Early news on Saturday morning...
Garganey at North Duffied Carrs in front of the Geoff Smith Hide
Ah well!
As most of the country is now bathing in long overdue sunshine we're experiencing the famous North Sea fret. In between pulses of mist I found three Yellow Wagtails at Cliff Farm...
Yesterday found me in Lincoln. The old girl needed a service...the car that is! I combined it with a trip out with Phil to Messingham Sand Quarry. Memories of GREEN HERON and a past life living in Scawby. After some initial roadworks hassle we arrived at the Reserve around 11. We enjoyed a nice stroll around a pleasant site for a couple of hours before returning to collect the car. It was good to see him and thanks for the help pal. Much appreciated!
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| Plenty of Reed Warblers present |
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| Hadn't seen this for quite a while |
The evening stroll to the Cliff was brightened (literally) by some of the locals taking in the evening sunshine (yes...sunshine)...
Today I made my last attempt of the month for my 2021 Garganey at NDC...I also FINALLY got my hair cut! No joy but a pleasant 3 hour session was had. The visit was notable more for the sounds than the sights with displaying Curlew, Lapwing and drumming Snipe...
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| Not easy to "catch" |
Determination in a photo...
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| Good Luck! |
The weather looks set fair for the forseeable, so let's hope we have some surpises in store over the Bank Holiday and into next week?
Had a peep at the Sub-Alpine Warbler sp at Spurn on the way home.
The good lady had to visit her Dentist in York so I cadged a lift and she dropped me off at NDC around midday.
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| 6 Cygnets |
After the negativity regarding the poor conditions for fledged birds this was indeed a fine and uplifting sight! "Ne'er cast a clout till May is out"...
Is it the Month or the Flower? It doesn't seem to be clear? I prefer the Hawthorn angle!
I'm aware of repetition having visited quite a few times over the past few weeks, so I'll try to be succinct...I usually am, to be fair...aren't I? Got to make the most of the Spring before the Summer doldrums.
The weather was still volatile and as always, I was hoping something "good" would drop in. I enjoyed a pleasant hour seeing and hearing what was about, while enjoying the wonderful view that I never tire of...
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| The River is in sight again! |
I was then joined by two Birders, one was John Heaton who lives locally and was someone I'd seen from time to time over recent years. I said I'd give you a mention John...as you read my Blog! Much obliged. His friend Nigel Robinson was trying out his new Swarovski "bins". We spent the next hour discussing various wildlife topics (I added Common Tern to my year list, as two birds fed distantly along the river) before they left and I moved down to Garganey Hide...
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| A nice carpet of Buttercups |
A Moorhen passed close by...
After around 15 minutes it started to walk along it in my direction. The weather was poor now but the bird seemed oblivious to the heavy rain (which continued unabated) and continued East along the Bund...
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| Passing strangers |
It then returned West...
I like to think I was rewarded for my loyalty. It's somewhat fitting that the iconic species of the reserve has left a Sentinel bird to watch over things until its counterparts return in the Autumn.
NINE drumming Snipe in torrential rain are worth a mention!
No Garganey for me but a nice surprise to end a 5 hour vigil came in the form of a lone Little Grebe (83) that suddenly materialised on the pool by the hide...
There's always a surprise...if you watch long enough.
The last word goes to this bush by the River!!!
On this date in 2010 I had my best sighting for the Reserve. I'd just got home from work and had taken my Rocky down for his walk...
I noticed a bird perched in the top of the bush...
My moment...
Friday found me at Duff as the weather was abysmal and I either sat in the house...or the hide! This month has been er...inclement...to say the least...and VERY disappointing "migrationwise". The cold wet weather has been disastrous for many young birds. The Coots have lost their brood on the scrape sadly; but they were already rebuilding to try again...I like that.
The Mute Swan is still sitting tight though...
Still no Garganey for me, although there are flocks up the road...apparently! Very little Warbler activity...I wonder why! Highlights of this visit were...
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| at least 6 young present with a proud parent |
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| 79 |
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| Smart plumage...a touch of native American? |
Popped over to Heslington, York yesterday evening to try for the Savi's Warbler that had been present there for several days. I had an unsuccessful attempt early on Friday with Haydn. He connected but I arrived just too late and didn't want to waste the morning there, as the chances of it showing would diminish as the day progressed...I thought!
Anyway, I arrived after listening to the conclusion of Liverpool's remarkable win at West Brom! Amazing stuff!!! I joined the small group and waited. After around 10 minutes it "struck up" in the usual spot. Reedbed birds can obviously be a challenge, especially when there are plenty of Reed Warblers about. Eventually I had good, if brief, views of the bird.
I've had a "tot up" today using the "Old Thunderer". It appears this was my 217th bird for the York Recording Area. I'll share a top ten, pop pickers (you've probably noticed I like that one) later this week.
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Today I had a few jobs to do but managed to get out late afternoon. I was surprised yet delighted to come across a Little Owl (P.109, H.104). A male Wheatear was also in the area.
Tomorrow, I'm on family visiting duty. I'll be over to the dark side via Leeds...and Duff...of course!
Over to the York Area yesterday to bird with Haydn. Three sites birded.
Firstly to Bank Island to try for the Garganey that had been reported there recently. It's been quite a few years since I visited this site. We had a pleasant hour there in superb nartural surroundings but the Garganey didn't want to play.
Then it was on to Skipwith, his Patch. I didn't see any Tree Pipits on my last visit, so I was hoping to connect this time. It wasn't to be but we did get good views of Woodlark...
Haydn then picked a couple of birds up on the ground. Eventually one perched on a tree stump...
We also had several flight views.
After grabbing some lunch we made our way down to Duff. Again hoping for Garganey...again disappointed. We checked out both hides. On the way down to Garganey (ironic) hide a pair of Partridges flushed from the set-a-side by the path. I was lugging my bag but Haydn got "on them" and called Grey Partridge. Even with the naked eye I thought the russet rear stood out. We stopped and scanned. We picked up a pair of...Red-legged?! Doubt crept in but we were both convinced we'd seen Grey in flight. The area wasn't that big. Anyway after a few minutes our ID was confirmed...
Just managed to "catch" one before they departed. This was only my second record for the reserve in 35 years...I think. I'll have to check "the thunderer" when I fire her up! The other major event was the number of Swifts and hirundines present. We estimated c300 Swifts and as many Swallows plus good numbers of Sand Martins and a few House Martins. An amazing spectacle. Plenty of flies about. The Whooper Swan was still present and still looking good. Three male Wigeon were notable, as was at least 5 pairs of Gadwall. The pair of Great-crested Grebes were elusive but viewable on occasion.
Good Birding and good company.
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Onto today. After yesterday's marathon I needed a lie in this morning. Fatal. I checked my phone at 8.30 to find that a PURPLE HERON had been seen at Spurn early doors (6.13). A Spurn Tick in the offing. A quick squirt for Bud and I was heading down the road...pronto. When I arrived I asked a chap for the latest and he told me it had flown towards Kilnsea Wetlands. I parked in the car park and another birder told me it had flown into the ditch by Long Bank.
I decided to walk up to Beacon Ponds so I could have a panoramic view over the area. I could also see the far end of the ditch. After around 15 minutes I was joined by John Harriman, it was good to see him. He joined me sat on the wall and we shared stories and scanned the area hoping for a flight view...our best hope.
We gave it an hour but no joy so we returned to the car park. It was now gone 11 and I needed some food as did John! I also needed to take Bud a proper walk and go to Tesco. Again, always I dilemma to us twitchers. As soon a syou leave...you know what happens! Anyway it had to be done, so I said goodbye to John and headed home while he headed for the cafe.
After doing what had to be done I returned to the site early afternoon. I found a gap in a hedge giving me a view South over Long Bank. Unfortunately my radio charger is playing up, so I was on my own regarding updates. Puts an edge on your scanning! This species can sit in cover for hours and it's hard to keep focused continually. Anyway around 1.15 a "Heron" flew up above the Wetlands. It was the bird!!! Slightly smaller and darker, a more acute neck bulge and splayed toes all confirmed PURPLE HERON...my 314th species for Spurn. The news was put out shorty afterwards as the bird flew over to Sammy's Point. Then John pulled up, he hadn't seen it a she was in the hide! I wished him luck as he headed for Sammy's. I'd been lucky after a dozy start. Chuffed to have picked it up though and mightily relieved after chewing it over all morning.
A lone Whooper Swan on Easington straight is definitely worth a mention also.
I'd just got to the Runnel when I received a message off Richard informing me he'd found a couple of Lesser Redpoll by the water treatment site on Seaside Road. I was there in 5 minutes but there was no sign of Richard...or the birds. I gave it an hour.
Further news came from down the road in the form of a Nuthatch at the Warren...a potential Spurn tick! It's one of those species that you just don't feel you're going to connect with...and I didn't! You've got to try though...right?ip to
Next was a trip to a site in With' to try for "the" Long-eared Owl which had been reported again. I was unsuccessful although I did enjoy the walk in some impressive habitat and added Sedge Warbler (P.103) Willow Warbler (P.104) and Bullfinch (P.105)...
A male through the undergrowth...
...and 2 females overhead.
This afternoon I returned to the Water treatment site without much optimism. I should have had more faith as after around 20 minutes I picked up the pair in the top of a tree. This was only my third record of Lesser Redpoll (P.106, H.101) for the Village after two Autumn singles. After a trip to the Vets to get the stitches removed from our free-roaaming Siamese, I had a stroll down to the sea. The decision paid off when I spotted a pair of Tufted Ducks (P.107, H.102) drifting South, fairly close in...only my second record after a male on 4/9/18...
I couldn't find anything by the Cliff or Paddock, so I drove up to Cliff Farm and we walked down to Old Hive Copse. I was hoping for a Spotted Flycatcher...or anything at all really!
I was curious to see if the Bunting flock was still around. It was, so I had some fun trying to pick out a few birds to photograph. The birds were very skittish so I just stood and waited...as did my mate...
He did flush a couple of Grey Patridges on the way down to be fair!
Eventually I managed to "catch" a few through the trees...
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| Corn Bunting...at least 6 present, some singing |
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| Full prolonged song from the ground |
