Monday 19 November 2018

In the Pink

Lesser Redpoll (c) 2018 Jane Robinson


On Tuesday we went to a new venue for us.  There was quite a lot to see, but only one hide and we were looking into the sun.  We saw one Black-tailed Godwit, a Dunlin, several Avocet, Curlew, Little Egrets.  There was one female Marsh Harrier, but later every bird flew into the sky, and it was possible a Peregrine had flushed everything.  
Avocets
 Curlew
 Turnstone
In the afternoon I had a look at a small reserve near Howden.  After 30 mins of calling eventually a male Bearded Tit came briefly into view.  Meanwhile, there was plenty of squeals from Water Rails, either side of the hide.  They only appeared briefly.
 Bearded Tit





Inside North Cliffe Wood
Entrance to North Cliffe Wood
On Wednesday we went up to Thixendale to the Robert Fuller Gallery.  Our visit coincided with the Autumn Exhibition, so the car park was heaving.  The morning group were shown Robert's weasel before they started their walk.  We walked along a field margin full of seed-bearing plants.  This attracted a large flock of finches.  These were mainly Greenfinches and Goldfinches, but Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Linnets were also present.  We also flushed some red-legged Partridge, while Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit flew overhead.
Robert's Weasel (c) 2018 Maggie Bruce
 Weasel (c) 2018 Lynn Hall
Greenfinch
Greenfinches & Goldfinch 
Buzzard
Ditto
Roe Buck
Beech
Red Kite (c) 2018 Tony Robinson
 Ditto
 Ditto
 Ditto
On Thursday we went to Hornsea.  Both groups saw their first Great White Egret of the year.  There was some strange behaviour from a big band of Coots.  Roe spotted that one of them was a leucistic bird.  In the afternoon a very bright Yellowhammer was a highlight.
Marsh Harrier
Coots on the 'March' 
Leucistic Coot
Leucistic Coot
 Yellowhammer
 Ditto
Aniseed toadstool? (c) 2018 Margaret Richardson
On Friday we travelled to Fairburn Ings, but the morning was spoiled by quite thick mist.  Once it cleared it was a very grey day, so the following photos were all taken in difficult conditions.  Despite the weather there were some species we don't see every week, such as Redpolls, Pintail, and Willow Tits.  There had been reports of a Cattle Egret, but it wasn't visible to us.   
Lesser Redpoll (c) 2018 Jane Robinson
Pintail (c) 2018 Jane Robinson
 Ditto
 Pintail & Shoveler
 Willow Tit (c) 2018 Jane Robinson
 Ditto
 Cormorants (c) 2018 Jane Robinson
 Cormorant (c) 2018 Jane Robinson
 Distant Redwing (c) 2018 Jane Robinson
Whooper Swan
 Little Egret
 Buzzard
 ditto
 Buzzard & Crows
 Willow Tit
 Spindle 
 Working on a Pylon
 Ditto

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