Duff Developments

I had to go into Hull yesterday morning...yep...I carried on to Duff...possibly for the last time this Spring (I use that word loosely!).

Water lower, vegetation higher...not a great scenario...

I gave it a couple of hours. c30 Swifts low over the Reserve was the highlight.

The adjacent field acquired by The Friends of the Lower Derwent Valley Conservation Group has been ploughed and seeded...

Potential for the future.

The afternoon Dog walk on return produced a single Fulmar (P.97, H.80). The only Bird I saw!

Great Reed Warbler - York Area #241

Yesterday I awoke to news of a GRW at Bank Island, LDV. This made the day preparations a tad more swift than usual as it was a potential addition to my York Area List. It was indeed a 1st for the area.

After Bud's exercise I set off and arrived at BI just after 10. Haydn was already in the Hide with a few other hopefuls. He told me he'd just missed it. The other hopefuls drifted away and Haydn left around 11.30. I gave it till 1, I heard it...BUT didn't see it...

I succumbed to a Chip Butty in Selby at Mr C's...surprise, surprise, risky I know but I needed a break and besides I was hungry. Of course, as I was eating it in a lay-by, news came through...it has been seen again!! Schoolboy error.

I arrived back at the car park to be greeted by Duncan Bye and a young Birder with big grins on their faces. I returned to the First Hide and continued my vigil... 

One of the Birders from the morning has also returned plus a couple of new faces. We got brief snatches of song intermittently but we couldn't SEE it.

It was obviously difficult to pinpoint the area the sound was coming from. Then, we had it...in the Willows...

Willows beyond the scrape on the Riverbank

After 4+ hours, I suddenly felt much better!! The icing on the cake was a 5ish second circular flight view, which revealed the obvious size difference. Hints of Song Thrush?

Whilst waiting for a peek, I was entertained by (late) Whimbrel (2)...

...and Curlew...

Garganey (pr)

Little Ringed Plover...

Common Tern (4)...with Oystercatcher...both on nests...

Hobby...

and Kingfisher...

...at the impressive scrapes. Wish I had something like this at Duff!

This cygnet was high on the Cuteometer also...

A great day...eventually!

RBS - No

 No...not the Royal Bank of Scotland!

A conservative estimate would be 10 Hours of effort over 2+ days. Just a statement of fact, no pat on the back needed. I covered ALL areas of my elastic Village boundary (it stretches even more when there's a chance of something "special)!

I started on Wednesday morning at Old Hive...It was great to see the re-established Sand Martin Colony (c100) in full swing after the Winter erosion...did I mention the horrendous weather?!

Tough Birds

A cracking LBB Gull cruised along the beach...

...and this Reed Bunting was in full song...

 

I checked all the bramble clumps...

No RBS

Next it was the Cliff Paddock...

Plenty of perching opportunities? Alas no luck nor on the Clifftop...

Although a brief flight view of a small brown Bird with a russet tail strongly suggested Redstart (P.95, H.78)...Nightingale did cross my mind...briefly...Thrush Nightingale even less so!!

After lunch it was onto Snakey...

Male Marsh Harrier through the continuing gloom

...then the picturesque Sewage...

Still no RBS. I did get great views of a couple of Yellow Wagtails...

I ended up back at the Paddock around 6 but still no luck...until a Barn Owl appeared...

Yesterday I checked all the above areas again and marched along the Cliff to the Runnel via the now precarious First Pill...

Sadly, an inevitable demise

Patient as ever

A few Swifts (P.96, H.79) were brought down by the poor weather. Another check on Snakey Lane produced another pair of Yellow Wagtails in the Arable...

There have been 20+ Red-backed Shrikes reported between Spurn and Redcar in the last few days. I felt this was my best chance since moving here (2011) to add this Species to my Village List. It wasn't to be.

Controversy

Following on from the provenance issues regarding the INDIGO BUNTING in Whitburn, a controversial Golden Oriole was seen, photographed and videos on Holy Island, Northumberland yesterday.

Various opinions were bounced around online as it showed features of Indian Golden Oriole (a new one on me as I mainly travelled West). Late last night a MEGA Alert was released.

I'm sure some are on the Island as I write. All the very best.

My opinions on records have caused some controversy in the past...but I am entitled to one!

Over the years I've treated ALL opinions with caution, no matter how authoritative. Mistakes can be made...by all of us. Having dipped into the debates, it seems there has to be some doubt over this bird?

• Nearest record nearly 3,000 miles away! 
• There are photos of European Golden Oriole with black behind the eye

Just saying!

No Fret?

It continues. Spring is slipping away and we STILL have Northerlies here... coming over a cold sea, there can only be one outcome.

It hasn't stopped another American passerine turning up on the NE coast, this time at Whitburn, Co Durham. A first summer male INDIGO BUNTING is frequenting a bird table and surrounds in a residential area. 

Amazingly, through fortunate circumstances and a touch of strategy, I've seen 2 of the 3 Birds accepted in Britain...

Ramsey Island, Wales 21/10/95

St Agnes, IOS 25/10/20 

Both these Birds were first winter, the Whitburn bird is a tad brighter. Some initial scepticism seems to have evaporated. I haven't travelled due to factors already mentioned plus the Weekend. I may make the journey this week if it lingers. It was more mobile but elusive today.

A major influx of Red-backed Shrikes has occured. Alas, I can't find one here. Still time though...

Garganey - Icon of the Reserve

Alas, it is but a small window of opportunity, hence my concentrated visits of late. A combination of  emergent vegetation and receding water makes for difficult viewing. So, a final weekday effort was made yesterday...11 till 2 as I had to go to Hull anyway for the lads tripe!

The whole session was spent in Garganey Hide...

We were undisturbed throughout. He's been coming here since he was a pup...

Steady away today. I had a few flight views and spotted a couple around the "Bund"...

I also had a few distant flight views...very distinctive.

Fortunately...I also went on Thursday...and it was MUCH more productive!

I arrived at 11.30 and this time I started in the Geoff Smith Hide. Almost immediately I picked up a couple of Hobbies feeding along the River. Down at Garganey Hide I finally saw the Reed Bunting that had only been heard on previous visits...

Gadwall were still well represented with c60 Birds still present...

Pochard are still present with 4 Drakes and a female lingering...

Fully aware of limited opportunities now, I enjoy "picking them out" when possible. 

The fact that I'd actually seen 5 Drake Garganey on Tuesday obviously raised my hopes of further views! The ditch in front of the Hide would be handy?

1.15...

Would it come closer? Oh Yes...

Granted I'd put some time in, as I am able these days (I've earned it lol!) and it was paying off...

Come on down!

A turn...

...and then away he went...

An absolute privilege to witness this superb "Summer" Duck at such close quarters on my Old Patch. Never say never BUT I doubt I'll witness this week's spectacle again?

Just one more...