A day out with the good lady. We arrived at NDC at 9.30 where she left me for 3 hours lol while she headed for the Designer Outlet!
I headed straight for the GS Hide and discovered the flood was extensive...
A day out with the good lady. We arrived at NDC at 9.30 where she left me for 3 hours lol while she headed for the Designer Outlet!
I headed straight for the GS Hide and discovered the flood was extensive...
Storm Darragh has certainly left its mark on my old Patch! As I waited at the lights at Bubwith bridge it was clear that the water has arrived.
As I got out of the car I could hear a roar? Lifting my glasses I could see multiple breeches of the Riverbank and significant amounts of water pouring onto the Carrs.
Good...and bad news. I spent an excellent 3 hours with Haydn in the Geoff Smith Hide enjoying constant action both near and far. Clouds of Lapwing (c500), Golden Plover (200) and Dunlin (c80). Wildfowl numbers had increased dramatically with c40 Pintail now present and Marsh Harriers were making the most of the rising waters, as were the Herons.
A male Bullfinch flew close by and landed briefly for us to enjoy, always noteworthy. Haydn picked up a distant Red Kite and there were at least 4 Stonechats feeding around the scrape that also contained a couple of Little Grebes.
Hundreds of Starlings were feeding on the Riverbank which was now more like an extended Weir!
A few Mute Swans were present but the presumed Whoopers were viewed distantly on Ellerton Ings
So... what's the bad news?
From experience there's no doubt the flood will be significant and will almost certainly fill the whole area, covering Garganey Hide and limiting resting/feeding areas for many Species. It will become a vast lake!
Yes, it will attract diving Duck and possibly something unusual but I prefer it...shallower! Having said that a drake Smew would be most welcome!
Anyway, we definitely have water now!!! I'll be back early next week to see how it's looking...
Black Brant |
It was 4.32!!! |
7.50 |
Monday had me over at Duff hoping for more Winter action. Dull conditions on arrival and things deteriorated further when I saw workmen and pumps on the Carrs as I entered the Geoff Smith Hide. The little water that was present was being drained into the River. No surprise that Birds were at a premium!
It later transpired that a faulty pump was being repaired. Unfortunate that the work couldn't have been done earlier?
The session was saved by the appearance (just after 4pm) of this gem...
Record shot through the gloom |
Whoopers |
Water! |
2 visits, Wednesday and Friday. The main news being a flock of magnificent Whooper Swans (45) were present, albeit distantly...
I was hoping some would have returned by now. Even better tosee them actually ON the Carrs, as they can spend long periods on Ellerton and the Farm fields over the road. I was joined by Haydn on both occasions. Friday was the better day weather-wise and we enjoyed a good hour out on the Platform. I "had" 26 Pink-footed Geese going South on arrival...
...followed shortly afterwards by 3 Whooper Swans off the Farmland to the South, low over my head!
Haydn mentioned he'd had a Willow Tit on his way out but we couldn't locate it on our return, although he heard it. However I did score with Stonechat (97)...
...Goldcrest (98) and Bullfinch (female).
Once in the Hide Haydn picked up FIVE cc Marsh Harriers hunting just beyond the far end of the Reserve on Ellerton Ings. We later had a male on Duff. Not bad for an Inland Site! A superb large, female Peregrine was present on the grass for a good hour. A couple of Red Kites circled over the Poplars. Buzzards (4) were present throughout, including one pale individual in a bush, standing out like a sore thumb in the Winter sunshine.
An uplifting 4 hour session in ideal conditions. Sunshine throughout which is much appreciated in Dullvember. I'll be back next week.
Eastern promise for the weekend. Maybe a late result?
Duff - 98
A combination of a relatively "quiet" Autumn and the start of "Wintertime" had me reminiscing somewhat. On this date 3 years ago I spent the whole day with a VARIED THRUSH on Papa Westray. A truly monumental experience for yours truly.
So, to cheer myself up I thought I'd revisit the occasion and give a condensed version of events leading up to and during my visit. The full original report is in my Top Ten in the right hand column.
The first thing to say is that I may struggle to do a similar Twitch in the future? Reading back through the post I sometimes wonder how I managed it!!! Also, I was lucky it remained present (first seen Wednesday) until I left Scilly on Friday afternoon. It seems we drove to Bury (354 miles) arriving early Saturday morning (smart Motorways getting another mention). An afternoon drive back to Holmpton (110 miles) then North into Scotland in the evening. A few hours kip then onto Scrabster (501 miles) for the Ferry at Noon. Basically Lands End to John O'Groats...ish. Taxi across Orkney, then plane to Papa (72 miles), just connecting before Dusk, thanks to David Roche picking us up at the Airport. Crackers but adrenaline filled!!!!!!
Having experience of the Island (STELLER'S EIDER) and the Hostel made Sunday evening and night VERY relaxing and satisfying. The only question now was...would it be there tomorrow? Thankfully it was.
On reflection I'm leaning towards this Twitch being my favourite. The combination of distance covered, location and Species...is hard to beat. The NIGHTHAWK and ALBATROSS will remain very special as both were surprise flight views...as well as being charismatic. I DO love a Thrush though...especially a Zoothera (always will be to me)...
Roll on Spring...
Trip Total - 85 Species
Writing this on the A30...Louise is driving!
My bonus session started at dawn at Porthloo. 3 Black Redstarts but no sign of the reported Redstarts. Plenty of Waders on the deserted Beach including my first Bar-tailed Godwit, c50 Sanderling, c10 Ringed Plovers, Curlew, and Whimbrel.
Also present were a couple of "Dunlin". A White -rumped Sandpiper had been seen the previous day, so they were worth closer scrutiny. Especially when a Birder appeared next to me saying he'd seen a "white rump"!
The Birds were very active and partly obscured by the large pebbles plus I didn't have my 'scope. He had to leave for the Airport and the Birds flew down the far end of the Bay. He said he'd put news out and I moved on to Lower Moors. I was undecided. I have some distant photos which I'll take a look at on return. There were no further reports.
My last hour was spent around Shooters Pool. Unfortunately there was no sign of the Spotted Crake or the hoped for YBW!
A Common Rosefinch was reported in the allotments near the Dump but my time was up!
Trip Total - 84 Species
A "none" day!
We woke to Gale force winds and heavy rain. Excellent possibilities for Rare arrivals but not for getting off the Island!!!
A couple of hours of tense negotiation had us remaining in our accommodation "rent-free" which was obviously greatly appreciated.
We should have been on the last flight off but ALL flights for the day have been now been cancelled. We had a record 5 minute stay at the Airport to unload, get our flight time and get back in the Taxi!
Birding conditions were rather er... challenging, so nothing else to do than have a bonus early trip to the Atlantic and a long morning's Birding tomorrow before we leave at 1.50 (much calmer tomorrow).
So, another chance for a BIG finish. You never know...?
Trip Total - 83 Species
The landmark 23rd has failed to produce this Year?
Here on Scilly or to be more precise Bryher we had a superb day but not before enjoying brilliant views of a couple of Stonechats at Little Porth whilst waiting for Louise...
On the way to the Harbour I bumped into Martin, another stalwart who I used to Bird with here some 20 years ago. It was great to see him again.
We managed 5+ miles of effort (plus hills) on the Island starting (after a coffee) on Shipman Head Down at the North of the Island...
The target?...a Dotterel. Getting harder and harder to see now on the Mainland or anywhere else for that matter!
On arrival there was only one Birder present...Viv Stratton, with his loyal sheepdog of course. He pointed the Bird out which was motionless some 20 yds away, allowing the opportunity for some nice photos...
Further along the Headland were some wild Barnacle Geese (9). It was interesting to view them in this setting...
After returning to Fraggle Rock for another coffee (has to be done when with the good lady) we headed down to Hell Bay Pool on the strength of a report of 11 Whooper Swans being present. We bumped into Viv again and I had to ask him how long he'd been coming. His answer...SIXTY THREE YEARS! Consecutively!!! An inspiration to us all as he approaches 80. Lovely man.
Thankfully they were still there on arrival...
The next hour was bliss as I enjoyed watching and photographing these magnificent Birds from a grass bank down to 30 yards!!! Context. They included a family of 5 which is always nice to see. Constantly feeding and calling in the sunshine, it was a privilege to be there which I hope I FULLY appreciated...