NDC - Optimum Conditions

Louise had an appointment in Hull yesterday morning, so I offered to take her in...and continue to The Carrs! I negotiated a 3 hour slot before picking her up and going for a Pub meal. All bases covered.

I arrived at 10 and made the familiar walk to the GS Hide, as I'd been doing on and off for 38 years. I've seen every possible set of conditions in this time, visiting at various times of day and every Season. As I'd driven up from Bubwith I could see there was extensive flooding but I wasn't sure what the present state of play on the Carrs would be?

As I opened the flaps I was pleasantly surprised...

As you can see the River was high and there was a small breach in the Riverbank allowing water to spill onto the Carrs...

The spits close to the River created by these conditions had attracted huge numbers of Waders, mainly Lapwing (c2000)...

 ...but also significant numbers of Golden Plover (c300)...

plus c 100 Dunlin and 10 Ruff...

The sun broke through enhancing the scene, there was little wind..

There was a decent herd of Whooper Swans way off in the distance at Thorganby...

...and 11 remained on the Carrs at the far end including the family of 5 that had been present for some time.

A couple from York joined me and I told them they'd timed it right. They enjoyed a good hour before moving on in which time 4 Egyptian Geese performed very well on the River before departing NE...

I'd mentioned a couple of Marsh Harriers were regular and we were treated to a close fly-by over the scrape...

A couple of Stonechats were investigating the breach...

As was the young Fox...

As good as it gets...

Humber Spectacular

Tuesday I did a recce along the access points to this magnificent Estuary in preparation for Haydn's visit on Wednesday. No sign of any Hen Harriers or Short-eared Owls unfortunately.

Maybe we'd get lucky? We didn't but we had a great day checking out the Sites along the Humber. He was VERY impressed and we enjoyed some great Birding and spectacle. It really is a magnificent area enabling huge numbers of Birds to feed in safety.

Today I re-visited some of the Sites after an early start...putting myself through the variable emotions of The Ashes!

I started down at Patrington Haven around 1 where an unusual looking Little Egret was feeding on a puddle by the car park.. Fairly common in the area these days but views like this are not...

I toyed with the idea of walking down towards the pumping station...but not for long! I'm not as quick as I used to be.Instead I headed for Welwick and had the last hour there. Finally I connected with one of the Male Hen Harriers that have been present for some time, albeit mobile. My encounter was brief as the Bird shot West over an adjacent field in a strengthening wind, far to brief a sighting for a photo unfortunately. Still at least I'd seen one. No Owls were seen.

A few more from recent days...

Stonechats

A Starling warming up early morn'...

A local Rare came in the form of this immature Male Goldeneye on Winestead Drain...

I've looked along this stretch hundreds of times over the years and this is a First...

A Buzzard was blending in well on the adjacent plough...

A shout out for the much overlooked Common Gull. Decent numbers on Snakey at the moment...

I've seen a few coveys of Grey Partridges recently which is encouraging...

As I made my way home I was reminded of that I didn't see the "Super Moon" last night due to thick cloud...

Fortunately tonight it revealed itself fully tonight...

A nice finish...

Welcome Back

Looking at the forecast Thursday night I decided to have an early start Friday. I arrived at NDC at 9 to a surprisingly full car park? I gathered my stuff and made my way to the GS Hide. Sure enough it was full. Jono Leadley was present with a York group. We had a brief chat mentioning the recent RTD at Castle Howard and improved access arrangements before they moved on.

I settled in my spot and was extremely pleased to see...Swans...

A Glorious Sight!

Always a landmark moment to see the return of this Iconic Species to my Patch.

Their Site Loyalty is Special. Over the next hour or so I was treated to the marvellous spectacle of extended Whooper Swan action. Birds arrived from the North...

...and leaving to the South...

 

Massive bonus to get the flight views!!!

It proved to be quite a Raptor Fest during my 4 hour stint. A couple of Red Kites were active over the River and one came closer on occasions...

The "pale" Buzzard finally made an appearance...

...as did the young Fox...

It was in view on and off for a good hour and gave great views form different spots around the reserve...

Eventually it attracted the attention of a cc Marsh Harrier...

...then 2...

One Bird paid a closer visit...

Another Buzzard joined the Party...

The Star turn was the return of the Whooper Swans. NEVER to be taken for granted. The fact that they return to the LDV every Year and have done so since time immemorial is testament to their loyalty. May it continue to be so...