont name him here as that isnt fair but the long-walk back took ages and felt 3 times as far. Gutted...

I'm a Winner

2011-06-10T16:02:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to say that I was the very fortunate winner of the year's membership of the BTO from the Talking Naturally Podcast TN 33. I would like to thnak the BTO for my membership and Charlie Moores, webmaster and podcaster behind Talking Naturally for the prize which will be put to good use I can assure them. Cheers!

Quail of a Time

2011-06-09T22:27:00.000+01:00

I went for a walk down by Wansford Beck this evening in an effort to hear Quail. Aside from stacks of Swifts and Swallows feeding on the Mayflies, a Roe Deer was stood watching me in the field before breaking left.

A couple of Yellow Wagtails chased across the field and a Corn Bunting piped up on the wires.

It really is a Corn Bunting!

A group of hares were pottering about on the far side of the fields as were a couple of Barn Owls including one which gave a flyby as the light dropped.

As I was growing dispondent a single Quail piped up with just a single phrase. I was delighted! Before I could get too excited a Hare ran up to me as I was stood behind a tree and sat down. Oblivious.

CES visit 4

2011-06-09T11:43:00.000+01:00

I went ringing on sunday to Tophill again as part of our CES program. Despite a quiet morning it was all very pleasant and we managed to prove breeding of a pair of Lesser Whitethroats in South Scrub as all other birds have been passage birds either to other areas on site or away from the site. Also interesting was the Turtle Dove still holding territory and only singing briefly in the morning. Perhaps good news? The catch was a poor 12 birds by 1pm when we decided to pack up. We had caught a rather smart male Linnet though plus 6 Blue tit pulli which were cool.

When we got to the nets we were shocked to see a catch of 39 birds, more than three times what we had managed in the rest of the session. 2 Long-tailed Tit flocks had hit different nets and brought a few of their friends with them. I was really chuffed as I managed to extract 10 out of the 39 birds including 7 Long-tailed Tits. I am learning slowly...

Full catch:

Willow warbler 3(3)
Chiffchaff 1
Dunnock 2
Song Thrush 0(1)
Lesser Whitethroat 2
Blue Tit 1
Linnet 1
Chaffinch 0(1)
Long Tailed Tit 33(2)

Plus 6 Blue Tit pulli

Recaptures in brackets

Rockin' Robin

2011-06-08T22:02:00.000+01:00

I was supposed to be in the Moray Firth today. Supposed. So I worked half of last night and thus when my survey got cancelled I sacked it all off and got my twitching companion (my daughter Isabelle). She slept en route which was a bonus and we quickly arrived. It was raining when we arrived so I was glad when we were shepherded into the flats overlooking the doctors garden. Izzy managed free entry as she was under 5 (apparently). The no show of the bird was compensated by a roof over our head although I was a tad concerned by the cannabis fumes escaping under one of the doors on the top floor.

When Izzy got tired and started creating we retired to the playground. Returning we tripped over the bird and I managed to fire off a couple of shots before my daughter decided to head off in the birds direction. EEek. Thankfully I coaxed her back before she flushed the bird. Over the next 15 minutes the bird showed on and off around the inner bowling green and the road adjacent and viewing was good when my child wasnt trying to charge the birdie she was celebrating seeing loudly. Doh! I hope we didnt upset too many and apologise to anyone we did inconvenience. The bird wasnt much bothered. We quickly headed off and returned to East Yorkshire armed with more sweets and fruitshoots than you can chuck a stick at.

Moray

2011-06-02T23:23:00.000+01:00

I spent the beginning of this week in the Moray Firth.We pulled a monster shift with 4 Minke Whales the best of the mammals with only a single Porpoise as a kicker. Migrants were thin on the ground with only 2 Swallows passing by. Plenty of skuas were doing the rounds but hopes of a scarce one passing us by despite two of my colleagues stringing dark phase (??) Arctic Skuas as long-tails. We managed around 70 Bonxies and 50 Arctics as well as 50 plus Arctic Terns. Other highlights were two fly-by Black Guillemots and a late Storm Petrel which followed us for 10 minutes late on.

Yank Wigeon

2011-06-01T21:13:00.000+01:00

I had just got back from Scotland when I heard about a pair of American Wigeon at Tophill Low. As I was going past anyway I dropped in and got excellent views.

I have just got back from Scotland. Here is a taster of a full report tomorrow.

Arctic Skua

Not Crane

2011-05-26T19:59:00.000+01:00

A Chaffich I saw whilst dipping the cranes.

No birding, good birds

2011-05-26T09:31:00.000+01:00

I have done no birding this week sadly. Tied down to the desk working my socks off... I have managed a few decent birds. Yesterday on leaving work I managed a ******* ****** over the library at uni. This is no great surprise but at this time of year identity must be protected (and no - the amount of asterisks isnt right).

Last years Turtle Dove that I saw twice daily for ages

This morning on waking up the dulcet tones of a Cuckoo were ringing out - although from my slumber they didnt appear to be coming from the usual reedbed 200m away but rather the scrub the other side of the house.

Finally on my way to work between Watton & Hutton Cranswick a Turtle Dove flew alongside the car for 100m or so before flipping over the hedge. All in all pretty special.

Hmmm...

2011-05-19T21:23:00.000+01:00

Sometimes your interest in birding waxes and sometimes it wanes. At the moment I am on some crazy fitness drive. I still resemble the michelin man but now I can amble round a football pitch for 30 mins and push some decent weights in the gym whilst playing a backhand crosscourt. My birding umph has deserted briefly and thus I didnt see the Tawny Pipit, Sea Eagle, Quail, Golden Oriole, Bee-eater combo nor any of the Red-rumped Swallows. I did get down to Tophill Low for some ringing on sunday.

Reed Warbler

At tophill I year ticked a Turtle Dove that was singing in south scrub all morning but avoided our nets plus an in-hand Garden Warbler. This takes the meagre year list to 167. During the session we managed our first Reed Warblers of the year plus some Great Tit pulli, a family of Long-tailed Tits and a mixed up Chaffinch with a sub-adult wing but an adult tail.

Garden Warbler - some sort of colour distortion due to the creosote
on the shed. It was grey brown, honest.

In addition to these wonderful pictures I have a couple of Isabelle, my lovely toddler. They interest me at least. I know other peoples children photos are rubbish. Im not sorry.

This Week

2011-05-14T20:38:00.000+01:00

Well due to laziness I failed to get caught up in the great blogger crash of 2011. I have lost precisely no posts. Smug moi? Never...

For some reason I seem to have dropped Marcus's
picture of the Nanjizal Alder Flycatcher in this post. Cool.

Anyway - bird interest this week lay in a couple of fly-by Cuckoos on Wednesday and Thursday as I commuted to work. Both times I initially imagined them to be Kestrels before all became clear. Please bare in mind I was driving and not birding although still a pretty criminal mistake. Tomorrow I'm off to Tophill ringing. Let the rain stay away...

Up, up and away

2011-05-09T23:51:00.001+01:00

As it lifted off the Temminck's Stint at Bewholme looked more like a Sand Martin, not something I thought I would associate a wader with. I had been at Bewholme for 45 minutes before it appeared out of nowhere. Other bits there included Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers and a hare?!? Overnight we had lost a few waders plus the pintail and teal but gained the stint and a wood sand plus an extra two Little Grebes. I found out why I didn't see the stint yesterday as at 19:20 it lifted off high toward Hornsea. Bet it's on Kirkholme point in the morning. I had stopped by Swinemoor on my way home but it was dry. Dis see my first Reed Warblers of the year which was pleasant. I tried to photograph the stint but viewing is quite distant so once again I will break out Martin Standley's excellent shot of one from Swinemoor 2 years ago. When I get to a computer that is.

Temminck's Stint by Martin Standley

Bewholme

2011-05-08T22:01:00.000+01:00

Bewholme pond had reports of Temminck's Stint today and after dipping them at Hornsea mere this afternoon. I set off lateish and managed 40mins before sunset. No sign of the Temminck's but plenty of good birds present. 1 Wood Sandpiper was pratting about round the edges, plus 2 Greenshank, 4 Redshank, 4 Common Sandpipers and a single Little Ringed Plover. Rather bizarrely 8 species of duck were on the farm pond (Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shoveller, Tufty, Mallard, Gadwall & Shelduck). It is possible that the Temminck's were still present as the waders all roosted in an area out of sight. A small number of Yellow Wagtails were feeding amongst the livestock and 2 Little Grebes were blogging about. For a farm pond it looks amazing - I may have to keep closer tabs...

ps have the pictures from ringing on Monday.

Re-captured Song Thrush born last year

re-trapped Lesser Whitethroat 3CY+

Sedge Warbler

2CY Linnet

2CY Willow Warbler first trapped June 2010 in same place

Wood Sand scarer

More on the Gulls

2011-05-07T12:58:00.000+01:00

I have had a little bit of feedback on the gulls and have done lots of research. Despite posting the pics on birdforum I had nothing back save a solitary vote for Lesser Black-backed Gull for the bird on the deck and this along with some correspondence on twitter was my thought but it didnt sit well. Yesterday Michael Flowers managed a shot of the open wing which showed it to be dark with a small, faint window. Allied with some correspondence on twitter and it became clear that this is a Yellow-legged Gull due to its generally pale appearance, strong bill, underwing marking and leg length. The marked UTC's also point against Caspian.

In reference to the flying bird I have had no feedback but I have studied Olsen & Larsson quite a bit and the relevant features for 1st-winter Caspian Gull are present - the pale underwing with whacking great windows in the primaries plus the generally pale appearance, clean UTCs, tail bar pattern and long, parallel sided bill on a small head.

Im quite chuffed that I managed to get a handle on these bits as I'm not the best at immature gulls - Im constantly befuddled but I kept returning to it and am happy with the results (and chuffed with the outcome). Caspian Gull is a new bird for Yorkshire for me and the Yellow-legged Gull was only my 2nd in county I think.

Gull ID Help Needed

2011-05-04T20:52:00.000+01:00

I went to North Cave Wetlands for the 2 Caspian Gulls present - apparently the only large gulls on site and found these two birds. Opinions gladly received as its a minefield for me as I have only seen a single Caspian before.

Ring my bell

2011-05-03T23:02:00.000+01:00

Had a productive morning ring at Tophill yesterday. A 6am start saw several migrants being year ticked quickly with singing Whitethroat on the site. A posse of Swifts were over 'O' reservoir and these were to be ever present. A gang of Common Terns lifted off south marsh east for a sortie over the ringing site as we set up. Further goodies came in a calling Cuckoo and the catch of 3 Lesser and one Common Whitethroat. We even managed a couple of recaptures from last year with a Lesser Whitethroat whic is now at least 3CY as it was rung last year on May 1st by us. A Willow Warbler had also made a successful return after being rung last June. Several other resident birds were recaptured. Yellow Wagtails and Little Ringed Plovers were a constant on the Walls of 'O' reservoir. Whilst I was diligently processing a Robin a Wood Sandpiper alighted briefly on south marsh west, seen by another of our group. This quickly disappeared after being harangued by the LRP's. Thankfully not a yeartick although it would have been a site first for me. Nevermind. As I was trying to relocate the Wood Sand at Watton I thought I heard a Nightingale in sub-song but it didn't get going so could have been an exhuberant Garden Warbler or Blackcap. A probable Pied Flycatcher flitted through south scrub but disappeared before I laid bins on it. The final bird of a quality session was my first Sedge Warbler of the year.

Today I was sat cursing as 2 Caspian Gulls rolled up at North Cave. Let's hope they are still present tomorrow so I can catchup with them in my lunch hour. The subalpine at spurn didn't float my boat although I'm sure the reported Rustic Bunting would have.

Hes East

2011-04-29T23:40:00.000+01:00

Ollie gave me a guided tour of Heslington East today in a mutual bid to avoid the royal nuptuals. It looks a cracking site and I guess its only a matter of time until it turns up a BBRC rare. Today a Wood Sandpiper was the highlight which was unfortunately too distant for digiblasting. A few LRP's and an uber-distant Buzzard were the rest of the fare.

I also managed to do my remaining early spring visit for my atlas tetrads - Holgate to the Knavesmire. Highlights were few and far between with a handful of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. Encouragingly 60 odd House Sparrows were recorded although not a single Sparrowhawk ;-).

The drive back after a Royal Wedding party provided a Badger stalking across the road at Garrowby hill. This was no great surprise as I have had a sighting in the same place before and roadkill here is unfortunatly not unusual.

Lastly here are the promised photos of the passerine migrants from my last survey - female Blackcap and Grasshopper Warbler.