Birding with Flowers: February 2009

Friday, 27 February 2009

Not so Duff Field

Long-tailed Tit (c) Vince Cowell

North Duffield looking towards Aughton

Actually, most of the fields in the area were under water. The bird of the morning was probably the bird of prey I’m not supposed to mention (Peregrine!) which patrolled every area of water, spooking all the Pintail (6 drakes), Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, c.30 Curlew, Golden Plover & Lapwing. We had a good view of a Treecreeper in the morning - rather a surprise as trees are sparse at this location, plus Long-tailed Tits and Reed Buntings, but the usual Bullfinches & Yellowhammers were absent. We went to Bubwith Bridge to look for Whooper Swans, but it was only on the way back after the rest of the morning crew had gone, that 2 of us spotted c30 in some fields with c20 Mute Swans. The afternoon was quieter although a Marsh Harrier flew low over the site – it only had a moderate effect on the wildfowl in comparison with the first raptor. This is usually a very bleak location at this time of year, so it was nice to find it almost balmy!

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Blown Away!

I wish I could say I was blown away by the wildlife today, but sadly it was the wind! We didn't stay round the mere too long, but that gave us the best photo opportunities. The class had already started by the time I'd got there, as they'd been looking through their bird books perplexed by two tired geese sat on the shore. They did very well really, as we've never seen this species at such close quarters before. They went for Bean Goose, but I was able to show why these are Pink-footed. Perhaps they were exhausted, and stopped off on migration, because when we returned about noon they'd gone. We had displaying Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Wigeon, Heron, Cormorant; and then were able to add several Great-Spotted Woodpeckers around the Wassand Estate. There was a fine display of Snowdrops & Aconites, but no Jays or rarities!

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Potty about Potteric

ditto

Reed Bunting - just liked the framing of the twigs on this one!

Unusually, when we entered the Piper Marsh hide at Potteric this morning the Bittern was waiting for us, and gave excellent views. Unfortunately, Tony was too polite to push to the front & Aileen was scrambling around for her battery, so they weren’t clicking away when the Bittern was showing at its best, so the blog is headed by an excellent pic taken from the same hide in December. The drake Pintail was another morning highlight, but it was snoozing in the afternoon, and was difficult to point out its plumage. We found time to visit the hide overlooking the main line to London from which I spotted Casper being given a hard time by the Black-headed Gulls which hope to nest there. Casper is the 3rd winter Caspian Gull, which has been at Potteric since 12th November. This was a “lifer” for everyone present, including the tutor – shock, horror! Although the pm session lacked Casper and the Bittern, we were blessed with a really confiding group of Redpolls – the best views we’ve ever had of this species in 6 years of the course! We could have watched these for ages but 2 trains decided to blast their sirens & the Redpolls (& Siskins) were frightened off. Also of interest were seven Herons showing from Piper Marsh Hide in the morning until one flew off with nesting material; a singing Goldcrest, and some on the morning session managed to track down a treecreeper without Eileen’s help! One slight disappointment was the failure to locate the Kingfisher, but I did hear it call from Mother Drain. Another good thing – Miles spotted a Peacock butterfly – it almost felt like spring has arrived, yipee!

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Yorkshire Wolds Site

We couldn’t enter the site in our usual way, so had to go in by a back entrance. This proved to be a bit too steep for some on the course, so I may have to come up with an alternative next time. We did see a pair of distant Red Kites in the morning, but some had better views in the afternoon. There was very little wind so we watched in amusement in the afternoon as a Buzzard in a high field tried to get itself airbourne by catching a little breeze on an escarpment. Other birds we saw included several Bullfinches, and Marsh Tits, plenty of Song Thrushes doing what it says on the tin & we heard a few distant Mistle Thrush cadences. However, the dull, calm weather ensured we didn’t see the rich and varied bird life I would normally expect at this location.

Monday, 23 February 2009

Welwick Saltings

Short-eared Owl

Barn Owl

Record Shot of 2 Short-eared Owls

Went back to Welwick with Chris Cox for another look at the Hen Harriers. It was a dull afternoon with drizzle at times, so didn't really expect many birds. The harriers didn't show, but came across a Short-eared Owl sat in a hawthorn bush. It flew over the saltmarsh, where it was joined by another 3. They had a couple of dog-fights, or should that be owl-fights before spreading out. One landed in the distant washed-up tree, but the others disappeared into the reeds. The Barn Owl gave better views. Had a good look further afield, and came across some very promising habitat to explore during the summer months. Oh, dear, I've just realised it's more raptors tomorrow! Can you have too much of a good thing?

Sunday, 22 February 2009

Bad Lads of Holderness

An early alarm call of 4.25am for an enjoyable, if at times, frustrating day (in respect of our main objective - the Barn Owl) in the badlands of Holderness - deer rustling and hare coursing are so rife, a farmer stopped us to make sure we weren't up to anything nefarious! I was joined by ebirder, Marcus Conway & Ornithological Idiot (his description, certainly not mine!) James Spencer. One of the 1st birds we saw as dawn broke around us was a close view of a probable female Barn Owl on the outskirts of Paull. We drove round Thorngumbald, Cherry Cobb Sands, Keyingham Marsh, Stone Creek and Sunk Island in the hopes of encountering some of the 10 pairs frequenting the area; but apart from a distant one spotted at Fisherman’s Channel by eagle-eyed Marcus, and a closer one on Outstray Road we were to be disappointed. Never mind we thought, we’ll see plenty this afternoon...

Other species we saw in the area included: Golden Plover, Grey & Red-legged Partridge, Curlew, Shelduck, Knot, Heron, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush, Stock Dove; at least 3 Common Seals, and more than 20 Roe Deer. We cut across country to a damp area along the old Hull to Withernsea railway line where we added Water Rail (heard only), a skein of c100 Pink-footed Geese, Reed Bunting, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe and an absolute abundance of Bullfinches. We then returned to Paull for a look round the Strays in a strengthening wind. Here we managed to add both Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Teal; and several hundred more Golden Plovers. After our visit here we had to say goodbye to errant speeder James, who had an appointment with a lecture he couldn’t afford to miss!

We decided to pop across to Patrington Haven to see the Short-eared Owls. Although we dipped on those, we did bump into Chris Cox & saw a distant Peregrine, but the latter was easily eclipsed by 2 Ringtail Hen Harriers. The 1st approached quite close & when it suddenly swerved near a small passerine we gasped in admiration of its aerial skill even though the bird escaped! The 2nd ringtail was noticeably smaller than the first, and seemed to have darker wing tips. On the walk back to the car park we enjoyed views of a female Stonechat. We gave the Barn Owls another try on the long loops back to Paull, but only managed to add good views of a Kingfisher (female) to our haul. Although the Barn Owls refused to perform (was it the wind, or the springlike conditions, or were they just avioding us?), as the light died we enjoyed the mass swirlings of thousands of Golden Plover over Paull Holme Strays against an impressive reddish-purplish-yellowish sunset. Overall, it was an excellent day in the company of a pair of great birders.

Thursday, 19 February 2009

Normanby - What We Should Have Seen!

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

ditto

Bullfinch

Tawny Owl

I'm always writing posts about the birds we saw and heard, but today's post is about the birds we missed out on! When we were there on Tuesday someone elsewhere on the estate saw & heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, one of the really special birds of this site, but we decided to ignore it! After nearly 40 years of birdwatching my first two were both last year, so why would I want to see another one so soon? We knew where the Little Owls tend to be seen, but could we find them after hours of searching? - nay! No wonder the little tyke above looks so cross! There were plenty of finches around - Chaff, Gold, Green, and even a singing Siskin, but could we find one of the dull, dowdy miserable-looking Bullfinches, we could not!

Despite all these failures we had excellent views of 4 different treecreepers today; and the Nuthatches which gave us the run around yesterday, were back on form for Thursday. The Green Woodpeckers, Redwing & Stock Doves were full of the joys of spring, and the Hare sprinting across the deer enclosure was another highlight. The Jays put on a great performance today, and even gave us a couple of really close fly-bys. The site was new to most people who visited this week, and they are keen to revisit when the woodland birdsong is at its height, and the squealing sprogs are back at school!

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Normanby Estate & Alkborough Flats

Nuthatch

ditto

Red Deer

ditto

Fallow Deer

ditto

An elusive Jay

Alkborough Flats

Golden Plover

ditto

Reed Bunting [female]

Distant Marsh Harrier below Golden Plover

We do occasionally venure outside East Yorkshire and yesterday was one of those times. I'm very grateful to Richard Hampshire (Tophill Low Reserve Manager) who gave up his free time to show the group round his old stamping ground. We had a good morning with the Nuthatch, Jays, Green Woodpecker and the Red & Fallow Deer feeding time being some of the main highlights. 5 of us went on to Alkborough Flats to enjoy really good views of Golden Plover, which were beautifully illuminated by the sun. The 10+ sunbathing Reed Buntings (or hot-cross buns, as someone calls the females!) were a surprise. A distant female Marsh Harrier caused a little extra drama. What looked like a Snow Goose flew over us with some Greylag Geese - also seen by Chris Cox at Blacktoft. Thanks to Vince Cowell for today's excellent pics!

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Autumn Term Details

Bookings for the 10-week Autumn term have started. At the time of writing there are most vacancies on Wednesday & Thursday afternoons with a few on Tuesday mornings. If you are interested in another session, please ask. For at least 2 hours a week encounter the natural world as a completely new sensual experience. You'll be amazed what you'll find just by listening, and not only by looking! In the Autumn we’ll be paying special attention to locating migrants on the coast and along the Humber estuary. Autumn birds we’ll be hoping to find Short and Long-eared Owls, Wrynecks, Redstarts, we are hoping to track down include: Redstarts, Flycatchers, Warblers, Yellow Wagtails & various wading birds. We will be visiting venues in East Yorkshire with a couple of ventures into North Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire. So, if you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife in beautiful and secluded venues for £12 a week, please contact me for more details! We visit a different local hotspot each week and identify all the birds and as much other wildlife as we can. This also includes mammals, and fungi with butterflies, and dragonflies in the warmer months. The course runs twice daily Tuesday to Friday. Please note it is not appropriate to bring your dogs with you. If you are interested in more details of the course, or wish to be placed on a waiting list, please leave a comment next to one of my posts or email me on mflowers81@live.co.uk

Terms and Conditions

Birding with Flowers

Terms and Conditions

1.0 General

1.1. Birding with Flowers organises birdwatching and wildlife walks and events to enable participants to learn bird identification, to gain knowledge of habitats and wildlife in general to enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside. These terms and conditions must be agreed by anyone joining a 10-week birding course or a special one-off event.

1.2 Birding with Flowers reserves the right to revise these Terms and Conditions at any time by updating these pages. It is your responsibility to review and understand the Terms and Conditions. If you are booking a course or event you will be asked to return a signed slip stating that you agree to these legally binding Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions please do not ask to participate in Birding with Flowers courses or events.

1.3 The Birding with Flowers blog HYPERLINK "http://www.eybirdwatching.blogspot.com" www.eybirdwatching.blogspot.com, the weekly East Yorkshire Birdwatching Walks and one-off special events are managed and operated by Birding with Flowers. The Terms and Conditions set out below constitute the agreement between you (the client) and us (Birding with Flowers or BWF).

1.4 Whilst we make every effort to provide you with up to date details for courses and events, it is ultimately your responsibility to check whether they have been cancelled or rescheduled by checking emails or, where applicable, text messages the evening before a session. We take all reasonable steps to ensure the information on the blog, in the course itineraries and for one-off events is accurate at the time of publishing and continues to be accurate. Liability for any loss or damage arising from inaccuracies, omissions or interpretation of contents is limited to the cost of the session. If you believe any content to be inaccurate please contact us on 07946 625677, or email us at mflowers81@live.co.uk and we will take all reasonable steps to correct it as soon as possible.

2.0 Payments and Bookings

2.1 For the complete 10-week course we require full payment in advance. If payment is not made before the date specified in the course particulars, your place may be given to another client.

2.2 One-off short (2-3 hours) walks may be paid for on the day in cash, but preference will always be made to those who pay in advance.

2.3 Except for payments for short walks (see 2.2 above), payments made by BACS are preferred by us as this is a safe, quick and easy method of payment. You will require the Birding with Flowers account number and bank sorting code. You will need to include your surname and the day you attend as a reference. If you require our bank details this will be sent in two separate emails, please do not reply to those emails for security reasons.

2.4 If you do not want to make a BACS payment you may still pay by cheque. Payment by cheque requires your contact details written on the reverse. If you pay by cheque, you should be aware that your cheque will take a few days to arrive in the post, and your payment will not be recognised as completed until the cheque has cleared, which will take several more working days. Please take this into consideration when sending your cheque. For details on how to pay by cheque please email us at mflowers81@live.co.uk

2.5 No cash payments should be sent to us in the post.

2.6 You are required to ensure, when booking a course or event, that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the service. Payment will be taken in advance for the services offered and if payment fails, bookings will not be made until an alternative payment has been made. If there are any changes to your details that may affect your booking it is your responsibility to inform Birding with Flowers by contacting us on 07946 625677, or email us at mflowers81@live.co.uk

2.7 It is important that you print the email of the confirmation of your booking for your own reference.

3.0 Data Protection

3.1 Birding with Flowers takes your contact details as part of the booking process. Your details will not be shared with any third party or organisation. If you request another member’s email or phone number for whatever purpose, your message will be forwarded to that client, but any reply will remain between yourself and that client.

4.0 Intellectual Property

4.1 As a member of the Birding with Flowers course you may be sent detailed itineraries, birdsong calendars, species location spreadsheets, bird identification flowcharts and other original items. Any items marked with copyright should not be shared with any third party, including previous members of the course. Once a person has left the course they are no longer entitled to receive further publications.

5.0 Changes and Cancellation: by Birding with Flowers

5.1 Birding with Flowers begins planning courses and events many months in advance. On occasions we have to make changes to details both before and after bookings have been confirmed. With outdoor classes and events, local weather, transport or a host of other uncontrollable factors can mean a change in the itinerary. Although we always take all reasonable steps to avoid changes, we must reserve the right to do so.

5.2 If we have to make a minor alteration to your itinerary or travel arrangements before departure, we will, if practicable, advise you before departure but we are not obliged to do so or to pay you compensation.

5.3 In the event of poor weather conditions which we consider will seriously affect the quality of a class or one-off event, we reserve the right to postpone or cancel the class or one-off event. In this case you will usually be offered alternative dates for the same or similar event from our programme of events.

5.4 If we have to cancel an individual class, or one-off event, completely due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness of the course leader, extreme weather events or major travel disruption, where possible we will offer an alternative date. If we have no alternative dates to offer, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid for that class or event.

5.5 If a major change is made (e.g. cancellation of all or more than 2 classes of your course or a one-off event e.g. because of the illness of the course leader), we will inform you as soon as possible. In this circumstance we will offer you the choice of the following options:

a) accepting an alternative course, part-course or one-off event arranged by Birding with Flowers and beginning on an arranged day; or

b) transferring your payment to a future course or one-off event run by Birding with Flowers of a similar standard to that originally booked, if available. We will endeavour to offer you at least one alternative course or one-off event of equivalent or higher standard.

In the event of no alternatives being available, or if you are unable to attend a future course or one-off event, a refund for the cancelled proportion of the course or for the one-off event will be offered.

5.6 The decision as to whether a change is minor or major lies with Birding with Flowers, who will act fairly in all circumstances.

5.7 No liability beyond offering the above-mentioned options can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care. No compensation will be payable and the above options will not be available if we cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of our Terms and Conditions entitling us to cancel (e.g. not paying on time) or if the change made is a minor one.

5.8 In the event that a course or event is cancelled by Birding with Flowers because of insufficient numbers signing up for it, a full refund of monies paid by you will be made. However, no further liability will be accepted by Birding with Flowers. Usually an alternative course will be arranged.

6.0 Changes and cancellation by the client

6.1 You may cancel your booking for a course or one-off event at any stage; however, a full refund will not be issued if cancellation is notified to Birding with Flowers less than 7 days before the course commences or the event is due to take place. In the event of serious illness or a major change in your personal circumstance notified by you, any refund of some or all of the course fee or event fee would be at the discretion of Birding with Flowers.

6.2. You may request a change to a booking by contacting us by email or telephone. If possible, a request to change the day/and or time of a course or an individual class will be permitted, providing there is a vacancy for the replacement day and/or time.

6.3 Please note that failure to attend a course, a single class or one-off event without first informing Birding with Flowers cannot be regarded as a cancellation. Unless otherwise agreed, clients who fail to attend a class or event without prior notice will not receive a refund for the course, missed class or one-off event.

7.0 What is Included on BWF Courses or One-Off events

7.1 See the course itineraries or details of one-off events for what you can expect to be provided by Birding with Flowers.

8.0 What is Not Included on BWF Courses, or One-Off Events

8.1 Birding with Flowers does not organise or pay for clients’ travel expenses to and from events, such as public transport or car hire. We do not pay for telephone calls, snacks or any items of a personal nature.

9.0 Insurance

9.1 Birding with Flowers has taken out full indemnity insurance for events held in the UK.

10.0 Special Requests

10.1 If you have any special requests, you should inform us of such requests at the time of booking. We will try our best to accommodate your requirements but we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met. Furthermore, we have no liability to you if such requests are not met.

10.2 Confirmation that a special request has been noted or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met.

10.3 If you have any medical problem or disability which may affect your course or one-off event, (e.g. heart condition, asthma, epilepsy, mobility problems, mental condition etc.) please tell us when making your booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the chosen arrangements. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking. If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate your particular needs, we must reserve the right to decline your reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.

11.0 Behaviour

11.1 When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by your negligence.

11.2 You are respectfully requested to switch off your mobile phone, or switch it to silent mode, for the duration of the birdwatching session. If you are expecting an urgent call during any particular session, please let the course leader know before the commencement of the class. Otherwise if your phone rings without arrangement during a session, do not be offended if you are asked to switch it off.

11.3 You are respectfully requested to wear muted colours for birdwatching sessions. Dark colours allow us to get a little closer to the birds and may prolong our observation of the wildlife. If you arrive wearing bright red, white, yellow or pink you must expect to be asked to cover up.

11.4 Birding with Flowers requests participants to observe the basics of fieldcraft. This means when we are approaching wildlife unnecessary noise should be kept to a minimum. If clients are talking loudly they may be asked to be quiet.

11.5 We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. The majority of Birding with Flowers clients are non-smokers. In order that they can enjoy their course or one-off event in comfort, we insist that smokers refrain from smoking or vaping in the proximity of all other group members, and while watching wildlife, at all times. Smoking indoors in any public space – e.g. bird hide – is illegal, while smoking in any confined space – e.g. at any other group gathering or in a vehicle – cannot be permitted. Additionally, Birding with Flowers implements a policy of eco-tourism and requests that smokers dispose of used cigarette ends, which contain non-biodegradable material, responsibly. In booking a course or one-off event you agree to accept these guidelines, and it is the right of our course leader to dismiss from a class, event or course any participant failing to respect them.

11.6 If, in the reasonable opinion of the course leader, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party (including the course leader) or damage to property or fauna (including the collecting of any specimen from the natural world, for example any plants or insects), we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate your attendance on the course or one-off event of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, you will be required to leave the course or event immediately. We will have no further responsibility toward you including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

11.7 If, in the reasonable opinion of the tour leader you are asked to modify your behaviour in any way, that modification, once agreed, must be adhered to. Any failure to modify your behaviour as previously agreed will result in the immediate expulsion of that person(s) from the course. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

11.8 The course leader reserves the right to bar any person that he/she considers is behaving in any manner detrimental to the smooth running of the course from attendance on any future courses or one-off events. In the first instance this will involve the lack of a renewal information for a future course or one-off event to the individual(s) concerned. Renewal emails/renewals will only automatically be sent to those whose behaviour has caused no problems to either the course leader or to other members attending the course or one-off event.

11.9 If any course member has a problem with the behaviour of any other course member this must be brought to the attention of the course leader, preferably in writing. The person(s) concerned will be questioned and the opinion of other course members sought. If the case appears weak the individual will be informed of his/her alleged behaviour, and warned that any future recurrence will result in immediate explusion. If the case against the individual appears strong then that person(s) will be required to leave the course or event immediately. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

12.0 The course leader’s decision on any dispute is final.