Texas 19 - the FULL Monty!

Well, it's here at last. Ready to wallow in prime migration time, Texas style!

I hope to post something worth reading...

Garganey

Spent the afternoon with Phil who kindly took me around a few spots down the road. The undoubted highlight being a pair of Garganey (P.90, S.66) on Holderness Field. Main supporting act was a surprise male Goosander (P.91, S.67) on Kilnsea Wetlands.

HAWFINCH - Garden tick!!!

As said...many times before etc etc...Birding always turns up a surprise to punctuate the sometimes long periods of...mundane searching! Still enjoyable though?

On Monday morning I got a message from Richard informing me he'd seen a HAWFINCH in his garden!!! His second record. He said he'd let me know if it re-appeared. I got dressed and made my way into the kitchen. As I opened the fridge I had a glance (as I do every morning) at my feeders. Tree Sparrows everywhere (very fortunate), House Sparrows (8), Goldfinches (6), Chaffinch (6), Robins (4), Dunnocks (5), Wren, Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits, Wood Pigeons (4), Collared Doves (2), Magpie, Blackbirds (4), Starlings (2). Busy, busy.

HANG ON...What's that big lump sat on the branch by the fat ball feeder?!!!!! Well...blow me down (or words to that effect) I said to Louise! I grabbed my camera and fired a few shots off through the kitchen window...

A HAWFINCH in my tiny yard. Dreamlando! Stephen my neighbour had just returned form Northants after looking after his Mother. I went round and told him of my special visitor, I also messaged Richard. Soon all three of us were enjoying superb, prolonged views of this superb Finch.

A moment as good as ANY twitch for me.

I'd strategically split seed in my plant pots and troughs? Fortunately it took a liking to the food and hopped around happily. It also spent time on the ground amongst the gravel. Quite a sight. To see this species hopping around with the Robins, Dunnocks and Chaffinches was amazing! The size difference was significant.

After Steven and Richard had left I got ready to take Bud out and the star bird had disappeared. Louise had a lesson in Easington. She dropped me off and I had a mooch down the road towards Sammy's. There had been a report of a GOSHAWK but I figured it would have "gone straight through". I was wrong!

News came over the radio that it was flying along Green lane towards Easington Church. I was now by the Cemetery. I scanned to the West. Crows and Gulls...GOSHAWK!!! (Spurn Life 307...if accepted of course). The bird was travelling steadily North and soon disappeared behind some trees.
What a record for Spurn! Lucky.

Early evening came and I was obviously looking for my special visitor but there was no sign. The around 6.30...it miraculously appeared again!!

The above photo was taken through the window (as they all were) at 6.55pm, just before it went to roost.

I was woken on Tuesday morning around 7am by Louise with the news that the HAWFINCH was still present!!! Simply amazing.

It didn't stay long and wasn't seen again up until 9am when I took Bud a walk. No sign at lunchtime, so I thought, that was that? Retuning home around 6pm to make the good lady's meal...there it was again!

I was being spoiled. Whilst not being reliable, it kept showing up.

Despite a prolonged vigil this morning there has been no sign of the bird.

A fairly regular migrant down the road BUT to see one in my garden was obviously VERY special indeed and something I will cherish forever!

NDC

Louise had her holiday "hair do" appointment in York yesterday, so I cadged a lift. She dropped me off at Duff for a Big Sit! It was good to get out of the East wind.

The Carrs looked well...

Highlights...

Pintail c40

Little Egret
Black-tailed Godwit 3
Ruff
Peregrine male

MERLIN female
Chiffchaff
Blackcap

Year Total 57

No Hirundines or the hoped for Garganey. Still, always a pleasure!!

Old Hive

Numbers of Sand Martins building nicely despite the hailstones! 15 birds circling around OH yesterday and already nest prospecting...

Very fortunate to have a colony in the Village and much appreciated. These birds are fast, very fast...so any flight shot I manage is a bonus...

A brief walk around along the Canal produced a lone House Martin (P.89, S.65) which proved to be a FOY for Spurn. Quite a feat (considering the coverage) following on from my Wheatear...and VERY lucky considering the brief visits.

Late afternoon produced this dapper RLP at Out Newton...

Lone Star looming

A more typical Spring day today. Awful!

Only kidding... partially?

On days like this my thoughts are inevitably drifting West...far West. The "tinternet" allows close scrutiny of sightings across the pond and things are picking up. In under 2 weeks I'll be looking at some rather nice birds in great weather (at least most of the time).

I'm going to take a more philosophical view to my trip this year. Many, many memories will no doubt flood back from my visits over the last 19 years. Thankfully, not much has changed on the prime reserves, despite some powerful Hurricanes! The "stop off" feeding areas are still very much in tact. This enables Birders to enjoy great views of various families. The Warblers are the stars for me.

This will be my last pre-trip post on Texas (promise).

I have set myself a few targets, just for a bit of fun.

1. See how many species I can find on Galveston Island

2. See how many species I can photograph.

3. Visit as many new sites as possible.

That should keep things interesting. I,'ve dug out a few images from previous trips to set the tone...

Not long now...

Family always comes FIRST!

Busy family weekend. It was my Granddaughter's Christening in Birstall, near Leeds. Early start (5.30) as we had to travel to Bury to pick my Mother up and then get back to Leeds for 10.30!! We'd spent Saturday afternoon at The Deep in Hull with my eldest's Family and Robert, my younger son, who came over from Dubai...a fine effort indeed. Complicated isn't it!

The day went well with Louise doing ALL the driving... Legend.

Robert, Rebecca and Graeme

The Birds.

After checking all last week 2 Sand Martins (P.88, H.67) finally made it back to Old Hive on Saturday. A brief check this morning revealed 6 birds. Great to have them back and prospecting.

Sammy's

Had a wonderful hour down the road with Louise in the late afternoon sunshine. Things started well when a SEO was seen quartering the horse paddocks...

 

It gave a fabulous display for over 30 minutes!

Another Wheatear was seen.

Had a nice chat with a couple from Hull. Then a Stonechat (S.64) appeared. Finished off with a Black Redstart...

KW

Louise dropped me off at Kilnsea Wetlands this afternoon. The Green-winged Teal had been reported again and as I still hadn't connected (although I hadn't really made a concerted effort) I thought I'd see if I could find it. I walked up onto the bank on Beacon Ponds and started to scan...

Avocets everywhere!! I counted 20...

After around 15 minutes I found the GWT (P.88, S.59). Always distant, I managed to catch an image as it rested briefly...take your pick...

I also added Gadwall (P.89, S.60) Canada Goose (P.90, S.61).

Some dapper Wagtails present...

Dusk and Dawn...well nearly!

Sneaked a Redwing (P.87, H.65) late afternoon in the Horse Paddocks plus Song Thrush.

This morning produced my first Village Curlew (H.66) of the year...

Still no Sand Martins at OH.

The times they are a changin'

We took a walk down to "Old Hive" this morning in a brisk Northerly. As we emerged from the cliff top bushes we bumped into Richard doing his regular Monday morning survey. Still no Sand Martins but hardly surprising given the conditions!

As it was Louise's day off we had another walk this afternoon at Sammy's Point. As we were leaving I heard the distinctive rattle of a Lesser Whitethroat!!! (P.86, H.64). Rather early, to say the least?

At Sammy's we discovered a lone Wheatear on the rocks...

 

 

A nice surprise first thing with a female Bullfinch at the birdbath briefly. Still plenty of action in the yard with...

 

Wood Pigeon 4

Collared Dove 2

Great Tit 4

Blue Tit 4

Long-tailed Tit 4

Dunnock 5

Wren 1

Robin 2

Blackbird 6

Starling 2

Chaffinch 1 female

Tree Sparrow 15

House Sparrow 6

 



NDC - Sanderling (156)

My luck is definitely IN at the moment. Despite a series of important family commitments I still seem to be connecting with the birds.

Today found us in Beverley with Louise's daughter and Fiancé for an early Mothers Day celebration.

Yesterday afternoon news broke of a Sanderling at Duff. A rare bird indeed inland and a potential NDC and York Area tick. The bird was still present today and continued to be reported up until early afternoon at least. The good lady gave me the nod around 3 and drove me to NDC.

As I started to walk to Garganey Hide a Birder was returning to his car. It was Duncan Bye who watches Wheldrake. Nice to finally meet him. We had a chat and then I continued to the hide. Jono Leadley was "on" the bird, which was handy...and a relief! A major record for Duff, helped by the early date, meaning low vegetation and better viewing. MANY birds must slip through in April/May due to poor visibility...unfortunately!

For the record...

It was a fair distance lol!

Red Kite!

One passed through the Village early morning...unfortunately I didn't see it! Richard messaged me immediately as it passed over his garden. I had a good look but it wasn't to be. Quite a few were reported today.

A quiet day was livened up mid-afternoon when during one of our pit stops, I caught sight of a distant grey Harrier travelling steady North on the horizon. Initial thought was Hen. I managed a few shots before it disappeared. On checking, it turned out to be a smart male Marsh (H.43)...

Bumped up BOC shot

Bottom of t'hill keeps turning 'em up!

After the Lord Mayor's...

Tied up this morning with my thumb check. All good with the physio but rather stiff, so more manipulation needed.

After finally getting home around 3 after a series of bus journeys I needed some fresh air. I decided to do a reccy from "the Runnel" to Out Newton to see if any Wheatears were still present. I couldn't see any North to "the Runnel" so I doubled back and headed for "Old Hive". As I passed the horse paddocks I checked the grass for birds...



 2 distant Wheatears

 Maybe they were sheltering from the wind. Plenty of Blackbirds but no Ring Ouzel (birds have been reported today). No sign of any early Sand Martins at OH. Onward to ON. Yesterdays feast in the ruins was sadly lacking today as the birds had moved on.

Four miles covered and no luck with Whoopers or maybe a Red Kite. I was there though!

In a way it added to the appreciation of yesterdays action...

Wheatears!

There HAD to be more around today with the continuing SW wind.

There were!

I had a couple North of Seaside lane early morning but they were very skittish, feeding intensely so I let them be...

They love a rock!

What about Out Newton?

I'd always fancied the ruins behind Cliff Farm for a Wheatear fall...

Today it happened. I enjoyed a pleasant hour watching 4 birds at close proximity in the afternoon sun. I have to get what I can in these here parts, so today was special.

The birds stayed faithful to the ruins for the vast majority of the time, only shooting over the cliff and feeding on the adjacent farmland on a few occasions.

A series of images to set the scene...

Today was a GOOD day!

Finishing off with a singing Chiffchaff (P.80,H.40) in the yard at dusk...