Birding with Flowers: And a Partridge in an Ash Tree!

Friday 14 May 2021

And a Partridge in an Ash Tree!

Yellow Wagtail

On Tuesday we returned to a quiet, if untidy part of the country. From the car park are we could hear a very distant Cuckoo, and that was to be our only encounter with this once guaranteed species at this location. Swallows and Linnets were flying over the abandoned construction site. We set off, but found very little around the fishing lake, just a Moorhen and we heard a Little Grebe. The walk between the lakes to the hill produced a Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Long-tailed Tits. The Monty Python path was punctuated by calls of a few Reed Warblers, a Sedge Warbler, a Whitethroat, a Reed Bunting and more Linnets. When we emerged from the path we had a close fly-by from a Lapwing. On the sporting lake we saw a Mute Swan on a nest and a Great Crested Grebe isolated on the lake. A Heron flew over our head, but we couldn’t spot anything at the heronry, this distance away. We walked to the bridge and saw at least 3 Marsh Harriers, which was the best sighting of the morning. We finally walked along the old railway line, where the best bird was a puppet-on-a-string Whitethroat. The group encountered 31 species, which brought the cumulative figure for the term to 81.

Lapwing

Female Marsh Harrier

Male Marsh Harrier

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Reed Warbler

Whitethroat

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Jackdaw

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Rudd? or Roach?

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In the afternoon I managed to photograph a Skylark from a small lay-by, and a Linnet and stunning Yellow Wagtail from a roadside puddle.

Skylark

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Yellow Wagtail

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Male Linnet

Female Linnet

On Wednesday many of us arrived early, and from the car park it was possible to hear the Cuckoo, Cetti’s Warbler and a Grey Wagtail left the water treatment centre. We walked up the bank and almost immediately a small flock of around 6 Bearded Tits dropped into the reedbed in front of us. They were much trickier to gain good views of as it is in the Autumn. Along the path we heard various Reed Warblers and then Sedge Warblers. The latter were relatively easier to see. We hadn’t been walking long when a brown bird was spotted flying towards us, this proved to be a Bittern. Later, we heard booming on several occasions, possibly of two birds. The Cuckoo also fly past us on a few occasions, but when it alighted it was nearly always on the verge of sight.

Bearded Tit - crossing the path

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Sedge Warbler

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Bittern

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Reed Buntings were probably the most obvious bird seen with Linnets maybe coming a close second. However, these were all eclipsed audibly by the almost permanent and deafening Cetti’s Warblers. We tended to get only glimpses of these as they moved from bush to bush, usually using the back route!

Reed Bunting

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When we had travelled some distance we reached a flooded field. A Little Egret was joined by a Great White Egret, and on the way back several Spoonbills had also joined this group. After lunch the field contained several Black-tailed Godwits, with one specimen being very brightly coloured. Nigel also picked out an Egyptian Goose near one of the Mute Swans. When we reached the locked hide again, it was great to see 3 adult Spoonbills busy feeding right at the front of the water. This was possibly the best sighting of Spoonbill we had ever seen.

Spoonbills

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Heron

Male Shelduck

Record shot of Swift

Yellow Wagtail

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Black-tailed Godwits

Dunnock

We saw several large fish in the murky water. Mike's experience and research leads us to believe these may have been Chubb. We also saw a 'Jack' Pike, but the photo isn't good enough to reproduce.

Halfway along the main path in the afternoon we saw two distant raptors around the pylon wires. Although they were distant, it was possible to see that they were falcons, and the tail length for the size of the bird was fairly short, so Peregrine was the most likely candidate. Later, we saw two very dark small falcons in the lee of the hill. One of them seemed to drop its talons as if it was catching something in mid-air, and I thought I discerned an orange hue around the underside of the tail area. Sure enough the photos showed that these two were Hobbies.

Peregrine

Hobby

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The morning session encountered 54 species, and was the most successful visit of the term so far. The course species total has increased dramatically to 82. Some of the Weds am crew dropped in to Ness End on their way back. They heard several booming Bitterns, and enjoyed their best ever views of 2 Hobbies over the reedbed. A Common Tern was a first of the year for those who went.

ditto

On Thursday we walked along the River Hull. We had Sand Martins, Starlings, Rooks and House Sparrows near Hull Bridge House. The weather was beautiful, but at first the bird life seemed rather quiet. The fringe of reeds resulted in both Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers. There were plenty of Rooks, Crows and Jackdaws on the pasture, but smaller birds seemed harder to find.

Reed Warbler

Meadow Pipit

Lapwing showing purple iridescence

Swallows and Sand Martins were flying around, and Rose spotted a soaring Sparrowhawk. We noticed the unpleasant noise of Marsh Frogs at various places. On the return journey along Barmston Drain we saw our first Swifts, and shortly after Elwell’s Bridge a pair of Yellow Wagtails dropped in, and we had just started to walk again when Peter noticed a pair of Wood Sandpipers in a shallow marshy area. We managed prolonged views of this dainty wader. This was undoubtedly the bird of the morning. They had gone in the afternoon, but we did enjoy two views of a flying Common Sandpiper. Apparently, if we had gone to Swinemoor a few days earlier we may have seen a summer-plumaged Red-necked Phalarope. After lunch a large influx of House Martins had appeared, but the other hirundines and Swifts were still present.

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

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Female Pied Wagtail collecting nesting material

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Record shot of female Sparrowhawk

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Swallow

Sand Martin

Swallow and Sand Martin

Lesser Whitethroat

Mallard Brood

Wood Sandpipers

Wood Sandpiper

Gordon spotted a surprise after lunch: a tern with a small fish in its bill.

Common Tern

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Common Sandpiper

Azure Damselfly?

Two Dumb Clucks after being knee-deep in the morass since rescuing their pampered pooch. Apparently, they virtually threw it to the ground once they had reached dry land. Moral: Keep your dogs on a lead!

On Friday we met at Millington. It was very overcast and it drizzled at times. The Blue Tit was up to its old tricks in the car park. There weren’t as many singing birds on the way to the pond, but we did hear Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Red-legged Partridge and Blackcap. As well as small fish (minnows?) there were quite a few tadpoles in the shallow water. On the walk up the valley we heard another noisy Red-legged Partridge, but we failed to locate it among the scrub. Linnets sang merrily at times, and Pat spotted a Yellowhammer. The walk to the old Yorkshire Water compound didn’t produce as many species as usual, but we saw another Yellowhammer. The trek through the wood produced at least 2 singing Treecreepers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over us, and a pair of Blackcaps were waiting for us near the gate. Some movement behind an elder bush resulted in a sighting of a dying Buck Roe Deer, which Jane protected by asking a bloke with two free-running dogs to put them on a lead when they neared the point where we had seen the deer.

ditto

Yellowhammer

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Blackcap

The afternoon was slightly warmer and the birds were quite similar, although Sarah spotted a Red Kite as it passed overhead. For many years I’ve been contradicting the Christmas carol which mentions ‘And a Partridge in a Pear Tree’. I said this was highly unlikely as I’ve never seen one in any species of tree, and moreover would never do so. However, newbie Dave soon disproved this theory by pointing out one calling from a tree, and thus the week ended!

Red-legged Partridge in an Ash Tree

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Tadpoles

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Toadstools

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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

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.