Birding with Flowers: August 2019

Wednesday, 28 August 2019

Autumn Term Starts in mid-September

My Autumn classes resume in a fortnight's time. We will be making a special effort to try and see Bearded Tits, which are doing well on the Humber. I suspect they've had a good breeding season, and I even saw some in the afternoon last week, which bodes well.

Bearded Tit

Last Autumn was rather poor for Short-eared Owls, but this year the early indications are we are going to be falling over them this Autumn! Fingers-crossed! We are certainly going to a few locations, where we should see them if they do arrive in numbers this year.

Short-eared Owl

Ditto

Last Autumn we endured a similar situation with Hen Harriers. I hope we see a beautiful male this Autumn...

Female Hen Harrier

Ditto

Male Hen Harrier

Numbers of Rough-legged Buzzards seem to fluctuate from year-to-year, but if they are around, we will do our best to connect with them.

Rough-legged Buzzard

Barn Owl numbers have never recovered from the winter of 2010, and the Beast from the East won't have done them any favours. However, we are going to good Barn Owl venues, so we should see them.

Autumn is usually a good time to see waders, and we are visiting wader venues at high tide to observe them. We are blessed with several good sites on the estuary, so we will try and see Black-tailed Godwits, Golden Plovers, Ruff, Dunlin and Knot. if we see pectoral sandpipers or other transatlantic vagrants then they will be a bonus.

Greenshank

A summary of what to expect on the Autumn course is given below:

At the time of writing there are a couple of vacancies on Wednesday afternoons followed by Thursday afternoons and Friday afternoons. I'm afraid I cannot take any more bookings on the Tuesday morning or Friday morning 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 Autumn we'll be paying special attention to migrating birds and waders. If you want help sorting out your Dunlin from your Knot, and pointing out the differences between singing Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwits then this is the place to be. We are going to locations where you will hopefully see and not just hear Bearded Tits and Water Rails. Towards Christmas we will also make a special trip on the wolds to encounter large birds of prey. So, if you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife in beautiful and secluded venues for less than £10 a week, then this is the course for you! 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. If you are interested in more details of the course, or wish to be placed on a waiting list, please contact me on either the email or mobile details at the head of the page.

Monday, 26 August 2019

Streaks in the Heat

The forecast was very good for today, so I thought I'd try out our butterfly special location after a month away from it. There were Red Admirals, Painted Ladies, Peacocks, and Small Tortoiseshells. However, the walk along the main path was very quiet, then it was clear that all the bramble flower had disappeared. Would we see anything out-of-the-ordinary at all? As we neared the major junction I spotted what looked like a very faded Ringlet fluttering on the ground. I nearly carried on, but something made me give it a second look. On closer inspection it proved to be a rather tattered male Brown Hairstreak. This was very dull when it opened its wings, and most of the time when only its profile was visible. However, once the light was right, it was possible to see the very handsome outer wings.

Male Brown Hairstreak

ditto

Record shot in flight

On greenery

ditto

Later, we discovered that everyone else wanted to see Brown Hairstreaks, and that was why they were there, but we seemed to be the only ones who had actually seen and photographed one!

Underside

ditto

The damaged profile

Almost a dark blue tinge to the body here

ditto

After some time at the major junction we tried towards the glade we had photographed the Purple Hairstreaks, White Admirals and Silver-Washed Fritillaries on our last visit. It was lovely and cool in the shade here, but butterflies were completely absent. We were informed about a smaller junction were there were a lot of common butterflies, so we tried that out.

Painted Lady

Red Admiral

ditto

Brimstone

ditto

On the return journey a small insect was moving on the ground in almost the same place as the Brown Hairstreak on the outward bound trip. It was noticeably smaller than what may be the largest of the Hairstreaks. It didn't stay on the ground as long as the earlier butterfly and refused to open it wings, but it was easily identifiable as a Purple Hairstreak.

First glance of the Purple Hairstreak - not much detail visible

A Clearer View

slightly damaged wing

ditto

Young buzzard calling at home

ditto

Monday, 12 August 2019

A 2020 Visit to Tolkien's Hemlock Glade

Have you always wanted to see where Edith danced for Tolkien - almost 103 years to the day? I'm taking advantage of the momentum from Tolkien2019 and will be leading a guided tour around Roos and all the East Yorkshire locations with a known Tolkien connection on Saturday 30th May 2020. I will be helped by fellow members of the Eastfarthing smial. We will be stopping off at Brooklands Officers' Hospital in Hull, Hornsea, Roos, Halsham, Thirtle Bridge, Withernsea, Easington & Kilnsea. All my latest findings will be imparted, and I intend to pepper my talk with readings from JRRT's works either inspired by the actual venues, or written whilst he was hospitalised in the area.

The Former Brooklands Officers' Hospital

We will stop off at the Withernsea Lighthouse Museum where you will be able to visit the small Tolkien-related exhibition. The £2.50 entrance fee also permits a visit to the top of the 170 ft Lighthouse from where you may view Edith's lodgings. An exhibition to the 50's film star Kay Kendall is also at the lighthouse. A cafe and toilets is also available there, as well as several other venues on the route.

Withernsea Lighthouse - very close to where Edith lodged

Uniquely, we will travel in convoy (sharing cars) and keep in touch using the modern equivalent of Tolkien as the Signalling Officer - walkie talkies! No longer than 30 minutes will be spent in cars between each venue. However, if enough people book in advance we may be able to consider booking a minibus.

Kilnsea Acoustic Dish (1916/1917) - which would have been understood and possibly utilised by the Regimental Signalling Officer!

More specific information will become available nearer the time. If you are interested, please reply to this post, to give me an idea of the numbers. I'm thinking of 30 as a maximum, but at least 5 people must be interested in the event for it to be worth going ahead. You may also send me an email to the address at the top of this page, please mention Hemlock Tour 30th May.

If you would prefer the following day, please let me know.

At the moment this event is only open to Tolkien Society members. I'm thinking of a nominal charge of £5, and then once my modest costs are covered anything over that will be donated to the Tolkien Society.

Tuesday, 6 August 2019

High Tide Waders

Early August is a good time to catch up with waders at high-tide. Knot, Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Golden Plovers and Ruff are especially colourful at the moment. A lot more colourful than they will be in the Autumn anyway. Meanwhile, some waders like Wood Sandpipers, Whimbrel and Little Stints may have even gone when classes resume in September. There is even the chance of an extremely rare bird turning up, like a White-Rumped Sandpiper at Kilnsea Wetlands. It is best to turn up before the high tide, and make yourself comfortable, and wait for more waders to arrive. If the high tide is relatively early in the morning, you may get the places to yourself, but the later in the day the high tide occurs, the more likely that the venues will be busy.

Greenshank

Wood Sandpiper

Little Stint

Little Stints

Immature Yellow Wagtail

House Martin

Sparrowhawk

Painted Lady

Common Blue

Wall

Ruff

ditto

Ruff

Little Stint

immature LRP?

Common Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Knot

Black-tailed Godwit [2nd from right]

Wood Sandpiper

Knot

[Red] Knot

Gatekeeper

Wall

Golden Plover

ditto

Dunlin

Dunlin & immature LRP?

Golden Plover [Dunlin & Ringed Plover]

Spoonbill (and Redshank)

White-Rumped Sandpiper [left] and Dunlin

Whimbrel

Ringed Plover

Knot & Redshank

ditto

Wall

Back at home one of the local Buzzards now seems a little easier to approach.

Buzzard

Autumn Course Details

Bookings for the 10-week Autumn term have started. At the time of writing there are most vacancies on Tuesday & Friday mornings with a couple of spaces on most 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 Autumn we'll be paying special attention to finding and identifying birds on migration. Autumn visitors we are hoping to track down include: Redstarts, Flycatchers, Warblers, Rough-legged Buzzards, Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls & various wading birds. We will be visiting venues in East Yorkshire with a couple of ventures into North Lincolnshire and West 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

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.