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.

Going for a Song

Late news on Sunday of a SONG SPARROW belatedly identified at Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head!!! I saw the Seaforth Bird in Liverpool Docks, way back in October 1994!, so not a British tick but a potential County addition.

Due to unavoidable commitments I couldn't go Monday and the Bird wasn't seen, despite extensive searching. It seemed...that was that?

However, Tuesday morning...

East Yorkshire SONG SPARROW again Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head 

Time to mobilise...of sorts. I arrived around 9.30 and made my way with my trusty hound to the Site. The Bird had been seen on a couple of occasions but only briefly. Several familiar faces were present.

After around 30 minutes someone picked it up in the brambles. I couldn't get "on it" before it flew across the gully.

It moved again and remarkably landed in a bush not 20 yards away. Handy! After some fumbling I managed a BOC record shot...

This is my 406th Species for my adopted County. A remarkable record of an American Species in Spring, especially on the East Coast! I even heard it singing!!!

Obviously pleased to connect, especially as I had a small window of opportunity due to family commitments.

A BLUE-CHEEKED BEE-EATER was again, belatedly reported, this time on Iona, Argyll. I still "need" this Species for Britain but it was never a "goer" for me on this occasion. I'm just happy I sneaked the Sparrow.

Low and High

Duff drying up now and will get even drier soon when the pump is started! So...I made the car park yesterday for 8.30 and Haydn arrived shortly afterwards. It was still raining slightly BUT it was clearing from the West.

Once we'd settled in we started to scan. I picked up some Swifts...then more... and more! I estimated c60 Birds feeding VERY low over the Reserve...a fine sight! One advantage of inclement weather.

As it cleared, the Snipe became more apparent as they started "drumming" over many areas of the Carrs.

It's not all about ticks....far from it.

We left at Noon for lunch in Pocklington. We then headed North up into the Wolds to try a new Site for both of us. I'd received the information for this Site from a visitor to the Hide a couple of weeks ago. Having checked Google maps I was confident I could find the spot.

On arrival in the Valley we found a parking area and had a look around. The scenery on the journey was spectacular with long rolling hills and some steep ascents and descents. It was truly remote...and peaceful! We heard then saw a Mistle Thrush. Our target Redstart unfortunately eluded us, so we moved on to our second Site.

Once again in position we started to search the area. My contact had told me Raven, Peregrine and Redstart were possible here! After around 10 minutes we simultaneously picked up an approaching Peregrine which eventually landed on a prominent rock. A good start here. The weather was superb now and we were soon enjoying Red Kite and Buzzard also...in a wonderful setting.

Haydn (with his remarkable hearing) picked up the song of a Redstart deep below. Over the next 30 minutes or so he heard it frequently...needless to say I didn't! There were a decent number of mature trees in full leaf and I have to admit I didn't fancy his chances of finding it. He DID!!! We even had scope views on top of a dead branch before it flew off. Impressive!

No Raven ...but 2 out of 3 ain't bad...

Not so Swift arrival

Finally added Swift (H.63, P.91)) to the Village Year List this evening with 3 Birds seen on the Dog Stroll. Always special! Earlier a Bee-eater was seen heading South from Grimston. I made it up to Cliff Farm and gave it 30 minutes but no sign. Of course...it went through Spurn! 

Still time

Woke early and decided to have a session in the hut with showers forecast. Arrived at 9 and had 4.5 hours. It remained overcast throughout with the occasional shower. The Forecast was spot on, on this occasion! "Spring" is coming to a close now, so I'm keen to get a few more visits in before they "pull the plug".

I checked the meadow on the way to the Hide as a Barn Owl had been seen here on more than one occasion recently. No joy, so I continued to the office aka Geoff Smith Hide. Some youngsters were there to greet me...

...one of many successes on the Reserve this Spring.

It was overcast but still as I set up. An initial scan revealed that the remaining water on the distant "scrape" was still visible enabling ID of most things present with the scope. I picked out a pair of Teal and a couple of Little Egrets. Then a flock of 11 Ringed Plovers took to the air, having a stretch before returning.

The Whitethroat was still vigorously defending its territory in front of the Hide and at least 4 Sedge Warblers were singing in and around the Scrape...

Just after 10 a Hobby shot across low and purposefully and continued West. Shortly afterwards a/the Barn Owl (91) appeared and dived into the grass by the Hide. It eventually emerged some 10 minutes later, obviously having successfully caught something?

Decent start.

Things got even better when a Great White Egret appeared on the Scrape, which yours truly didn't see arrive!! This was my second sighting of the Year...same Bird? It remained and fed for over 2 hours.

The response from the typically territorial Coot was predictable...

The Bird just relocated to another area and was totally unimpressed...

It finally departed North along the River...

Snipe (c12) were drumming almost constantly, one scan revealed 4 Birds in the air! I've never seen so many on a visit. Not a common sight. Curlew and Redshank were also seen and heard regularly.

I then picked out 3 Linnets (92) in a distant bush. Reed Buntings were apparent at various points across the Reserve so there was still plenty to keep me interested despite the almost total lack of visible water.

I recorded 38 Species and my Year List has risen to 92.

NYM

Early start yesterday, as I'd arranged to meet my pal Haydn in York for a trip up to Bransdale on the North Yorkshire Moors. I was really looking forward to seeing this area as I'd never been in the area before. Haydn was very familiar with the area having Birded here for many Years. I was particularly looking forward to seeing certain Species in Breeding Habitat.

He had our itinerary sorted and we decided to go to the furthest point first and work our way back. I picked him up at 7.30 (I left Holmpton at 5.15) and we headed North up Wiggington Road, just beating the Rush Hour on the Northern Ring Road. Once through Helmsley we continued North up onto the Moors.

Rattling over the cattle grid we continued into Bransdale looping around the far end and settling at our first Site...hoping for Ring Ouzel. We did see a cracking male Wheatear briefly on our way. A few Red Grouse were also glimpsed and heard, the first I'd seen for quite some time.

The weather wasn't as good as forecast (surprise, surprise) being overcast and cool (10C). Another Birder passed by and told us he'd been around for a couple of hours with no luck. Also a couple of locals stopped for a chat and were aware of this Site, asking if we'd seen it/them yet? Very friendly. Alas, we didn't connect in a 2 hour vigil.

We started to make our way back re-finding the Wheatear...

Haydn glimpsed a Spotted Flycatcher, we pulled over and eventually had good views as it fed in typical fashion from a stone wall...

We tried a few spots for Redstart with no luck. Some of the valleys were wonderful with many superb Oaks present. Once we climbed back onto the Plateau we started to see many Red Grouse with plenty of young...

As I said, I don't get to see them often, so I thought they deserved a good showing. Rather smart.

Haydn told me seeing Golden Plover "up here" wasn't a "gimme", so we were pleased to come across one, which obligingly posed nicely on a rock...

As you know I do like an "over the shoulder" shot

This Lapwing was resting on a rock right by the road...

Curlews were also present in small numbers and hearing their song over the Moor was evocative...

We tried one final spot for Redstart. This time we got lucky. Haydn heard one singing so we parked up and walked back to the spot and waited. Over the next 30 minutes we had several brief glimpses of a pair and even saw them entering the nest hole in a dead tree! The russet red in flight was spectacular, even in the shaded conditions. Eventually I managed a pic!...

We left around 1 and of course the sun broke through as we descended off the Moor. A great long morning in unfamiliar Habitat. Many thanks to Haydn for showing me his Moorland Patch, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Unfortunately the Cranes weren't seen at Duff, which was a shame as a few friends made the trip there yesterday.

I seem to have had an oversight, not mentioning the Quail I heard by the car park on the 14th. Another Birder heard one by Garganey Hide also.

Duff Year - 90

Richard heard a Cuckoo this morning...I didn't!