Grey Wagtail

A local WhatsApp group message from Richard enabled me to add this Species to my Year List on a brief sojourn to Tesco at lunchtime. The bird was still lingering in the Runnel being handily places by the pull-in at the roadside. 

Although in deep shade, I sneaked a pic...

(P.79, H.73)

 

Another report of a Raven moving South probably flew over Tesco when I was otherwise involved!

Cold Snap...Again!

It IS still February!

Three hour "sesh" Thursday morning at Duff on my way to me Mum's...

Prawn Sandwich Brigade at the Pack Horse, Bury

 I popped to Skipwith first though but still couldn't locate a Woodlark...

Highlights at NDC were...close views of this Peregrine on a kill by Garganey Hide. Many thanks to a visiting Birder for alerting me to it...

Redshank and Curlew numbers are now in double figures but still no Oystercatcher. Still plenty of Raptor sightings with 3 Marsh Harriers and 2 Red Kites.No luck with the lingering Hen Harrier though.

Brass monkeys here this am with a strong Northerly present. This singing Greenfinch in next doors garden made me feel humble though...

Hope Springs Eternal

Decent number of species singing/displaying now...which is nice. Still VERY early days but I'll take anything in February! This time next week we'll be in March. "White Rabbits" and all that. In 3 weeks we'll be in Cyprus...well Louise and I will!!!

Today is the first day I've started to plan my Trip. Having been a few times I like to think I've got the idea by now. I've also got some decent contacts and made some friends on previous visits, which will enhance the experience no doubt. There are still a few Species I "need". One example would be lucking in on migrating Demoiselle Cranes (rarer in Spring). I will be trying hard for this experience as I did for Magnificent Frigatebird in Texas last Spring..if you recall? Wouldn't complain if I found a GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL (I am aware of the new name) either!

My main aim is "self-found" although I'm not averse to sneaking a view of the odd Rarity when appropriate!

Cyprus ticks many boxes for me (if you'll pardon the pun)...

Cheap!

Nice Weather

No high Temps or Humidity

Quiet

Access is easy

No language issues

No jabs 

No risks

No long drives wasting time - Longest being a couple of hours to Cape Greco and Troodos. That's "round the corner" in Texas terms!

Oh and some great Birds with a decent chance of a few surprises during the excellent Migration.

We'll be based in Paphos again, which gives easy access to many of the best Sites in the West and Centre of the Island...and MUCH more importantly has all the "mod-cons" for Louise!!! The Motorway is excellent and very quiet (hardly any lorries) and the Larnaca area (which has some excellent Sites) is only 90 minutes away.

That'll do for now. Wherever you're going this year...make sure you have a great time. We ALL deserve it!

Black-throated Thrush

 A message from Phil last night tempted me to try for a double/treble at Wyekham today. I left at 7.30 and arrived just before 10. Yorkshire is a BIG County! Phil had already seen the Thrush and was at the Viewpoint hoping for Goshawk. I decided to join him, figuring the BTT would be present all day? Hopefully not a "Schoolboy error"!

I was surprised to see only one other Birder present was I joined him. It was a VERY windy day but the Watchpoint area was reasonably sheltered...thankfully. Phil informed me that the other Birder had had a sighting which gave hope. We were then joined by Gary Dayes and Stuart Griffiths, it was good to see them both. Tim Isherwood then arrived with his wife...and dog, followed shortly afterwards by Steve Webb. Quite a gathering. After another 20 minutes or so Gary picked a bird up that gave decent mid-range views, if only briefly, Phil managed to get a few pics and it appeared to be a young bird...

This area is good for Crossbill and eventually a juvenile perched close enough and long enough for me to get a pic...

A couple more extreme (and unsatisfactory) distance sightings were had before we left to try for the BTT at Noon. We drove the short distance down the track, parked up. Phil walked up to my car and said the group (c40) looked as if they were "interested". I was halfway through my ham sandwich and crisps and said I'd follow on shortly. Luckily I changed my mind as the bird showed well briefly before flying back from the field into the trees. A young lad miraculously picked it out in the top of a tall conifer, allowing decent scope views before it flew off once more. The bird flew around the large field perching a couple of time briefly before disappearing around 1 and wasn't seen again all afternoon!?

Black-throated Thrush

This was my 4th record for Britain, having remarkably seen two fairly close together in the Midlands in the Winter of 1996 at Webheath and Werrington respectively. Both these individuals were in small house gardens. I also saw the Buckton individual for my Yorkshire tick. It's quite an upright stately looking Thrush, whilst not being a "stunner"...it's still a fine Thrush and a rare one at that!!

For the Record

A trio of modest additions over a quiet Weekend. Both Species of domestic Thrush were singing this morning providing a nice comparison. Mistle (P.76, H.70) beIng my FOY. Our traditional Sunday morning stroll around the Village produced my first House Sparrow (P.77, H.71) sighting of the Year. Not that I've been chasing one! The cold weather in January certainly thinned them out. To complete the "rare" trio, 4 Mallards (H.72) flew over the Sewage.

A trip to Wykeham is the order of the day tomorrow...

If at first...

After Tuesdays disappointment I returned to NDC yesterday arriving at 9.30. In an effort to add some Year ticks I was thinking of spending some time around the bushes. This idea was backed up when during a brief phone chat with Louise a Treecreeper (60) flew into the hedge in front of me! Only my 5th record.

Buoyed by this success I headed for the repaired hut. They'd done a great job. Many thanks! Hopefully Garganey Hide will be next?

Having set my stall out I decided to check out the feeding station. No food present but some birds were. A mixed flock were on tour. The usual Blue and Great Tits accompanied by my first Long-tailed (61).

Then... something different...and special, a brief initial naked eye glimpse but no doubt...a Marsh/Willow Tit!!! Could it be relocated before it inevitably moved on? Fortunately it lingered, enabling me (with the help of the screen) to obtain some good pics.

BUT... which one?

It's been MANY Years since I'd seen either!! Being long in the tooth I'm aware of the pitfalls in separating these two without call (which it didn't). A few texts with Haydn who "gets" Marsh on Skipwith Common backed up my view. Not all individuals show the supposedly "classic" plumage features.

For me, I go for structure rather than plumage (being an ID Guru!!?) and this bird looks bull-headed, so Willow (L.161, Y.62) for me...a NDC Lifer! Only took 37 years!!

The bird was present for around 10 minutes....on and off. I will add plumage thoughts for what they're worth! The first image exhibits a "bull-headed" feel and evidence of pale wing panel and full bib. Also a decent amount of white in cheek...

Posture of a bird can also affect the structural "look"...

On these two though there is no evidence of a wing panel and the bird looks daintier with a small bib?

Suggests smaller white cheek?

A larger image...

Proving photos can be deceptive...distance, angle, light etc. I'm not going down the dull or shiny cap route or the white mark on the base of the bill...on "most"! Many reputable Websites state call is the only true indicator, as there are exceptions in plumage for both Species. I can see why! Great to have it on my Patch whatever. My impression on the day was chunky rather than dainty.

Birdguides Website..."Visually the two species are difficult to seperate and a key feature is the call"

Other "moments" included this young Peregrine perched on a Riverside fence post...

An extremely distant Red Kite perched on a snag by the River...

You may be able to pick out the pale head and forked tail on this dodgy crop? The Peregrine kept the Waders honest...

Easily 2000 Lapwings present (no Golden Plover) and an impressive 177 Dunlin! 

A Buzzard appeared near my lay-by at lunchtime as I ate the obligatory Chip Butty...

The afternoon session failed to produce anything new but Marsh Harriers (3) patrolled the Carrs and provided further interest...

 Very enjoyable...

Lighter Nights

Thought I'd start with a positive.

Here's a negative...I HATE Winter! The endless evenings are grim indeed. I hate it more with every Year and if my circumstances were different I wouldn't be in England from mid-November through mid-April...so there! Hopefully I'll be around long enough to put this plan into operation in the coming Years?

However, I AM in England and I try to make the most of it. I'll qualify this statement by saying I love living in Holmpton and trudging the East Coast and surrounds, trying to eek out any jewels I can find. In an effort to drop some Christmas stodge I've been clocking up the miles whilst Birding and Dog walking of course. I've dropped 10lbs and will try to drop the same again. It's doable.

Enough of my pipe dreams..what about the Birds? 

Saturday morning I tried a few field ditches on Snakey hoping to find a certain species...I was eventually successful with Bud's help...Snipe (P.71, H.

Onto Sunday afternoon when a lone Redwing on School Lane at 4.20 was notable...

...as was the Sunset...

Still plenty on Snakey but unusual around the Clifftop. Context. To back this statement up I had a flock of around 50 on Snakey Monday morning....as well as c150 Fieldfares.

Yesterday I made the trip to Duff as it was foggy here and I gambled on it burning off by the time I got there...it didn't!

From the viewing Platform

As I returned from the Platform a few cars had arrived (which didn't go down well with my mate). Turned out they were there to repair the Geoff Smith Hide which had been vandalised over the Weekend. Thankfully this is a rare event but depressing none the less. Hopefully they'll repair Garganey Hide also.

View from Garganey Hide

It was a fresh 4C as I set my stall out. You could just about see over the "Bund" and thankfully there were plenty of Birds viewable. Hundreds of Teal were tucked up along it. I checked them all for a Green-winged...alas no. I could make out a few Whooper Swans and I could hear many more through the fog. A few Pintail came into view...

With limited visibility it was hard going and it wasn't "lifting". Still you never know what might show up...

A couple have been present all Winter. The other bird kept its distance...

I decided on an early lunch hoping it would clear later. Unfortunately it wasn't to be and the Vale of York micro-climate won the day. This was rubbed in somewhat as it was a blue sky day in Howden on my way home. I'll be back...tomorrow!

Trying to salvage something from the day I detoured via Stone Creek on my way home for the last hour. This turned out to be a good decision as it was a lovely evening and I scored with a Short-eared Owl, Merlin, Marsh Harrier (5) and Barn Owl (3).

The forecast for today was favourable so I left the Cottage at 7.30. As I turned onto Seaside Rd I could see a group of small birds (6) in a bush by The Rowans...

Greenfinch (P. 73, H.66)

I hadn't been walking North long when 4 Brent Geese (H.67) headed South...

Still plenty of Red-throated Divers offshore...

The sun was rising now and things were warming up. Skylarks seemed to be everywhere all of a sudden. Lots of squabbling was noticed combined with low level flights and hovering. Many were in sub-song. An extremely uplifting scene after some drab days...

During my 3 mile walk I estimated at least 30 birds present...

There were also some Meadow Pipits present, some of which were also briefly displaying and making short flights out over the sea. The Llama Farm was devoid of Birds...not even a Sparrow (haven't seen House or Tree this Year!)...

 A lone Curlew was just to the North...

As I approached the Sewage I could see a couple of fishermen (so did Bud) so I diverted to the fence around it. As already stated, it is completely demolished now and they even filled the ditch in...unfortunately. However, the bushes and "rough stuff" are still present, so there is some habitat remaining.

As I turned the corner I heard a weak Sparrow-like call. Moving further round...there it was...my FOY...

Tree Sparrow (P.75, H.68)

Just a single bird...BUT as good a find as any this Year...a jewel of a sighting in my book. Around 3 I had a stroll along the lane, heading up the dead end around the corner. I managed to connect with a couple of "Richard's" Siskins (P.76, H.69) when they perched briefly in the treetops. A Great Spotted Woodpecker lingered longer...

Lucky to have them in the Village. Half-a-dozen Long-tailed Tits added to the interest. 

I finished off at Skeffling for the last hour. No Harriers or SEO but close views of a couple of Barn Owls over the car park was ample compensation...

Another "through the windscreen" classic!

Decent day. Maybe I don't hate Winter so much after all!!

Three times Lucky

First sighting of note was Wednesday...a Snakey Lane special. I was heading to Pat' for a trim whn a decent sized dark Raptor drifted  cross the lane heading South. There are plenty of pull-ins/passing places on Snakey but they always seem to be in the wrong place when a bird appears! 

Hence the dodgy photo through the windscreen...

Marsh Harrier (H.61)

...and away South...

Thursday I made my second visit to Duff', as I figured the water levels would be just about perfect with the dry spell were experiencing. Great views of a chestnut Buzzard warming up on Snakey as I left...

On arrival at 10 I walked Bud to the platform but nothing was seen in the bushes. I set up in GS Hide and was pleased to see my hunch was correct as the water had indeed receded to reveal the "spits" towards the River. This enables excellent feeding areas for Waders...

There was also far more Wildfowl present as the surrounding areas of water had all but dried up, concentrating the birds on the Carrs. Lovely!

There is a bird on a fencepost in the far distance?

Peregrine - female

This bird never moved (as far as I'm aware) during my 5 hour visit. Maybe she had dined early? A pair of Mute Swans had started to prospecting for a possible nest site...

Other highlights were Red Kite, Marsh Harrier ( 2cc), Little Egret (2), Dunlin (65), Ruff (6), Curlew (4).

I also had another good chat with a local Birder, namely John Clarke. He told me he'd been a Birder since his youth and had lived in York all his life. Amazing I'd never bumped into him before! He'd cycled down...not bad for 76!!!

Today's early morning jaunt North revealed  yet more RTD on the sea. Another fine spectacle with at least 200 birds on the sea and in flight. An obvious bigger Diver was my first Great Northern (P.69, H. 62) of the Year. After returning home from a long walk on the beach I took in some of the India v Australia Test. While watching an excellent Test Match (proper Cricket)...a message in forming me the Iceland Gull had re-appeared on the beach at the Gas Terminal. I have to admit I didn't respond immediately...as I was knackered...but eventually I made the short drive South. On arrival I was the only one present. I walked to the cliff edge and scanned. Remarkably, I picked it up immediately on the beach to the South. It soon took flight and fortunately headed North towards me, enabling me to get a few pics...

P.70

Another Birder arrived who'd driven down from Hornsea. I just managed to get him "on it" before it disappeared North around the Cliff...

12.09

He continued North, while I headed back home...it was a bit nippy! On the way though I started wondering about the movement of this Bird...as we do. It was a long shot but I decided to give it a go at the Sewage. I toyed with Out Newton and Seaside Road but I figured the Sewage gave me more time if it was flying North?

I arrived around 12.25. As I turned the engine off, a bird flew over the car...Iceland Gull!!!

H.62

Rather fortunate...with a bit of strategic planning?!

I returned home for a late lunch glowing in my good fortune. As you know, I usually have a stroll late afternoon BUT today I thought I'd go earlier. Maybe the local celebrity would re-appear? I know this was pushing my luck. Anyway, of we went towards the second pill. The tide was out with just a few fishermen on the beach. The wind was cutting as we passed the first pill. I scanned North but the beach looked empty. I heard a Redshank and sure enough it landed on the beach. It was only there for a few seconds before continuing South...

It was now just gone 3. A lone Gull caught my eye in the distance...surely not?

Blimey! My lucky day. I rang Richard again (I'd contacted him at lunchtime) and this time he answered and said he was on his way. The bird made the occasional flight but lingered in the same area until he arrived...

Days like today make all the baron ones fade from the memory...

An unexpectedly exciting occasion on a bleak February day. That's Birding...sometimes...