Clear Out

I was curious to see if any Wheatears remained from last night's "fall". None did! I did see a Linnet (P.85, H.84) flock  and there was a good smattering of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings...

A few Gulls also arrived including a lovely Lesser black-backed. 

I did manage to squeeze a March Swallow (P.86, H.85) and a couple of Shovelers (P.87, H.86) headed South...

One of them!

I met Phil around 10ish at the Sewage. We walked South hoping for...something! It was quiet, very quiet. There were more Sand Martins around, some prospecting for nest sites? The birds I saw at Old Hive yesterday equalled my earliest date for this species.

We then decided to check out the Cliff Farm/Old Hive area. Sand Martin numbers had increased to c30. We finished on Snakey Lane. On the way I had a glance to see if the Barnacle Goose was present, it was...

No luck with Corn Bunting on Snakey but we enjoyed the amazing weather (23c). It was time for Phil to leave, so we said our goodbyes and I headed for home. The evening walk for the lad was back to the "Wheatear field". Still no birds present. I walked up to the Llama Farm and found one on a post...

We then strolled back in the evening light and I came across another bird on the Cliff edge...

A closer view

Fall

Despite yesterday's exploits I woke early and was rewarded with this view out the back as I went to the fridge...

A regular visitor

I wanted to check Old Hive to see if any Sand Martins had arrived. As this is my first full year after retirement (I won't mention it again) I'm keen to try and record more information on birds around the Village. It was another gorgeous day, more like July than March. Another great tonic after all the restrictions...and wind!!

The erosion of the Cliff has had some benefits. I can now get down onto the beach, even with my dubious balance these days...

Sand Martins (P.84, H.83) were present (7 birds) and amazingly had already dug some nest holes...

The birds frequently visited the holes and perched regularly at the entrances. These were the best views I have ever had here.Watching these tiny birds zooming around is difficult. The views on the Cliff are far superior. I was surprised how grey they appeared...probably my camera lol!

Great to have a colony so close to home.

After lunch I drove up to Cliff Farm and did an extended 3 hour watch/wait as 2 White-tailed Eagles aahdbeen reported moving South. The last report was from Hornsea Mere. They didn't arrive but it was nice to wait in the sunshine...

After a Tesco run I finished off walking South from the Sewage to the Llama Farm. It was a beautiful evening. As I passed the Llama farm I noticed three tractors working the ploughed field. It was now much flatter with fine soil. Handy for viewing! I walked around the perimeter so I wasn't looking west into the sun...and started to scan. A Wheatear...another...and another! To my delight they seemed to be all over the field!

It's a big field! There were a minimum of TWENTY birds present which I can say with confidence is a record personal count. The best I could manage in one pic was 4...I think...

All the birds kept their distance, roaming the centre area of the field. This was the best I could get...

It was interesting to speculate on the reasons for this exceptional number. Probably a combination of weather and a suitable feeding area...plus ease of view of course.

NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD - A post-lockdown reward!

...I decided on a trip to Devon! I've just got back (8.30), so apologies if the report is muddled...what's new? Here we go then...

I had no idea how this was going to pan out but one thing was for sure...I was going!

Having seen various reports on the difficulties of seeing this bird in a back garden I set off at 5.30am with my mate and a bucket! The bird was being viewed...by locals of course...over a 7' wall. It was faithful to a Holly and a Palm. With it being the first day after Lockdown, I figured it might be a bit cosy early doors, so I planned on arriving around lunchtime, providing the bird was reported of course. Sure enough, just after 7 positive news came through.

A couple of accidents on the M18 put me back an hour but I arrived at Gloucester Services at 10.30. A good stretch for both of us...then onwards to Devon. I arrived in Exeter around Noon. As I made my way down towards Exmouth the MEGA alert went off? During Lockdown the bird was only being reported first thing so I wasn't expecting an update...but what an update...

12.25 NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in front garden on Iona Avenue/Seymour Road

Front being the key word!!! A quick check on Google Maps showed me FIVE minutes away. As I turned into Iona Avenue I could see 5 Birders looking into a garden. I pulled up trying to look calm and failing. Is it showing I asked? Bud made conversation difficult as always. The bird was in a bush apparently. I pulled up some 30 yards down, grabbed my camera and joined the chaps. One of them pointed to a manicured privet type bush that was quite dense. I couldn't see anything...granted I didn't have my bins...I was in a hurry! After around 2 minutes I saw movement, slowly but surely a bird made its way up to the top of the bush and just sat there in the sunshine...

I've been on many twitches over the past 30+ years and seen some stunning and not so stunning birds. I've had some exhilerating adventures and some obligatory ticks. However, none have been more satisfying than this one. I think you can guess why! Goodnight...

Freedom?

So here we are, the last day of Lockdown 3. Hopefully that's the last. As far as I'm aware, from tomorrow I can start to travel, on occasion, with my conscience clear. I'm sure by now you can read between the lines regarding my subtle irony. I've always took the view that if someone doesn't like what's spouted here they'll move on to pastures new...please! Everyone's entitled to their opinion but some of the justifications for breaking Lockdown beggar belief!!! There are a lot of psycics out there who are apparently immune....and irresponsible!

After the worst Winter psychologically in living memory and a 12 months to forget, we all deserve something much more positive for the rest of the year and beyond. I think we can all agree on that.

Now then, where shall I go tomorrow?

Black and White

As I was heading for the second pill box this morning I received a text off Gavin (thanks pal) informing me he'd seen a Barnacle Goose just South of the Village. When I arrived there was no sign of the bird. I then received a call off Richard; he'd found it in the field by the pub!

Dapper (P.82, H.81)

This was only my second record for the Village following one flying South on 3/12/19. A quick check of "the Sewage" revealed a Curlew South and 6 Pied Wagtails including this beauty...

Despite much scanning during my walking I couldn't find any migrants. Plenty of Red Kites and Ospreys reported but none here. I did have a late result just before lunch when a Merlin (P.83, H.82) arrowed low South across the fields at Old Hive.

Clocks forward tonight and the last day of Lockdown. Now that IS positive!!!

The Bridesmaid again!

Today started well with a Chiffchaff (P.78, H.77) singing on Seaside Road by The Hall. A few blasts then silence, I didn't hear it again? I then found a flock of 15 Jackdaws by the pub. Notable.

A true Canada Goose (P.79, H.78)...we have a few Heinz 57's, flew inland across Mill Hill for a year tick. No luck with Sand Martin or Wheatear still. Finally evidence of Lesser Black-backed Gull (P.80, H.79) passage was noted with 6 birds seen.

As I walked North I received a message from Richard, he'd found a Wheatear just South of the Llama Farm. I really must look harder! I managed to re-locate it (P.81, H.80) and get a few pics, although it was always distant and I was looking into the sun...

There were also 13 Golden Plover and a Ringed Plover in the plough. A Sparrowhawk also glided across.

The day had a wonderful finish as I watched a Barn Owl from my armchair for around 30 minutes. Very fortunate...

Plenty of Ospreys moving through...now that would be nice tomorrow?

Swings and Roundabouts

Today started well, VERY well! I made the walk down to Old Hive enjoying the superb song of the Skylarks and the parachute displays of the Meadow Pipits. I went through the copse and was walking up to Cliff Farm when  a special bird materialised above the cliff. Pretty regular during the winter on the Humber but to find one along the coastal path was brilliant. It certainly woke me up! A couple of images to give a flavour of the sighting...

Hen Harrier (P.75, H,74)

All those barren minutes of the last few days seemed to instantly fade away! It didn't linger, yet I didn't see it leave!?

On the return walk, I logged 4 Dunlin, 2 Curlew and an Oystercatcher. A lone Cormorant also flew North. Things were going well. Still no migrants, although Richard pipped me with our first Sand Martin. Wheatears have arrived to the North but none were found here.

As I reached Seaside Rd I did a final check of the sea. A few RTD present on a calm sea. I then picked up something that looked "smaller". It was swimming fast North and performing frequent dives. Eventually I caught up with it and to my delight, it turned out to be a Great Crested Grebe (P.76, H.75)...

This was only my second record, following another bird on the sea, also in March (26th) 2012. A couple of quality editions to the Year List then. That Wheatear must be on the way...?

Putting the Miles in

Lovely day today. Plenty of sunshine, little wind and bone dry ground. Pity the birds didn't turn up! There were some moments of note though. 

Firstly, time to pay homage to the garden birds. 4 Greenfinches on the feeders were new, as was this Coal Tit... 

Fortunately it decided to eat the sunflower seeds on a branch rather than dash off. as on previous days...

Great to have around...

The Tree Sparrows (10) are regular and not to be taken for granted...

(

...nor the Wood Pigeon (4 regulars)...

 

...or the humble Dunnock (5 present)...

4 Robins have been present all Winter...

Finally the Goldfinches (14) continue to entertain...

Further afield, I saw my first singing Reed Bunting in the clifftop scrub...

More Skylarks and Meadow Pipits are appearing and their was an obvious (even to me) passage of Pied Wagtails this afternoon on my walk along the Cliff with at least 20 birds making their way North. Quite a few resting on the cliff face. A kettle of 5 Buzzards enjoying the sunshine over the Village was a fine sight.

To square things up I had three Eiders (P.74, H.73) North on Saturday. The Stonechat seen on Friday evening didn't linger...

18 Whooper Swans landed on Beacon Ponds this morning. Unfortunately they headed west up the Humber instaed of North along the Coast. Still hoping...

Whooper passage

...has passed me by...so far?

Eyes to the skies on the walk and from the bedroom but nothing appeared. It seems most birds passed further West with a remarkable c800 logged at Wilsic in S. Yorks! I'm still Chiffchaff checking and Wheatear waiting and hopefully a Sand Martin won't be too far away.

The weather late afternoon was superb with 15C showing on the car thermometer on my trip to Tesco. This raised hopes even more for the coming days. No doubt over-optimistic but there you go.

9 more days of lockdown and then hopefully the Spring Birding can commence in full.

Hopefully there's still a few magnificent Whooper Swans to journey North tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

Searching

Checking the lanes for Chiffchaffs, walking the cliff for Wheatears.

Still waiting...

Garden "First"

Surprise visitor to the garden this morning. I had to give the old eyes a rub, as I thought I had "something" in the back of the tree that didn't look "right" for Wood Pigeon. Fortunately (and surprisingly) I reacted quick enough to grab the camera and get a few pics before it shot off...

Male Sparrowhawk

I've had a few fly-overs but this was the first record of a bird IN the garden (it's not very big). A stroll around the Village produced little of note except for a party of 4 Long-tailed Tits which are always delightful, despite the gloom and wind...

Not easy to photograph as they are constantly on the move, so I was pleased to get something. The hoped for Chiffchaff didn't materialise nor did the Wheatear along the coastal path. Maybe tomorrow?

Waiting for a Wheatear

Tried hard today on a long walk but it hasn't arrived...yet! I did see a flock of around 150 Golden Plover plus a couple of singing Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit.

Daily visits from this cracker brighten up the garden...

Late result when a couple of Oystercatchers (P.73, H.72) flew south at Cliff Farm. 

Count yer Blessings

Just a few thoughts after another blank this morning. We've been through a tough Year...well, most of us have...if you get my drift. Sacrifices have had to be made. Thoughts inevitably turn to past trips, especially when you get Facebook reminders. I received this one today...

Caspian Plover, Mandria, Cyprus 14/3/18

You'll find the full trip report under Labels in the right-hand column. It certainly was a dream trip when everything fell into place with some amazing close views of several iconic species. None better than the bird above, which was a dream bird for me and most Birders. To have this stunner on view at such close range for two days was fantastic. We always want more BUT a time like this certainly makes you look back and appreciate the great birds you've been fortunate enough to see. Hopefully more to come.

It feeels wierd contemplating another barren Spring regarding a Texas visit, but there it is. I'll be virtual Birding this April and looking forward to 2022.

Windy!

Nothing of note lately...personally, although Richard scored with a ring-tailed Hen Harrier down at Old Hive...fully deserved in the gale force Westerlies... not much cover on the old coastal path!!

I'm still waiting for "mine".

Heightened awareness now with a greater chance of an early migrant. I had my first jab this morning and with the March 29th target in sight, things are hopefully " on the up". A touch of positivity!

Garden Tick

Today was a wet one, very wet, so wet in fact that I got a new addition to the Garden List...it even visited the Bird Bath...

Moorhen (72)

I've kept the feeders stocked this Winter which has encouraged decent numbers of Goldfiches (max 15) and Tree Sparrows (max 8)...amongst the commoner species. Nice to have some entertainment during the monsoon. The Moorhen was today's star though...

Back to Basics

Had an afternoon session today. I started at the Cliff Paddock and was rewarded with a White Wagtail. I then took the lad South to Mill Hill. Serious chunks of cliff have bit the dust this winter...

A few Gulls on the way, then three Divers, one of which turned out to be a Black-throated. A duck landed...a lone Teal (P.72, H.71)...

We then walked North to the second pill. I noticed another distant duck close in but it had disappeared by the time we got there? A well hidden flock of c40 Golden Plover in the field to the North was consolation though. Inclement weather forecast for the rest of the week. Maybe the Flamborough WTE will decide to continue South...

Pic by Jo Symon per Trevor Charlton