Review of the Year 2023

Here we go then...there's nothing on Tele'...

I'm (hopefully) always aware of repetition BUT it's inevitable here. Obviously you can peruse the Blog (if you're having a slow day) for the FULL details of the Highlights. I'm sure you can figure the dates out. Here, I'll try and give an interesting Summary? To try and condense the length of the report, I've posted smaller images, a simple click gives a larger view.

Nationally

8 additions, namely...

STENEGER'S SCOTER

GREY-HEADED LAPWING

BLACK-WINGED KITE

RED-FOOTED BOOBY

MAGNOLIA WARBLER

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER

CANADA WARBLER

YELLOW WARBLER

Spring, Summer and Autumn action at various points of Britain. I definitely earned the BWK in July. The moment it appeared in the bush at Dusk when hope was fading with the daylight, will live long in the memory, especially as I almost turned back through lack of updates. The gamble I took on the Scillonian for the RFB in August was also VERY satisfying, even though I could have still twitched it during my Scilly holiday in October!!! Not to know of course. The former route was far more exciting though and the stunning views of large Shearwaters was the icing on the cake for this confirmed landlubber!

The "Welsh Warbler Trio" experience in September was truly mind-blowing!!! A freak weather system had turned South Wales into Scilly/Shetland! Having connected with the superb MW at dawn on the Thursday, I still give myself a "pat on the back" for having the foresight to book a place on the boat to Ramsey Island for the BBW on the Saturday...even though it meant returning to South Wales almost straight away!! Things got even crazier on the Saturday morning when news broke of the CW (some 30 miles away) while Birders were about to board the first boat!!! The look on hardened Twitchers faces as they debated whether to board the boat or not was priceless! Never say never BUT I can't see a dilemma like that happening again? It did take the edge off the boat trip experience, unfortunately, as I had to give myself enough time to make the CW...which was an inevitable "bun-fight" due to the location. A delightful Island though and my second visit after Twitching the INDIGO BUNTING in 1995. THREE American Warblers in THREE days...UNBELIEVABLE Geoff!

The subsequent trip to Tiree for the YW was a wonderful Twitch. Good company, decent weather and a cracking Bird. Nice to get it back after 19 years! I couldn't make the PARULA on Scilly due to commitments and bad weather. 4 out of 5 ain't bad. An amazing Year for American Warblers when you key in other Species that made it, including THREE BLACK AND WHITE WARBLERS on Bardsey Island...and another CAPE MAY on Scilly. Incredible!!!

My Total now stands at 545.

County

Penduline Tit 

Brown Booby

Red-headed Bunting

I finally added PT to my List at Scarborough. I'd waited a looooong time to get this one back after misinterpreting the message about the Hay-a-Park Bird of 1992. It was a good job I arrived at dawn as the Bird had departed high West at 7.30 never to be seen again! A special moment. The BB tested my limited fitness at Humanby Gap before eventually giving itself up, later in the day after my Hospital visit! I also saw it VERY well later in the month at South Gare with Haydn. 

My total now stands at 401

The RHB is er...pending!?

Village

Glaucous Gull

Hooded Crow

PALLID HARRIER

Eurasian Bee-eater

Green Woodpecker

A combination of luck, local grapevine and coverage enabled me to add the above Species to my Holmpton List this Year. After the GG was seen at Easington, I (remarkably) saw it by the second pill and then the Sewage within an hour! A quick drive at dusk acting on info' enabled me to connect with the HC which was walking around the Hollym road in the twilight. The PH was a combination of luck and strategy as I drove up to Cliff Farm just in time for it to pass right over the car! The EB moment was the highlight though, especially as I could have missed them! A dream sighting of 12 no less, on the Clifftop. Seen inland the day before, of all the Villages they might have stopped off at on their way back South...they chose mine. Wonderful!!! A flight view of a GW on Snakey was definitely a surprise and a BIG bonus.

My "back-end" Birding fizzled out to be honest with little seen of significance barring the superb male Black Redstart down the road at With', which was a beacon in the gloom...

My Total now stands at 194

Year 129 - must do better

Duff

Squacco Heron

Bar-tailed Godwit

Reed Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Willow Tit

Re-finding the SH was the undoubted highlight after twitching it earlier in the day at Bank Island for my York Area tick. I finally added a few predicted Species including CW and GW with the help of younger ears! 

My Total now stands at 167.

Year 105 - my Best

York Area

Squacco Heron

Black Kite

Grey Phalarope

Purple Sandpiper

Four quality additions I think you would agree? All twitched from home. The BK was a pleasant evening twitch again in June and typically didn't linger and the PS was an excellent addition considering the weather and accessibility issues. Again a "one-day" Bird.

My Total now stands at 239.

Scilly

PALLID HARRIER

Purple Heron

Cory's Shearwater

Ruff

Spotted Flycatcher

I chased the PaHa on arrival in poor weather, even going across to Tresco (on my own), to no avail. I eventually had a decent, if distant flight view with Pete Greaves as it left the Islands. The radio helped me connect with a fly-over PuHe. I've already mentioned the spectacular CS experience in August. I just managed to catch the Ruff at Porthloo before it departed and the SF on the Garrison gave me the run-around before it eventually gave itself up. My 3rd GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH is definitely worth a mention...

as is viewing both Little and Lapland Bunting simultaneously on a farm track!

My Total now stands at 247.

Cyprus

DIDERIK CUCKOO

MENETRIES'S WARBLER

BAR-TAILED LARK

MOURNING WHEATEAR

BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE

BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER

Hume's Warbler 

Jack Snipe

Sanderling

Spotted Redshank

Goshawk

Savi's Warbler

THE DC was quite an event at the East of the Island. After some confusion early morning, I was able to get great views of the Bird with the help of Matt Smith. A MeWa was incredibly found at the same site!! The Eastern end also allowed me to add BTL at Cape Greco at the end of the Trip. Mandria attracted a stunning MoWh (one day) and a mobile BBS. Chuffed to find a BBS at Lady's Mile, Limassol. 

My Total now stands at 217.

Elsewhere

The Black-throated Thrush at Wykeham in February is worth a mention as is the Drake Smew (always special) seen at Tophill Low. An Osprey South at Patrington Haven in April was pleasing, as was the Oak Woodland visit to the Peak District in May for Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Nuthatch. A Ring-necked Duck at Spurn in June was a nice addition, as was the Pacific Golden Plover in July. Onto November and the superb juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard at Stone Creek was appreciated to the full, accompanied by three Hen Harriers and double figure Short-eared Owls.

That tidies things up for 2023.

All the Best for 24...

Visiting Over!

The last few days have been spent travelling Lancs and Yorks to see various relatives and exchange presents. Very enjoyable it was too.

Today it was time for a drive over to Duff. I arrived just after 10.30, gave Bud the obligatory stretch then headed for the Hide to join Haydn who'd just arrived from "Skippy". The water level was still high but I reckon it had receded some 6' allowing Wildfowl and Waders access to the Riverbank at last. It was quite a spectacle with 1000's of Birds on show. Masses of Lapwings with a sprinkling of Dunlin (c60) and Ruff (c10). Whooper Swans were more in evidence over the Reserve with a few small groups heading South, no doubt for the farm fields across the road...

Always an impressive sight.

We couldn't pick out any Scaup (although a Drake was reported after we left). Haydn had to leave and he mentioned he'd be stopping at Thorganby to look for the Drake Smew...I joined him. Unfortunately we couldn't locate it in the 30 minutes before he left for home. I gave it another hour but still no joy. I enjoyed the visit though as it gave a different aspect of the LDV...

Ellerton Church

Aughton Church

Great scenes of the flooded Valley. Pity the sunshine didn't last long; we need as much as we can at this time of Year!

My Minder made sure no-one sneaked up on me...

Unfortunately one of my old "war (Footy) wounds" has flared up, which will limit my mobility for a while. However, I WILL still be out there searching...I'll just have to adjust my strategy.

I'm in the process of completing my Review of the Year. Stay tuned...

Merry Christmas!

 

Only Bird it could be today...

Christmas Cracker

I pinched the line Tim!

Struggled to fire this morning...which isn't that unusual to be honest, especially at this uninspiring time of Year. Still, the days get longer from Friday...there's optimism for you! Started down Snakey and as Bud was doing his duty a lone Goose passed high North. Nothing unusual there...or was there? A different call...a Canada Goose...far from regular in these here parts. Only my second record this Year. Further down the lane I noticed the 4 Mute Swans were still present adjacent to the Sewage Plant.

I was peckish by 9.30, so I decided to treat myself at Couplands in With', just to warm myself up you understand! Sausage, mushroom and tomato roll went down a treat. While I was tucking in on Withernsea prom' (trying and failing to ignore Bud giving the odd passing Dog the full treatment) I caught sight of a bird in the distance (50 yds) on the old prom' ruins. First thought...Robin. I lifted my Bins...that ain't no Robin? A brief glimpse...but enough. The fine bill and general jizz meant it could only be one Species. The Bird moved off as the Prom was busy with the usual joggers, Dog walkers etc. I grabbed my camera and walked up the prom' towards the ruins. Of course...no sign! I waited...and waited. After around 15 minutes...it reappeared...

A cracking Male!

Suddenly the day had got brighter...if not weather-wise!  The Bird was typically active and mobile and soon disappeared again. I waited...again. It appeared again, just long enough for me to get a closer pic...

Then it was gone...again. Despite an hours further searching, including a look around the Lifeboat Station...

Turnstones (9) feeding on seed

...I didn't see the stunner again. 

Well, what a surprise on a Winter's morning in Withernsea!! That's the beauty of our fabulous pastime, there's always a surprise around the corner...or along the Prom' in this case!

Early Finish

Today's session at NDC was curtailed due to a misplaced delivery back home for which I had to return home...pronto!  Great to receive all the updates...until you get sent a photo of your parcel left outside someone else's front door!!! These things happen...too often?

The forecast was for a day clearing from the West, which transpired, trouble was, I was back on the A63 after a couple of hours heading East. Anyway before I left I had a few decent sightings and some excellent company. On arrival in the GSH a gentleman was already in situ. He informed me he'd seen Scaup on the river plus a few Ruff and Dunlin on the now exposed riverbank. We started to chat and it turned out he was a local Birder from Stamford Bridge called Stuart Rapson (I said I'd give you a mention)! He told me he'd got back into Birding fairly recently after retirement. I told him it was the perfect pastime to accompany it. He also mentioned he'd looked for the Drake Smew at Thorganby early doors without success. This was backed up when another Birder arrived having had a similar negative result. Hope to bump into you again soon pal.

I sorted the problem out on my return but that was the day was ruined to be honest. Never mind...

 

Old Friends

Excellent liquid lunch today with my former PE Teacher pals in York. We go back a long way (1991) and had some great laughs together to help us through the day. It was brilliant to see them both again.

I had a couple of hours at Duff beforehand...

As you can see, it was rather damp! I didn't even make the bridge to the Platform...

The usual fayre to be honest and mainly VERY distant due to the conditions. The Whooper "Herd" are still favouring Ellerton Ings...

Still, a pleasant session and a few Goldeneye came close, as close as I've ever seen them here...

The gate on the Riverbank illustrates the magnitude of the Flood...

Interesting

Early start (for me) this morning, leaving home at 7.30. I arrived at Duff just after 9. The customary walk out to the Platform with my 4 legged friend paid off when a couple of Stonechats appeared on the path fence briefly before continuing towards the River. Too quick for a pic.

As I returned to the car park a car pulled in. It was Tim Jones. After returning Bud to the car I joined him in the Geoff Smith Hide, it was good to see him. He was already "on" the Aythya flock at the extreme far end of the Reserve. He said he'd found something "interesting"? As I started to scan it became immediately apparent that the number of diving ducks had increased since my last visit on Tuesday. He gave me directions to the Bird in question which was a "Scaup type". He felt it may possibly be a LESSER!

The combination of distance and diffuse light excluded yours truly from a definitive opinion. There you go...

I estimated some 60 Tufted Ducks, 30 Pochard 15 Goldeneye and 5 Scaup. Excellent numbers for NDC. However, there was no sign of Tuesdays Red-breasted Merganser. A female Bullfinch was a nice surprise by the Hide...

...and a few Fieldfares enjoyed what was left of the fast disappearing berries...

Tim told me that another York Birder Chris Gomersall had seen SEVEN Willow Tits around the Hide! Raptors were represented by Marsh Harrier (4), Peregrine (2) and Buzzard (4). A Water Rail was heard.

I left at 1 and as I approached Howden I got a message off Tim informing me he'd picked out a Barnacle Goose amongst the Greylags. Missed that one!

Here Today

The sun shone locally today which was very much appreciated. Underfoot it was still rather...damp to put it mildly but the blue sky and still conditions more than made up for it.

After an initial stretch up at Cliff Farm (Buzzard gliding along the beach the highlight) we stopped of on Snakey "Wetlands"! The amount of surface water this Winter is unprecedented in my 12 years here and this is understandably attracting more Birds than usual on the normally bleak arable land. The PFG were present in force by the new Sewage Works near Hollym...

Also present was the largest flock of Lapwings (c200) I have ever seen here...

Eventually I took the plunge and walked Bud out along a path to the North to try and obtain better views of the Plovers and Geese. This decision paid off "in spades" when I spotted some white objects in the distance...

Little Egret (3)

More white objects...just  bigger...

Mute Swan (4)

THREE record counts, no less!!! Pun intended.

On returning to the car I spotted a covey of Grey Partridges (10)...crossing the road...

They didn't quite make it as I have seen a covey of 15 in the past. Plenty of Herons (12)...

...and Buzzards (6)...

...about also. A decent group of Golden Plovers (c100) over the Lapwings completed a grand morning out in the Sunshine...

Definitely There rather than Here!

Studying the volatile weather forecasts last night, I was leaning towards a trip inland this morning. Opening the curtains and looking at the latest projections cemented my initial instincts. It looked grim... VERY GRIM. Although the moderate NE wind made me waver momentarily. A report of a Cory's Shearwater North past Spurn also made me wonder?

Anyway, my mind was made up and I headed for NDC.

I arrived at 10 and walked Bud out to the Platform. It was fairly overcast but there was little wind and the prospect of brighter skies later was encouraging. Nothing of significance was noted. A working group of LDV volunteers were active around the car park but fortunately the GS Hide was quiet. A couple of Greenfinches near the door were noteworthy.

I set my stall out and started to scan. The water level is still extremely high and Goldeneye were noted immediately, with a couple of fine Drakes close (for Duff) to the Hide...

I was then joined by John Heaton who lives just down the road. It was good to see him again. We chatted about various things "Birdy" and he complemented me on my Blog, which was appreciated. We picked up some Red Kites, Marsh Harriers and Buzzards distantly to the North but most of the Wildfowl was tucked up to the far NW of the reserve. The light was improving slightly but viewing was still challenging. 

Another Birder arrived as we continued to scan the Birds. It's deceptive here, as the more you look the more you discover. John then had to leave and he joked that I'd find something just after he'd gone. Turns out...I did!!!

30 seconds after the door closed I was looking at a Scaup (103), the  white "blaze" standing out clearly even at distance. I called John back and tried to relocate it.  The first bird I "got on" was a... Red-breasted Merganser (104)!!!

A crazy few minutes. Exciting stuff! My third record for the reserve of the former and my second of the latter.

The hoped for "deep water Species" were turning up. John then left for good happy with his haul. Another couple arrived shortly afterwards and I found the RBM for them but alas I couldn't relocate the Scaup. Around 30 Pochard (105) were also present.

I left for lunch in Selby just after 1. I was going to return but the clouds returned in force, so I headed home. As I reached Holderness, it got darker and wetter, backing up my decision to head inland.

A sunny day forecast here tomorrow...

Timing

Today is a write off with grim, dark, cold and wet conditions, further enhancing my desire to "Winter abroad". Hopefully one day...SOON!!!

However, it won't be this Winter, or next come to that! There ARE aspects that I do like... but not many. I obviously like Birding locally and Duff is a pleasure BUT the grey days are far to frequent for my liking. So, I've just got to make the most of it...for now.

Today's wash out further enhanced my luck yesterday. To be honest it was a miracle connection considering the circumstances already aired. To return to Wheldrake Ings where I hadn't been for quite some time was a bonus to the twitch, bringing back many memories from years gone by. 

My chances of connecting would have been close to zero without the presence of Duncan and Craig. A huge area and a tiny bird in fading light are not a good combination. Reward for Duncan on his Patch and well earned no doubt. 

Historical ties to the York Area definitely enhance my Birding...

Purple Sandpiper - 1st for the York Area!

After an extremely steady couple of days relaxing at my Mother's, I returned early afternoon. A few jobs, including the traditional visit to the loft for the Christmas Tree and decorations. As I was extracting the last of the bags...a message...

12.11: North Yorkshire, Purple Sandpiper, Wheldrake Ings from bridge

A potential York Area addition!

Bearing in mind I'd driven from Bury I was er ...knackered. I had a decision to make. I reckoned I could make it for 2 but would the traffic and weather be kind? Only one way to find out. I made it through Hull no problem but as I reached Howden I was aware of the dreaded...fog. Onward. Fortunately knowing the area well obviously helped as I made my way through North Duffield and Thorganby. I turned down the very familiar Wheldrake Lane hoping I could reach the car park. I couldn't...

...I parked back up the road and managed to sneak down the side...without falling in! Once on the bridge I started to scan, it was a daunting sight...although as you can see it was relatively clear...

I couldn't see anyone else but I did pick out a roaming Dunlin flock and a few Ruff towards the Hide. It was now 2.15, so I reckoned I had a "good hour". I then heard a vehicle approaching which sounded like it had negotiated the flood water. It turned out to be Craig Ralston in his 4x4. I hadn't seen him for some time. We go way back to the early 90's. This was reinforced when he told me he'd seen the recent Black-winged Stilts after missing the 1993 trio by minutes. I remember them well, having fortunately connected. Us Birders remember!!!

We both scanned for a while but no joy. He then received a phone call, it was Duncan Bye, the finder. Things were looking up, especially when it became apparent he was looking at it near to Tower Hide! We walked the flooded path and eventually joined him. Within minutes we were both "on" the Bird...

A record Blob!

So, my gamble had paid off. Things went my way...no Fog and local help. A remarkable inland record. We all made our way back to the car park...

...and I cadged a lift over the flood to my car. I thanked them both for the help and started my return. The thickening Fog reinforced how things had gone my way. Maybe I deserved it? 

This was my 239th Species for the York Area. I still need this Species for Holmpton!!!