Stevie - Cherie Amour

Last night/this morning

Popped down to watch the Swans come in last night...always a pleasure. Unfortunately it was very misty and visibility was obviously poor. Still, just nice to chill after the excitement of the working week! I was just about to leave when I noticed two birds circling the water. They kept disappearing behind the bushes and into the ever thickening mist. I persevered and it payed off as they eventually gave themselves away as a pair of Oystercatchers (67). You just never know...

This mornings sunshine forecast never materialized. Started well however with a Goldcrest (68) in the car park. The mist remained and visibility was again poor. Checked out the water for the Goldeneye and Pink-footed Goose...both still present. Other notables were:-
Golden Plover 14
Ruff 15
Dunlin c60
Curlew
Bumped into Arnie (said I'd give you a mention!) and we both enjoyed watching a superb Barn Owl hunting over the scrape. A fine specimen indeed which was in view almost constantly from 9.30 till 11.30 by which time the sun had come out. Nice morning...great afternoon?

Rough-legged Buzzard near Old Moor tempting. Might have a ride over tomorrow with Louise if it hangs around...

Bird Song

More and and more species springing into life. Both thrushes now belting it out. Sparrowhawks soaring over their territories. Wildfowl paired up and getting fruity! Many migrants now into southern Spain and heading North.

Just trying to convince myself our migrants will soon be with us?

Nice 1 Rich

My pal Rich Willison is making the most of his retirement and improving his photography at Worlaby!

Son of...at the Grand Canyon

Here we are in the depths of winter and my eldest and his fiance are living it up in Las Vegas and enjoying the Grand Canyon! Good luck to 'em...

Not just about ticks...

Managed to make it down again for the last hour tonight. Superb late afternoon sunshine with plenty of birds on and around the floods. Watching the entertainment it refreshed my memory regarding some of the other aspects of Birding...
Mute Swans paired up and engaging in courtship rituals
A Barn Owl drifting effortlessly around the scrape
Long-tailed tits in constant movement visiting the feeder
A few groups of large gulls (not to many) heading SE
...and then the pièce de résistance in the form of the magnificent Whooper Swans coming in from the fields to roost, including a group of 45 right over the hide!!!

Late winter mode

Decided to convince myself that winter's worst has past? So. I've taken a couple of shots (new header) to illustrate my point of view. As you can see the local patch is in fine fettle. The canvas is there and the birds can now paint it! I can't think of a better setting for me to bird a local patch.

Missed a Marsh Harrier around 11 but scored with a Peregrine at 2.15. The Pink-footed Goose is still present as is the fem/imm Goldeneye. A pair of Little Grebes are new in. Managed 16 Ruff and c60 Dunlin. Lapwing numbers continue to increase with at least 500 now present over NDC and Aughton/Ellerton Ings.
First singing Skylark is always an uplifting experience. Haydn joined me late afternoon and gripped me off with a Goldcrest in the car park! Whoopers arrived at 5.

Tried a few pics with the digital zoom today. I know they have a poor reputation and although not brilliant, there could be a use for it with a distant record shot?

18x Optical Zoom



72x Digital Zoom

Not great but passable?

Finished with an experiment through the 'scope i.e. rest the camera on the eyepiece! Complete trial and (mainly) error but again passable image. These Mallards were approx' 50 yds away...



Last hour

Popped down for the last hour. Interestingly, numbers of birds had dropped significantly from the morning show. Elaine from the village had the same idea, she commented on my music choices...she likes them! She told me she'd seen a Merlin midweek, possibly the same bird hanging around?
Managed another year bird in the form of a Goldeneye (63), they're scarce at Duff. Whoopers were present early today with c60 on the flood meadow by 3.30.

Perfect conditions

Whoopers leaving the roost at Dawn

The Carrs is looking optimum at the moment. Water level perfect for dabblers, Pintail (c50) some very close offering excellent viewing. Also natural "edges" for waders including c70 Dunlin, c300 Lapwing...also had 3 Golden Plover over. Also added Skylark and Buzzard to the year list. Had a chat with Peter Roworth and his wife. He suggested I took a photo, so I did...he liked my quote!

"A landscape that suits the birds"

Smokey - Tracks of my Tears

Motown Story - it had to come ...SMOKEY!

Smokey Robinson met Berry Gordy in August '58 and became a major influence on the label. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan's North End neighborhood.

Three great tracks below...dreamland above...!

Smokey - Tears of a Clown

Smokey - You really got a hold on me

"Shop Around" (1960)

John Barry - Born Free

John Barry - Goldfinger

John Barry - Zulu

John Barry R.I.P.

It's not Friday, it's not soul...but it has Soul. The great John Barry died on Sunday. 11 James Bond soundtracks, 5 academy awards. Simply stunning, stirring music linked to great films. He was born in York!

2 superb examples below. The ultimate above...

Scaup...Greenshank!?

Pair of Scaup reported in "the book" today plus Greenshank!?

Whoopers reach 3 figures!

Managed to make it down before dark tonight. It payed off nicely with the sight of exactly 100 Whooper Swans out on the water! A big surprise considering their previous modus operandi. They looked just perfect out there in the evening mist...very atmospheric.