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!

Patch MEGA

Louise fancied a trip to York today for some "retail therapy" before she returns to work on Thursday, so I decided to drive her there and fit in a session at you know where!

I arrived at NDC at 11 and headed for the Geoff Smith Hide as per usual. The weather was "iffy" but no rain yet. It's getting to the end of the season now and the vegetation is high and the water level low.

The first thing of note was the number of Swifts present, I estimated c60 birds feeding low over the reserve no doubt brought down by the conditions. I started to scan the small scrape at the Western end with my scope. It's a fair distance but Birds can be identified if there's no shimmer, which there wasn't today due to the thick cloud cover. The 7 Ringed Plover are still present and a bonus Little Ringed gave itself away with a flight across the Reserve. I scanned some more across the tall grass not expecting much but ever hopeful...if that makes sense!?

Then...a couple of heads appeared! First thought Heron but only for a second as these two had red on them!!! They were only in view for a few seconds before disappearing into the tall grass...

I was stunned. I'd dreamt of seeing Cranes on the deck here (sad but true) and thought I might get lucky one day. 

Today was that day!

After around 10 minutes they reappeared and started walking slowly and stately towards Garganey Hide. I HAD to get down there. We set off and slowly but surely we made it. I opened the flaps and set my stall out once again. No sign as I grilled the vegetation. Maybe they'd flown off as I was walking down?

I then looked to the left towards the Farm...and saw a sight that will remain etched in my memory forever, as there, some 70 yds away in full view, were these beauties...

To find this Species on my inland Patch is obviously VERY special indeed. You may recall Haydn had 3 over Skippy recently and I have ONE previous record of 3 Birds (shared with Haydn) 20/3/2011. We did get the "heads up" on these birds as they had been seen flying South from Wheldrake. They flew over Duff and landed on Bubwith Ings. Today's duo were actually ON the Reserve and self-found "to boot"!

Again, if you're a "Patcher" (or maybe even if you're not) you'll appreciate the satisfaction of this sighting. It makes up for the many "quiet" visits and proves that perseverance can pay off...eventually! To see this elegant Species strutting around my beloved Carrs has to be "right up there" in my experiences here. It only took 38 Years!!!

The Birds eventually flew to the far North of the Reserve...

The perfect setting

...and when I returned to the Geoff Smith Hide I couldn't relocate them unfortunately. There was no further sign before I left at 2.15. On reflection, if the Cranes has been at the side of Garganey Hide on arrival I may have missed them!?

An truly unforgettable experience...

Update: The Birds are still present this evening.

Lately

Hello!

Finally added Grey Partridge to the Village Year List. Ironically it was located at the edge of a Rape Field on Snakey while Bud was doing his duty...

Couldn't find one all Winter!

This afternoon I stopped of at the Sewage briefly and fluked a passing Gannet (58) arrowing North from the lay-by...

A Classic

The House Martin (59) colony are now firmly established once again at Intack, which is great to see. A flock of 15 Stock Doves just South of the Village was definitely noteworthy!  The outing was finished of nicely when a Red Kite drifted over Snakey heading South...

The other night as I was watching the Footy, something caught my eye on the wire outside the lounge window. Fortunately, it remained long enough for me to record it...

Tawny Owl

I was amazed at this image, as it was taken through the window at 9.30!!! The credit goes entirely to the Camera.

I've had a few trips to Duff with nothing new added. I've seen Hobby on all three visits and finally managed a pic...

The Whitethroat by the Hide performed well...

A few Rarities turning up but I haven't ventured..yet. On reflection, I wish I'd have popped over the Bridge to have a peep at the Buff-breasted Sandpiper...my favourite Wader. I'll never forget my Texas experience, North of High Island, seeing 50+ with many displaying. Magic!

SAVANNAH SPARROW

 Breaking News!

12.42 Shetland SAVANNAH SPARROW Unst at Skaw

Looks like the Spring BIG ONE has arrived!

I won't be travelling but wish everyone who does the very Best of British...

Relatively Quiet

A couple of visits to NDC this week with no new additions to the Year List. She's looking a picture though...

Hobby was seen on both occasions, which is always special. A Cuckoo was heard was unfortunately not seen. The pair of Egyptian Geese are still about and were seen flying South down the River towards Bubwith. Water is still visible to the West of the reserve but the vegetation is winning now...

I had a wonderful 4 hours in glorious conditions watching the comings and goings but still couldn't dig out a Garganey? Tim Jones and Oliver Metcalfe popped in on a reckie for their forthcoming Yorkshire Big Day. Great to see a decent selection of Waders present...Lapwing, Ruff, Redshank and Curlew. Great views of a pair of Buzzards over the Scrape...

...but no luck with Marsh Harrier or Red Kite. Sedge Warblers are apparent around the Scrape...

...and Singing...

A bonus Yellow Wagtail was seen at Keyingham on a "Bud Stop"...

There's been a major influx of Red-footed Falcons into England of late. Most sightings have been down South. Hopefully some will filter through further North?