Buddy

I was going to try and think of something witty but it somehow didn't seem appropriate. If you're not a "Doggy" person you may wish to move on. 

We travelled to Duff on Sunday morning with the "Golden Boys" Ashes. As previously stated this Site has huge significance to me in many ways.  Having first visited in 1986 this means that all four of my GSD's have walked this place. Quite a thought!

We moved to the Coast in 2011. We'd just lost Rocky to a terrible nerve illness which meant he lost power in his hind quarters. He was a wonderfully spirited dog with great power, bravery and agility...

Louise joined us in 2006 and he took to her instantly.

Buddy was the new arrival and he spent a short time at North Duffield before settling down with us on the Coast. However, not before I'd introduced him to NDC...

We arrived around 10.30 and after finding our intended spot, we spread his Ashes so he can remain with me on my subsequent visits. The past week has been tough, VERY tough and the grieving for one of our "Family" will continue for some time. He had a great life and spent more time with me than my three previous Shepherds, due to circumstances and time of Life. He loved the Beach...

...and the Sea...

...and was fabulous company for us both. Alas, he will be my last and a HUGE gap has now appeared in our lives. The silence is deafening!

Making "the decision" was VERY difficult but he wasn't enjoying himself anymore as his health deteriorated. He'd been lucky to reach such a grand old age. The last Month or so was precious as I helped him more and more, he definitely mellowed...slightly! So, goodbye my Golden Boy...I will never forget you and you will remain in my Heart forever...with my other three...

He enjoyed the evening sunshine in his last days

Goodbye Sweetheart...

Magic Hedge

At least I hope so?!

Nothing stays the same, especially on the fastest eroding Coastline in Europe! Both Pill Boxes are now on the Beach and Cliff Farm is sadly no more. The Council didn't just demolish the Farm but they ripped the Trees out as well...unfortunately. However, a 30 yard strip of mature hedge remains and the area is "re-wilding".

This morning I had a couple of young Willow Warblers (P.106, H.83)...

...and a couple of Whitethroats...

...which showed the potential of the Site..he says hopefully. The highlight of the session came as I was leaving. I looked down the track towards Old Hive (bringing back many poignant memories) and "caught" a brief view of a decent sized Raptor gliding low towards me. It continued over my car and was lost to view. I was thinking...Sparrowhawk. I turned my car around not confident I would see it again. However as I drove down the track back to the main road there it was on the fence some 30 yards away...

A superb large female

It's rare for me to get such a great view locally.

A Yellow Wagtail had been lingering for a while and today I finally managed to "catch up" with it...

I spotted my first Arctic Skua (P.107, H.84) harassing the Terns at mid-distance.

Hopefully some more movement this weekend...

Armchair Eagle

Common sense has finally prevailed with the extremely belated acceptance of the BOOTED EAGLE that roamed Ireland and South West England in 1999/2000.

I connected with this magnificent Bird at Drift Reservoir on 31st October 1999. I've always considered it a "Wild Bird" and immediately put it on my Personal List.

I know many Birders make their own decisions regarding adding Species to their List/s. As already stated I have added rejected records to my Personal Lists BUT I do adhere to the Official List...and my Bubo Badge reflects this.

I'm of an age now where it doesn't really matter either way! I just choose when I want to travel and for what.

Sadly, I have less commitments at home now...

Buddy (2011 - 2025)

A Knowing Look

A Cathartic Post...

Been a while I know...with VERY good reason. We said goodbye to him yesterday after an uncomfortable and sudden period of ill health. An unfortunate incident could possibly have triggered this but I'll never know for sure. 

He was 14+ and had lived a full and active life with us here on the East Coast. If you've had an ageing pet you'll know it's not easy to decide when the "time is right". I tried EVERYTHING to make him well again but he just wouldn't fully recover. I'll spare you the cliches but it HAD to be what was best for him. He was getting tired. I could help him in and out of the car but he didn't want to walk very far anymore.

The process of putting him to sleep was done sensitively and peacefully and we were both present. I picked his Ashes up this afternoon.

As previously mentioned I've had 4 Male German Shepherds over 45 years. My Dad had 2 Bitches and his second bred with my first Shane. Duke and Rocky were also marvellous Boys. Both my sons have had these wonderful animals. Bud got the best deal though as I was with him far more due to time of Life. He was fearless and fiercely loyal with boundless energy until recently.

As I write I'm still reeling to be honest. It's hit me hard, VERY hard. I have a plan for his Ashes but that will be disclosed in a final post later. I need time. My son Robert took this photo and I feel it's appropriate at this sad time. I'm devastated...

Run free Buddy...I'll NEVER forget you and you'll ALWAYS be with me...in my HEART... 

Clifftop Raptor

Marsh Harriers are fairly frequent visitors to the Holmpton Area...fortunately. However they're not a regular sight on the Cliffs! So, Tuesday's experience was special. We were up at Cliff Farm enjoying the view and sunshine when a young Bird suddenly rose above the Cliff right in front of me. I thought it had gone straight through but no...it remained for a good 30 minutes!! Probably the best prolonged views I've had of this Species locally...

Don't tell anyone but these were my first Village Cormorants (82) of the YEAR!!!

Obviously lots of youngsters around at the moment including Pheasants and Partridges. With my recent Quail record (field now harvested) they're always worth a second (optimistic) look. So, when I spotted a smallish Bird along a stubble field edge, I gave it a prolonged look...

...guess the red legs are a clue! Confirmation...

Whilst having a chat with the next door neighbour later in the day, a Hobby shot across the field opposite. Easy Birding!

Stone Curlew

No "Thick-knees" here! As you know... strictly "Old School".

Haydn arrived early at 8.15. I'd just returned from Cliff Farm with Bud. After shovelling down my Quaker Oats we headed for Skeffling, our target being the lingering Stone Curlew. After negotiating the ongoing works (no problem with the staff) I parked up and we made our way up onto the viewing screen. This was my first visit here. It was quite a sight!

Much potential here.

It was high tide and there were Birds everywhere, albeit mainly distantly. It looked a daunting task! Large numbers of Gulls and hundreds of Curlew and Shelduck.  There was a group of c50 Little Egrets present. A Yellow Wagtail alighted on a fence wire. Two distant Spoonbills (P.104) were a bonus. No sign of our quarry though. We continued to search, Haydn having a better chance with his scope. Alas, yours truly still struggling at the moment...but managing.

I suggested an area on the far bank with sand and scattered rocks. Just a hunch. Haydn concentrated on this area. After another 30 minutes he exclaimed..."I've got it"!!! (P.105)

Still partially obscured...but THERE! This was an outstanding "spot" by him. Trust me on this one.

It was a County tick for him. I was chuffed it was in the area I'd suggested. This was my third record for the County after Birds at Tophill Low in 1996 and Spurn in 2004.

The Bird hardly moved in the 30 minutes we watched it but we had decent views on occasion, although it was very distant on the Humber Bank.

After lunch in Patrington I showed him around the Village Patch. Nothing significant seen but he enjoyed seeing the Sand and House Martin Colonies. Never to be taken for granted!

A great day in top company.

Bonus Harvest!

A couple of notable records on Snakey yesterday.

Firstly, a new addition in the form of a Great Spotted Woodpecker taking a drink from a roadside pool. The bird then flew to a nearby telegraph pole allowing me a pic...

Bizarrely I'd seen Green Woodpecker (a Rarity) at this Site before Great Spotted!!!? 

The afternoon's Dog Walk produced a surprise Quail (P.102, H.81) singing from a Wheat field. Only my 2nd record for the Village but my 1st "self-found", making it all the sweeter!  I just made it, as many of the fields have already been harvested!

Earlier I took Bud up to Cliff Farm checking the Gulls out on the way. I couldn't find a single Mediterranean!?

I continued on to Skeffling. I was tempted to look for the Stone Curlew but the small group near the hide seemed "less than focused", so I made my way up onto the floodbank car park. It turned up at Sammy's Point later in the day and is still present at Skeffling as I write. The tide was out and there were a few Waders present, which allowed an opportunity for a nice comparison between Curlew and Whimbrel (P.103)...

A closer shot of the Whimbrel showing the "hooked bill"...

...c20 Little Egrets also drifted East.

There's a chance of an early returning Migrant from now on...which helps sharpen the focus...

More of the Mediteranean

The Pea Machines were back yesterday...

...which meant more Gull movements. This tempted me back down th'ill. I found a few...

Pleased to get the opportunity to see decent numbers of this Species locally...

Autumn

An annual indicator for me is the harvesting of the Crops. I can now SEE. THIS is the start of Birding Autumn in my mind. Plenty of Summer to enjoy yet of course!

This was backed up this morning when I checked out the Pea Field that had  been harvested yesterday. The hoped for "Target Species" had arrived, with at least half-a-dozen Birds present...

Mediterranean Gull (H.77, P.99)

A run (metaphorically speaking) up the Northern end of the Village revealed a decent number of post breeding House Sparrows (78)...my first THIS YEAR! The House Martin colony is thriving this Year with the "unusual" weather and the owner informed me that they are on there third brood. Great stuff!

A cruise down Snakey produced yet another view of a Marsh Harrier (you know my suspicions) with possibly a second Bird seen briefly?

The morning finished off with a look up at Cliff Farm (surrounded by hundreds of Sand Martins) where I sneaked a juvenile Yellow Wagtail perched in the Barley briefly. A lone Oystercatcher gave itself away (eventually) with a call from the rocks below...

Surprisingly difficult to pick out

Mid-afternoon Bud needed "to go". He's a bit unpredictable these days...like me! Unfortunately the rain had set in ("good for the Garden"). As we reached one of our usually stops, I noticed a couple of Swifts low over the car...then 3 more...then more still! 21 in c20 seconds low over my head. Then no more in the next 20 minutes. It was worth the effort. Bud agreed! 

My lad turned 14 on the first of July. A remarkable age for this Species...8% reach this age apparently. My previous 3 were Shane (named after that marvellous Western with Alan Ladd) 13, Duke 8 and Rocky 10. FORTY FIVE Years of German Shepherds and counting! He's my main priority for his remaining time (apart from Louise of course!)...and he'll be my last...

My Golden Boy

Targets

Always nice to have a few. I've been through my lists and written down (Old School) them down in my Little Black Book. Some surprising omissions...but that's OK...more to go at! Tough going at the moment but things should start "moving" soon. I'm still going to visit Duff despite the drought but my main focus short-term will be the Village and Local Patch.

For the Record...(some more challenging than others!)

Village

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus

Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris)

European White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

Greater Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)

Gadwall (Anas strepera)

European Teal (Anas crecca)

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Common Pochard (Aythya ferina)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Common_ Scoter (Melanitta nigra)

Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

Goosander (Mergus merganser)

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator

Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica)

Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer)

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea)

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus)

Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)

Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus yelkouan mauretanicus

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)

Great White Egret (Casmerodius albus)

Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Merlin (Falco columbarius)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos)

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

Pomarine Skua (Stercorarius pomarinus)

Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus)

Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus)

Great Skua (Catharacta skua)

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)

Little Gull (Larus minutus)

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans [argentatus])

Caspian Gull (Larus argentatus cachannins)

Iceland_ Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)

Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

Little Auk (Alle alle)

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus [spinoletta])

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)

Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

Firecrest (Regulus ignicapillus)

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)

Coal Tit (Parus ater)

Common Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)

Siskin (Carduelis spinus)

Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)

Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis flammea cabaret)

Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes)

Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus)

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

Duff

Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii

Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris)

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

Greater Scaup (Aythya marila)

Common_ Scoter (Melanitta nigra)

Goosander (Mergus merganser)

Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator)

Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix)

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)

Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)

Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)

Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos)

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus)

Little Gull (Larus minutus)

Iceland_ Gull (Larus glaucoides)

Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus)

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

Short-eared Owl (Asio fammeus)

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus [spinoletta])

Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)

Yellow Wagtail (Montacilla flava)

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus)

Willow Tit (Parus montanus)

European Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)

Corn Bunting ((Miliaria calandra)

Despite my present predicament, I've just booked our flights for Scilly, so something to look forward to whilst I maintain my rehabilitation. I will adapt!

That Time of Year

Still predictably VERY quiet on the "feathered front", the only notable action being a decent number of Gannets fishing close offshore on occasions.

This morning I opened the front door to find THREE of these feeding some three feet away...

Hummingbird Hawk Moths I believe. Have to admit I'm "Strictly for the Birds" but these are quite something! No award winners but you get the idea. They were present on and off all morning.

Hoping things liven up soon...

Local Additions

I had a half-time Lists "tot-up" over the weekend, out of curiosity, using the "old thunderer". Remarkably no obvious errors! I've complied target lists for my Sites for the rest of the Year. A touch of mid-summer motivation/madness.

This inspired me to have a cruise around the Patch this morning. Things started well on Snakey during our morning stroll with a distant "white object" in the far distance. Initially thought to be a Mute Swan, a look through the old bins revealed a Little Egret (H.75).

Next it was a stop at Skeffling where after a prolonged watch I finally managed decent views of one of the many Reed Warblers present.

Finally... early afternoon I had a drive down Seaside to the Cliff (which I hadn't done for a while). As I was turning a slim Raptor shot South over the Paddock... Hobby (H.76). Nice timing!!

Locally

It's understandably a quiet time of Year as we're deep into the Breeding Season. It looks like being a bumper Year for Youngsters. Last Month I had Blue Tits Breeding in my Porch for the first time...possibly twice?

It was fascinating watching them come and go almost non-stop for weeks on end from my armchair. The number of visits was into FOUR figures...easily!

I hadn't seen the Tree Sparrows up at Cliff Farm for quite a while, so it was great when they re-appeared the other day...

I've had a few sightings of Yellow Wagtail which is nice as I struggled last year. Tough to capture but one gave itself away on Snakey...just...

The Sea has been VERY quiet. I did enjoy some close Gannet action yesterday afternoon...

There was a reasonable Southerly passage of Guillemots (c50) but I couldn't "sneak" a Razorbill. An embarrassingly late addition came in the form of a lone Sandwich Tern (68) went North. I had another view of the local Tawny Owl from the Lounge window at dusk yesterday evening.

That's it...for now...

NYM (2)

 I contacted Haydn recently asking him if he fancied another trip up into the Moors. He was up for it so yesterday I rose at stupid o'clock (4.45), took Bud a good walk (when I could rouse him) and left the Cottage at 5.30.

Traffic was predictably light, barring passing the early shift heading to Easington Gas Terminal! I made my way through Hull and headed up the A164 towards Beverley...and breakfast at McDonalds (my day out treat). Everything in moderation! Unfortunately the posh people of Beverley mustn't need it at 6, as it didn't open till 7!

That put me back 20 minutes but I still made it to Pickering for 8 and Haydn arrived shortly after despite a closure on the A64. He hopped in and we headed North for "The Moors". I had a couple of Sites (courtesy of eBird) planned to try for our main target, namely Whinchat. It took us around 25 minutes to reach the Site, a lovely small Valley with a stream.

We set our stall out in the small car park and watched from there for the length of our visit (2hrs). After only 10 minutes..."we" heard (OK Haydn did) then saw one halfway up the hillside in a lone bush. I set my scope up but alas it flew off. Still, early success! Things went quiet for the next hour although Haydn heard another Bird low down by the stream but we couldn't locate it. We heard a Cuckoo and Haydn had a brief view of a Redpoll in fine plumage. A distant Raptor on the horizon was intriguing but again it disappeared as soon as I touched my scope. I was thinking Red Kite? A Pied Wagtail walked around the ford where we were hoping a Grey might be. 

Then another sighting, this time closer but still the Bird was understandably elusive. After a couple of glimpses Haydn managed a "record shot"...

It was great to see this Species in breeding habitat. We also had a brilliant flight view. 

We looped round and ended up at our second Site further East. It was now approaching midday and it was quiet. Still, we'd succeeded in our quest and had a wonderful morning in brilliant scenery and fantastic weather. The company was pretty good also. He leaves for San Francisco on Monday and will be visiting Yosemite N.P and surrounds. This brings back great memories for me of times gone by. I was fortunate enough to visit this magnificent Park three times in 1999, 2002 and 2006. Any excuse to show my fading pics of my "ultimate Birding moment"...

Finding a Great Grey Owl in Wawona Meadow one afternoon (9/8/06) was truly MAGICAL!!! I hope Haydn has the same good fortune.