Lincoln Green

One of my better Blog titles...I thought?

Up at 4.30 to take the old V70 for a service. I use a guy in Lincoln who specializes in Volvos; makes sense to me. After a disaster in Hull (the McDonald's drive through was closed for "repairs"? and I find the inside of these places a complete mystery) I continued in a foul mood towards Lincoln over the Humber Bridge. I finally got some Breakfast at 7.30...not happy!

Anyway, I left the car with my Mechanic at 8 (I wanted to be first "on" so I could get away early). I headed for the common land that I had visited on my previous visit...

...with my mate of course, who had stood for the entire journey...as is his want!! He also decided to be sick just before I was due at the Garage? It was an overcast morning but as you can see there was plenty of room and very few people about. I saw one jogger and three dog walkers during my 2 hour visit. There were also 4 workmen clearing ragwort (it's toxic to Horses and Cattle apparently). 

On my previous visit I'd heard a distinctive call a couple of times but I didn't have my gear with me and didn't see anything. This time I did...have my gear that is. Sure enough within 5 minutes I'd heard it again!

I scanned the area and to my surprise and delight, I saw a bird fly across the site exhibiting its distinctive undulating flight...and promptly disappear into some longer grass. I made my way across and fortunately relocated the bird...

Adult male Green Woodpecker

Of course he saw me and flew off strongly into the adjacent Arboretum trees were they undoubtedly nested. How do I know they had  nested? Well, there were FOUR of them!!! The Adults plus a juvenile male and female. How wonderful. The wait for my car was going to pass quickly...I hoped.

I mooched around the area exercising Bud and scanning the whole area regularly. No doubt due to the family group scenario (as Glen Hoddle would say) the birds were VERY vocal which obviously helped locate them. This is a shy and very wary Species. The open area (which used to be Football pitches - sign of the times?) was surrounded by mature trees. Thick cover on the Arboretum side and isolated ones elsewhere. There were a few telegraph poles...aka trees also!?

So, my challenge was to try and get a clearer view and maybe a decent pic or two. Should be good fun! It went well...VERY well. Here are some pics...

A distant view on a "tree"...

Dad feeding son...

Brother and Sister...

Son...

They'd spent their time feeding on the ground and then visiting various trees and poles on the perimeter. I decided to position myself against the Arboretum wall amongst some bushes, hoping I got lucky. I did...

Young man

Young Lady

I'm thinking the young are more approachable/naive? Who cares, these were the best views I've ever had of this Species. Adding another to my imaginary "Better views desired" list!

This wasn't how I thought the morning would go, which made the experience all the sweeter in such a peaceful setting...in the middle of the City!? Urban Birding at its best. I also saw a Buzzard and 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

You never know in this game...do you?

Waiting for a Crane

You may...or may not remember my dip on Friday on my way back from Potteric Carr? Anyway, on Monday I returned to Blacktoft and gave it 4 hours in Singleton Hide (10 - 2). People came and went but the Hide was never full...just in case you were wondering! Alas, the BIG ones never appeared although there was plenty on offer to enjoy.

Yesterday morning Louise informed me she'd had some cancellations, so I suggested a morning out...at Blacktoft! Could it be third time lucky? The Cranes have been commuting between here and Alkborough Flats but with no real pattern, which increased the "fun"?

The reserve was very quiet on arrival, we gathered our stuff and headed for Singleton Hide. After finding a bench we started to scan. There they were...TIMING...

My perseverance had paid off. I was really pleased that they were there for Louise. We set the scope up and enjoyed prolonged, if distant views of the 4 stars. Three adults and one "sub". Another addition to my "Quality Birds for the Year" List...which I don't have!

Other notable species present were...

Wood Sandpiper...

Spotted Redshank (7) ...

Bearded Tit (10) ...

Black-tailed Godwit c150...

Little Egret (c50)...

The Stately Stars were the main attraction though...

Just before we left Geoff Dobbs and Gary Dayes entered the hide. It was great to see them both. The Cranes were on show immediately for them. That's Birding!

Bringing in the Sheaves

A memory from watching "How the West was Won" as a lad! Brilliant Film.

It's that time of Year. Harvest time. Removal of crops means better viewing and more habitat attractive to Birds.  Yesterday mornings jaunt North along the Cliff failed to locate any Little Gulls. A three figure flock had been seen at the Sewage by Gavin earlier. I did see my first returning (heavily moulting) Whimbrel (P.109, H.97) though...

Mid-afternoon I had a drive around the local lanes looking for Gulls... and anything else for that matter. I lovely male Marsh Harrier on Snakey was pleasing. Around 20 LBB Gulls were seen...

The main attraction though was the Mediterranean Gulls. A conservative estimate would be 30 birds in different groups. One held 10 birds in a mixed flock of 60! There were a decent number of Common around also.

One front centre

A few images...

Dapper birds...

Passing Intack on the way to Tesco I had a scan at the House Martin colony based here...

I was amazed and pleased to discover c100 birds feeding over and around the house. Great news. Must be a good breeding season for many Species with the favourable weather this Year.

BWS - Rare Breeder

I finally made the pilgrimage to Potteric Carr YWT Reserve yesterday morning. Trying to maintain my mantra of selecting certain species to view again I left home at 6 to beat the Hull traffic. After a couple of minor hitches which I won't bore you with I was on the M18 and heading SW towards Doncaster.

PC is a reserve I haven't been to often. I went there many moons ago to see the "exciting" IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF! I arrived just after 9 and was surprised and disappointed to see so many cars already present. Anyway, I got my map and started the long trek to Piper Marsh Hide...and I mean LONG! The reserve is mature now with thick cover on the trails which means viewing is limited, very limited. I eventually made it to the Hide after a good 30 minute walk. As I entered the Hide I was pleased to see a familiar face in the form of John Harriman. I've known John since 1986 when I first started Birding. I was living in Scawby near Scunny and I met him at Messingham Sand Quarry, when he entered the hide mentioning he'd just seen a GSW. Strange what you remember!

He informed me all 6 birds were present and they'd all been together some 5 minutes previous. Of course, they were scattered and distant now. I settled in next to him, as the hide fortunately wasn't crowded? I enjoyed a pleasant hour watching the Stilts and chatting (quietly of course) with John before the crowds gathered and I left. I won't be returning in a hurry...unless?

A juvenile in the shadows...

An Adult doing what Stilts do...

A few more...

A few observations...

• The Adults were (understandably) VERY aggressive to the other birds present including Green Sandpiper (my FOY), Lapwing and Little Egret.
• All 6 birds were very mobile.
• They landed and stayed on one leg on numerous occasions
• Unfortunately they never came and fed in front of the Hide during my visit, which they apparently did on a regular basis!

Going to see this Species brought back memories of my best (joint) find (3 birds) at Wheldrake Ings in May 1993. I have mentioned this before but worth another I thought!

On my return I was hoping for news of the Cranes at Blacktoft Sands. There wasn't any as I approached the Humber Bridge...then there was! I U-turned and headed for BS. Definitely worth a look...hopefully. As I entered Singleton Hide I was pleased to see some spaces on the benches. I settled in and scanned. Big Birds Cranes!! No sign. I whispered a question to the bloke next to me. He informed me they'd just flown off towards Aldbrough!!! Oh dear, I thought.

That's Birding...

BIRDS!!!

At last...some movement! 

There was only one place to be on the hottest day of the Year...the Beach with "ma boy"...

A merciful breeze kept us at a pleasant temperature as we walked North. Bud was cooled even more by a series of swims. Still going strong into his twelfth year...thankfully. I nearly joined him! Passed a few bits on the way. Singing Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, a sprinkling of Sand Martins and Swallows also. 

Some Terns...Sandwich? No, Common, half-a-dozen fishing close inshore. Excellent! The gentle South-Easterly didn't promise much BUT...some Dunlin, (H.95, P.108) three groups, totaling 25 birds South. Then, 5 Curlew followed by 6 Sanderling. Then the icing on the cake in the form of 14 Black-tailed Godwits (H.96, P.108) powering South 200yds offshore. A definite rush of adrenaline and interest was experienced! Especially when another adult Med' Gull appeared...

Amazingly it flew towards me and landed on the Beach...

Also present was an adult LBB Gull with a juvenile in tow...

Head shape

As we all know, there ARE quiet times during the Birding Year...depending on your movements, circumstances and finances of course. The advent of Wader movement gives a boost to Birding here at Holmpton, as little lingers in our limited habitat. However, I can watch it all pass by!

The Sea has many hidden treasures. It just needs patience.

On the return it was great to see a family (possibly two) of Yellow Wagtails briefly through the heat haze by the pea field...

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A couple of MEGA records in California lately. A GREY-TAILED TATTLER in San Diego Bay. A second for California and a first for San Diego County. Also a GUADALUPE MURRELET was found by Birding Pal Gary Nunn 20 miles offshore from Point Loma, San Diego County.

Hints of Change

Just hints mind you!

The Farmers have started to mobilize and some fields are now ploughed enabling birds to alight and yours truly to view them. YesterdayI left home early as I was heading over to Lancs to visit "me Mum". As I made my way along Snakey a tractor was tilling a field and was attracting a decent flock of Gulls.

I wonder?

A superb adult in sp. Unfortunately the Tractor started up again and the flock obviously followed but not before I managed another...

After discussions with "Management" due to the current horrendous economic climate we'll be going to Cyprus for our Spring break next Year and I'm more than happy to do so. As you know I had a great Texas Trip this Year so a return to Cyprus will be just the ticket and another "round up reminisce".  We'll be going a week later than previous visits to hopefully "catch" a few later Migrants. Based in Paphos we'll be able to explore the whole Island with nowhere more than 2 hours away...unlike Texas!

It'll also be good to catch up with some of the Islands resident Birders as well as annual visitors. Much more...much later!

BBA Dip

Took the Boss  North to Bempton on Monday...early. We left the Cottage at 6.30 (couldn't suggest anything earlier on her day off!) and arrived at Bempton around 8 after the mandatory McDonald's breakfast in Brid'. The BBA had roosted on the Cliff the previous evening and no there were no reports of an early departure. We sarted to walk to Staple Nook with our lad when we bumped into Trevor (Charlton) the finder of "The Shrike"...full story here. Thanks for the mention pal. After a quick chat we continued, as time was of the essence.

It was a superb summer morning with sunshine and a gentle breeze. As we approached SN I was pleased to see there were only around 10 people at the viewpoint. Louise hadn't seen the Albatross so I was hoping we'd be lucky. We weren't, as we were greeted with the news that it had been on the water but had been flushed by a boat (not many boats around here) and flown out to sea!

Louise was as philosophical as ever but I have to admit I was gutted for her after making the effort. We decided to take Buddy a walk North to the far end of the reserve, stopping off at the other viewpoints to show her some of the Species present and their young...

Around 11 there was a report that Albert had returned and of course we were at the wrong end of the reserve. We marched back to SN only to find a group of puzzled faces when I asked if he was present? Turns out the report was..."erroneous"!! It just wasn't to be and we left at Noon as the crowds gathered and the temperature rose. A great place to be regardless, on a Summers morning. She said she was willing to have another crack, so were not beaten yet.

Locally were being woken by a pair of Herring Gulls that have taken a liking to our Chimney. They had a half-hearted attempt to build a nest but there's not enough room...

This morning I had a ride down to Skeffling. I was going to walk to Welwick to check out the progress on the Coastal re-alignment but the grass was too long. Plenty of JCB's "at it" in the distance though. Highlight was around 100 Swallows lingering by the sluice...