Diamond Tail Jubilee

Turtle Dove Spreading its 'Diamond' Tail

Wednesday was a rerun of May 15th, but the weather was a lot milder today: http://www.eybirdwatching.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/crouching-hares-hidden-turtles.html

The strong winds were gone, but if anything it was actually too hot, even first thing in the morning.  Before we set off we saw Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Blue Tit.  Not long out of the car park and we had a Willow Warbler and a Tree Sparrow.  We had 4 Long-tailed Tits and another Willow Warbler just before the stud farm, and then under the trees which always used to hold a Garden Warbler I was surprised to first hear & then see a single Yellow Wagtail flew over.  Later, at lunch time the 2 Davids & Barbara had 3 Yellow Wagtails in the car park.  These are fairly unusual sightings as there is no water anywhere in the vicinity, although there is an oilseed rape field fairly nearby.  A Song Thrush, and a Chiffchaff were singing in the general area, but there wasn’t a single whimper from the Turtle Doves.  

 Long-tailed Tits

 Long-tailed Tits

When we set off again there was a different family of Long-tailed Tits and among a group of young Rabbits was a melanistic, (black) one!  At the edge of the reserve a Linnet & a Pied Wagtail flew over, and a Marsh Tit flew into the reserve.  Butterflies seen on the journey include: Speckled Wood, plenty of Orange-Tips, and a single Comma.  There were a pair of Linnets on the escarpment, and Miles found a Froghopper, which disappeared before its picture could be taken.  We were a bit luckier with Maxine’s ‘soldier beetle’.  A male Pheasant was spooked from under our feet, which then went on to spook a pair of Red-legged Partridges.

A pair of Treecreepers in the reserve were calling vociferously, but they were very difficult to spot hiding in Hawthorn bushes.  There were quite a few butterflies in the reserve including: Common Blues, Dingy Skippers, an alleged Brown Argus, and a Small Heath.  Not long after we left the reserve a Hobby flew West right through the valley.  We didn’t see a great deal on the return journey, but a pair of Blackcaps under the brick viaduct were a late highlight.  A clucking Red-legged Partridge was another new bird for this particular area. 

Speckled Wood

 Comma

Soldier Beetle sp Cantharis rustica (Thanks to Barry Warrington)

 Common Blue

 Common Blue [male]

 Dingy Skipper

Record shot of Hobby (c) 2012 Tony Robinson

 Yellowhammer

There are no House Martins among the car park buildings this year – too dry?, but a tree Sparrow was using a nest under the eaves in the artist’s studio.  I decided to take the afternoon session East, as the West side had been relatively disappointing.  Straight away a Green Woodpecker was sighted shortly after leaving the parking area followed by a family of Long-tailed Tits and a Willow Warbler.  When we left the trees and we could see through a gap between the Hawthorn hedge we were just able to discern a Red-legged Partridge along a fence line.  We carried on for a bit and not long after we passed a jerk who doesn’t clean up after his dog.  Soon after we arrived at Yellowhammer central, which is an escarpment open to northerly winds – today the breeze was welcome.  Suddenly some Rooks went up into the sky making a lot of noise, and we could see 2 Red Kites overhead, which eventually drifted north east.  A Red-legged Partridge flew onto the top of a distant post, but nevertheless gave decent views. 

 Bullfinch

We then entered an area with steep banks on either side, and covered with Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Wild Strawberry and various species of emerging vegetation.  We were watching a very bright male Bullfinch in the centre of the path when most of us saw a Stoat running behind the Bullfinch carrying a small Rabbit.  We were heading towards the small bridge when we heard the unmistakable purring of a Turtle Dove.  It displayed over our heads a few times, but also continued to purr from one of several Ash trees along that section of the track.  We stayed still for 10 minutes or so, but only got sight of it fanning its diamond shaped tail as it swept by us.  It was seen perched in a distant Ash, but the views weren’t terribly good.   

Turtle Dove

 Record Shot of Green Woodpecker

 Willow Warbler

 Jerk who Lets his Dog Foul a Nature reserve

 This Dog Cannot Read...

 ...This Sign

On the East side of the small bridge a Song Thrush was singing, but there were fewer birds in this area.  Another Yellowhammer, and a flying Kestrel were in the area of the final bridge.  On the return journey a large pale Buzzard looked as though it was about to land in the steep-banked area, but it saw us and veered away sharply, and then was lost to sight.  The Green Woodpecker and Willow Warblers were again near the quarry area, but this time they were also joined by a Great Spotted Woodpecker.  There were fewer butterflies in the afternoon because it had clouded up considerably and it almost seemed as though it was about to rain. There were a few drops as we reached the cars, but it was so warm we weren’t even dampened by the time we returned.  Only a couple of years ago there were 3 singing Turtle Doves either side of the car park, but today only one could be tracked down - that represents a loss of 5 singing males!  There was also less wildlife on the Westward trip, despite this being a morning trip.  On future visits we will always be heading Eastward Ho. 

Purring & Chafing with Pleasure

Sunday is usually a quiet day off avoiding crowded birding sites, but today I was leading a rambling group around a gem of a local wildlife site.  12 people were booked, but only 9 were able to make it on the actual morning.  It’s a shame the single afternoon participant wasn’t offered one of the available spaces, as I could have gone home for my Sunday roast!  

We began at the top of the site – the usual car park Meadow Pipits were only present in the afternoon, and neither session had the previously standard Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat or Linnets.   We made our way down the tarmac road past the first lake.  Here everyone managed to see a Wren belting out its strident song from the top of a Hawthorn bush.  There was a pair of Tufted Ducks on the lake itself with some Mallard, and a singing Blackcap and a purring Turtle Dove could be heard in the distance.  

Turtle Dove

 Wren

 Cockchafer

We walked up the first hill surrounded by silence – the normal singing Reed Warblers were absent – probably because the reedbeds have completely dried out – the first time this has happened since I’ve been visiting the site.  At the top of the hill the purring Turtle Doves became louder and we had occasional glimpses of them flying past us.  Also around the peak were a family of Long-tailed Tits, a Blackcap, a Whitethroat, & a Chiffchaff.  The first Orange-tips were also flittering past us, never seeming to come to rest.  However, the best sighting was something really unexpected first spotted by Dave and something I’d never seen before – a Cockchafer.  It seemed very clumsy in flight, and the enormous fan-like antennae made it look extraordinary as it bumbled among the hawthorn sprays.   

Cockchafer

At the bottom of the hill Pauline spotted a Kestrel, and this time the bushes were not completely silent because a Lesser Whitethroat was rattling away.  It did perch in the open briefly, but not everyone was able to get their binoculars on it in time.  However, they did manage to see it with their naked eyes as it circled us, flying swiftly from bush-to-bush.  We made our way along the main path separating different kinds of habitat where we saw a Sedge Warbler perching briefly in the open, before it began to hide at the bottom of a hawthorn bush in a reedbed.  We climbed a small mound and from here a Sparrowhawk was seen carrying its prey to the next-door site.  We also saw a Meadow Pipit performing its parachuting song-flight much to the delight of the attendees.   

Lesser Whitethroat

 Blackcap

 Distant shot of Heron Chicks in Nest

Willow Warbler

 ditto

On the climb up to the next hill a pair of Bullfinches were semi-concealed in a willow tree covered in fluffy seed heads, but most people got to see them.  In an open area a Willow Warbler impressed everyone with its silvery cadences, and another Turtle Dove purred loudly before flying around us & fanning out its tail as it performed a showy display flight.  On our way down to the water’s edge we came across a family of Long-tailed Tits, whilst in the afternoon a Reed Warbler was singing concealed in a hawthorn, rather than in the fringe of reeds.  A warbler landed in the reeds briefly.  I assumed it would be a Reed Warbler but didn’t have time to raise my binoculars, so was surprised to see it was a Blackcap when I checked the photos.  A Stock Dove was calling in this area in the afternoon, but the Turtle Doves were generally quieter than during the morning.  From the lake we could see at least 2 Heron chicks in the nest, but one participant was able to see at least 3 – they seemed unperturbed when another Kestrel flew over the nest.  Directly under the Herons, 2 Great Crested Grebes appeared to be in the area of their nest.  A Chiffchaff sang nearby, but it remained hidden from view. 

Record Shot of Red Kite

 Rudd [left] with Perch to the left

 Long-tailed Tit

 Common Whitethroat

Climbing back up to the open area the Willow Warbler was still singing, then Jo spotted a large bird of prey soaring in the direction of Keyingham.  I was expecting it to be a Buzzard, so was rather surprised to discover a Red Kite.  It then drifted to the North West.  At this point the morning session finished at the catering ‘truck’, but the 1-2-1 afternoon group had bypassed the first lake, so had some time in hand.  We therefore walked along the  second lake where a Whitethroat showed very well.  At the drain we saw a pair of Grey Partridges fly into a field of oilseed rape, heard a Reed Warbler near the drain, but a highlight here was a hunting Barn Owl over the land-fill area.  After enjoying this afternoon white phantom we walked along the old railway line, but this area was very quiet, but we saw our third Holy Blue, a few orange-tips and our first Small Copper & Speckled Wood butterflies.  A few minutes later I observed a Turtle Dove on the wires.  We were able to sidle along quietly on the grassy verges until we were almost underneath it. This was the best view I’ve enjoyed for quite some time, whilst it was a ‘lifer’ for Pam.  It knew we were there, and was a little nervous, but it even preened its rear quarters before flying away into dense cover.  It was a fitting finale to a scorching afternoon. 

Small Copper

 Turtle Dove

"The Voice of the Turtle is Heard in the Land" Almost for the Final Time?

It's not everyday I quote The Song of Solomon in the title of a Blogpost, and I promise not to make a habit of it.  Of course Turtles don't sing, and the Bible was referring to the soporific purring sound of the Turtle Dove - reminiscent of lazy summer days - not something we've come across much so far this year!  You may have seen some news items in recent days about the plight of this gentle and beautiful member of the pigeon family.  One report said the species may be extinct in the UK within 5 years.  The bird has declined by 91% in recent years, and it is becoming harder to find in East Yorkshire, but it is still hanging on here, and if their food preferences are determined it may not be too late to save them.  It would be tragic if they went the same way as America's Passenger Pigeon, which was once a widespread pest, but is now extinct - in that case from over-hunting.

Turtle Dove

I  don’t normally work on Saturdays, but today was a special birdwatching open day walk around a site in Holderness.  The approach road can be quite profitable, so I kept my eyes open.  The first thing I spotted were a couple of Hares, which slipped away into a tall crop.  I was a bit luckier with a pair of Skylarks, which were either fighting or courting – it’s not always easy to spot the difference.  I stuck my lens out the window at the Skylarks, and could hear the distant call of a Yellow Wagtail, but I couldn’t see it this year.

Skylark

 I arrived early so I did a reccy of the site to see what was about.  What was immediately apparent was that there was a lack of birds calling. Normally there are both Common & Lesser Whitethroat singing  in the compound next to the car park, but a lot of scrub had been cleared, so all these birds were absent.  More worryingly there were no Meadow Pipits parachuting into the grass near the car park and there were very few birds singing as we walked down to the first lake.  One of the first birds we saw was a male Kestrel, which settled on the top of a tree.  A few minutes later a tatty female Kestrel drifted over, which was completely ignored by the male.

Bullfinch [male]

 Kestrel [male]

 Chiffchaff

 Willow Warbler

 Then we took the path between the 2 lakes up to the top of a hill.  This was very secluded from the winds, and here we saw Swifts, House Martins, a Curlew, some Long-tailed Tits, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap (including a red-headed female), and a pair of courting Whitethroats.  Near the end of the gravel path the best bird was a singing & displaying Sedge Warbler.  However, the next path resulted in a Willow Warbler and 3 baby Herons on a nest.  Herons haven't nested at this location before, so this may be the beginning of a Heronry.  There were 4 adult Herons present, so perhaps next year there will be at least 2 nests!  There had been a male Bullfinch first thing in the morning, but it had vanished before the group arrived.  A Great Crested Grebe, a pair of Tufted Ducks and a family of Coots were on the lake, and some red-finned fish were spotted as well as some much smaller fish.  The best bird greeted us when we u-turned.  A Turtle Dove was purring from a hawthorn bush & then this bird displayed, flying high over the site & fanning its tail.

Longhorn Micromoth Adela reaumurella

 Small Fish

 Rudd?

 3 Adult Herons near a nest with 3 Young

 Adult Heron (c) 2012 Chris Cox

 3 Young Herons in the nest (c) 2012 Chris Cox

 3 Herons - a few days older (c) 2012 Chris Cox

 Whitethroat

 Baby Coot

A walk around the old railway line resulted in a 2 Herons in flight – one was somersaulting in a way I’ve never seen before.  A Buzzard also drifted over the site, but there were fewer warblers along here, apart from a showy Whitethroat.  There were also no Linnets in an area where they are normally very numerous.  Again, the best bird was a Turtle Dove, which everyone was able to observe as it perched on the telegraph lines.  Only four people turned out for this event at this cracking site, but hopefully they enjoyed their outing, and may take their interest further in future. 

Baby Herons from a couple of days ago (c) 2012 Chris Cox

Best of the Rest

Louise from Bubwith reports a Cuckoo calling today for the 2nd morning running. That makes the arrival date exactly the same as for 2011 & 2010!

During the course we will be going to a few locations where you may still find Cuckoos, and as well as hearing them we will spend time tracking them down, so everyone also sees one too

Cuckoo

Unfortunately, numbers of Kingfishers have dropped after 3 winters with very cold snaps. However, we will make every effort to get decent views of these tiny, but stunning birds.

Kingfisher

Yellow Wagtails are a local speciality of the Holderness area, and there are a couple of venues where we have every chance of watching them. They may not be as well-known as Kingfishers, but they are as colourful in their own way, and course participants will enjoy encountering this species.

Yellow Wagtail

Like all the species mentioned so far, Turtle Doves have been declining for several years, but there are a few places we can go to catch a view of this attractive summer visitor

Turtle Dove

Marsh Tits are resident birds, but they are also in decline. We will be visiting a couple of woodland sites where we can still encounter them. When we do so, we will look at the features, which distinguish them from their close relative...

Marsh Tit

...the Willow Tit. In fact there is at least one woodland venue, where they still exist almost side-by-side. The Willow Tit has probably declined even more steeply than the Marsh Tit, but hopefully we will see both of these perky species.

Willow Tit

The East Riding still holds decent populations of Yellowhammers, and we listen to their "A -Little-Bit-of-Bread-&-No-Cheese", but also see these stunning birds in their hedgerow haunts.

Yellowhammer

Another farmland bird of the hedgerows is the cheerful Linnet. Sometimes they can be very colourful, and we should get views like the one below of this popular songster.

Linnet

Finally, on our trips to the seaside we will look for special birds, such as Little Terns.

If you would like to see most of the birds on this post, there are still spaces available on Tuesday & Friday afternoons!

Little Tern