Fragment of Ancient Woodland

Rook

Rook - with pretty full crop
Great Tit Treecreeper - note the detail in the plumage

Record shot of Treecreeper

Record shot of Chiffchaff

Wood Anenomes

For the first class of the Spring term the classes visited virtually the only fragment of ancient woodland in our area. The weather was ideal at first, and the dazzling blue iridescence of the Rook's plumage was picked out in the strong sun. Some of the group walked to the venue, and saw their first Swallow of the year. Tessa spotted the Mistle Thrushes immediately on the pasture -we were later serenaded by a male throughout most of the day. The Wood Anenomes and the Wood Sorrell were in full bloom, but only a couple of Bluebells had opened up. We could hear Chiffchaffs almost as soon as we entered the wood, and we were later to watch a pair nest-building under a holly spray, and underneath a Great Spotted Woodpecker. In the morning there was a strange loud noise, which sounded like a miniature Jay, or a cross Grey Squirrel - it turned out to be a group of angry Blackcaps, but wasn't there normal alarm calls! On the other side of the woodland we saw a few Yellowhammers, and a Linnet flew over, but this area was less sheltered and the birds were harder to see. It was even worse during the afternoon, as we were hit by a heavy shower of drizzle, and strong winds. However, this didn't last long & the afternoon crowd were rewarded with several views of Bullfinches. This venue will improve over the next few weeks, but the birds will be much harder to see when the leaves open. On a rather melancholy note there was no sign of the Marsh Tits (which used to be present at this site), or the Nuthatch which recently visited this venue the other week.

Final Winter Sessions

Yellowhammer [male]

Yellowhammer [pair]
Yellowhammer [female]

Linnet [male]

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Fieldfare

Chaffinch

Record shot of distant Stoat

Small Tortoiseshell

Last term Fridays were so awful week after week, that 2 extra days were set aside after all the other classes had finished to catch up; and today the final sessions were held. Winter was represented by a Fieldfare, but generally signs of spring were everywhere. Birdsong was omnipresent with Mistle & Song Thrushes, Wrens, Robins, Great Tits, Dunnocks, Goldfinches & Greenfinches all blasting out their phrases. There were at least 4 singing Willow Warblers, almost a dozen male Yellowhammers, a few Chiffchaffs, a barking Little Owl (pm), plenty of Linnets, a couple of Bullfinches, a single soaring Buzzard, and a single soaring Sparrowhawk. There were also some butterflies: Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Commas, and a single male & a single Female Brimstone. A cheeky Stoat stared out of a large Rabbit hole, but didn't catch a Rabbit while we were watching. A male Greenfinch performed its slow-motion "butterfly" courtship flight for the benefit of the afternoon group, rather than for any watching female Greenfinches. The only disappointment was a lack of Red Kites, but it was a very calm day, so that may be why they were absent. Hopefully, Fridays will have much better weather next term, which starts next week for all sessions!

Next Term's Wildlife 9: Barn Owl

All pics for this post (c) 2010 Vince Cowell

Left click on the image to see a larger version!

Barn Owl

Barn Owl
Barn Owl
Barn Owl

Of course in East Yorkshire we are in the fortunate position of having a thriving population of Barn Owls. Each class will be going to an area of Holderness in which almost every farm has a Barn Owl associated with it. On the circuit on one particular day we saw 10 different individual birds, but we would be satisfied with one clear view as good as those above obtained by Vince a couple of days ago. This was within 1 mile of the bird I photographed a month ago being attacked by a Kestrel, so it could even be the partner of the bird I photographed. It cannot be the same bird, because if you compare the underside, Vince's owl has buff breast feathers, which were absent on my bird. Nearly every class has the chance of seeing a Barn Owl, but it often depends what the weather was like the night before, and in the Spring the availability of suitable prey for their chicks will be another factor. Fingers-crossed we have such good views as the above during the course.

Next Term's Wildlife 8: Wetland Warblers

Grasshopper Warbler (c) 2010 David Hobson

Cetti's Warbler (c) 2010 Ron McCombe Sedge Warbler (c) 2010 Maurice Gordon
Reed Warbler

Yes, next term as well as seeing all the wonderful, colourful wildlife shown on the blog in the last few days, we'll also be looking at an identifying LBJ's - "Little Brown Jobs". Although they aren't as colourful as some of the other birds & wildlife, I hope you'll agree by the end of the course they are also wonderful in their way - especially vocally. The Grasshopper Warbler will probably be one of the hardest to connect with, but we may be lucky enough to hear its incredible reeling insect-like song at a couple of venues. Even harder to see, but easier to hear is the Cetti's Warbler, which we should certainly hear at at least 1 location. If we do see it you'll notice a rich brown back, almost like a Wren; plus it sometimes cocks its tail, almost like a Wren; it has a pale stripe (supercilium) above its eye, almost like a Wren; & oh, did I say it has a very loud song for its size, almost like a ...I think you get the message. Then there is the Sedge Warbler, which has a far more noticeable eye-stripe & is easier to see than the previous 2 species, and has more obvious markings on its back. The Sedge Warbler also has a loud song, but is more varied, as it speeds up, slows down, whistles & churrs away. Finally, there is the plainer Reed Warbler, which also has a duller, more monotonous song. Some people can mistake the songs of Sedge and Reed Warblers, but hopefully you'll be able to differentiate the two by the end of the course. Can you tell I'm an optimist?

Next Term's Wildlife 7: Butterflies

Common Blue

Marbled White
Brimstone

Small Copper

Wall [Brown]

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell

Ringlet

Comma

Next term we will also spend time identifying any butterflies we encounter. Compared with birds there are only a relatively small number of species we may see, and there are very few confusion species. The most likely one to cause confusion is the Brown Argus which can look remarkably like some female Common Blues, however the former is so rare we probably won't see one. The first hibernating butterflies have already been seen: Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and the special butterfly at this time of year, the Brimstone, but soon the first Holly Blues and Orange Tips should be emerging, and later they should be succeeded by some of the summer species such as Gatekeeper, Small & Large Skippers, Meadow Brown, and Ringlet. We will be going to some special locations to see the localised Marbled White, which only occurs in large numbers at selected sites. It will be interesting to see how relatively recent colonists such as: the Gatekeeper, Comma and Speckled Wood fare after our harshest winter for 3o years. Hopefully, the warmer spring weather will bring out many butterflies for the classes to enjoy. In the past we've tended to find people don't know much about butterflies before they start the classes, but as they discover more about them & as they see extra species as the summer progresses, then they become more proficient at identifying each butterfly they see - seems to be a lot easier than what some people call the little brown jobs - warblers!

Next Term's Wildlife 6: Reptiles

Common Lizard

Grass Snake

Adder (c) 2010 Maurice Gordon

To make a change from birds we will also be looking out for our native reptile species. The Wednesday groups will be visiting the most reliable site in our area for Grass Snakes, but will also be going to a different site with a healthy population of Adders. Tuesday groups will be going to a location which has both Grass Snakes & Adders fairly close together. We will learn about the differences between the 2 species, including preferred habitats & behavioural differences. If we are really lucky we may also encounter a Slow Worm, which I have seen at one of the venues we will be visiting. Of course, Common Lizards are another species we may well encounter, and these may be located at several different sites on the itinerary.

Next Term's Wildlife 5: Nightingale

Nightingale - typical view & pose

Nightingale in Repose

Today's bird isn't as spectacular to look at as some of the other birds featured in these previews, but it has a unique charisma all of its own. This is a bird we should encounter on a special Monday trip to those who have booked, plus all Wednesday students who travel to the site to hear & see it (if we are lucky) as part of their course. The Nightingale's song is justly renowned. It will sing an equivalent of an aria, followed by a short pause & then will sing something completely different, and then pause & sing something completely different again, and it can often keep this up for hours at a time. Although the range of song is remarkable, it's probably the volume which is the most incredible aspect. Even during the daylight, when we will be visiting, it easily outclasses and drowns out anything singing nearby. Once you hear a Nightingale sing, it will be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. The Nightingale has rather unjustly been described as a drab brown species, but is actually a classy bird of subtle distinction. It has a large dark eye for finding insect prey in thick cover with a noticeable pale eye ring. If you catch a good view of the tail it looks decidedly rusty in comparison with the remainder of the warm brown plumage. It will also often cock its tail like a giant Wren, especially when its looking for insects on the ground. Another feature of its plumage, which I haven't seen mentioned in bird ID books, is its pale lower mandible and gape, which almost gives some of these adult birds the look of a recently fledged youngster. I'm afraid the depressing theme appears again as this is another summer visitor in serious and perhaps terminal decline. It is thought the Nightingale originally started to decline because of the phasing out of rotational coppicing, which gave these birds the perfect cover they require. However, another recent additional cause of decline is believed to be the spread of non-native mammal species. Muntjac and other deer are spreading at an alarming rate and consuming the dense low cover Nightingales require. Apparently, only one pair of Nightingales raised young in their previous Yorkshire stronghold last year, so we will be going out of county to enjoy the experience of listening to these stunning songsters. It should be a truly awesome experience.

Next Term's Wildlife 4: Cuckoo

Cuckoo

The fourth species many of the sessions should connect with next term is the Cuckoo. I'm afraid rather a theme is developing, as this is yet another species which has declined dramatically in the last 30 years. It is possible that the Cuckoo is declining because many of the species in which it lays its eggs are also in decline, but research is also ongoing to see if the reasons for the population slump lie in its wintering grounds in Africa. It doesn't seem too long ago that the Cuckoo was one of the most noticeable sounds of summer, but there are now many country people who no longer hear it at all. It has always been easier to hear than see a Cuckoo, but the Friday classes are going to a location where in the last 2 summers it has been possible to see 4 Cuckoos at the same time, and one of them being an hepatic female. Only a tiny proportion of females are a rufous brown colour - similar to a female Kestrel - but the site we are visiting has proved very reliable for them. Everyone knows the obvious facts about Cuckoos, so I only want to mention that we should hear both the unusual bubbling call of the female & also the even more odd sound of the males 'gowking'.

Next Term's Wildlife 3: Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Another species we should catch up with next term is the Yellow Wagtail. Again this species has declined markedly in the last 30 years. One of the reasons is the relative lack of insects in the wider countryside because of excessive spraying of pesticides, but also the draining of suitable habitat. However, there is a great deal of standing water around at the moment, so if this doesn't dry up quickly the Yellow Wagtail may have a better breeding season in 2010. Although, the Yellow Wagtail has declined by up to 80% in some areas, it is still relatively numerous in a few remote areas of Holderness, and it is these venues we are going to be searching for it. Some of the classes have had brief encounters with this species before, but I'm hoping every session will connect with it this year, as we dedicate specific time to concentrate on gaining good views. Some beginners are amazed by the vivid colour of the Grey Wagtail, and ask why this isn't known as a Yellow Wagtail, but they never ask this question again, once they have obtained a decent view of a Yellow Wagtail! In some areas of the country these stunning birds are known as 'milkmaids' or 'dairymaids' from their habit of feeding near the hooves of grazing cattle. The cattle disturb insects from the long grasses, which the Yellow Wagtails quickly snap up. Although the male Yellow Wagtail has an incredibly brilliant plumage, he doesn't have a song to match. We will hear him make a few unimpressive "swee-swee" sounds. The first Yellow Wagtails of 2010 have already been spotted, so if you are lucky you may catch up with one before the sessions start!

Next Term's Wildlife 2: Little Owl

Little Owl (c) 2010 Richard Hampshire

In the 7 years since these classes began we still haven't encountered any Little Owls while the sessions were actually taking place. Tony Robinson's single sighting of one at Kiplingcotes doesn't count, as no one else saw it! However, I'm hoping to remedy this deficiency next term, as we are going to a site where they are virtually guaranteed. The Little Owl was introduced to the UK in the early twentieth-century, although fossil records show it used to be a native species. It is still fairly widespread in our area, as a multitude of sightings in December from Lockington, Etton Dykes, and Cottingham etc show, but it is a lot harder to see than it was in the 1980s. Little Owls feed on insects, worms, small amphibians and birds etc, and it's thought an increase in the use of pesticides has resulted in a decline in these very charismatic birds. The white markings above the eyes almost look like eyebrows, and lead some viewers to think the bird is frowning at them. The Little Owl also has the endearing habit of bobbing its head up and down while maintaining eye contact, which can look extremely comical. Unfortunately, it is a sight which is all too infrequent these days. If you haven't yet seen a Little Owl, then I'm hoping that those on the course won't be able to say the same by the end of June!