Out and In

Had a pleasant hour on the Cliff at Lunchtime after the morning rain. Pleased to see that the Pink-footed Geese are still in residence and will hopefully remain so throughout the Winter. Great to have them locally. Fingers crossed?

Plenty of Gulls about and I started noticing the Mediterranean variety. I estimated around 20, which gave great views coming and going along the Cliff edge. Great stuff!

Lastly, whilst watching the Gulls I picked out my first Wigeon (H.90) of the Autumn (and the Year come to that) with a pair close in on the Sea.

Back for the Footy and Golf now...

Holmpton Air Show

 Easterlies got me up early this morning. I started at the Southern end and was greeted by 8 Tree Sparrows showing well in the diffuse early morning light. A good start...

The Linnet (15) flock was also present...so were the Goldfinches (c50) and Reed Buntings (6)...

I gave it an hour but nothing else of note was seen. 

Next it was Snakey. I chose a vantage point giving me a panoramic view North. I wanted some...GEESE!!!

Reports from far and wide over the last few days but apart from a small group along the Cliff nothing for me here. A distant Mallard over the new Sewage plant at Hollym was noteworthy...for here! 

A low 8 flew South...promising...

Then a message from one of the local Birders in With' informing me large numbers were heading this way! Eyes to the Skies.

Then...there they were, making "swirling squiggles" in the distant Sky...

...then the wonderful sound as they fortunately headed straight for me...

Over the next 45 minutes various numbers passed heading SE at close range. Magnificent!!!

I then returned to the Southern fields just in case some had stopped off. They hadn't but I remained and scanned some more...and they kept on coming...and going...

So, I was granted my wish. I'd had my fill. As you know this spectacle is one of my favourite experiences in Birding. Nature in the raw, unchanged for Centuries...long may it continue in this crazy World.

Slowly, Slowly

My Dental check up in York yesterday gave me an excuse to call in at Duff. I arrived at 9.30 and hung around the car park for a while hoping for something while it warmed up (8C).

A message from Haydn informing me of some PFG heading my way was encouraging...but they didn't make it unfortunately.

I headed for the GS Hide.

Stall set up and scanning, I noticed the River for the first time in months! However the Carrs was still bone dry with Sheep grazing. A couple of Red Kites came as close as I've seen and performed brilliantly for a good 5 minutes before drifting South...

Haydn arrived and we shared a juvenile Marsh Harrier. We then had 3 Snipe, which was definitely unexpected. After a chat he headed home and I remained in situ. 

The Scrape is overgrown now but there are still 3 small areas of visible water. I haven't seen anything on them for quite a while. Today that changed at 12.51. I saw a movement amongst the Reeds, then there it was...

Kingfisher (96)

I soon lost it before thankfully it reappeared and fished for a good 5 minutes before departing...

I'm enjoying these "low expectation /out of season" visits,as it makes the Sightings somehow more Special?

Locally, it's still fairly quiet but there's always something to see and enjoy...

Fresh Autumn Meadow Pipit on the Cliff

Drinking partners...with expression...

Greenfinch and Goldfinch

A few from the "Magic Hedge"...

Goldfinches (c100)

(there's another similar sized flock at the bottom of Seaside)

Male Stonechat

Reed Bunting

S'watch

I did it!

On the Cliff at dawn. The wind was gale force through the dark hours but had dropped surprisingly. I still needed the shield of the V70 though on the exposed Clifftop.

A great start in the form of 5 Mediterranean Gulls drifting in the wind. However the Sea was quiet, VERY quiet.

The sky was clearing though...

Looking like I know what I'm doing!?

A passing Whimbrel gave hope. The tide was going out which gave improving beach views...not that anything transpired in that direction.

A few Guillemots were noted and a lone RTD north. Then...my reward...3 Storm Petrels in a loose c20 second pass heading North!!! This was my 199 for the Village and long overdue, partly due to my lack of effort in this particular area of this wonderful past time of ours.

I have it till 10 before heading back for a coffee.

.......................................

PECHORA PIPIT today at South Shields. Mine was light years ago at Filey in 1994! Missed LANCEOLATED WARBLER the next day at the same Site due to work! Still "need" it. Mainland records are rarer than the Birds!!!

Hoping to get a trip in before Scilly...

Whinchat(s)

Spur of the moment decision to have a drive over to my Inland Patch this morning...a change of Scenery if nothing else!

I arrived at 9.30 and headed for the GSH. Hopes weren't high due to the dry state of the Reserve...BUT you never know...do you? Time of life means more visits are possible throughout the Year and I'm trying to "bump up" visits during unattractive periods...like now!

As I opened the flaps the scene was dry...VERY dry with livestock present in the form of Sheep and Cattle. There'll be a CATTLE EGRET out there one day...hopefully soon !? 

Anyway, I started to scan and immediately noticed a movement on the Scrape. A quick focus and...there was a Whinchat (95)!!!

This was only my 5th record here and a wonderful surprise! Things got even better when I picked another up in the centre of the Scrape!! A paler Bird...

I saw 2 here in August 2006. The other records were single Birds. All were at much greater distance so to see these two so close was special. Can't find one at Holmpton and inland records are always more special.

I contacted Haydn to see if he was out and about. He was...guess where! He arrived some 30 minutes later to enjoy the Birds. We had a pleasant hour enjoying a surprising amount of activity. Highlights...

3 Tufted Ducks

3 Golden Plovers

5 Buzzards

3 Red Kites

2 Marsh Harriers

c200 Swallows

c100 House Martins

Haydn left but I gave it till 2 before heading home. Well worth the Trip...

Fall

A notable event took place on Monday...that I thought I'd share with you! We're now in an "unsettled" period of Weather typical of this time of year. As I drove up Seaside in the rain, I noticed a large group of hirundines feeding low in the lee of the trees. I pulled over and scanned and it became apparent they were ALL House Martins! Numbers were difficult to estimate but a conservative total would be 100. A glance back over the adjacent meadow revealed at least the same again!! This is by far the largest flock I've seen since moving here in 2011.

The Forecast for the Weekend is promising for the East Coast. I may have to apply myself fully to a Seawatch!?

NYM - 3

Haydn and I had our third sojourn of the year up onto the North Yorkshire Moors yesterday. This time we visited Blakey Ridge north of Kirbymoorside in search the pair of WHITE-TAILED EAGLES that have been in residence there for quite some time. I'd met him in York as I'd dropped the V70 off for some TLC. We arrived just after 10 and gave it a couple of hours before succumbing to the Lion Inn for lunch. Thoroughly recommended...

We returned to our vantage point around 1 and gave it till 3 when the forecast rain arrived. No matter it was great to get some fresh air in fabulous scenery. The excellent thick cut chips washed down with a pint of Landlords made me favour the afternoon session!

WTE

Breaking News on the Spurn WhatsApp this lunchtime...

12.16 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE North of Sammy's now

The trip down there was hampered by the current roadworks but I found a trusty vantage point and started scanning. Another message soon followed...

12.43 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE on the deck off Out Newton Lane, Skeffling

It didn't take long. I parked up, grabbed my gear and was soon looking at a rather large lump sat on a dung heap at c200 yards through my Scope...being inevitably mobbed by Corvids. A couple of hazy record shots...

More cars were arriving by the minute but there was thankfully plenty of room for all.

It did cross my mind that it may end up moving North through Holmpton but remarkably I already have 2 record, so I decided to see it first and react depending on which direction it left in? I gave it 30 minutes hoping it would get sick of the mobbing but it remained in situ as I left. I decided to park further North while still having a sight of the Bird. I waited and waited then...it wasn't there? I'd missed it taking off...well it's not that big and easy to miss!!!?

I did pick it up briefly at distance before I lost it.  Then...a phone call. It was John Hewitt (much appreciated) informing me he reckoned it was heading North towards Holmpton. I drove up to Cliff Farm and started scanning once more. I couldn't see it in a 20 minute watch so I headed home.

My two Village sightings were (click the date for details)...

2/11/2018 and 1/5/2021. Both were at close range, so missing this one was no big deal. My first was way back on 7/11/1999 at Burton Constable nr Hull. My first view of it flying through a "ride" between the trees is something I've never forgotton. With the current release program there will no doubt be more regular sightings of this magnificent Raptor.

Earlier in the Month I had a nice "mini-fall" on the 3rd with all Birds seen from lounge! Blackcap fem (still about), c6 Willow Warblers (all juveniles), 2 Chiiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Robins, 12 LT Tits, 4 Chaffinch and 6 Linnets.

Yesterday I had a pleasant 3.5 hours at Duff. Predictably quiet but very relaxing and poignant. The highlight was a Kettle of 8 Buzzards circling the Reserve.

 

Just under 5 weeks to Scilly...