Owl Before Noon

We set out from the Humber Foreshore car park again and headed towards reclaimed land.  There were no Jays this time, and the Fieldfare had moved off from last week's location, plus the Twite seemed to have done a bunk.  Despite this there were quite a few waders in the inlet - mainly Redshank, but also a single Bar-tailed and a single Black-tailed Godwit.  Out on the Humber mudflats there was a large flock of Golden Plover and there were plenty of Shelduck sprinkled over the mud. 

We checked the 2 water-filled ditches, but there was only another Redshank.  We clambered a couple of stiles and walked along the flood embankment.  There wasn't a great deal to see - no Bramblings or Fieldfare in the hedge, but then luckily, I spotted a Short-eared Owl.  This flew quite close to us before flying high over the houses and disappeared north.

All photos of Short-eared Owl (c) 2012 Maggie Bruce

In the afternoon we spent much longer in the car.  Unfortunately, because we started at 1pm we couldn't actually find an owl of any persuasion.  Instead we must have spotted over a dozen Kestrels, and we counted at least 27 Roe Deer.  We also came across a flock of 200+ Fieldfare feeding on the ground with just a couple in the Hawthorn hedge.  It's a great place for watching wildlife without having to leave a car, so is a perfect venue during extremely cold weather.  

A Second Full[er] Weekend

Saturday saw the first Barn Owl safari run under the auspices of the Robert Fuller Christmas Exhibition.  7 willing participants met on the banks of the Humber and we shared cars into the depths of deepest darkest Holderness.  On the way there were plenty of Blackbirds - many of which were probably recent Scandinavian immigrants.  We drove round the Keyingham Marsh loop where we saw several hundred Fieldfare.

Barn Owl

We reached a muddy inlet only to be told we had just missed a male Hen Harrier - not what you want to hear!  From here we saw 5 Common Seals and plenty of Shelduck on the Humber.  It was high tide, so all the waders had been pushed off.  There was no sign of the Twite either.

On the other side of the potholed road we saw plenty of Roe Deer, and then a distant Barn Owl showed for a couple of minutes flying along a distant drain.  We drove the whole of the massive loop without seeing much else of interest.  However, on the return journey we had very close views of another Barn Owl, which was hunting above a drain then flew over the road and then started quartering a field of sunflowers.  It was then seen flying along a hedge, but it finally disappeared from view. 

Sunset over Immingham

On Sunday the second Red Kite Roost watch took place.  There were plenty of Kites around when we arrived.  Some were flying among the distant trees, while an amazing 5 were perched on the top of the same small conifer, and 4 more gathered in a nearby Ash tree.  Overall, we saw at least 28 birds, but possibly more.  There were no sign of last week's Fieldfare, but a small flock of Redwings flew past, and a Green Woodpecker's flight call could just be heard.  It was a very calm evening, so again the Kites made their way almost straight to the roost site.

My camera packed up when photographing the Waxwings the other day, so I've had to dig a January Barn Owl and Sunset from the archives, but I'm also indebted to Maggie Bruce who took these photos of Red Kites during Sunday's Red Kite Roost.

All remaining photos (c) 2012 Maggie Bruce

 Red Kite

 Ditto

 Ditto

 Ditto

 Ditto

One of the birds had a blue tag with a red edge which appeared to have 4V on it.  The interesting origins of this bird have been traced. She is a young female from this year and has travelled all the way down from North Scotland.

A Day of 2 Halves

Yesterday's birding sessions took place with a difference - the majority of the classes took place from the security, comfort and warmth of our cars. We met on the banks of the Humber and shared cars into the depth of deepest, darkest Holderness. There were relatively few birds at first, although there were plenty of Blackbirds and Fieldfare. Eventually we saw more and more Curlews in stubble fields, probably looking for worms. We continued until we reached a very muddy area where we had a look around. There was no sign of the once guaranteed Kingfisher in its normal place, but Common Seals were basking on the mudflats. Also on the estuary were large numbers of Golden Plovers with smaller amounts of Grey Plovers, Shelduck, and Mallard. On the creek itself there were several Redshank, and a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits. 

Hen Harrier on a previous visit (a mile from where we saw it yesterday)  (c) 2012 Vince Cowell

 ditto

The hawthorn bushes were adorned with Fieldfare, but there was also a strange nasal twang coming from this area - which turned out to be a decent flock of Twites. They flew off with their bouncing, jinking flight, and our official counter, Miles, was able to confirm that there were exactly 45 of them when they landed on the telegraph wires. Looking across the salt marsh I was surprised and then thrilled to see a pearly-grey slowly flying raptor - a stonking male Hen Harrier. Luckily, it seemed to favour an area with a pale washed-up sofa, so it was relatively easy for everyone to latch on to the bird. In the afternoon there were Little Egrets in the same area, but not really an adequate compensation!

 Twite

 Golden Plovers

 Ditto

We then carried on our car sharing over a terrible potholed road, and the wildlife encounters immediately improved. First we came across 5 Roe Deer right by the side of the road, and a buck actually climbed the bank and ran in front of us before continuing in the field on the other side. We hadn't gone too far when a Magpie and a raptor were seen flying from the south across the bare fields. It wasn't exactly clear which bird was attacking the other, but they came to a stop in some small trees in front of us. Unfortunately, the birds were out of sight, but the female Merlin emerged from the vegetation and set off along back to where it had come from.







The strengthening winds ensured that even though the afternoon group continued in the area after 3pm, the expected Owls failed to appear, but neither did the Merlin or the Hen Harrier. It was a day of 2 halves. 

A Very Full[er] Weekend

Saturday saw the first wildlife event associated with Robert Fuller's Christmas Exhibition. We met at the gallery and then drove in convoy to the secret location. We had only been there a few moments when the first Red kite was spotted, then a couple were found perched in trees, and finally 5 were flying around a very distinctive tree. Later Kites started arriving singly, and occasionally in pairs from all points of the compass. We had reached over 10 birds when first one, then another, and a third, and finally a squadron of 8 Red Kites were all in the air at the same time, and all heading for the same area of woodland. In total we saw 32 Red Kites which is far in excess of what I've ever seen before in East Yorkshire.

Red Kite

 Ditto

 While we were waiting for the birds we observed a Great Spotted Woodpecker near where over 50 Fieldfare were quietly feeding in the hawthorn bushes. A Jay was heard screeching, and a Green Woodpecker called as it flew behind us. A Mistle Thrush perched in a reliable Ash tree and we were able to watch it closely through the telescope. Other birds seen included plenty of Jackdaws. The only mammal seen was a Hare in the field behind us near the almost deafening cacophony of female Mallards coming from a concealed garden pond.

It was dark when I left the gallery after the return journey, and I drove very close to 2 hunting Barn Owls and suddenly a wader species rocketed up from the roadside caught in the headlights, it looked like a Woodcock. It was a nice ending to the afternoon.




Saturday's Sunset

 Crossbill

 On Sunday morning I reported at Tophill low for the Otter signs & tracks event. The walk was being run by the reserve warden, but there was a small chance he may be called away for the birth of his first child, so I was there just in case... The morning started very well with 2 Great spotted Woodpeckers fighting just inside the compound, and Peter Drury found 5 Crossbills. Later, one flew over the car park and landed briefly in one of the tall conifers. Richard introduced the site and made sure everyone was aware we we were looking for signs of Otters with very little chance we may find the actual mammals.

Most people had never been to Tophill Low before, so Richard ensured we viewed D reservoir, just to give people an idea of the enormous size of the reservoir - one the main winter attractions for the gulls and wildfowl. Although we had only a brief glimpse we could see Shoveler, Wigeon and Tufted Ducks, whilst Richard ensured everyone was aware that later in the winter that Tophill is one of the main sites in Yorkshire where the stunningly beautiful Smew may be seen.





We threaded our way through D Woods to the North Marsh hide, where Richard displayed photographs of Otters taken from there, including an absolutely stunning shot of 2 fighting dog Otters. A Jay flew into D woods from across the river Hull, and a Kingfisher whistled & flew past the hide, but unfortunately, I think only myself & one person actually saw it.







We carried on through D woods where 2 confiding Goldcrests gave very close views. In North scrub it sounded although at least 3 Jays were fighting over the meagre food supplies. Richard pointed out plenty of evidence of Otters, a holt under some buildings, another artificial one, some Otter runs, an Otter spraint, and a fresh one 'laid' within the past 24 hours, and a faint Otter footprint. Several brave souls had a sniff of the fresh spraint, and although they confirmed it was sweet-smelling no one was prepared to stake their life on the fact that it smelled like lavandar. Richard then took the group to the trail camera, where he removed the memory card. I had to leave the group at this point, but I believe when they got back to the visitor centre they were able to view the footage of a Water Rail, a link to the video is here: Water Rail Video




Fresh Otter Spraint - sweet-smelling, apparently!

 Record Shot of Short-eared Owl

 Ditto

 Record shot of the underside

The reason I had to leave at 12 was because at 1.30 I needed to be at the Humber Bridge for the afternoon's Short-eared Owl event. We shared cars to the location and already as we drove down the narrow approach road one owl could be seen hunting over the rough grassland. We got out of the cars, to find it was amazingly mild for what can be one of the bleakest locations on "God's" earth! Despite this, not everyone had dressed warmly enough, so if you are coming on one of these events, please put on plenty of extra layers - I knew what to expect & was as warm as toast! 

We had several excellent views of the owls, and probably saw 5 individuals, one was noticeably darker than the others. There were also some breathtaking dog fights at times when the hunting owls trespassed too close to each other. Other birds seen included 2 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards, and a Marsh Harrier. We left the location well before dusk, so perhaps more Owls came out after we left... Rather worryingly we were informed that the DEFRA stewardship grant, which has maintained the wilderness feel of this habitat, has expired, so this site may not be as fruitful in future years - if it exists at all.  The mighty financial imperative seems to be tightening its grip.   

Hilda's Muriel

On Thursday we had a walk along the Humber estuary. As we waited for Chris in the car park plenty of Fieldfare and a few Redwing were spotted collapsing into the hawthorn bushes around the fort. The miniature lighthouses were flashing, presumably because of poor visibility, although its the brightest its been all week. Alan suddenly spotted in the far distance between the 2 lighthouses that the air was swirling with birds. They were thousands of Golden Plovers. There were a few Curlew at the waters edge and 6 Wigeon, but the birds were in rather short supply.

No Comment necessary (c) 2012 Richard Whateley

 Wigeon (c) 2012 Richard Whateley

 Golden Plover (c) 2012 Richard Whateley

 Ditto 

 Grey Plover (c) 2012 Richard Whateley

At the tip of the old flood bank we saw quite a variety of waders. Jean spotted & correctly identified a Turnstone, but there were also a few Bar-tailed Godwits, a dozen Redshank, half a dozen Dunlin, and 30 Lapwing. We had just started to head back when I spotted a Swallow, then another and another. In total 6 Swallows were heading east.

 Turnstones (c) 2012 Richard Whateley

 Curlew (c) 2012 Richard Whateley

 Curlew

 The 'Maybe' with Humber Bridge

 Illumination

 The Grimsby Tower with Golden Plovers

In the afternoon the tide was coming in, but was still a long way out when we visited. We counted 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 112 Knot, and 8 Bar-tailed Godwit. We were standing near the breach when suddenly I spotted a Peregrine steaming in from the south-west. It made a bee-line for the Golden Plovers, and although they took some time to see it they all escaped. This remained the case even when a second smaller Peregrine see spotted by Eric all joined in on the action. After several stoops and swift changes of direction they failed to catch a single bird. However, one Peregrine moved quickly north, as it has spotted that a Merlin had just caught a small bird. The Merlin relinquished its catch, but the Peregrines seemed a bit fussy about picking something up from the estuary mud, and it took 3 attempts before it carried away the prize.




On the way back a Pipit flew up from the main path making an unusual 'tsskk' call. It was larger and paler than a Meadow Pipit, but still seemed to have white in the tail and in the wing. Although a similar colour to a Skylark its wings were much narrower than the large wing area of a Skylark. On returning home and playing the sounds of a Richard's Pipit and an Olive-Backed Pipit, the latter seemed a much better fit. Hopefully, someone is going to check out the area tomorrow, to see if they can relocate this intriguing bird.  Finally, in a Hawthorn bush near the entrance to the fort we found a Goldcrest, although it was shy about coming into the open!

Peregrine - the bane of Golden Plovers (c) 2012 Vince Cowell

 Merlin on Mudflats

Goldcrest

Falling out of the Mist

The mist and a weather front bringing drizzle forced a large number of Scandinavian migrants to land on Spurn this morning.  Before I arrived there had already been reports of over 1,400 Bramblings, and thousands of Redwings, Fieldfare, Blackbirds, plus hundreds of Song Thrushes, dozens of Ring Ouzels, and at least 1 Hawfinch.  

I stayed behind a mound of marram grass for over an hour to try & get pictures of the 200+ Bramblings near Post 20.  The mist made it very difficult, but it was possible to get something in the end.  At one stage dozens of Bramblings were feeding alongside a single Turnstone, whilst other Turnstones were sharing their beach with Redwings!

Early indications from @Spurnbirdobs on twitter are:

Conservative totals are:

Fieldfare 10,000+

Redwing 21,000+

Song Thrush 900+

Robin 700+

Ring Ouzel 57

Hawfinch 1

Although these figures haven't been stated yet I suspect there were will have been well in excess of 10,000 Blackbirds & 2000 Bramblings.

Bramblings

 Ditto

 Ditto in flight

 Ditto

 Ditto

 Redwing & Turnstone

Stop Press II: Golden Oriole!

After today's class Tony, Miles & Anthony set off on the hopeless quest of finding a Golden Oriole at Sammy's Point near Spurn.  They were unlucky there, but did see a Fieldfare (on 23rd of May!), Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears and a Cuckoo.  They went on to Canal Scrape where they were told about the presence of 2 Golden Orioles in the Triangle.  They didn't see much from the hide, but were lucky enough to see the Golden Oriole as they walked along the Canal Zone.  In the words of one of them it was "Magic"!  The Wryneck gang strike again!

All pictures (c) 2012 Tony Robinson

Golden Oriole - 1st Summer male?

 ditto

 Golden Oriole in flight

 Cuckoo

Let's have a Chat or 2, or even 150+

After yesterday's torrential rain from an easterly direction I thought Spurn might be worth a visit this morning.  Sure enough after passing the Bluebell there were Wheatears everywhere, including 7 on a single woodpile & another 2 on the one next to it.  There was a Whinchat opposite the turning to the car park from the Canal Scrape.  I took quite a few pictures from the road here, but thought it may be worth going as far as the point.  

There were 3 Wheatears in the point car park, others on the journey down & more at the point itself.   2 Fieldfare flew out of the vegetation near the car park & landed on the wires.  2 male Yellow Wagtails were in the play area opposite the Lifeboat houses, and a female Brambling calling from a danger sign.  There were 3 male Whinchats in the Parade Ground area & plenty of singing Linnets in the area too.  A singing male Lesser Whitethroat was here too - a very late 1st of the year for me.

After Spurn I went over to Sammy's Point.  Along the road down there 50+ Fieldfare flew up accompanied by at least 1 Redwing.  At Sammy's Point itself there was a single male Ring Ouzel & it was surrounded by Wheatears.  Later, a Hull RSPB chap counted 32 Wheatears in a single field.  There were 2 fighting male Yellow Wagtails in the area, singing Blackcaps & Sedge Warblers, but the bare fields seemed more productive then the areas containing bushes.

I drove back via Stone Creek, but apart from a pair of Grey Partridges near Sunk Island, and a few Yellow wagtails & scattered Wheatears there wasn't too much of interest.  The Spurn radio didn't broadcast any sightings at all when I was there, but they have just announced via twitter @Spurnbirdobs the following totals: 150 Wheatear, 5 Ring Ouzel, 5 Whinchat, a Redstart & a Hobby. The coast was the place to be today!  

Whinchat [male]

 ditto

 7 Wheatear on one Woodpile

 9 Wheatear on 2 woodpiles

 Wheatear [male]

 ditto

 Yellow Wagtail [male]

 ditto

 Fieldfare

 Fieldfare [& 1 Redwing]

 Brambling [female]

Record shot of Ring Ouzel [male]