Saturday 23 October 2021

Weather Difficulties

Bad weather was forecast for both Tuesday and Wednesday, so we switched from exposed estuarine locations on the Humber to Tophill Low.  On Tuesday it rained lightly all morning.  Both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings we headed straight for the O Reservoir and were able to then go on to South Marsh East.  The highlight here was a Black-tailed Godwit.  There were also Shoveler, Teal, Lapwing, Little Egret and a Heron.
Kingfisher (c) 2021 Pete Moizer
Black-tailed Godwit (c) 2021 Tony Robinson
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Mute Swan (c) 2021 Tony Robinson
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Distant Kingfisher (c) 2021 Pete Moizer
Male Kingfisher (c) 2021 Pete Moizer
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Kingfisher (c) 2021 Tony Robinson
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In the afternoon Mike spotted a Red-Crested Pochard on D Reservoir, which turned out to be 3 drakes with their partners.  There was nothing to see in North Lagoon, and we safely negotiated a swarming Hornet nest despite the constant rain.
Red-Crested Pochard (c) 2021 Peter Moizer
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Record shot of Red-Crested Pochard (c) 2021 Tony Robinson
On Thursday gale force winds were forecast, so Fraisthorpe was abandoned for Danes’ Dyke.  It was raining when we were getting ready, but by 9.30 someone turned off the rain.  There were few birds in the woodland, although we did see Goldcrests, Treecreepers, and heard plenty of Jackdaws.  We saw more birds from the cliffs. Plus, when we waded through ankle-deep seaweed on the beach we saw Pied Wagtails and the most Rock Pipits we’ve ever seen at any one time.
Pied Wagtail
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Rock Pipit
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Blue Atlas Cedar Cone
Lichen surrounded by Dead Men's Fingers
A Fistful of Dead Men's Fingers
Dead Men's Fingers (c) 2021 Margaret Richardson
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Turkeytails
Common Ink Caps
Turkeytails & Common Ink Caps (c) 2021 Margaret Richardson
Bootlace Fungus
Ear Fungus (c) 2021 Margaret Richardson
White Bracket Fungus
Thurs pm group
On Friday the winds were supposed to decrease, so we went ahead with Stone Creek.  As I pulled up in the parking area 25 Whooper Swans were just disappearing south, so I thought I’d missed the main event.  However, another 28 flew over a few minutes later.  The air was also alive with the pleasant barking of Pink-footed Geese.  Both groups had quick glimpses of a zooming Kingfisher - too swift to be photographed.
Whooper Swans
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Pink-footed Geese
Curlew
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Curlew (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
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Little Egret
Little Egret (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Little Egret
Kestrel (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Heron
Golden Plovers (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Great Black Backed Gull (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Pied Wagtail (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Record Shot of Redwing (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Tree Sparrows (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Deer Crossing!
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Common Seal (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
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A Friday am stalwart recently had a holiday in Anglesey and the West Country.  The best of her photos are given below.  She was mesmerised by the antics of a Chough with a rootball.
Chough (c) 2021 Jane RobinsonDitto

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Chough & Jackdaw (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
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Great White Egret (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
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Jay (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Kestrel (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Raven (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
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Wheatear (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
On her return she caught up with the Bearded Tits she missed when the class visited.
Female Bearded Tit (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
Male Bearded Tit (c) 2021 Jane Robinson
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