Lately

The news of a trickle of Garganeys making it into the Country made my mind up regardng my destination yesterday. It had to be Duff...and Garganey Hide! I arrived at 9 and had a stroll down the new path which gives great views of the River...

It was still misty...

I could hear the wonderful sound of Whooper Swans...but couldn't see any. As you know they feed on the Farm fields opposite and leave the Carrs in groups from Dawn. I then spotted a group through the haze...

Evocative

You also get better views of the area North of the bridge from this new path...

...and it paid off with my FOY Chiffchaff (57)...

I initially camped in the Geoff Smith Hide for an initial scan. It was a fantastic, crisp and clear sunny morning...

A pair of Mute Swans has taken up residence again on the scrape. I tried a couple of shots with "the device"...

A Heron landed on the far side some 80yds away...

Pleased with this one. A lone Redwing was a surprise and a nice bonus...

A few more groups of Whooper Swans left for the fields...

...and so down to Garganey Hide. 

I was reasonably hopeful but it didn't appear in my 3 hour vigil. Fortunately some Whooper Swans had decided to stay on the water, albeit distantly. The whiteness of the birds in the bright sunshine made getting a decent image with the phonescope difficult...but OK for a record shot...

There was plenty of activity to keep me entertained. Still good numbers of dapper Pintail present...

Also lots of Geese coming and going. Always worth checking for something scarcer...

Pink-footed Geese (58)

Three Oystercatchers (59) were new. I then picked out a Raptor distantly over the poplars...

Red Kite (60)

I watched it for around 15 minutes before it was lost to view. It was now gone Noon and I intended to leave at 1. More Garganey scanning, no luck there BUT the Red Kite had come to visit...

I was treated to a nice fly-by right in front of the hide! Superb. A Great end to the session. John Heaton entered the hide just as the Kite was leaving, which was unfortunate. Good to see again though. 

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Great start this morning when the first bird I saw walking down the lane was a non "Chiffchaffing" Chiffchaff (P.90, H.74)...

I walked the coast path from the Pills to Out Newton but I couldn't find a Wheatear or Sand Martin. There has been some disturbing erosio this Winter as a direct consequence of the new defences at With. Looking North from the path at Out Newton, Withernsea is looking more and more like a mini Flamborough Head...without the Cliffs of course...

You didn't used to be able to see the Lighthouse!

The Cliff at Old Hive looks completely different...

I'm sure the Sand Martins will sort it out though. I'm sure they've seen it all before!

I had a late stroll down the Pill Boxes hoping for a record breaking Sand Martin or Wheatear. It wasn't to be. Today's Chiffchaff was a day later than my earliest in 2020.

Welwick

Started at Welwick this morning in an attempt to locate the lingering Richard's Pipit. I was dismayed to see a shape creeping along the mudbank complete with camera on arrival. I made my exit...I think you can read my thoughts. I'm too old (and I like to think wise) for all that.

I parked at Skeffling and took the lad a walk along the floodbank towards Welwick, although I had no intention of re-visiting the site...not yet at least...

The tide was way out as I checked both sides of the path. Some nice habitat enhanced by yesterday's rain...

I hadn't seen a single Hen Harrier or SEO this Year? I could see a few white shapes way in the distance which isn't unusual here as Little Egrets are regular. However, one appeared bigger?

I estimated the bird was at least 800 yds away but I was sure it was a GWE. The bird then took flight and landed on the foreshore...conveniently next to a Little...

P.90

I was still  a considerable distance away. I decided to walk below the bank until I got closer. The problem with this strategy was I couldn't see the bird...albeit it couldn't see me! Unfortunately I then spotted someone coming towards me who would almost certainly flush the bird. As I was scanning I caught sight of a white shape...it was the GWE flying South over the Humber...

My reward for being a good boy earlier...I like to think!

Time to return to the RP site. This time the coast was thankfully clear, so I walked along the path and set up my scope to view the field...

The hedge has been trimmed somewhat!

Thirty minutes past with no sign of the large Pipit. This species can be tough anywhere, with many covering considerable distances when present. I set a target of 1pm and at 12.55 it appeared, flying in, circling and landing some 50 yds away. I managed to capture something before I lost it in the undulating stubble...

Success (P.91)

Another 20 minutes past before I picked it up again, more distantly. I decided to try my new toy again. After further teething problems I managed to get a few images. I feel this one illustrates the difficulty of picking it out at distance...

Eventually the bird revealed itself...

c60 yds

Decent morning...indeed!

Phonescoping

I had a Dental appointment in York this morning. Unfortunately, I didn't make it due to the A64 being closed due to a serious accident. Let's hope everyone is OK? 

So...I headed fro Duff. There's a shock!

I had my new toy with me...a phonescoping adapter. As you know I'm not one to "faff about", so this was going to have to go reasonably well...quickly!While I was setting up...or trying to, I heard a Water Rail (54) and Oystercatchers (55). Nothing else new was seen but I had a good play with my adapter...

A pair of sleepy Tufties on the scrape...

Drake Gadwall at c80 yds...

I've seen worse! Handy to have as a back-up in certain favourable situations.

Phil sent me a couple of his Smew pics...

Corker!

19.14 MEGA DEVON PINE GROSBEAK male y'day Woolacombe in garden. No sign today

Mmmmmm!?

Who knows, I don't...BUT must be a provenance ?

Wykeham

A message from Phil yesterday afternoon informing me he was going to call in at Wykeham Raptor Watchpoint this morning on his way back from the NE, initially fell on deaf ears as I recalled my previous failures here. After chewing it over for a while and remembering my current mantra, I decided to give it a go. The forecast was good (for what its worth). 

After scraping the ice of the windscreen I left home at 7.15, arriving at the car park at Wykeham at 9. Phil hadn't arrived yet so I made my way down to the viewpoint. On arrival a Woodcock blasted out of the undergrowth. Maybe a good omen?

Phil arrived shortly afterwards and we set out stall out. We were the only ones present, it was still, bright but cold...

An extremely tame Robin entertained us throughout our 4 hour vigil and helped lessen the boredom as we failed to connect with the elusive Goshawk. Plenty of distant Buzzards, some giving acrobatic displays.

Other birds around the Watchpoint included Siskin, Coal Tit and Bullfinch. The best was yet to come though. No, not a Raptor but a species that would definitely qualify for my Mantra (or is it mouthful)..."quality species I haven't seen for quite some time"...

The distinctive silhouette of a Crossbill

One flew slightly closer...

A few more hopefuls had arrived by 11 and one of them noticed a bird behind us which showed fairly well...

So I still ended up seeing something...decent. Not a species you can expect to see on your average day.

I gave Phil directions to the Smew and he connected on his way home.

Spring has Sprung!

...at least for today!

I covered some distance today (c4 miles) on a fantastic morning. It started well, very well!! I was going to head South but changed my mind when I saw my mate coming towards me, so I met him for a chat. As he headed back North I spotted something "interesting" on the baked plough? A quick look through the bins revealed a...Black Redstart (P.87, H.70)!!!  Only my 5th record for the Village. As I raised my camera it flew and dropped over the Cliff. I waited around 15 minutes but the bird didn't re-appear. I walked further North checking the Cliff face as I went (not too close).past the 1st pill I picked it up again but it saw me first and continued North. This happened once more then it was seen no more, despite extensive searching back along the beach to Holmpton...and a swim for my mate...

...then North to Intack (the Northern end of my Patch). On the way a lone Gull turned out to be my first LBB (P.88, H,71) of the Year...

A smart Gull

...a Ringed Plover was also present. Meadow Pipits (P.89, H.72) had arrived in force and were parachuting all along the journey. Skylarks (c30) were also heralding the improved weather.

View North from Holmpton...

Llama Farm...

Sewage

North to Intack showing the significant erosion since the new defences at Withernsea were completed...

I bumped into a chap who was doing some surveying of the Cliffs with that very purpose in mind. I had an interesting 30 minutes chat with him. Took me back to my Geology A level days! 

Still no sign of the Black Redstart on my return journey but I was chuffed to pick out a lone diminutive Drake Teal (H.73) on the vast expanse of sea...

A great 4 hours.

32 species

Just found an image I took with the trusty camera at Watton. Could have been worse...

Drake Smew - third time lucky

I received a message late last night from Eich Hediger (many thanks) informing me that the target bird had returned to Watton NR. That was the green light to return early this morning. I retraced my steps along the West side of the Barmston drain arriving on site at 9.34...

I like situations like this. The prospect of a top bird but laced with uncertainty? I started to scan...again.

Handy that I'm looking for a gleaming white bird...albeit diminutive! Similar fayre on show with some cracking male Goldeneye on offer. The Wildfowl was active with much movement around the two pools. Then, there he was....Magic! I had him in view for a couple of minutes as he swam strongly left. Then...he disappeared?

I was happy to wait but I started to summize that he may have flown off or be hidden in the reeds? It was now gone 10 and still no sign. Then at 10.10 as if by magic he was BACK! He was too far away for my camera so I decided to try some basic hand-held  digiscoping as I'd given my 'scope a rare outing.

First attempt...

c100 yards

Eventually I managed a half decent shot...

I gave it till 11 and the Star Bird was still on show as I left. So, another success in my Quest to see some quality Species this Year. However, my plans going forward will definitely be curtailed somewhat, due to the extortionate hike in Fuel prices!!! No comment...

Wheatears and Sand Martins reaching Yorkshire on the favourable Southerly winds. Must be a good chance of beating my earliest records which are both March 20th!

Hornsea Mere

Spent a pleasant couple of hours there this morning, hoping for a rare Duck. No joy but a nice walk with my lad...

A First for Yorkshire!

Don't get too excited...I'm referring to a Site not a Bird! I've been to most spots in Yorkshire over the past 36 Years...but not this one.

This morning found me at Watton NR immediately West of the temporarily closed Top Hill Low NR. After some initial access issues (and dodging a few Horses) I made my way North along the West side of the Barmston Drain. As I approached the water (you've GOT to love Google Maps) I could fortunately get decent views across the open water. There were a decent amount of of Wildfowl present including some smart male Goldeneye (my target was associating with them 2 days previous). A lovely male Marsh Harrier made a few passes which helped me check all the birds!

You've probably figured out by now my quarry was the "White Nun" (strange name for a male bird). I must admit my optimism took a dint before I set off when one was reported from Hornsea Mere? However, I wanted to satisfy my curiosity concerning this site and maybe, just maybe it was a different bird?! 

Anyway, I gave it an hour and the bird didn't appear. A nice spot though...

I toyed with the idea of popping in at Swine Moor on the way back...but I didn't!

LSW - Third Time Lucky

Had a non-Covid Virus for the past week which took the wind out of my sails. However, news of another Site for Lesser-spotted Woodpecker perked me up though and this morning I left at 5 for Sherwood Forest. I arrived at 7 were Phil was waiting in a lay-by. We walked the short distance to the Major Oak area...

A new sight for me

I'd been sent some information off Gary Dayes (cheers pal) which included a map and a photo of the specific tree a pair had been frequenting a few days previous...

This could be it!

We could hear drumming coming from different areas and one seemed diagnostic of a Lesser...but we couldn't pick it out. Another Birder appeared and confirmed the bird we had heard was a Lesser as he'd seen it from the next path! We decided to walk this path and check out some trees in that area. As we were returning to our original position the drumming started again and this time I picked it out at the very top of a mature Oak. It didn't linger and unfortunately Phil couldn't get on it.

Still nothing from the "stake out" tree. Another chap arrived asking us for "the latest". After a short chat he informed us a Tawny owl was showing in it's roost tree. He kindly offered to show us. Within 2 minutes we'd connected...

We could now hear drumming in the immediate area...VERY close to the path. After a couple of minutes I found it (8.22)! I grabbed this shot before it disappeared around the back of a branch...

The light was poor but who cares?! 

Fortunately it showed itself briefly before departing...

It was also nice to have some flight views of this diminutive species. Success!#

Other species on offer included Nuthatch...

Bullfinch...

and Treecreeper...

As well as the success with the Bird it was a wonderful spot to spend 3 hours...

Fruitless

A grim period, bird and weather wise to be honest but I HAVE been out there looking! Spring migrants can't be too far away? 

At least it's given me time to plan my (hopefully) upcoming trip. There'll be less miles this trip, with more accent on spending time at chosen Sites, just seeing what turns up. It's a holiday after all. As already explained the visit will be split South/North. Down to SPI for the first "half" with a few days out along the Rio Grande Corridor taking in some of the major Sites and then up to Galveston to wallow in the peak migration period.

"Away from it all" has never resonated clearer than at present after the last few turbulent Years...

FOY Gannet

A single bird flew North at 1.45 (P.83, H.68). Signs of Spring...