Deep South (8)

I'm going to try and tie things up with this post as it's ran on far to long.

Now where was I?

Nashville, Tennessee. Bit touristy this part...you may wish to move on?

Some pretty cool trucks on the freeway...

Nashville is world famous for it's Country music and there are plenty of bands still playing for tourists in the historic district...

The King had reached here too...Elvis that is!

Then onto Memphis and his home...

Fantastic Blues guitarists...

and then onto New Orleans...

If you ever get the chance to visit the States...DO IT...you won't regret it. It was simply a breathtaking and unforgettable 10 days in the middle of our tour. Would've been rude not to!

We worked our way back to Florida along the Gulf Coast arriving back at Fort Myers on April 28th. I'd already looked for "the Cuckoo" for at least 20 hours (Louise brought plenty of novels!)...

Does she look bored?

I tried again. Back to Ding Darling, my number one site. I took the Wildlife drive one more time. I was first there, so it was obviously quiet...ideal. It's a fantastic spot with plenty to look at/for. I scanned the Mangroves yet again. It can be a daunting task, there are lots of them and not many Cuckoos!!

Then a movement, surely not, after all this time? There it was!!!

Pleased with this backlit image in the early morning light

You may already know that this is a VERY difficult bird to find, more so to actually SEE. I was euphoric. This was the numero uno target and my time was running out...fast! No apologies for another as it moved slightly closer...

What a cracker!

I bumped into three tour groups in the next few days and NONE of them had seen this bird. It was in view and calling for about a minute, then it was gone.

CHUFFED!!!

Time to move on. Next stop Key West.

We were booked on the Yankee Freedom bound for the Dry Tortugas on the 30th. I'd chosen this date as some Birding tour companies would also be on the boat, hopefully increasing my chances of seeing my target bird...AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER. I'd also been in touch with a couple of boatmen but nothing had come of it, so this was my only chance. It was a slim one as one of the tour leaders informed me that he'd never seen it from the YF in ten years of visits. He reckoned the boat moved too fast...22 knots.

Anyway, we boarded in the already almost unbearable heat and humidity and I found a suitable spot up top. Louise sensibly stayed inside with the A/C, food and drink!

Not a cloud in sight as we left the harbour. The boat did shift but it's a big vessel and it was possible to scan comfortably. I reckon there were at least 50 birders scanning from the front of the boat. Being honest there wasn't much to keep us interested. I reckon we'd been going an hour or so when I noticed a movement starboard (technical stuff) or to the right! I couldn't believe my luck. There hurtling along the side of the boat was an AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER! Tremendous!

I shouted to the others allowing most if not all to get on the bird. I can't tell you the relief I felt at adding this bird to my ABA list during my one and only shot at it. This was my 664.

I could relax now and enjoy the day on the island...so could Louise!

As we approached we were taken close to the Masked Booby colony on Hospital Key...the only one in the ABA area.

Fortunately one flew past the boat giving me a closer look...

Magnificent Frigatebirds breed here on Fort Jefferson...

Awesome birds...

Other special birds here include breeding Sooty Tern...

and Brown Noddy...

There's sometimes a rare Black Noddy with them. Despite extensive scanning by yours truly and the others, none were found.

That's enough. Failed with the tie up. Never mind. Tomorrow I'll conclude the trip report. I still had 2 ABA lifers to try for and maybe a rarity if I hadn't used up all my luck? Both are exclusive breeders to Florida. I didn't intend to re-visit this State (although you should never say never) so I was keen to try and notch them. I had 2 days.

Wildfowl additions

Braved the still blustery conditions this morning with a dog walk on the beach at Spurn. Even managed to get "The Boss" out!

Bud moving well...

Not much about in the adverse conditions BUT there's always the chance of something...

Greylags (P.52) in the triangle, hunkered down, out of the wind.

On our way home I decided to check out the Swans on Easington straight, more in hope than expectation. Glad I did...

...a single Whooper (P.53)

A few more...

Bit breezy this morning. I'm not as slender as I once was but I was still struggling to keep on my feet at times. I was on the floodbank at Skeffling mind you. Strongest wind I'd experienced for a long time. After the initial dog relief session I must admit I returned to the shelter of the car. I was contemplating the next move and cursing the atrocious weather when my mood changed instantly...

HEN HARRIER!

Chuffed to get a record shot as I could hardly hold the camera still. The bird was around 100yds away and drifted off towards Sammy's Point. I didn't see it again.

Always interesting to see animal behaviour. I kept noticing clods of earth in the middle of fields...

Early I know, but are they claiming territory?

A combination of increasing wind strength (which took some doing) and still failing energy (very irritating) meant I ended up falling asleep in the car listening to the footy. I MUST still be a bit under the weather!

Total up to 51.

46 to start

A few hours out and about produced a modest 46 species without much effort. I prefer a slow start...no good mopping all the Winter stuff up too soon! Still struggling to shake the flu off. Must be my age!

I managed to locate the female Scaup albeit distantly through the gloom at Beacon Ponds...

Around 10 Goldeneye present plus 8 Little Grebe's. After much exercise for the boy...

...I noticed a Little Egret as I was leaving. Then to my surprise it was joined by a Greenshank...

Not that unusual as it seems that one or two regularly winter here. Still, a bonus bird. The weather was gloomy which meant it was going dark by 3 so I headed home. As always I hoped for an Owl sighting...I got one...

The above photo is deceptive as it was very dark by now. It never ceases to amaze me how well these modern cameras can perform.

It then moved slightly closer...

Just a reminder that my lists can be seen by clicking the tabs at the top of the page. You might be THAT bored...sometime?

Playtime!

...time to get cracking...

Strategy simple. Select sites and visit regularly and record. Clever stuff!?

Hard part for me...sticking to it!!

Sites
Holmpton
Spurn...of course, with particular focus on Beacon Ponds/Kilnsea Wetlands.
Snakey lane
Skeffling
Welwick Marsh
Patrington Haven
Sunk Island
...and Duff

Starts tomorrow...

There might also (hopefully) be a few mad dashes nationwide. Last year's highlight might take some beating though...

Year Review

Not too long-winded! Not my style.

I managed to add...

YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER

AMERICAN HERRING GULL

SHORT-TOED EAGLE

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT

To my British list.

Yorkshire ticks came in the form of...

Black Scoter

Masked Shrike

Eastern-crowned Warbler

Blyth's Pipit

Little Bustard

Heartache...there had to be some...

CRAG MARTIN - The morning of our holiday departure for Florida! I thought about trying at dawn but reaching Manchester for 10.30am would have been pushing it a bit! I was working the previous day.

My holiday dip list is very impressive!!

FEA'S PETREL? - Question mark because some of the Young Guns twitched it in Northumberland after seeing the MASKED SHRIKE at Spurn !!! Never considered it...I will next time...if there is one! Can you tick it though? Only jealous!

The medicine has to be taken sometimes.

Oh and a LANCEOLATED WARBLER was reported from Bempton. I'll nail it one day.

The BLACKPOLL WARBLER found by Mick Turton was VERY notable. I might even find something decent at the back of my place?

Local totals...

Patch - 164...adding MASKED SHRIKE. Life total (over 27 years!) 268.
Holmpton - 109. I added Brent Goose, Osprey, Water Rail, Spotted Flycatcher, Brambling bringing my Life total to a (very) modest 138. I've only been here 2 years!
Spurn - 134...no concerted effort made. Just dipped in now and again.
Duff - 41...must do better. More visits might help!

This Year? More on that tomorrow...

All change

Solid block of shifts till Wednesday...BUT...SIX days off after that! So, I guess my birding in 2015 starts in earnest next Thursday.

After the wonderful and surprising end to 2014 a period of reflection wouldn't go amiss. Glad I didn't follow up my fanciful and extravagant thoughts of a New Year break. A change of luck at last.

Some final totting up to do for the year totals...then some decisions to be made regarding strategy for 2015. Not quite sure what that might be yet but I've got a pretty good idea. I'm determined to try some new approaches to my Birding...and stick with it throughout the year.

I haven't forgotten about my Florida write up. I'll try and conclude it in the next few days. Most of the action took place towards the end of the trip.

Whatever plans you have for your Birding year...I hope it's an enjoyable and rewarding one...

I'll finish with a record shot of the LITTLE BUSTARD in flight, taken by Tony Dixon who relocated the bird after the initial find by Kevin Barnard. He took it through his bins as insurance, as he wasn't to know if it was disappearing for good...

Wish I'd have seen it in flight.

LITTLE BUSTARD!!!

The last day of the year started with a trip to Tesco...marvelous! It got better though...much better!

As I returned towards Holmpton with the provisions a Little Egret (H.109) flew over the road and appeared to land in a nearby ditch. After dropping the provisions off I gave Gavin a text and returned to look for it. Gavin's text informed me that he was just passing the Sewage!

After parking up we walked North towards the ditch. No sign.

Luckily, there's a public footpath that runs along the ditch so we gave it a go. 5 minutes later we were both enjoying this...

A few minutes later we were looking at TWO.

Over the past few months Phil had seen a single bird in and around the Sewage but I'd succeeded in missing it. Pleased to catch up with this species on the last day of the year.

We then checked out a few local spots and ended up on the clifftop.

A message..."probably LITTLE BUSTARD 2mls SSW of Bridlington at Wilsthorpe then flew South"

The usual cynical jokes were (unfortunately) shared. Too much to drink, early New Year celebrations, late Turkey?

My youngest was arriving at 3(ish)...and the thought of a trip to Brid' never crossed my mind...although I did have the slightly unsettling thought about the sighting in East Suffolk? We didn't see anything of note and we'd reached our cars when...another message at 11.43...This time the slow drip...surely not?

"MEGA E.Yorks LITTLE BUSTARD 2mls SSW of Bridlington again in flight 11.07am 1 mile South Wilsthorpe + just south of Wilsthorpe Farm"

My Word!!!

I asked Gavin if he was up for it but he had plans. I had 4 hours and I was OFF...

After an initial Sat Nav issue which took me up a dead end, I arrived on site around 12.15 thanks to a call to RBA. I estimated around 50 birders present. Quite a few familiar faces were about. It was obvious the bird was present and showing in the chosen field...cue relief!

I was soon enjoying cracking views of this tremendous bird through Tony Dixon's 'scope. What a fantastic occurrence. I'm old enough to have seen the Lizard bird of Oct '96 but this in no way dilutes the moment...besides, it's a Yorkshire tick!

A wonderful end to 2014.

Happy (Bird-filled) New Year!

Last Knockings

Christmas /New Year is for family, so Birding has taken a back seat...sacrilege! Plenty of "visiting"...Leeds, York, Bury...

Back home now. Youngest lad coming tomorrow for the New Year celebration. To be honest I've never been a big fan. Still, have a great night...

Added a late Mistle Thrush to the Village list yesterday (H.108). I also had a bizarre sighting in the form of my second Village Water Rail running across Taylor lane at dawn as I left for work!

Last chance tomorrow to add to my Year lists...

Christmas Post

Last post before Christmas. What can I entertain you with?

Review of the year? Nah, to predictable, besides I've picked up a wonderful virus and I was on first bus at 5.30am, so stamina levels (very) low.

So I'm going left field and bringing this out for a very rare airing...



My Sister has been spraying Facebook recently with some old pics of me in my Footy Days. So here's a one off of me scoring for my home town Bury against local rivals Burnley in the Fourth round of the F.A.Cup at Gigg Lane in 1980...

We drew Liverpool in round 5 but I got injured and missed the game at Anfield. Strange but true!

Trumpeter Swan - provenance

The nature of our interest leads to some grey areas. One of which is provenance, especially with regard to Wildfowl. Private collections abound, complicating matters somewhat! I'm sure you get the drift.

Could North America's heaviest bird reach Britain? The odds say no. It's a short distance migrant along the west coast and is spreading further East recently due to a re-introduction scheme.

"The TRUMPETER SWAN is a rare vagrant to California, but a very few may occur almost annually in flocks of Tundra Swan in the Klamath Basin or the Central Valley in winter. We presume most are not discovered due to identification problems. Most records are concentrated in the northeast but there are coastal records south to Los Angeles County" - Don Roberson.

That's still a long way from Suffolk! We have had records of Pacific species recently...Tufted Puffin, Long-billed Murrelet?

Odds are they're escapes...BUT...there's always that uncertainty...isn't there?

............................................................................

Back to yesterday.

I passed a few admirers leaving the scene who sent me in the right direction. A sign for the reserve might have helped! I made my way along the floodbank and soon found the group of Swans feeding in the flooded field. It was windy, very windy.

I positioned myself below the bank, which made things (slightly) better. I then scanned through the various groups that were closest. Of course, no sign. The largest group was furthest away and contained the Trumpeters...

Pick 'em out?

Bathing

...and together in the fading light...

Really glad I went. It's not ALL about ticks...far from it. I won't be holding my breathe for one here...but I have my private records...and thoughts.

TRUMPETER SWANS?

I decided to make the trip to Suffolk today. Why?

Well, I like wildfowl!

Already (understandably) condemned as escapes, I was curious to see these 2 magnificent birds for myself...no matter from whence they had originated.

Over the hill...or over the pond?

I wasn't disappointed. I really enjoyed the experience...when I eventually arrived at 2pm due to the dodgy directions from the Sat Nav.

THEY'RE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE?

More tomorrow...when I've recovered!

The future of Spurn?

A detailed account here

Busy times

Not much time for Birding at the moment with the pre-Christmas madness kicking in!

I did manage an hour down Sunk Island the other day and was very pleased to see good numbers of wintering Lapwings and Golden Plover.

One of my favourite species...

I'm hoping to pick up a few late year ticks, but time will be limited till the year end.

BLYTH'S PIPIT

Yorkshire Birding has just announced the bird is to be added to the County list. So...add it I will!

BLYTH'S PIPIT?

Question mark only because of my "old school" thinking!

I finished work at 1 yesterday and made it to Wakefield for 2.45ish. Most of the chaps had seen the bird in flight and some had heard the all important call. I had a brief chat with Richard Willison who'd obtained some record shots.

The grass was long however and views on the deck would be very difficult/impossible.

A token attempt to flush didn't produce the desired result and birders started to drift away as the sun, and my hopes, started to sink. The area was quite large, a derelict area in the middle of some modern office units. I noticed a birder start to make his way across the area at the opposite end to where most were stood.

Flush possibility?

I made my way down and stood on the bank with another lad. Sure enough he flushed it! Obviously larger (but not as large as Richard's) than the accompanying Meadow Pipits it was associating with. He followed it and it rose again then flew off towards the motorway presumably to roost. It was 3.05pm.

.......................................................................................

Fortunately, I had a shift change today that gave me a 6 hour window from 9 till 3 between school runs. This gave me the chance for a second visit.

When I arrived I estimated around 80 birders present, Andy Roadhouse and John Harriman being among them. Johnny Holliday (the finder) was in the field with Lee Evans (no surprise there) and another chap. They'd just done an organised flush so I'd just have to wait for the next one.

Around 11.45 I noticed Martin Garner with some sort of sound dish in his hand! He joined the others and they proceeded to walk the area again. I was at the north end of the group but as they walked south I decided to change my position in order to have a better chance of hearing it call if/when they flushed it again. The group...

...made there way through the field again. Eventually they reached the south end of the area and I was ready. Then there it was, not 30 yds away, it actually hovered for a while (interestingly?). It was in the air for over a minute, which considering the previous circumstances was amazing. It then flew back down the north end BUT before it did it gave a distinct Yellow Wagtail like CALL!

It was very clear and a massive relief!

Should it be flushed?

Can you tick it?

These are the questions...Opinions going into melt-down online!

For me, a few organised flushes to allow everyone a chance to see it doesn't do any harm...as long as it's not too intensive and the bird can rest and feed. Lets face it, if it really didn't like it it would surely re-locate...wouldn't it?

Chances of seeing this bird on the ground are virtually nil. So you will only SEE it in flight. My flight ID skills of BLYTH'S PIPIT are somewhat fragile!! A flight view of an obviously large pipit coupled with a diagnostic CALL is a different matter...isn't it?

Time will tell. I think they call it "Pending".

Footnote: My comments are in no way meant to cast aspersions on Johnny or anyone else (you've got to be careful what you say apparently). It's just in this instance I'll await the decision of the relevant committees. I cast my mind back to the first accepted records of this species in Britain. They were deliberated on long and hard...

A long but eventually rewarding day...

Many congratulations to Johnny Holiday for his MEGA find today in the form of Yorkshire's first BLYTH'S PIPIT!!!

More tomorrow...it's been a very long day.

Nice sunset over the Humber on my return...

Wild Geese!!!

Love 'em. I know many birders who ain't into Wildfowl. I've heard the comment "it's only a duck" many times.

My time in the Lower Derwent Valley has made me a great admirer of our webbed feet friends. Tough birds indeed, capable of some truly amazing feats.

This particular fact conveys this better than I ever could...

Perhaps the most impressive altitude record is that of a flock of Whooper Swans which was seen on radar arriving over Northern Ireland on migration and was visually identified by an airline pilot at 29,000 feet.

Impressive...no AMAZING stuff!

Over the years I've been privileged to see some pretty impressive congregations of Ducks, Geese and Swans in the Valley. I've mentioned on more than one occasion my respect and relief in the fact that the Whoopers return each year.

The Pintails are always a joy amongst other smart ducks. 

The true spirit of winter though comes in the form of the Wild Geese for me. Now I'm "over here" I'm lucky to have the Brents (never taken for granted) just down the road, sometimes, like this year containing the smart Black Brant...

Call of the Wild

This Autumn I've managed to catch a few skeins of Pinkfeet heading south...always a fine sight...and sound.

So. where's this all leading I hear you cry?

Yesterday morning I sprung into action when the Pager informed me of a Great White Egret at Skeffling. A fine local sighting it would be. It could also be combined with the obligatory dog walk. I arrived and headed south-east towards Sammy's Point. I've previously mentioned the flooded farm fields and they contained distant geese. I picked out 3 Little Egrets but no sign of the Big 1...yet.

There was a Great White Swan however...

As I approached the Geese I could see a small group of Greylags close to the Bank...

A scan further back revealed the surprising sight of 3 Barnacles...

...and 10 Pinkfeet...

Still no sign of the GWE. I decided to try west of the car park but still no sign. I then heard the sound of Geese...it was the birds I'd just been looking at...and they were heading towards me...

Barnacles with Pinkfeet...mmmm

They then turned over the Humber and headed back to the flooded field...

I gave it till 12 then headed for Spurn and lunch. My radio had died so I didn't get any info on "what's about". After giving Bud a swim in the sea I decided to return for another go. It could be hiding in a ditch...maybe?

I could see the a large Brent flock towards Sammy's so I headed down...maybe the Black Brant was with them? As I approached I noticed a lady dog walker approaching from Sammy's with a red coat on! The Geese are usually pretty tolerant as they are used to people walking the bank but I wanted to try and get there before her to have a look through just in case they spooked. It was also getting late in the day.

I positioned myself behind some bushes and started to scan through the flock. The first bird I saw stuck out like a sore thumb...

TAIGA BEAN GOOSE!...(P.162)

Can't think of many that I've seen in Yorkshire over the years. It just looked WILD!

The lady had arrived and the Geese started to make the agitated noises that Geese make. The group took off and glided low towards a nearby pool in the same field. The star of the show however climbed high, impressively quickly and headed south over Kilnsea.

A fine sight...

Paddle shaped wings?

Wild Geese...magnificent!

Bonus Goose

A couple of hours down at Spurn yesterday afternoon in bright SUNSHINE! The Brent flock was present in the North Bank fields. I had a scan through and eventually picked out the Black Brant I also noticed something else...

3 Barnacle Geese (P.161, S. 134)

Always a question mark as to origin BUT they'll do as a Year tick. I'm not proud! Amazingly they then left the flock and landed much closer...as if to say hello...

Within a minute they'd returned to the group...

It was gone 3 now and the light was fading. I'd seen Mick Turton on the floodbank and I then heard him call a Hen Harrier hunting over Beacon Ponds. I couldn't see from my position so I drove up onto Long Bank and parked. With the help of Mick's directions I picked it up coming towards me over Kilnsea Wetlands. It then veered North over the Brent flock (where I'd just been!)

A couple of distant images...

Back to the old stomping ground

I decided to pay my first visit of the winter today. I'd been thinking about it for a while but as I had to go to Hull anyway I just carried on!

Arrived around 12.30 and parked by Bubwith bridge for lunch. A quick scan over the flood revealed a decent number of Swans in the distance...

WHOOPERS!

I decided to walk north along the river below the floodbank and try to keep my friend out of sight as well! Many people walk there dogs here but I was hoping not to disturb the herd (not keen on the collective).

I love this spot. I first came here in the winter of 1986 when I lived south of the river in Scunthorpe. There were triple digit numbers of both yellow-billed swans here then. how times have changed...sadly. Bewick's Swan is now a rarity in Yorkshire and numbers have crashed alarmingly elsewhere...more here.

On a more positive note I find it inspiring and uplifting that some of these magnificent birds return here every winter to feed and graze in this natural habitat. Long may they do so...as they have always done.

When I reckoned I was level with the group I popped my head over the bank and rattled off a few pics...

A group of adults...

A family with SIX young...

Another mixed group...

A mixed scene...

Excellent numbers of Lapwings were also present. I estimated around 800.

Distant view before I left for North Duffield...

As I opened the door to the Geoff Smith hide I was greeted with carpeted seats no less! Nothing so refined when I used to sit there. I have been watching since 1986...not constantly! I had a wonderful hour enjoying my favourite view...

Whoopers commuting from Bubwith

They all ended up on Duff! I was very lucky to see them closer on Bubwith. I then picked up the unusual sight of a distant pair of raptors on the fenceposts. 

Sparrowhawk and Buzzard

Great to go back...and go back I will...many times.