Birding with Flowers

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

More Swine

Golden Plovers

Yellowhammer

Greenfinch

Less sun than last week, but a lot more wind. Some good views of 5 Ruff (am), Golden Plover, Lapwing and 4 Curlew (2 limping), but it was the 2 industrial Kingfishers which were the biggest surprise and which took the breath away. One of them may have been nest-building. Also present 2 Kestrel (pm), Little Egret (pm), Sparrowhawk (am), 2 Mistle Thrush (am), Yellowhammer (am), Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow and a single Snipe. There were plenty of Redshank, and I thought I could hear some Little Ringed Plovers, but couldn't pick them out.

Monday, 23 March 2009

Noughts & Crosses

Record shots of Crossbills

Chiffchaff

Siskin

As yet Unidentified Moth

Reptiles = Nought ; Crossbills = c.5. On Saturday morning went looking for snakes with Hull birder and photographer John Sadler. (Check out his flickr site for his excellent recent pic of the Hornsea Garganey http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpsadler ). Unfortunately, we didn't see any Adders, Grass Snakes, Common Lizards or Slow-worms, although we did manage one amphibian - a Common Toad, plus plenty of frog spawn! The highlights were probably some very good views of a small group of confiding Crossbills, plus a Siskin performing a Greenfinch-like slow-motion 'butterfly' display, which I've never seen before. Also present were Redpoll, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Treecreeper, several Chiffchaffs & we also heard Jay & Green Woodpecker. As we hadn't met before, we kept each other entertained with the highs and lows of our birding exploits, so time passed very quickly. A brilliant morning was capped with my first Brimstone of the year, although John had already seen a brighter one!

Friday, 20 March 2009

Yaffle Still on the East Coast

It was very cold at the Mere today. However, the cloud broke earlier than forecast, so out of the wind it was quite pleasant. Wassand had changed a lot in just over a week. The fading Snowdrops had almost completely died back, but a great number of daffodils had opened, and, easier to miss, the subtle delights of the Sweet Violet were appearing among the sward. These violets aren't as common as the Dog Violet, but they have a delicate scent, which you can also still experience, if you can track down the children's sweets Palmer's Violets - I thought they were a thing of the past, but I'm assured they are still manufactured. It was nice to find a pair of Green Woodpeckers proving that they haven't died out at this site, although they didn't yaffle once when we were there. An afternoon surprise was a Red Kite, which may have come in off the sea - it drifted in a westerly direction slowly over Wassand with a mobbing crow in tow. We managed some excellent views of Goldeneye in front of the hide. A Siskin and a Crossbill flew over us this morning, and a Water Rail was heard in a small patch of reeds. Also present: Heron, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch. There were a few birders with telescopes at Kirkholme point, presumably looking for the distant Garganey. Maurice's final 2 pics above, display that he can take softer images, after some were alarmed by his brutal Sparrowhawk images from earlier in the week!

Thursday, 19 March 2009

8th Time Lucky!

It wasn't until the 8th & final visit to this site, that we eventually tracked down the Grey Wagtails. It's one of the few locations you can find Grey Wagtails in East Yorkshire during the breeding season - there are probably fewer than 10 breeding pairs in the whole county. We had a brief glimpse of a Red Kite in the morning, and at least 2 buzzards (possibly 3) in the afternoon. A morning highlight was the bluest-headed, most chestnut-backed, most beautifully buff Kestrel, I've ever seen. It's been in the vicinity for at least 3 years now, so I would like to try & get a picture of this stunning bird. It was so overcast this morning, I left the camera in the car! The inquisitive Yellowhammer was a charming addition to the birds at this site. Also present were Marsh Tit, Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrest, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, and some commoner birds. We've been visiting this site during the last 4 weeks, and at last it was starting to come to life - previously it appeared to be almost sterile.

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

A Pig of a Site!

A Wisp of Snipe

Soaring Sparrowhawk

Touchy-feely Small Tortoiseshells

Golden Plover (c) Aileen Urquhart

Another beautiful day - must be the final one this year, as if the last couple of years are anything to go by, we've had our allocation of nice days for this summer! In 6 years this was our first ever visit to this location, and was heartily approved by both sessions. We bumped into Garry Taylor of Spurn website fame - he'd seen a Kingfisher and pointed out 13 Ruff for us. Also present were more than 30 Snipe (pm only), about the same number of Golden Plover - some getting their black summer bellies; Lapwing, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Redshank, Curlew (3), Mistle Thrush, Red-legged Partridge, Pied Wagtail and briefly in the afternoon a Little Egret, a single Ringed Plover and a soaring Sparrowhawk. We had at least 7 different Small Tortoiseshells - two of whom were getting amorous - and our first Comma of the year! Garry informed us that this location improves during April and May for waders, so the other classes may have better birds, so don't tell the Wednesday crowd!

Tuesday, 17 March 2009

Not for the Squeamish!

Sparrowhawk & victim

The intensity of the kill roughly increases as the pics continue

These pictures may not be to everyone's taste, but they do illustrate the effectiveness of a female Sparrowhawk with her prey. What follows are Maurice's own words describing his experience: Bit grizzly this, but what a great photo opp! I was driving back from the gym today and came a slightly long way back as was listening to the radio. Saw this scuffle by the side of the road and slowed down to look. Sparrowhawk wasn't bothered by the car at all so I dashed home to get the camera. I was back within a couple of mins and fortunately the bird was still there and the car was a perfect hide. Luckily there were no pedestrians around to frighten it off. Finally a gormless youth walked right up to it and frightened it off, but not before I had rattled off over 150 RAW files and practically run the batteries flat. The pigeon is basically being eaten alive and I think it was still more or less still alive when the Sparrowhawk was scared off. I thought she would come straight back as this was such a big meal but she didn't. I've got more photos than I can cope with at the moment so here's some highlights.

Smoking Pot

Smoke at Potteric Carr

Scratching that Itch

Not Quite the Great Crested Grebe Courtship Dance

The above title is not meant to suggest you take up recreational drug use, but instead is a reference to the burning reeds and trees taking place in at least 2 different areas of Potteric Carr. Spring is definitely taking control. We saw a Peacock butterfly, and there were more Hawthorn leaves out, plus Blackthorn blossom & Pussy Willow for the first time. We heard at least 2 Chiffchaffs, and managed to catch a glimpse of one - a better view in the afternoon. The Long-tailed Tit nest was almost complete, but the randy ducks had stopped chasing each other. The Kingfishers delighted both groups, but were too far away for a picture. There was plenty of activity among the Treecreepers and Woodpeckers - sadly, only Great Spotted & Green. The Lesser Spotted continued to elude us. That's the final planned visit to Potteric for quite a while!

Monday, 16 March 2009

Brent Double, Possibly Treble Figures

Brent Goose

Brent Geese

Golden Plovers

Meadow Pipit

Stonechat

Heron

Red-legged Partridge

Skylark

What a disgrace! It's the 16th of March and this was my first visit to Spurn in 2009. It was actually nice weather-wise, with only a gentle breeze, but of course the birds would probably have been better if the weather had been worse! It was high tide at 8.30, so the Brent Geese and the waders were quite close to the road. They are best viewed from the car, as it causes least disturbance. There were still good numbers of Golden Plover and Grey Plover (c400), but numbers of Knot & Dunlin had definitely dropped since the September high tides. There were still some Bar-tailed Godwits, and plenty of Curlew, but I can't remember seeing a single Shelduck! There was little evidence of the arrival of the Spring migrants with only an influx of Goldcrest and Blackbird reported. Someone saw a Chiffchaff in the Canal Scrape car park, and I eventually caught up with one at Sammy's Point. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to see it, nor even hear it singing, only heard its alarm call - so for me the migrant season has started with a whimper, rather than a bang! The Meadow Pipit song-flights had started in front of the 'new' (old Blacktoft) hide at Chalk Bank, and a male Stonechat posed briefly on a post. I drove back the long way round through Patrington Haven, Sunk Island, Stone Creek & Cherry Cobb Sands. The return of the Skylark was the main sign of spring around there, but the Red-legged Partridge and the Heron were a nice bonus.

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Autumn Term Details

Bookings for the 10-week Autumn term have started. At the time of writing there are most vacancies on Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons & Thursday afternoons with a single space on Wednesday mornings. 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. In the Autumn we’ll be hoping to encounter Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers, and plenty of waders on the coast & at our estuarine venues. We will be visiting venues in East Yorkshire with a couple of ventures into North Lincolnshire and possibly one just in West Yorkshire So, if you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife in beautiful and secluded venues for £13 a week, please 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. If you use iCloud your email will need to be sent to michaeljflowers@yahoo.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.