Birding with Flowers: Weather Throws Everything at us!

Sunday 3 February 2019

Weather Throws Everything at us!

Red Kite Among Hoar Frost

On Tuesday it was very cold, but we went ahead with Tophill Low. An idiot fool lorry parked just in front of the railway line, which made getting there a little difficult. Once that hazard was negotiated it was just the heavy frost on the road which had to be endured. Luckily, every participant arrived safely. We set off and carried on all the way to O reservoir. There were Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebes, Tufted Duck and Pochard on here, but the wind was so cold we didn't stay too long. As with last week all the marshes were frozen over, but Watton Borrow Pits and the reservoirs were free.

We tried the other side of the reservoir from SMW. Now, some Shelduck had flown in, but otherwise the birds were the same, although it was much more pleasant watching them from the comparative warmth of the hide. As we left the yelping of geese could be heard, and a flock of c.20 Pink-footed Geese were flying over in a NW direction.

Teal

At Watton Borrow Pits we found 2 drake and a female Pintail. There were also a couple of Redshank, plus Gadwall, Teal, Cormorants, and most of the usual suspects. However, after we'd been there 30 mins a work party arrived, flushing all the birds from that area, so we set off back.

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We tried looking for the Red-necked Grebe among the mass of Coots on D reservoir. Apparently, if only we'd known to look in an extreme easterly direction we may have seen it. We headed off to North Marsh in the hope of coming across Woodpeckers or Goldcrests, again without success. A male Tawny Owl hooted seemingly very close to us in D Woods, but otherwise there were very few birds to see apart from those around the feeding areas. The best from these was the Marsh Tit at the bottom of the slope leading up to the visitor centre. We encountered 42 species, bringing the Tuesday total to 71 in 2019.

Pair of Teal

On Wednesday we dropped Patrington to avoid hypothermia! At North Cave Wetlands there had clearly been a very keen frost, but luckily there were still large areas of open water. From the car park at least 4 Snipe flew over calling creakily, after something had flushed them from their hiding place. Louise also reported Long-tailed Tit and Song Thrush from the car park. From South Hide there was a good selection of ducks, and in the sunlight the colours on the Shoveler, and the Teal was especially effective, as the accompanying photos make clear. Also present were Pochard, Gadwall, Wigeon and Unmentionables. A Fieldfare could be seen flying over the tree tops and landing in the hedge on the opposite side of the reserve.

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Crossland Hide didn't produce anything new, so we walked along the perimeter of the site. We were hoping for the Mandarin, but it failed to show along the edge of Carp Lake. As we continued three birds could be seen fluttering down into the stubble on the other side of the hedge - these were Skylarks.

Ditto

At the feeding station Anthony spotted a male Bullfinch hidden among all the saplings. This was the best bird in that area. The water surrounding Turret Hide was completely frozen over, so there wasn't a great deal to see there. However, a Sparrowhawk flew just under the hide and settled on one of the posts to the far left. This was the star bird from that hide, and for some remained the best bird seen the whole of that morning.

The Sparrowhawk was also visible from East Hide when it returned and landed on a post. Anthony spotted another raptor on a more distant post, which we could just make out - a Buzzard. It later flew into a conifer when its markings could be more easily observed. On our way out of the reserve a Siskin was spotted and Tony remained behind to take photos.

Record shot of Sparrowhawk

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The optimistic afternoon group decided to go on a quest for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, so we decamped four miles north to some birch woodland. We hadn't been out of the cars for more than 3 minutes when Deborah spotted a raptor flying along the line of a hedge - it was a ringtail Hen Harrier! After completing one hedge it turned 90 degrees and followed an adjacent hedge before being lost to sight. Deborah than proceeded to spot a Marsh Tit on a large Oak lining the edge of the road.

Marsh Tit

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We plunged into the wood, and soon came across an overgrown garden. A possible Woodcock flew up, but disappeared behind rhododendron leaves before we had chance for more than an infinitesimal view. However, the Friday afternoon group saw a Woodcock in the same place, so that confirms it. There were more Marsh Tits in this area. A bird left the garden screeching loudly - a Jay. We carried on and came across other Marsh Tits. There wasn't much on the heath, this time, but on Friday the situation would be quite different.

Redpoll

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We discovered a secret path into the woods, which seems to disappear during the summer. Many Redwings passed overhead, and then we came across a small flock of Redpolls. A musical sound was repeated about 3 times, was this a very tuneful Buzzard? The morning group encountered 46 species at N.Cave Wetlands bringing the annual figure to 70 species. Meanwhile, the pm session 42 species at the two NCW sites and have 71 species for the year so far.

Record shot of Redwing

We made it back to the cars without encountering anything new, although more Marsh Tits were heard. It was only on our return that we realised our quest for the Holy Grail had failed, but then we didn't have a Galahad with us.

Sulphur Tuft

On Thursday we stuck with the Yorkshire Wolds. I set off in thick mist, and had severe sinking feelings, but the sun broke out at Tickton, and shone all the way to the wolds. We met in a car park, and shared cars to our final destination. This was the dangerous part as the road was like a skating rink in some parts. However, we all arrived without further incident. We were extremely surprised to be greeted almost immediately with a hunting Barn Owl. It showed very well against the background of a rather magical hoar frost. The Red Kites also looked good against the sparkling background.

Barn Owl

Ditto

Red Kite

Ditto

Very Pale Buzzard

Bullfinches

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Treecreeper

Ditto

Song Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Is it a bird, is it a Plane? No, it's a Nuthatch!

Nuthatch

Ditto

I don't have any figures for either Thursday session so I cannot say how many species they saw among the hoar frost or how many species they have seen during their first 4 weeks.

Ditto

Red Kites Hours Before Dusk

Ditto

Mist Over the Village

Ditto

A Few Woodpigeons

Record shot of a Green Woodpecker

On Friday both sessions opted for North Cliffe Wood over the frozen North Cave Wetlands. The route taken was the same as the Weds pm group, but Hen Harrier was waiting for us as we steeped out of the cars. We did follow the same route though. The afternoon group flushed a Woodcock in both gardens, unfortunately, it was missing in the morning. Both sessions saw Marsh Tits and Redpolls, but only the am session managed to glimpse a Green Woodpecker. In the morning a Kestrel fanned its tail to dry it after an attempt to catch prey. In the afternoon this had been displaced by a Peregrine - the first one I've ever seen on the heath.

ditto

Goldfinches & Linnets

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Goldfinches

Goldfinches & Linnets

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Reed Bunting

Record Shot of Peregrine

Thawing on Catkins

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Having a scratch

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Repose

Long-tailed Tits

The Friday afternoon group encountered 39 species, taking their 2019 total to 70.

Heron & Wildfowl

Some Friday am students

We now have a pair of Buzzards near home, and I managed to snatch a few photos of the male from my car. While I was taking the photos the female flew past, but she disappeared before I could snatch an image. She looks paler than the male.

Our Male Buzzard

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The remaining photos are from a trip to Lincolnshire, although the Teal was from the North Bank, probably taken by a Peregrine.

Roe Deer

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Teal - victim of Peregrine?

Golden Plover

1 comment:

Bruce said...: Thanks Michael: very helpful having your commentary along with the great photos as an aide de memoire.; 3 February 2019 at 13:04

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

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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.

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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.