BTG - Record Count

I awoke yesterday to a message from dedicated LDV Patch Birder Duncan Bye, informing me that the Black-tailed Godwit flock (most of it anyway) that had been on the refuge at Wheldrake had visited NDC the previous evening.

I HAD to travel this morning. Not forgetting the chance of...you know what?

I arrived at 10. It was a cold, grey and wet day. The perfect day for a long sit...if a little fresh. I was wrapped up and prepared for a "Big Sit" for a few hours.

Visibility wasn't great and the far side of the reserve was difficult viewing. I couldn't see any Godwits... initially. Then I noticed a large smudge of birds way off to the NW...

3/4 of a Mile

They were present!!

It was impossible to count them BUT there were...a lot! I can only recall seeing one previous three figure flock here over the years (35). From memory that flock numbered around 120. I moved down to Garganey Hide.

Eventually the birds had a stretch and I was able to get some pics...

Probably a sight never to be repeated?

I had a go at counting (not something I usually do but this was special...to me) and made it 346 (give or take one or two!). Glad I made the effort doesn't cover it! They flew high North at 12.15.

Alas no Garganey in 4 hours but it didn't seem to matter today. Especially when another smaller flock of (81) dropped in a 1 briefly, before also continuing North. So, 427 birds in total!!! The horrendous weather didn't seem to matter now. I left for home at 2 with a large grin. Definitely a day to remember.

The day was enhanced further with news that ALBERT had returned to Bempton. Odds on he would but I didn't think it would be so early? Fantastic news though. The RSPB better get the shop stocked up.

Lancashire Nostalgia

After a nice day with my Mother on Sunday, I headed for Samlesbury, Preston early Monday morning, hoping to fluke a view of the BK from the bridge over the River Roach (there was a film with a similar title, many moons ago). After a marvellous Latte and Bacon sarnie combo at Greggs, I arrived at 7.30. After a stroll with the lad I made my way down to the bridge and waited...

Good views both ways...

It was typically dull/dank but the air was fresh and clear. It reminded me of my youth when I used to stand on bridges over this very same River in Bury. Almost immediately I saw a Dipper...another one of those "haven't seen for quite a while" species...

Cracking little birds full of life and character...

They were around the whole morning, flying over the bridge, perching in trees...

and landing in various spots along the River...

Also present was its "habitat mate"...

Grey Wagtail

Nest building

There were also a pair of Coal Tits nesting in a wall...

No sign of the BK though. My pal from Papa Westray, Douglas Bowker had seen it above the Weir the previous week, so there was a faint chance...

An Oystercatcher flew over which was a surprise. A few Birders came and went as they made their way to "the field". Those I spoke to said the bird was present most of the time...but distant. I wasn't interested in that strategy I was going to stick it out till Noon. I didn't get lucky but it didn't matter, especially with the cracking, prolonged views I got of the Dipper pair.

A builder who was working near by told me a few stories of the pandemonium which ensued when the bird was first located here. Apparently it was a mudbath and cars were parked all over the shop, blocking the road and the police had to be called. Thankfully things settled down eventually. At £10 a time the Farmer has collected a tidy sum!

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This morning's stroll along the cliffs to the North started VERY well when I came across my second Black Redstart of the Year at the end of Seaside Road. After the brief glance I got of the first one, it was nice that this one lingered for a while enabling me to get some photos...

Still no Wheatear...no matter...

The evening's stroll failed to produce another sighting of the BR...and still no Wheatear! However, another surprise was in store in the form of a decent flock of Golden Plover (H.75) in the plough between the Pill Boxes. They gave an impressive display zooming around in a tight flock both low and high over the field. Fairly distant in the gloom...

...but very pleased with this grab on one pass...

A blow up of another image revealed the flock to consist of 123 birds. I always underestimate!

BTG

Three hours early doors at NDC failed to produce the potential Garganey. Still pleasant though. Haydn had a pair of GCG yesterday but I couldn't find those either! I DID score with 3 Black-tailed Godwits (67) though. Not quite the hundreds present at Wheldrake but all the more special for that.

I left at 11 to be a good lad in Bury. Going to have another go at the BK in the morning. I won't be paying £10 though, as I'm hoping to get lucky from the bridge...and I'm too tight!

Carrs and Coast

Arrived at Duff for 7.30 to thick Mist! I had a walk round the car park and adjacent footpath and could hear Chiffchaffs. I gathered my gear and headed for the Geoff Smith Hide hoping the mist would lift fairly quickly in the strengthening sun...it did...slowly!

Had a quick play through with the phonescope device. No bad at 100yds through the mist...

After an hour or so the mist had gone and I headed down to Garganey Hide for the...yeah right! Haydn said he'd be with me around 10 and I was hopping to say I'd connected by then. Alas, I didn't, it was great to see him though. We chewed the fat for 3 hours but it wasn't to be. I remained till 2 but still no joy. Disappointing.

It was a fantastic day though and the Carrs looked a picture with plenty of shallow water and Wildfowl. Pintail is a one of many special species present here. A three figure total (c120) was present...

A few Ruff were about and on occasion landed on the Bund (7)...

Another special species on the reserve

Haydn counted 7 Reed Buntings around the ditch in front of the Hide...

There were also 5 Little Egrets in view which was a record count for me. How times change!

I'd seen a couple of Marsh Harriers in the distance through the mist early doors...one now appeared much closer and headed our way...

We were treated to a couple of fly-bys...

We then had a bonus when the bird landed in the reeds some 40 yds from the Hide...

Views of this species are usually distant so this was a real treat. So, no luck this time BUT I'll be back early Sunday on my way to see my Mother on her special day.

New birds for the Year were Red-legged Partridge, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Little Egret and Goldfinch.

Plenty of marching along the Coast but still no Wheatear or Sand Martin...

Elite Songster

Tesco car park produced my first singing Blackbird yesterday! Absolute power just over the fence fence from my cat. Deep, full and fluty. Superb...

When I hear the first it always reminds me of the ones that used to sing from my Mother's house when I was a lad. I was impressed then.

VERY quiet along the Coast at the moment although Jane from With' had a Red Kite early afternoon. I'd spent a good couple of hours there late morning. Ah well. This dapper Pied Wagtail was nice though...

Much more "Birdy" activity around the lanes now as Spring develops in this fine spell of weather were enjoying. Richard had a Brambling and some Siskins on his feeders. 

I feel another trip to Duff could be in order tomorrow to meet Haydn for a catch up...and maybe a Garganey?

Lately

The news of a trickle of Garganeys making it into the Country made my mind up regardng my destination yesterday. It had to be Duff...and Garganey Hide! I arrived at 9 and had a stroll down the new path which gives great views of the River...

It was still misty...

I could hear the wonderful sound of Whooper Swans...but couldn't see any. As you know they feed on the Farm fields opposite and leave the Carrs in groups from Dawn. I then spotted a group through the haze...

Evocative

You also get better views of the area North of the bridge from this new path...

...and it paid off with my FOY Chiffchaff (57)...

I initially camped in the Geoff Smith Hide for an initial scan. It was a fantastic, crisp and clear sunny morning...

A pair of Mute Swans has taken up residence again on the scrape. I tried a couple of shots with "the device"...

A Heron landed on the far side some 80yds away...

Pleased with this one. A lone Redwing was a surprise and a nice bonus...

A few more groups of Whooper Swans left for the fields...

...and so down to Garganey Hide. 

I was reasonably hopeful but it didn't appear in my 3 hour vigil. Fortunately some Whooper Swans had decided to stay on the water, albeit distantly. The whiteness of the birds in the bright sunshine made getting a decent image with the phonescope difficult...but OK for a record shot...

There was plenty of activity to keep me entertained. Still good numbers of dapper Pintail present...

Also lots of Geese coming and going. Always worth checking for something scarcer...

Pink-footed Geese (58)

Three Oystercatchers (59) were new. I then picked out a Raptor distantly over the poplars...

Red Kite (60)

I watched it for around 15 minutes before it was lost to view. It was now gone Noon and I intended to leave at 1. More Garganey scanning, no luck there BUT the Red Kite had come to visit...

I was treated to a nice fly-by right in front of the hide! Superb. A Great end to the session. John Heaton entered the hide just as the Kite was leaving, which was unfortunate. Good to see again though. 

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Great start this morning when the first bird I saw walking down the lane was a non "Chiffchaffing" Chiffchaff (P.90, H.74)...

I walked the coast path from the Pills to Out Newton but I couldn't find a Wheatear or Sand Martin. There has been some disturbing erosio this Winter as a direct consequence of the new defences at With. Looking North from the path at Out Newton, Withernsea is looking more and more like a mini Flamborough Head...without the Cliffs of course...

You didn't used to be able to see the Lighthouse!

The Cliff at Old Hive looks completely different...

I'm sure the Sand Martins will sort it out though. I'm sure they've seen it all before!

I had a late stroll down the Pill Boxes hoping for a record breaking Sand Martin or Wheatear. It wasn't to be. Today's Chiffchaff was a day later than my earliest in 2020.