Birding with Flowers: February 2022

Friday 18 February 2022

Full of Bluster

On Tuesday we went ahead with Fairburn, as it looked as though the rain was going to be worse further east. It was dry when we watched a male Bullfinch pecking at buds in the car park, but the rain soon started. Luckily, it only rained for around 15 minutes including the time spent at Pick-up hide and with the female Kingfisher. The rain eased as we climbed the hill. Despite the windy conditions we decided to attempt the Roy Taylor walk. Immediately, we had great views of a Green Woodpecker, which at first flew up from a grassy area, and then around us for several minutes.

Female Kingfisher

ditto

Red Kite

Sue's Great White Egret

Green Woodpecker & Magpie

ditto

2 Green Woodpeckers

We reached the first pool at the top to be greeted by a lake studded with Shovelers, and where Steve spotted a pair of Great Crested Grebes. The second lake was mainly Coots, but another pair of Great Crested Grebes were dancing in the shelter of a reedbed. As we walked around the perimeter Sue looked down and spotted probably one of our closest views of a Great White Egret. A few minutes later some distant Pintail could also be seen. On the return journey we saw a very noisy Green Woodpecker, which landed on the fence, a few seconds later we realised that there was another in the grass below the fence. We enjoyed another look at the female Kingfisher at the screen on our way out. There was a male Reed Bunting at the visitor centre feeders.

Green Woodpecker

ditto

Reed Bunting

On Tuesday night heavy rain was forecast with strong winds for the following day, so Wednesday was changed to N.Cave Wetlands. The wind wasn’t quite as bad as forecast. Nevertheless, there was less in the hedgerows than on Friday. However, we did come across a group of relatively confiding Siskin, which Miles thought were the sighting of the day. The Snipe also let us down in the gap in the hedge. There seemed to be hundreds of Lapwing with a few Redshank and plenty of Wigeon. We didn’t see an awful lot among the new workings, but there were another dollop of Lapwings. Aileen noticed that a lot of Shoveler had paired up on Far Lake and were beneficially stirring up the water for each other to sieve. As we walked along north hedge the sky began to clear and at least three Skylarks were seen ascending into the skies pouring forth their pleasant song.

Concealed Male Siskin

Branch in the wrong place

Siskin

ditto

Bullfinch

Gadwall

Little Egret

Long-tailed Tit

ditto

Siskin

Oysercatchers

As we returned to the viewing platform a Ruff could be seen, and then 2 widely-distanced Black-tailed Godwits. A peal of a Green Woodpecker laughter ran out, whilst the lovely loud notes of the Song Thrush serenaded those eating their sandwiches on the viewing platform.

Robin

ditto

Song Thrush

Yellowhammer

Skylark

Record shot of Ruff

On Thursday we went ahead with North Duffield Carrs. It was still extremely windy from the previous night’s storm. We had a quick look at the as yet-to-be-constructed new viewing platform, and had a scan of the panorama. After lunch there were 3 Marsh Harriers to be seen from this point. We then went to the first hide dodging the prickly tendrils of last year’s bramble briars hanging over the path. Luckily, no one lost an eye. The best sighting from the first hide was a racing Brown Hare.

Marsh Harrier

ditto

Gordon's Little Grebe

The walk between the hides was very quiet apart from Blue Tits, as all the usual small birds must have been hunkered down in the wind. From the Garganey Hide all the wildfowl were at some distance, but a Marsh Harrier flushed everything, so when they settled again, it was possible to see Pintail, Shoveler, Wigeon and a few others. Lapwings were the most prominent wader with also Golden Plovers, Redshank, Curlew and Elaine spotted a pair of Dunlin. Elaine also observed a Buzzard low-down perched among vegetation, which sheltered it from the wind.

Wren

Friday's sessions were postponed because the weather forecast sponsored by the southern based media was foolishly respected. It turned out we could have gone ahead, as the worst weather did not hit the region until after 3pm!

Friday 11 February 2022

The Sun Finally Breaks Through

Peregrine

It was cold on Monday morning, so it was nice to find a female Grey Wagtail. It was very busy as it moved quickly between gravestones to check every crevice for tiny insects.

Grey WagtailDittoDitto

On Tuesday we travelled to North Duffield Carrs. At first we tried out a new cinder path leading east out of the car park. It was a very grey day, and not as windy as forecast. It gave nice views over the broad valley. We didn’t see anything exceptional. later, Bridget discovered this is to be the site of a viewing platform. We carried on to the first hide. We enjoyed the site of several Whooper Swans flying with a Mute swan. The area seemed deserted at first, but first one, then a second, then a third, and possibly more Brown Hares were seen.

Whooper & a Mute Swan

Ditto

Hare

Ditto

At Garganey hide there were plenty of wildfowl to see, but most of them were pretty distant. The nearest birds were a male Stonechat and a Wren. David was the first to spot a close Pintail near a pair of Shoveler. Steve was able to locate them in his scope, thus permitting a better view for everyone, who could barely make them out through their binoculars. Other wildfowl included Wigeon, unmentionables, Greylag and Canada Geese. Eventually, clouds of distant Lapwing and Golden Plovers were spotted, so presumably they were dispersed by an unseen raptor

Stonechat

Ditto

Both Wednesday and Thursday sessions took place at Scarborough Harbour. On Wednesday the Great Northern Diver was still in the harbour in beautiful light, but it played cat-and-mouse with us. We also saw a single Rock Pipit, a large rampaging gang of hungry Turnstones, and some Purple Sandpipers on the edge of the sea. Looking over the harbour wall we were surprised to see three Shags in bad light.

Great Northern Diver - Open Wide

With a Flat Fish

Dropped again

Looking a bit Red in the Head

Swallowing

Nearly Down

Turnstone

Turnstones in Flight

ditto

Purple Sandpipers

Cormorant

Ditto

Shags

Duo

Dumb Shag Drying its wings while on the sea!

Shag with bristle-finned fish

Crow

Great Black Backed Gull

Herring Gulls

Immature Herring Gull

We then headed along Marine Drive. As we walked there were several Harbour Porpoises, Red-throated Divers, Guillemots, Shags and Cormorants bobbing on a very calm sea. The female Peregrine was pointed out by an old sea salt, and the male sat disconsolately nearby. They both called and then we enjoyed good views of the female flying along the Fulmar-stacked cliffs.

Record Shot of Red-throated Diver

Ditto

Fulmar

Ditto

Peregrine

Ditto

Female Peregrine

Ditto

ditto

Work of Art in Progress

In the Afternoon

Some of the Wednesday morning regulars went on to the Raptor Viewpoint at Wykeham. Apparently, Goshawks had been seen in the morning, but not whilst our crew were there. However, they did see a Buzzard and a very bright Crossbill.

ditto

Three Wednesday attendees went on to Scalby Mills, and saw several species we had not seen around the harbour.

Thursday was mostly a rerun of Wednesday with far fewer clouds, but much more wind. This time there were two Great Northern Divers in the harbour when we arrived, although one soon ventured outside and proceeded to swim north keeping fairly close to the sea wall. Most of the other birds were very similar to the preceding day. The Rock Pipits were seen much better on Thursday than the day before.

Razorbill

Orangeshank!

Shag in Breeding Plumage

ditto

Rock Pipit

ditto

Peregrine

Nigel's Oystercatcher

On Friday the original plans had to be altered because of venue difficulties, so we switched to North Cave Wetlands in decent weather, which is a novelty in itself. We went in a clockwise direction. There was very little in the hedgerows, but plenty of tuneful Dunnocks. There were plenty of Gadwall, Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes and a few Pochard on the first lake. We did glimpse a few Long-tailed Tits near one of the gates.

Ditto

ditto

When we stopped in a gap in the hedge near Crosslands Hide a few noisy Redshank and three Snipe flew into the air. We didn’t see a great deal in the new workings area, but an unexpected air of peace pervaded the scene.

ditto

There were a lot of Lapwings near the farm, but no sign of the Little Owl. Many people passing in the opposite direction mentioned the very showy Tawny Owl, but of course it wasn’t present when we reached the viewpoint. The north hedge was replete with Reed Buntings and a few Yellowhammers. When we reached the viewing platform we luckily spotted a flying Green Woodpecker, which landed on the grass.

NCW

Angela was stuck in the Scarborough area, and couldn't get to North Cave Wetlands. She had to put up with Goshawks, Crossbills and a Nuthatch.

ditto

Spring Course Details

Bookings for the 10-week Spring term have started. At the time of writing there are most vacancies on Tuesday & Friday mornings with a couple of spaces on all other sessions. 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 Spring we'll be paying special attention to finding and identifying birds by their songs and calls. Summer visitors we are hoping to track down include: Turtle Doves, Redstarts, Cuckoos, Yellow Wagtails and Spotted Flycatchers. We will be visiting venues in East Yorkshire with a couple of ventures into North Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire. So, if you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife in beautiful and secluded venues for less than £12 a week, 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.