Local Specials

Back to "The Sewage"...and why not? Very Scenic!

Can you see it?

The bird was very tame but I kept my distance as it fed...

It was a clear sunny morning with little wind. We left the bird in peace and went South for our walk. Nothing else of note was seen. As I neared the car I wasn't surprised to see the SB still feeding in the same area. I had to pass it but as I did it started to walk towards me! Why not I thought...

The PFG are still lingering which is simply wonderful. This morning the whole flock (c1000) appeared to the South and flew over the Village. A magnificent sight...and sound!

Forgot to mention my Garden Tick. A Little Egret (81) flew past the front window while I was watching the World Cup. Dreamlando!

Snow Buntings

I have to admit I've been prioritizing the World Cup on these dismal November days. However that doesn't mean I haven't been "out there"; after all my doggy needs walking!

The V70 seems OK now? So, I've been to the Sewage the last couple of mornings, first thing. Yesterday I headed South along the Clifftop through the thick mud. Almost immediately I saw a lose group of small birds overhead. Even through the gloom I could see plenty of white in the wing as they moved out onto the beach and landed...

4 of 5 Snow Buntings. Not a scenario I've seen very often

Unfortunately, or fortunately I guess, a Merlin flew through and I didn't see them again. The afternoon stroll was brightened up by this pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at the end of my lane...

There was only one place to go this morning...back to the Sewage! Another grim November morning with diffuse light. Through the mud South once again! A couple of SB were feeding separately...

...but soon disappeared over the Cliff. I was walking into what light there was and couldn't pick them out. We walked to the Llama Farm with nothing of note seen. With the sun now trying to break through and behind me I was hoping for better views. As I approached the car I bent down to pick Buds ball up and there right by it was a Snow Bunting unobtrusively feeding and totally unconcerned by our presence!!

The next few minutes were truly special as I watched this little gem. A couple of shots...

Love this one...

A gentle species

I've said it before and I'll no doubt say it again...sooooooo fortunate to have this Species wintering locally! I'll be back...

Round up

Birthday boy yesterday. 21 again x3 plus 3! Time to receive my "well earned" Pension. I thought it was time to do a round up of pics to hopefully give a flavour of the season. Mist and mellow fruitfulness ...and all that...

We still have the PFG flock with us (c1000)...

8 Brent Geese in the first field North along the Cliff was a nice surprise...

The pair of Stonechats have returned to the Runnel...

A lone exhausted Fieldfare making first landfall and no doubt relieved...

Mid-afternoon yesterday I had a run down Snakey to charge my ailing car. It panned out well as a decent group of migrant Waders were present...

Curlew, one of 13.

Some of the 82 Lapwings present plus 5 Golden Plovers

This morning I had a stroll down Rysome Road to check out the Hawthorne's that still have plenty of berries. Still plenty of Blackbirds present (c100) and a few Fieldfares (c20) and Redwing (c10). No Waxwings though...yet!?

Little Auk

Bit breezy this morning! The rain was clearing from the East so off we went. Still evidence of the Blackbird invasion with a dozen or so around the Paddock hedge.

We battled our way to the second Pill with nothing seen till...a Snow Bunting shot South. After a good chat with Gavin and his wife we started the return walk. Something caught my eye flying erratically along the beach. First thought was Dunlin...BUT it wasn't! Blimey...it was a Little Auk!!! (P.139, H.133). The tiny bird swirled along the beach fighting the strong SE wind,  an amazing and very welcome sight. I just managed to grab a record shot as it continued South...

BOC pic...

Plenty seen up and down the Coast today...but this one was mine! Only my second record and I can safely say my best view. The PFG flock is remaining faithful to the area, although mobile and I had another Barn Owl on Snakey at dusk but the day belonged to the Little Auk.

4 and 20...and then some!

Change of scenery today with an early start to the South at Cliff Farm. Starting issues with the V70 have meant local movements have been restricted lately but I'm informed the problem was indeed the battery after all!?

As I drove slowly up the approach track I could see some Thrushes on the path. A couple were perched in a small isolated bush. Although it was only just light I could pick out a Redwing and a Fieldfare...

8.18

After parking I had a walk around the small pool...

...but no luck with any Snipe sp. A few Lapwings (7) drifted "in off"...

Bud had a stretch...

Then a russet Woodcock flew right over my car! Around 10 I decided to make a move as I had a few things to do. As I approached the Village I could see and hear a substantial number of PFG to the West. As I pulled over to let a car past, a small bird flew across the road in front of me, showing significant white in the wing. Snow Bunting!!! I wasn't sure how far it had gone but I took the Rysome Rd turn and scanned the field for 30 minutes but I couldn't find it. An excellent record though and my first away from the Cliffs.

Whilst I was searching it became apparent that there had been a significant arrival of Blackbirds (interestingly I didn't see any at Cliff Farm). A conservative estimate would be 100 in the adjacent hedgerows. As I drove to Ottringham along Snakey and beyond the bushes were filled with them. At least another 300 in the 3 mile stretch to Patrington. On reaching Ottringham they seemed to be in every garden. I've never seen so many in my 11 Years here. Visible migration par excellence!

Late afternoon I checked the Barn Owl site and sure enough both birds were performing well.

Dry Window

Just 9 till 11 today before the predicted heavy rain arrived. Strong winds overnight producing an impressive wild sea...

Using the Pill box for shelter I stood...and watched. Highlights were...

Woodcock - in my lane as I left the Cottage!

Drake Pintail

Little Gull 3

As the dark nights lengthen I thought I'd post a few memories and also tell a few yarns that you may or may not be interested in. I'll start with a couple of pics, one form the West...

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Galveston, Texas

...and one from the East... 

One of 18 Egyptian Vultures seen at Jebel Hafeet, Al Ain, UAE in November 2019

Something to brighten things up...

Quality not quantity

Someone turned the Wildfowl tap off! There was still some movement but nothing like yesterday...which was spectacular...for here!

I don't lug my 'scope around these days. It's enough keeping my eye on Bud! So, I use my Trinnies and Lumix, which is fine by me. It's amazing what you can pick out with this "combo". For example this distant flock of Eiders (c 3 miles) can be picked out with 8x bins and recorded with the Lumix...

P.136, H.130. 

I saw 4 more later in the day. Returning along the Clifftop I received a message off Richard informing me he'd "had" a Great Crested Grebe off School lane, drifting North. Despite a good grilling of the waves I couldn't re-locate it. I did have an Oystercatcher fly directly over my head though...

After lunch I had another stroll down to the second pill. It was pretty quiet...until I spotted a couple of tiny "blobs" (technical term) that turned out to be a cracking pair of Goldeneye (P.137, H.131)...

An extremely satisfying record. Only my fourth and the first on the sea.

On my return I noticed a small group of Geese in an adjacent field...I'd possibly walked right passed them, although I prefer to think they'd just landed!? Whatever, they were there now. At first glance I thought PFG; I was surprised to find that they were Brents...

I finished off on the tarmac on Seaside were I added a long overdue Little Gull (P.138, H.132) Year Tick. I estimated 20 birds South. Some outstanding "context" sightings today.

Maybe November isn't so bad after all...

An even better day - considering!!!

The Forecast was for rain, lots of it, so up early and out along the Cliff with dark clouds looming to the West. It was immediately apparent that Wildfowl was "on the move". A very unusual pairing came in the form of a Shelduck and Brent Goose...

A first!

Plenty of Wigeon...

...and Teal...

...BUT could there be something more unusual amongst them? I returned to Seaside Road anticipating severe precipitation when a pair of small ducks flew right over my head. Tufted Ducks! I then picked out a few Shovelers through the gloom...

Red-throated Divers...

More Brents...

I also "had" a few Gadwall, a pair of Pintail and my first drake Pochard. I took Bud home as the rain increased and headed for the Sewage. Gavin was there, sat on his chair. I watched from the car for a while before heading home for a cuppa, passing Richard on the way! An excellent session. That bumps my Holmpton Year Total up to 129 with Pochard being a Village Lifer!

Maybe more to come tomorrow?

A decent day...considering!

Plenty of fog around "these here parts" the last couple of days. Yesterday was a write off BUT a lovely sunset was enjoyed on the traditional dusk walk...which definitely saved the day...

You knew it was coming...

This morning the three of us set off for a "good walk" into the fog around 9. Blackbirds lined the hedgerows indicating movement was still ongoing. Then a flock of c50 Fieldfares on Snakey. Decent numbers of Starling flocks also. After taking the Welwick Road off Snakey, we took the track that brought us out on Rysome Rd. This was the first time we'd done this walk and despite the limited visibility we enjoyed it. Yet more Fieldfares and Blackbirds were seen, busily feeding on the berries and a bonus Great-spotted Woodpecker. A good morning.

After lunch a Tesco visit was in order which meant a stop-off at the Sewage. This was a solo stroll. I walked South towards the Llama Farm. I'd only gone around 100yds when I spotted something interesting on the edge of the Cliff. It was what I was hoping for...

Snow Bunting

I was lucky as the bird had just landed and I was quick enough to get this shot before it disappeared over the Cliff edge.

I continued to the Farm where the two Stonechats were feeding in the distance...

On the return I was obviously scanning again for the SB. Sure enough it was back in the same area. I didn't want to disturb it but I managed a couple more pics...

Cute!

After Tesco I drove to the South of the Village, parked up and waited. It was now 3.30. That's one of the few pluses of Winter Birding...you can go "Owling" earlier! Sure enough at 3.45 the pair emerged from the building, one perching briefly on a wall...

I returned home for my lad and we walked down to the Cliff; it was now 4.30. The light had "gone" BUT I could see a raft of Ducks fairly close in. Using the camera as a "Night sight" I could make out some Wigeon quite clearly...

...plus some smaller silhouettes which had to be Teal. Handy! I estimated 150 birds in three groups...

Again, I'm impressed with how much light modern cameras can "grab". A much better day than anticipated...considering...