WESTERN REEF HERON

Below is a post I started on Friday but didn't complete!

Took a trip over the Pennines to see my Mother. I stopped off at Duff but the weather and circumstances meant I didn't linger.

Migration is all but over now, although June 6th has produced some amazing MEGAS over the Years...eg WHITE-THROATED ROBIN!

...I NEED TO GET A LOTTERY TICKET!

Yesterday morning I left Bury at 7.30 to return home before the M62 became lively. A steady and thankfully clear run had me pulling up around 10.45.

Time for a cuppa and some Test Cricket. Unfortunately not...as it was raining at Lords. Disappointing.

However at 11.20...

Gwynned Western Reef Heron, Foryd Bay, Caernarfon 

My backside had just hit my armchair! A First for Britain deserved the maximum respect. I returned my gear to the XC70, said goodbye to Louise (understanding and supportive as ever) and started my return towards the M62!

I then messaged Steve Lawton, asking him if he was going. He rang back and said he was. We arranged to meet at Eggborough by the M62. Steve drove which I was grateful for having already done 174 miles. We hit some expected traffic around Manchester but the rest of the journey went well as we made our way West along the M56 and A55.

Regular updates informed us the Bird has moved from the Estuary to a marshy area further West. It seemed the Bird was pinned down but had only been seen in flight a couple of times. We reckoned the Bird had moved due to the high tide.

This was confirmed on arrival. Parking was a challenge on the narrow coastal road but we found a spot and walked the thankfully short distance to the viewing area. After a wait of around 45 minutes one of the hundreds of scopes picked the Bird up distantly with a couple of Little Egrets. The view was poor, at distance, through the heat haze. I got a dubious view through someone's Scope.

Then...it took off! Gaining height it flew in the direction of the Estuary. Sure enough it wasn't long before we got a message of confirmation. Once back at the car, we drove the short distance to the Estuary. Parking was easier than expected again it was only a short distance to view. It was an understandably popular occasion. It was a "who's who" of the Twitching World obviously being a Tick for everyone...

This time we saw the Bird properly. It was feeding around 100 yards away and gave great views through Steve's scope. I also got my pic...

So, a nice late surprise after a frankly abysmal Spring Rarity wise. There was a beautiful PARULA WARBLER on Fair Isle (which I need) but circumstances precluded a connection. I'll get one on Scilly this Autumn!?

It was nice to have the adrenaline rush once again. There's life in the old dog yet...

Been a While!

I'm finally mobile again! I have a car that is. Fortunately the thorough going over coincided with the visit of my Son Robert from Dubai. I drove over to York last Thursday to meet Haydn who'd kindly agreed to free-up a Day to go Birding while the XC70 was at the Garage. We then met Robert close by, who'd been dropped off by his Mother.

Next stop was Skipwith Common to try for Green Woodpecker, a Bird Robert particularly wanted to see. Unfortunately we couldn't find...or hear one. Haydn did manage to show him a couple of Tree Pipits though.

I treated them both to lunch at the St Vincent's Arms (highly recommended) before we drove back down to NDC for a couple of hours. Again it was quiet but I think he enjoyed the day before we picked the car up at the Garage, said goodbye to Haydn and returned to the Coast. Hobby would have been nice.

He did particularly like Whitethroat and Reed Bunting...

We started reasonably early on Friday as I gave him the "Grand Tour" of my main Patch Sites. We started down at Spurn then made our way along the Humber visiting Skeffling, Weeton and Welwick. We had great flight views of Reed Warbler at the first Site but couldn't manage a pic. We spent the most time at Weeton making our way up to the Floodbank to view the inlet. I was pleased to see around a dozen Avocets present which gave him great views...

...and a couple of Barnacle Geese were a nice bonus...and a Year Tick!

After lunch at Cakey Bakey in Patrington (again, thoroughly recommended) we headed down to Patrington Haven. As we parked I noticed a couple of large white Birds taking off from the first pool. "Spoonbills" I informed him. They circled a couple of times before descending back to the same area. We made our way over the bridge and approached the pool slowly. 

Turned out there were three...in superb breeding plumage...

The other bonus as well as sharing the moment was the fact they were on grass...and awake!

Probably my best ever views of this Species, considering the setting and company. More Avocets were nearby...

Saturday morning we ried the Sea for a while. It was incredibly hot for late May on the East Coast of Yorkshire! 24c at 9am.

We had a look off the Gas Terminal at Easington. A few Shelduck were resting on the Sea...and...another Bird? Difficult to view through the haze but...

Drake Eider

A real surprise considering the date! Again, great to share it with Robert...a Lifer for him! We drove further up the Cliff to try and get a better view but the Bird had disappeared!?

We checked out a few spots on the Humber before lunch then returned to Patrington Haven early afternoon. No sign of the Spoonbills alas but we enjoyed prolonged views of at least SIX Marsh Harriers...

A grand end to our Birding. Sunday morning I drove him to Hull Station as he had to leave for London. Priceless time.

RFF - Re-visited

I arrived at Duff at 8.15 on Friday and followed the usual procedure. I'd arranged to meet my pal Phil Jones. I'd seen his car in the car park and presumed he was in the Hide or out on the Platform. After a text it turned out he was still in his car. He soon joined me with his Dog Sandy.

It was cold (7c) due to the moderate NNW wind. It was bearable, although far from pleasant! We stuck it out as Birders came and went hoping to connect with the Red-footed Falcon. We could see a small group out on the Riverbank by the gate but as the morning drew on there was no apparent focus on anything in particular? A steady stream of Birders also visited the Hides. We were kept entertained by various Species visiting the "Magic Bush"  this Whitethroat...

Notable Birds were Egyptian Goose (2), Snipe (drumming), Ruff, Swift (c50), Sedge Warbler, Song Thrush (2) and my FOY Cuckoo...seen and heard...

It was wonderful to see four freshly hatched Cygnets with their Mother keeping them warm on the Scrape Island. Dad was dutifully nearby...

Then at 12.34, a message...

North Yorkshire Red- footed Falcon 1st summer male North Duffield Carrs 

No views for us? We continued searching. Then around 1, Phil suddenly shouted "Falcon". I looked to my left just in time to see a small Raptor disappearing over the trees. Fortunately it soon returned flying low right over the Scrape giving us great views before continuing North. A real surprise as most/all sightings recently have been exclusively over Bubwith Ings. Really chuffed to see it ON the Reserve.

We left at 2. Phil was on his way to Leeds and I headed East.

Update: NO confirmed sighting of 2 Birds.

Re-adjusted with a Patch Tick

After gorging myself on the Birds of Cyprus, I needed something special to kick start my British Spring...and yesterday afternoon...I got it! I'd had a 4 hour watch till Noon being joined by Haydn around 9.30 after he'd had a session on Skippy. On arrival this youngster was munching away happily oblivious to my presence. ..

Highlights of our morning were a couple of non-migratory Whooper Swans, a few drumming Snipe, a FOY Collared Dove and c10 Swifts. There were many Birds in song which was great to hear and the small hawthorn bush in front of the Hide was the perfect Site to watch them...

Still no sight or sound of a Cuckoo sadly.

I landed back home around 2.30. Then at 3.25...

North Yorkshire RED-FOOTED FALCON North Duffield Carrs perched in trees on bank on River Derwent viewed from Platform

Oh Dear, I thought! I HAD to go back. 

I arrived at a crowded car park around 5 and made my way to the Platform. Encouragingly, there were still Birders present? I recognized Chris Gomersall who kindly set his scope up for me to get an initial peep. I had my Tick 171.

I gave it another 45 minutes but the Bird never came any closer. It was a good 800 yards away. It did make several flights over the River and onto the Reserve whilst feeding. Another first was my 2 visits in a day!! A superb addition to my Duff List and one that wasn't really on my Radar. That's the beauty of a Patch...it means something.

For the record...

Year - 95

Cyprus Review (3)

Chaffinch

DESERT FINCH - My only Lifer of the Trip. Seen at Sunset Point, Paphos 26/3

Trumpeter Finch - Another rare Finch for the Island. Took some time but I eventually re-found it at Timi Beach and had great views. I changed my mind regarding this Species after watching it for quite a while. Subtle plumage and quite a character! 4/4

Greenfinch

Linnet

Goldfinch

Serin - Only one seen at the Goat Farm, Androlikou 3/4

Corn Bunting - far fewer seen this Trip? Only seen at Anarita Park

Cretzschmar's Bunting - only glimpses at Mavrokolympus Dam and Agios Georgios Chapel, Akrotiri.

Coal Tit - Troodos Village 8/4

Great Tit

Bimaculated Lark - One near Timi Beach at the same time as the Trumpeter Finch

Calandra Lark - flight views at Perivolia 1/4

Greater Short-toed Lark - easily seen at Mandria. One flock was 40+

Skylark

Crested Lark

Fan-tailed Warbler - seen well at Agia Varvara

Sedge Warbler - one at the Motorway Pools, Agia Varvara 9/4

House Martin

Red-rumped Swallow - seen on several occasions

Swallow

Sand Martin

Eastern Bonelli's Warbler - easily seen at Asprokremmos Dam Wood

A wet one!

Wood Warbler - seen at Asprokremmos Wood and this one at Anarita Park which provided me with my best ever prolonged views 5/4

Willow Warbler

Chiffchaff

Cetti's Warbler

Blackcap

Lesser Whitehetroat

Cyprus Warbler - only seen at Mavrokolympos Dam BUT seen well! 29/3

Ruppell's Warbler - Great views at "Lark Corner", Mandria 23/3

Eastern Subalpine Warbler - a wonderful encounter at Agios Georgios Church, Akrotiri  26/3

Sardinian Warbler - common

Whitethroat

Spectacled Warbler - Again, I enjoyed fabulous, prolonged views of a singing Male at Larnaca Sewage Works 

Spotted Flycatcher - a welcome addition to my Cyprus List, admittedly overlooked! I thought I would have seen one on my Family Holiday in April 1995. Another part of a wonderful afternoon's Birding at Agia Varvara 9/4

Robin - an unexpected sighting in the car park at Oroklini North Hide. Turned out not to be THAT unusual BUT still noteworthy.

Nightingale -  a few glimpses here and there but I did manage a pic when one popped up next to the BCBE at Pervolia!

Can't be many photos with these two together?

Ficedula Flycatchers - so here we are. My best ever haul by far. Ironically they turned up early this Year as I decided to come later! I saw all three Species with some confusing females amongst the stunning Males. Some of the Males were confusing also...at least to me! Hopefully I've got them right? They were seen at various locations including Androlikou, Cape Greco Wood and Agia Varvara.

Pied Flycatcher

Semi-collared Flycatcher

Collared Flycatcher - this was the most numerous Species 

...the most remarkable encounter was at the magical Site of Mandria. I was trying to photograph Yellow Wagtails when this little chap landed right by the car...

I also thought this one was worth sharing although its not in focus. Collared and Semi-collared in the same tree at Cape Greco Wood!

Common Redstart - male and female seen well at Cape Greco Wood 30/3

Black Redstart

Rock Thrush - Paphos Headland 23/3

Blue Rock Thrush - Paphos Headland 23/3

Whinchat - Incredible views of this beautiful Bird at Agai Varvara 9/4

Stonechat

Siberian Stonechat - one at Paphos Headland 23/3

Northern Wheatear - more seen later in April

Isabelline Wheatear - more seen earlier in March. yep...this one at Mandria!

Desert Wheatear - a fine Male at Mandria 7/4

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear - a fair few seen of yet another beautiful Species

Black-faced

Sticking my neck put here...female?

Cyprus Wheatear - common but smart!

Finsch's Wheatear  - Paphos Headland 23/3

Song Thrush

Blackbird

157 Species for the Trip. A Previous post has the additions and misses. It took some time but I enjoyed re-living the moments. That puts me on 240 for Cyprus. Target 250 next Spring...I've already booked!! Hopefully there was something of interest for you and maybe even an incentive to visit? Till next time...