Up and running...with a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER!

Having to use a mobile keyboard at the moment while I wait for my replacement...from China! It seems I may have spilt something on it...surely not! At least I can now post some pearls of wisdom!?

Ridiculously quiet at the moment. Hardly surprising with all the Westerlies pushing the migrating Eurasian birds way to the east. It doesn't look great for the East Coast for the foreseeable future. On the other hand...maybe something tasty from the Nearctic...

Update: I received a tweet from Frank Moffat mid-afternoon showing a photograph of a group of Birders looking at a BAIRD'S SANDPIPER at Easington Lagoons...apparently! No news on the info' channels? I left the tense situation that was the Ryder Cup and headed down the road. Confirmation soon followed. Around 20 minutes later I was looking at Spurn's first BAIRD'S SANDPIPER and a Spurn tick (305) to boot.

Still managed to get back for the closing holes...and victory for Europe!

DALMATION PELICAN

Those "in the know" will already be aware of the acceptance of this bird that toured Cornwall from May until November 2016.

News broke this morning that the bird was now deemed "tickable". I follow the rules, like a good lad, BUT don't always agree with them. I might have mentioned that before!! Not convinced on this one. Fun to see though!

So, there you go. My 512th species on my British list. Strictly BOU. An armchair tick being the perfect remedy for arguably the worst September on record. Let's hope October is MUCH better...

Some you win, some you lose

Still can't connect with the Purple Sandpiper by the Crown and Anchor despite two attempts. I did manage a couple of Turnstones (S.118) though.

On my second attempt I popped down to Canal Scrape hide to get a very poor view of a Jack Snipe (P.160, S.119).

Still VERY quiet...

Late result

Boring day today, doing things that needed doing!

Fortunately I got 'em done in time to pop down the road for the last hour. I parked up and made my way to the Warren. A few birders were looking for the Rosefinches but they'd disappeared from.

Then Bob from Hull beckoned me over as he'd just seen the Yellow-browed Warbler (P.158, S.116) briefly. After a short wait we both had a glimpse of the bird with our naked eyes on a bare branch. You could clearly see the "yellow-brow" in the evening sunshine. Lovely!!

Around fifteen minutes later I was looking at both "not-so-common" Rosefinches (P.159, S117) in admittedly deep shade. Still I'll take it.

A good decision...

Holmpton Lifer!

Some North in the wind, so I rose pre-dawn and positioned myself on the cliff top at Out Newton...with my faithful friend...of course!

I dreamt of an Osprey or some Whooper Swans but no joy in 3 hours. I did log a couple of skeins of Pink-footed Geese, totalling 27 birds...heading North?

The highlight came around 9 when I picked up an Auk with particularly whirring wings. My first Puffin! So it was worth the effort after all.

Only slightly galling to hear news of Whooper Swans on the Humber and a Pom Skua passing North past Spurn that disappeared (like so many others) into the Holmpton "triangle ".

Laptop off to the " docs" tomorrow so hopefully back to normal soon...

Where to go?

The troops have started to mobilize. Teams heading for Shetland and Scilly... and maybe Outer Hebrides.

Due to circumstances I am free until November. I won't be staking a claim this year though. As you know I've gambled before... and by definition... usually LOST! The YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO dip particularly stung. So near and yet so far!

Scilly would ALWAYS be my choice of destination but I/we can't do everything. I hope to visit again one day.

Good fortune for the chaps arriving on Shetland today as they were greeted with a YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING. Nice start!

My personal choice is always an American Warbler. If I had to choose one it would be PARULA. Work commitments have cost me this tick (and quite a few more) on more than one occasion. Oh and it's also a stunner.. as most of them are!!

Time will tell...

Back in the real world I managed to find a Stonechat (H.113) at Old Hive this morning...

Gremlins...again!

Some of my computer keys have decided to pack up. So, a brief report tonight using the phone.

Good 3 mile walk enjoying close views of Gannets and Sandwich Terns on the beach. Managed a lone Wheatear and at least a dozen Skylarks on the cliff top.

A walk along Taylor Lane early afternoon produced a surprise and very welcome Hobby (P.155, H.111). Further along I heard then saw my first Goldcrest (P.156, H.112) of the Autumn.

I had a drive up to Out Newton for the last hour. On my way I saw a skein of Pink-footed Geese (23) flying low, directly towards me!

They carried on South.

I could here some more... but where? Another 53 in the field right by the road...

They were still there at dusk...

Wind of change

So many theories...so few MEGAS!?

Looks promising though...

I'm looking... I'm looking!

Not finding much though.

Plenty of cliff top walking in unseasonally warm SW winds. Lots of sea scanning with little reward. Unusually close views of diving Gannets being the highlight.

I popped down to Spurn yesterday to try for the Wood Warbler to no avail. While I was scanning at the Warren a couple of Arctic Skuas (S.115) drifted south. That's Spurn!

The blanket coverage down the road has produced around half-a-dozen Osprey sightings in the past few days. Again, I looked hard for several hours today for no reward.

As I settled in my chair at the end of the day, I checked my messages...

 

Osprey south past the seawatching hide late afternoon

Must try harder...

The Wild Geese - finally arrive for me!

Back to the sewage this morning for the dog walk. I managed to increase the Wheatear count to three. We took our time as he likes a rest these days...

Around 9.30 a remarkable event took place. I'm used to seeing hirundines migrating along the coast, although I freely admit to being a token vis-migger"! As I was approaching the car after our constitutional I suddenly noticed a "cloud" of birds. There were literally hundreds of House Martins with some Swallows in tight groups moving South. A remarkable sight! It was all over in a couple of minutes but definitely memorable.

I then sat in the car with my fingers crossed hoping to get my "fix" of Wild Geese. Pink-footed Geese (H.110) are very vocal birds in flight and can be heard at considerable distance...which obviously helps locate them especially when they are out over the sea. It was now 9.55...I could hear them...then  could SEE them!!

Out of the haze they came from the North, way out to sea (c1 mile). Constantly calling...

10.01...a second skein...at a similar distance...

10.11...a third...thankfully slightly closer...

A fabulous, evocative sight of Autumn. I have a great admiration for these resilient birds. I counted 111.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful but I was very satisfied with my sightings...

The Wild Geese

Love Wildfowl.

The sight and sound of a skein of Pinkfeet passing overhead is one of the great sights (and sounds) in Birding...for me.

I spent the morning hoping to experience this phenomenon...alas, it wasn't my lucky day. Birds were seen further North...and South! I did find a couple of Wheatears in a 2 mile walk from the Sewage...

I spent an hour down at Spurn late afternoon looking in vain for the Rosefinch. However, I did manage 3 Yellow Wagtails and another Wheatear. During my search I bumped into another Birder who pointed out a bird resting in a field...

Pink-footed Goose (P.154, S.114)

I did see one after all! Maybe a skein tomorrow?

Look closer

Phil made his way down from South Gare after connecting with the Pomarine Skua. He checked for the Cranes but no sign.

I met him at the Sewage were I'd seen the GWE 15 minutes previously before taking Bud home. Of course there was no sign of it when he arrived!?

He was going down to Spurn to try for the Common Rosefinch so I joined him to try and help him find it.

We searched the Sparrow flock in the YWT car park but couldn't find it. I had to get back so I left him to continue his search. I passed John Hewitt as I left Kilnsea.

Turns out Phil found it himself...

...and John almost certainly had the Corncrake in flight!

That's Birding...

Tidy up

Just been looking through the pics taken recently. Missed a few I intended to post. So here they are...

I sneaked this pic of a Peregrine as I was just about to enter the house at dusk last Sunday...

It flew across the field opposite and was disappearing over the trees when I grabbed my camera and fired a shot off. Again, I'm amazed how well modern cameras can perform...and very glad they do!

The GWE continues, although it can be absent for long periods...at least during my intermittent visits...

Feeding well!

A bit of confusion down at Spurn over the Migfest weekend. I received a message around 8.10 informing me a Corncrake had been seen in the triangle...a potential Spurn tick!  was parking up by 8.40 and making my way along the footpath south behind Cliff Farm. A sizable crowd had already formed with many telescopes trained on the field in question. One of the guides (yellow cap) offered me a look through his scope. I glimpsed a silhouette which soon disappeared. More Birders were arriving rapidly and t was becoming manic to be honest...so I departed.

It later transpired that a Corncrake had indeed been seen...but it wasn't the bird at the rear of the field....which was a Pheasant!!! Another example of mass hallucination...at least initially. Happens now and again. No big deal. I've done it!

Still buzzing from the views of the Wryneck and Pomarine Skua. Two decisions I got correct...

Crippling Views - a nice trio!

As stated many times before I try to stay local these days...and find my own...with the odd cherry pick down the road. Now and again though I get tempted to range further afield, especially when the views on offer promise to be rather good.

So, yesterday evening I made the trip to Bempton to try for the probably THE most photographed Wryneck ever! They are great birds, full of character with an amazing plumage. I arrived around 6pm, parked up and walked around the footpath by the dell. I could see a few heads behind the fence but it was difficult to see exactly where they were looking. Unfortunately, I inadvertently flushed it as it was on the path! I apologised but it soon returned and began feeding again. A couple of chaps were lying on the floor taking pics. When they got up  realised one of them was Steve Lawton.

Over the next hour the bird performed brilliantly well showing no fear at all. At one point the bird waked right up to and passed Andy Hood who was sat on the ground...

The location of the Dell meant that the sun couldn't penetrate but the views were still stunning. Well worth the trip...

After saying my goodbyes I made sure I didn't run over it as I left, as it was right by the path...



A real Cutie!

This morning I left for South Gare around 8. I was hoping to see another species that had been showing rather well. Still in historical Yorkshire but it's a good drive from Holmpton! After a couple of stops I arrived around 11 and thankfully the rain that was forecast hadn't arrived yet. There were a good number of Birders scattered around but no significant group. I scanned the area and found the bird sat on the beach! Even at 200 yds it looked a significant lump.

I made my way cautiously over the stones and out to the bird, hoping it wouldn't fly off before I got there. There were only four Birders admiring the bird when I got there. I gave it an hour until the rain started. I was hoping the bird would fly but it was probably full of fish scraps left by the fisherman. No matter. It was well worth the trip to obtain my best ever views of a Pomarine Skua...

A stunner

Third bird. Well, it's my local superstar that was still present on Friday morning although  haven't seen it since...

No show x 2

Phil tried for the Cranes today. No sign in over 3 hours. A local guy who checks for them everyday also hadn't seen them. A report that they'd been seen near Hornsea didn't come to anything.

He also struck out on the GWE.

His day was saved however when he had 2 SEO's at Holderness Field this evening. Guess where I'll be heading after work tomorrow...

BIG Birds

Another early start. I was motivated to rise by the forecast of a decent Northerly blow. I checked the ditch for my mate...he was there!

I hunkered down behind the faithful V70 and waited for the show. Gannets were passing regularly in good numbers, some quite close. It looked promising.  Decent numbers of Teal and Wigeon passed. Then a Tufted Duck (159) a Holmpton Lifer no less! Then, VERY distantly 4 Manx Shearwaters scythed through the waves. I also had another Arctic Skua. Sandwich Terns passed constantly and I had a couple of groups of Common. I gave it a couple of hours logging well over 200 Gannets...a fine spectacle! My overall impression was one of slight disappointment considering the favourable conditions.

Around lunchtime I arrived back at West Carlton for a second attempt at the Common Cranes. Gavin had seen them the previous evening so I was determined to find them this time...they're big enough!

After a quick scan...there they were! Very distant (c600yds) but at least they were showing...

I also took a decidedly dodgy phone-scoped effort! At least it shows the size difference with their mate the Heron...

I spent an hour this afternoon totting up my Year totals as the Autumn begins...always fun trying to synchronize them! 

I'm out of the picture now for a couple of days as I boost the holiday fund...

Pirate

Early start today with a trip down to Kilnsea at dawn to try for Short-eared Owl (P.145, S.103) around Holderness Field. I managed a brief yet distant view of a single bird. Not what I was hoping for but the exercise was good!

Mid-morning  checked for the GWE and sure enough it was there, by the ditch, on the edge of the stubble.

News came through of a Spoonbill at Kilnsea Wetlands. No sign in an hours vigil. However, I did add Snipe (S.104) to my Spurn year list...

Another nice walk on another beautiful day.

After lunch I checked again for the GWE but no sign this time, just the fast growing young Mallards that bred there...

Yet another example of birds taking to a slither of habitat in the arable desert!!! A sad state of affairs.

I finished off at The Sewage scanning the sea with my Trinnies. Almost immediately a group of Cormorants flew South...

A few Sandwich Terns were fishing offshore. I live in hope. Today my positive vibes paid off...

Arctic Skua (P.146, H.103)

Fortunately the bird latched on to a couple of Sandwich Terns forcing one of them to drop its catch...

I feel this bird is a dark juvenile...

Then it was home to sort the garden out.

Sightings are going VERY well. Lets hope they continue?

Things are warming up!

I started off at the Sewage. A nice group of Pied Wagtails (H.100) were noted...

Where have they been?  I also managed a Grey (P.143, H.101).

Just as I was leaving a last scan of the sea revealed a distant small flock of birds flying south offshore. My first thought was Gannets but as they got closer I realized they were something more unusual...Avocets! (H.102).

A precious record

Next it was up to Out Newton. As I approached the cliff a Sparrowhawk shot across the path and landed in the hay...

Judging by the large size and brown colouration, a juvenile female I reckon. It stayed put for around 15 minutes before flying off across the stubble...

I'd decided to take Louise out for lunch...via West Newton...were a couple of Cranes had been reported. As we set off I had yet another hopeful look in "the ditch"...

Three days since I'd seen it. A nice surprise! That's EIGHT days at least now it's been in the area...

After returning from Hornsea there was no sign of the bird. I dropped Louise off at home and made my way down to Spurn to try for the Ortolan Bunting(s). A species that has become far more scarce over the years...it's not on its own...unfortunately!

It was now 3.30ish and there was only a small crowd still interested in the bird(s). They had been ranging over a fair area apparently and there was no sign of them presently. I had a brief chat with Richard Boon and his wife before deciding to have a walk around Clubley's Field. Still no joy by 4.30pm although I add add Whinchat (P.143, S.101).

Then a gesture from a Birder searching a ditch towards the sea. He'd found one! It took a while but  eventually I managed to photograph the bird...

Ortolan Bunting (P.144, S.102)