Spring has sprung

Warmer temperatures...at last and as a consequence...more activity from our feathered friends. I tried again for Garganey but I didn't connect. I bumped into Barry Bishop in the Geoff Smith hide, it was good to see him. We had a good chat and shared a few sightings before he left...he'd been there since 7...and seen a drake Garganey!

I definitely got my Swift fix today as there were over 100 feeding over the reserve! A fantastic sight and well worth waiting for...I think? 

Then, a familiar sound...a Cuckoo (77). The bird was present throughout my stay but was very difficult to see. Eventually it gave itself up...albeit distantly over the river...

Eventually it flew a short distance to another tree...

Then away...

The water level had risen due to the recent rains which had caused problems for some breeding species. This Coot was trying again...

Another was luckier, being well above water...for now...

Others were safe as houses...

The scrape was producing more sightings of more species with a pair of Tufted Ducks present...

...and a Gadwall...

A really smart Duck

It wasn't all about birds as there was almost constant action by the local Brown Hares...

Lovely animals.

Add on an impressive variety of birdsong and you have a great place to be.

On the Beach

After yesterday's visit to my Granddaughters (I think the present was a winner!)...

...I began today with a walk along the Runnel to check out the tilled field...no Dotterel again...chortle, chortle! 5 Ringed Plovers and a Dunlin was some consolation. They soon moved on South...fast...

I then saw my first House Martins (P,101, H,99) of the Year, followed shortly afterwards by my FOY Redshank (P.102, H.100).

My next decision was made for me...

Social distancing isn't a problem here...

It was Bud's first swim for quite a while...and he loved it, as always...

Then...a raptor appeared high from the South. After a bit of mandatory fumbling, I managed a few snaps...

cc Marsh Harrier

...it evetually flew strongly East and out to sea.

The evening stroll was uneventful but "catching" a Whitethroat in flight was nice...

...and a superb male Blackbird was belting it out by the Cliff. What a bird...

Early and brief...then late

It's my Granddaughter's Rebecca's 3rd Birthday, so we were heading for Leeds. My lad needed some exercise first though, so I took him for a walk around the Cliff paddock.

As I reached the end of Seaside a bird was belting out a familiar rattle. Never easy to see but luckily this bird decided to reveal itself...when I didn't have my camera! So...I had an idea...I'll try my phone. I was around 10 yards away and my phone has a 4x zoom, which allowed me to get some kind of image...

Lesser Whitethroat

I also had a lone female Wheatear on a fencepost but the pic didn''t make it!

There was a major fall of Wheatears all along the Yorkshire Coast today so I decided to have a stroll down to the paddock last thing with Bud. Nothing apparent initially, then a male...

...then 2 females...here's one...

A couple of twilight shots! A big bonus came in the form of a Greenshank (P.99, H.97) flying over. Things got even better when 4 Swifts (P.100, H.98) appeared out of nowhere moving South. It turned out to be a good decision to leave the Footy!

Write off!

The forecast predicted 100% rain today. As I start to write at 10am it's spot on! It's Global Big Day so I guess it depends what the weather is like where you are...or not! Personally I'm wimping out. No fun in my book tramping round in heavy rain and strong wind! I'll "do one" when the conditions are more favourable. I could have done a "Big Sit" at Duff I guess but recent circumstances preclude this situation.

Instead I'm having a catch up on the "Old Thunderer" adding some recent records to my Bird Recorder database on my old Laptop...you know that story. I always have everything crossed as I'm firing it up but it's ready for action now. I won't bore you with personal statistics but I like to have a day with it active every month and today is perfect. It also gives me an opportunity to reflect on the Year so far...albeit briefly. Some highlights...

Holmpton

Pink-footed Geese - never tire of overhead skeins

Barnacle Goose - a stray in the centre of the Village

Goosander - a nice male flew South

Great-crested Grebe - a couple on the sea were a good record

Dunlin - c30 over the house last night was definitely noteworthy

Hen Harrier - ringtail at Old Hive

WHITE-TAILED EAGLE - an amazing second record with a little help...and luck

Wheatear - TWENTY birds in view one evening after a field was tilled was a marvellous sight!

Black Redstart - a nice winter find at Old Hive

Brambling - a nice find on the feeder

Snow Buntings -  a few flocks brightening up many a Winter's day

Also a word for our local specialities. Always appreciated...

Grey Partridge

Stock Dove

Marsh Harrier

Barn Owl

Sand Martin - breeding

Corn Bunting

Yellowhammer

Spurn

Golden Oriole - a stunning male

North Duffield

Little Ringed Plover - a result of the renovated scrape

Black-tailed Godwit - superb in their summer dress

Great White Egret

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The irony of the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD saga beggars belief...or does it...coupled with the fact it has now re-appeared in Northumberland! I won't be re-visiting this particular episode...you'll be pleased to hear.

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I had a late result last night when I added a "Garden Tick" whilst watching the match in the bedroom. A tight group of small birds flashed past the window and over the Cottage. Initially, I thought Starlings but that opinion soon changed when I realised they were Dunlins (74)!

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A few birds I haven't seen in Texas are present at the moment but certainly NOT available! These include a First for the State in the form of a Limpkin. This species is a Florida speciality but has roamed west to Louisiana, occuring on a few occasions in the New Orleans area. Other rare birds present on my wanted list are...

Black-whiskered Vireo - South Padre Island

Mourning Warbler - Warbler Woods, San Antonio

Maybe next year?

Skippy

Early start this morning as I'd promised Haydn I'd spend some time with him on his beloved Skipwith Common (aka Skippy). I'd planned to go over for the day and couple the visit with Duff but a late appointment at the hospital this afternoon for Louise, put an end to that...hence the early start. I arrived at 7 and joined Haydn for the tour.

The main target was Grasshopper Warbler. It had been quite a few years since I'd seen/heard one in breeding habitat (I'd seen the odd migrant at Spurn...which sometimes offered the chance of being something...rarer).

I discovered Haydn's hearing was better than mine as he could pick the bird up reeling, while I heard nothing. 23 years in a Sports Hall (not continuously) has obviously taken its toll! Anyway, eventually he picked it up low down in a small bush, although it was some distance away. We then saw it fly (which was nice) and then it was gone.

We spent the next hour walking a circuit through flooded peat bog. Miraculously I didn't fall over! 

Garden Warbler was another bird I was keen to see and we eventually had a brief view and heard its "Blackcap-like" song. Then a smart Jay appeared. We'd heard a Cuckoo many times, then there it was, typically losing its balance on a distant tree. We then had a second "go" at the "Gropper". Again Haydn picked up the sound then expertly located the bird deep in a bush...very impressive...

My time was nearly up and as we reached my car a Woodlark struck up its lovely song high in a nearby conifer...

It then gave us the added bonus of a prolonged display flight, going way up high above its territory...

A great morning with some quality species seen, Great company as well. Cheers Haydn!

Catch Up - then an Oriole!

Things still mighty slow. A few bits bravely trying to establish territories despite the...I won't say it! A Blackcap in the shadows briefly...

At least 3 Chiffchaffs are persevering on Seaside Lane. Still no Swift or House Martin locally for me.

A few hours at Duff yesterday failed to add anything significant although a wing-tagged Marsh Harrier (74) was "new"...for me.

This morning I checked all bare fields for Dotterel...I know...BUT you never know. I always think of May 6th as Dotterel day...for some bizarre reason! Needlesss to say...no luck on that one. The fields looked "good" though.

Mid-morning I received a message off Steve Lawton asking me if I'd been down for the Golden Oriole that turned up yesterday at Spurn. I told him I hadn't. He informed me there were some great pics of it...a stunning male. It took me 19 years to get my Yorkshire tick but since moving locally I've seen a few, including one at Sammy's Point that I spent a few hours with. I guess his message planted the seed in my head though and an hour later I found myself at Kilnsea. I asked a few Birders what the latest was and it became clear that it wasn't showing. It had been commuting between the Warren and Canal Bank. 

I decided to wait in my car for a while and scan the immediate area near the Gate and Canal. There were a decent number about and I reckoned there was a good chance someone would pick it up...if only in flight? I gave it an hour but no positive news came through. I decided to head home and maybe give it a go this evening, hoping it would return to the Warren.

As I reached the Gas Terminal...a message...

Golden Oriole showing well halfway along the Canal Bank

A quick U-turn and back to Kilnsea...and the Canal Bank. There were around a dozen Birders present when I reached the spot...

View over the Humber from the Canal Bank

The bird had been seen in this group of bushes. There was a brief sighting after around 20 minutes, then nothing for another 20. Then someone picked it up, perched deep in the vegetation. Fortunately for all present, it then sat up in the top of a bush and we all enjoyed "crippling views" for at least 20 minutes as it sat there in the sunshine...

As far as I'm aware this species doesn't breed in Britain anymore. I did see them (distantly and briefly) in the late eighties at Lackenheath in Suffolk. Alas, the habitat could not be secured...unfortunately! To see a fine male so well and so close to home, was a privilege indeed. Glad I went down...

There and Here - for an Eagle!

Popped over to the "dark side" yesterday to see "me Mum" . An early start at 6 enabled me to do a detour to NDC on the way...after the Sausage McMuffins (no egg) and Latte...of course! I arrived at 8 and had a lovely relaxing couple of hours before continuing to Bury.

Still no Garganey unfortunately...or Swift. I added 5 year ticks taking me to 73. The "best" sightings were Kingfisher and 2 Greenshanks. Other notables...

Whooper Swan (still looking in good nick) 

Great Crested Grebe - still courting

Little Egret

Oystercatcher

Common Sandpiper

House Martin

Sedge Warbler

Obviously got back late last night, so had a lazy morning today watching the Snooker. I usually miss it, again for obvious reasons, so I've "filled my boots" this year. It's been fantastic...and hasn't changed over the years...unlike most other sports!!! Hazel Irvine is a brilliant presenter, John Virgo a legend and the BBC, as always, do an excellent job with sport.

As I was enjoying another tense frame...a message. Like us all, I guess, I don't always look immediately....schoolboy error? No Pager these days, so it could be from a variety of sources. Fortunately this one was read promptly and was from the "Spurn Early Warning" WhatsApp group. A Birder from Withernsea had posted a message...

Imm White-tailed Eagle just gone South over Withernsea following the shoreline

Withernsea is 3 miles North of Holmpton. Scramble! I grabbed my bins and camera (forgot my phone), jumped (well fell) into the car and headed to the bottom of School Lane...the very bottom, stopping just before the (crumbling) cliff! I looked to my right...and THERE IT WAS!!! It was over Mill Hill flying steadily South accompanied by the madatory Covids. My camera had decided to change its settings, which was rather frustrating to say the least. Anyway, I managed to sort it out (and my fingers) just in time to record the event...

P.97, H.96

So, incredibly...my second record for Holmpton following my self-found bird on the 2nd of November 2018. You never know what might drift by...if you're there of course. 

The down side of the event was that Richard didn't see it. He is also on the WhatsApp group but he was in the garden and his phone was "on charge" in the house. Timing is everything...plus luck of course!

Local breeders and a late migrant

A walk along the Runnel produced a couple of Wheatears which surprised me considering the...yep, you guessed it...strong Northerly wind...

On reflection I reckon there were at least 6 Wheatears in the field plus one at the Llama Farm. A small detour was taken at the second pill box...

A drive down Snakey produced 4 singing Corn Buntings...

and plenty of Whitethroats, including a group of 6...

...and a late Fieldfare is always a bonus...no doubt held back by the weather...

Texas - on this date...is over now...for the Spring. Hope you found something of interest there? I enjoyed re-living some great memories; it helped ease the pain of another cancelled trip. I'll throw one or two more in...when the date arises.

NDC

Crappy forecast locally today. I had a few things to do in Hull, so I decided to continue to Duff for a morning session. I'm fine trudging the local cliffs and fields but I do still like a good sit in the hides, watching what comes and goes...and remains of course! I am drawn like a moth to a flame lol!

I added five year ticks, taking me to 68

Black-tailed Godwit - at least 15 birds present in the long grass. Easier to view at distance from the Geoff Smith Hide but two eventually gave themselves away from Garganey Hide. Always great to get a view of these beauties...

Wonderful chestnut colour

Sedge Warbler - singing by the Geoff Smith Hide

House Martin - A single bird. Chuffed to get a record shot considering the distance and speed of the bird...

Whitethroat - in front of the Geoff Smith Hide

Linnet - a pair came into the scrape for a drink

Still present on the scrape was probably the same Common Sandpiper and one Yellow Wagtail. Other notable species were...

Whooper Swan 2

Great Crested Grebe 2

Oystercatcher 3

Lapwing c40

Curlew c 20

Chiffchaff c6

Willow Warbler c4

Blackcap pr

This male Shoveler struck a nice pose by Garganey Hide...

It was wonderful to see and hear the Lapwings and Curlews displaying across this natural setting. A rare sight these days. The hoped for Swift never materialised.

Texas - on this day

2019

This will always be Bobolink day for me. I'd waited a looooooooong time to add this bird to my Texas List. A combination of the birds scarcity in the State and my dates not coinciding with its passage, meant it was now my No1 target. A day earlier there had been reports of birds arriving on Galveston Island and eBird also had records on the 26th. So, dawn on the 27th had me on Settegast Rd near the Artist Boat Coastal Heritage Preserve (bit of a mouthful) on Galveston Island. Much hopeful scanning ensued. Local birders the previous day were viewing from the roofs of their trucks. I didn't think that was a great idea with my rental!

Louise was in place with her folding chair and novel whilst I continued to search. A guy appeared who I had seen previously at Lafitte's Cove. He turned out to be Greg Hall, the ranger for the preserve. He asked me if I was looking for anything in particular. When I told him, he immediately beckoned me to climb over the wire and join him in his buggy! The next thing I knew we were hurtling across the preserve towards some bushes, where I eventually saw this...

A stunning species

A brilliant experience coupled with an awesome bird. Success at last. I thanked Greg...a lot! He was quite a character who kept snakes as pets!! When I got back to Louise her comment was..."I thought I saw someone who looked like you in that field"!?

A couple of "good uns"

A late one of the Wheatear at Cliff Farm yesterday...

A couple of interesting sightings this morning. As we reached the cliff a male Goosander flew South along the tideline. Too quick for a pic'. Further down the beach beyond the second pill box, a large white blob turned out to be a Gannet! I had a bird fly along the cliff edge once but this was my first sighting of a bird on terra firma. Immediate thoughts turn to injury or illness but I was relieved to see the bird fly when approached by dog walkers. Hopefully it was just resting? 

A late afternoon sorte started with a walk up Seaside Lane were a Chiffchaff was belting it out. Usually difficult to photograph this one gave itself up easily...

As I was trying to get a pic Richard pulled up. He'd just been down to Spurn and on his way back he'd seen a Peregrine with prey being harrassed by a Hen Harrier! Very nice.

I continued my walk North to the Llama Farm but it didn't produce the hoped for Swift or House Martin but a record count of 31 Oystercatchers also heading North made the effort worth while...

Bud flushed a Meadow Pipit from the rough grass which lingered long enough for a pic...

Texas - on this date

Only one bird of note was seen on April 26th during my 13 visits, although not all have been in Spring! A visit to Big Bend and Cattail Falls finally produced a decent if brief view of the highly elusive Gray Vireo.  This is a species I had tried for on numerous occasions without success on previous visits out West.