Breeding Success

Nice to have some positive local news. I could do with cheering up!!!

Tree Sparrows (c25), Goldfinches (c50)...

Reed Bunting (8)...

and Yellow Wagtails have bred to the South of the Village. First three seen feeding young and the juvenile YW has been present for quite some time...as has the menacingly powerful female Sparrowhawk! Not forgetting the humble House Sparrow (c40)...

I also had a family of 5 Greenfinches along Seaside Road...

I've been visiting my chosen Migrant traps regularly but nothing significant found as yet. Still early days obviously and it will happen...won't it?

Glossy Ibis (198)

News broke yesterday evening at 6.31...

East Yorkshire 7 Glossy Ibis Flamborough Head flew SE over Golf Course and continued over Bridlington Bay

They ended up roosting at Hornsea Mere. I set my alarm for 6...then figured I'd wait as Birders would no doubt be present at Hornsea. Lazy maybe...but I prefer shrewd!

Sure enough the Birds were still in residence at 7.10. I had my car booked in locally for 8 so I was hoping there'd be no "action" till I returned home with Louise. I should be so lucky...

7.52 E.Yorks 7 Glossy Ibis Hornsea Mere till 7.50 then flew South 

I'd arranged a courtesy car but now wouldn't need it as Louise had the day off as she wasn't feeling great. More on that later.

At 8.21 I received a WhatsApp message on the Withernsea group from Tim Isherwood informing me they had just passed him at Grimston! We headed back towards the Coast in Louise's car along Snakey and continued up to Cliff Farm as I'd have a panoramic view from there. 

We waited... and waited. It was now 8.40 and no sign. The usual dodgy calculation ensued trying to figure out what time they may arrive, if at all. Louise joined me on the Clifftop as it was a pleasant morning. I was focussing mainly on the view North along the Cliff towards With', while also being aware they might fly below it! Then at 8.55 Louise pointed inland shouting "what are they"? There they were, heading SW towards the Humber in a line at some distance!!! It's quite possible I could have missed them if I'd been alone. Also I definitely would have missed them if Louise had been at work as the courtesy car was out of action!!

All's well that ends well and all that. This was my 198th Species for Holmpton.

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...