Birding with Flowers

Thursday, 7 June 2012

More Rolling News

This morning the forecast wasn't brilliant, but it looked as though the coast would stay driest the longest. I asked Ben if he would like a proper look at the Roller now that there would be likely to be fewer twitchers around. He immediately agreed, and also asked to go on to Spurn afterwards.

When we got to Aldbrough there was only one birder present, and he was lucky enough to get on to the Roller as soon as he set up his scope. The Roller had moved north into an adjacent tilled field because some heavy machinery had arrived to drill some peas. The Wakefield birder pointed out the bird, which was almost directly opposite to the car park at Berwick Hall. We watched it for over half-an-hour hunting for insects in a bare field. Its colours looked even more glorious, if that's possible, against the dark background of the field, than it had against grass on Saturday. It made several short sorties to hunt for prey & at these moments the colours were even more vivid on the wings in flight.

It was one of the farm workers first days back at work and he came over to see what we were looking at. He looked through the Wakefield birder's telescope and was mightily impressed with what he could see. He was pretty sure a Roller wasn't even in his bird book! A few more cars turned up, and we'd enjoyed several good views of the bird, so we packed up & went on to Spurn instead.

At Spurn the tide was going out, and there weren't many birds of interest. There were 'Woolly Bears' (caterpillars of Garden Tiger Moths) everywhere at the point, and they even outnumbered the dreaded Brown-tail Moth caterpillars. A couple of Cinnabar Moths added a splash of colour, and there were a few Speckled Woods about, but very few other butterflies, apart from Common Blues near Canal Scrape. It was also here that 4 Common Lizards were soaking up the sun on their usual post.

At Sammy's Point Ben unearthed a dog's skull, and we saw a pair of wary Oystercatchers. Finally, just south of Thorngumbald we noticed a couple of Hares staring each other out in a Paddock. Surprisngly, the forecast was incorrect, as instead of raining at 11am, the rain didn't begin until closer to 5pm!

Roller

ditto

Roller being mobbed by a Meadow Pipit again

The remarkable plumage in flight

Roller

Another flight shot

Cinnabar Moth

'Woolly Bear'

4 Common Lizards

Skull of a Dog?

Oystercatcher

2 Staring Hares

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Magical Mystery Workout

The only event this week was our first visit to a far-flung woodland. Unfortunately, we’d been warned that because of major roadworks in Malton there were massive delays, so several people either set off early to cope with these, or set off early to go round by a much longer route. Today because of the school holidays there were no delays in Malton! When I arrived after almost a 2 hour journey everyone had been waiting in the car park for what seemed like hours. Immediately, there were Siskins flying over the car park, and these were probably visiting the feeders at the visitor centre.

Treecreeper

We eventually found a new gravel path which meandered its way to the reserve through a pleasant heathland habitat studded with young conifers and birches. We travelled in a cloud which was hanging over the crag we were walking on, but there was plenty of birdsong, including: Willow Warbler, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat & a Song Thrush. However, the definite highlight here was a Tree Pipit. Its pleasant canary-like notes drifted towards us, and it could be seen perched on the top of a young conifer. On the way back, Sally saw it parachuting down. There was a Kestrel hovering in the mist and we flushed a couple of Linnets up from the ground at our feet. Other birds around here included plenty of Chaffinches and a single carrion Crow.

Hoof Fungus

We turned right when we reached a broader path and found ourselves at the same height as the trees full of Blue Tit fledglings. We then arrived at a steep narrow path plunging down to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve. It had rained heavily overnight and we made our way carefully down the muddy and slippery terrain. Unfortunately, we are used to even paths on the flat here in East Yorkshire and several people didn’t fancy the climb down to the lake at the bottom and turned back. We could hear our first Chiffchaffs, Swallows were twittering above us but couldn’t be seen because of the tree cover. A Willow Tit sang out, plus Coal Tits and a little later a whole family of Long-tailed Tits. On a fallen log last Autumn’s ear fungus was still intact, but had gone past the edible stage. Sally correctly identified the song of a Blackcap – it seems it is possible to identify song birds after repeated exposure to the same species!

Froghopper (bit of Cuckoo Spit visible under the leaf)

Cardinal Beetle

ditto

As we made our way down to the lake we could hear the ‘pic pic’ calls of a distant Great Spotted Woodpecker, and an even further off Cuckoo. However, as we descended into the abyss the Cuckoo became easier to hear & Eileen could pick it out – gone are the days when she lived on Thorne Moors & she was the 1^st to hear one every year! On the lake there was a pair of Tufted Ducks and several Mute Swans, but little else. We did a circuit of the lake where we encountered a Treecreeper, Blue Tit fledglings, another singing Tree Pipit and Sparrowhawks calling from deep within the wood.

The way back up the hill wasn’t as bad as everyone feared & the only new creatures encountered were the Froghopper (manufacturers of Cuckoo Spit). They were out in force & it was clear that their manufacturing had only just began, so they were about to get very busy – they are very late this year – delayed by the cold or the relatively dry spring? Although the trek up the hill wasn't too bad, many of the attendees were red in the face & either dripping with sweat, or soaked with rain. Some attendees went on to the visitor centre where Siskins and Coal Tits could be seen on the feeders.

Monday, 4 June 2012

Rolling News

This Roller was first spotted at Spurn on Tuesday 29th May. It was seen at several locations there before being last sighted at about noon. It then remained hidden for a couple of days before being relocated on the Thursday. Since then literally hundreds of birders and twitchers have been to see it. 2 of my 'students' were only a couple of miles up the road, so I alerted them to its presence. They went to see it one day, but then returned the following morning to get some pictures.

As you can see from the picture it is not a small bird, and dwarfs the Meadow Pipit and Goldfinch seen in the photograph. It is about the same size as a Jackdaw, and its colours almost rival a Kingfisher. It is a little off course, as its nearest breeding site is probably in Spain. It has taken up residence in a drilled field where it seems to be surviving on a diet of worms, beetles and other insects.

My Saturday morning job was cancelled, so I took my 12 year-old-nephew to see it. We drove past 6 times & had brief glimpses, and then I parked up for a couple of seconds so we could both see it through the bins. Although it was only 8.15 am there were already plenty of what he called 'geeks' in attendance, and he didn't want to stop for a better view (which he now regrets). I also find these twitches deeply uncomfortable, so I wasn't sorry he wanted to move on. There is no denying this is a gloriously plumaged bird, and it would be great to have a longer look at this species one day.

As I type this post the bird is still present, possibly for the longest stay of this species in Yorkshire, and now a second bird has been sighted near Hornsea Mere! I wonder if they are of a different gender...

Roller

Roller being Mobbed by Meadow Pipit

PS. The Roller was still present today (5th June), but is now often showing more distantly than previously. Yesterday one reliable witness saw "selfish behaviour" from some of the twitching fraternity with cars abandoned in awkward places. In the end the police were called & several twitchers were asked to move their vehicles. As far as I know the Hornsea Mere Roller hasn't been seen today.

Sunday, 3 June 2012

Red Stars

Male Redstart [at this location 3 years ago]

Female Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Mayflies

Micromoth

Rockrose

Yesterday afternoon was the first of the daytime wildlife events organised to coincide with Robert Fuller’s summer exhibition. Four people met in the gallery from where we shared cars, and another 2 were waiting for us at the destination. I also brought along my nephew who was often able to spot things quickly for the attendees. On the journey we nearly slaughtered 8 Red-legged Partridges and an escaped lamb, but we managed to successfully avoid adding blood stains to the road. Along the way there was a singing Meadow Pipit which I actually managed to spot on the return trip.

From the car park we could hear a Yellowhammer singing just across the road, and this bird flew right over us and landed in the hedgerow we were shortly to walk past. Here were also Goldfinches around the car park, but the usual Linnets were absent. We plunged down the valley, and from the scrub there were distant Blackcaps and Willow warblers, but a more vibrant Song Thrush whilst another was visible on top of the Hawthorns. One thing I noticed straight away was how noisy it is on weekends when there are a lot more non-birdwatchers in the area. There was one family in particular of about 8 daughters, only half of whom were dressed in the compulsory pink who dawdled & made a hell of a lot of noise, and made my task that bit more difficult. It was noticeable that Ben (12) did most of the complaining at the behaviour of the public, and came across as an old man!

In the valley bottom I could hear a male redstart singing. We went through a handgate an almost immediately I spotted a bird going into a cavity where Redstarts had nested 2 or 3 years ago. I couldn’t believe they were using the same dirty old hole, but they were. Both parents were going in and out regularly, so it was clear that their young were being fed. We remained there for about half an hour, and although the Redstart’s movements at first were too quick for some of the viewers eventually both genders sat perched long enough looking for most people to get decent views. This was a more colourful female than many, as a definite peachy blush could be discerned on her breast. A Spotted Flycatcher also appeared briefly, and some Bullfinches flew over, and there were some Goldfinches perched on one of the dead Hawthorns.

When we left the Redstarts and began to walk along the old railway line I could hear the very distinctive ‘chup’ of Crossbills, so these must have been in the stand of conifers which had been behind us when we were watching the Redstarts. Along the early part of this walk we heard both a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler, and the latter was even spotted with its wings outstretched. We also heard a Blackcap, but this could only be glimpsed among the thick hedgerow, although it was seen in flight, as it flew from one side to the other. A Mayfly was clinging to a nettle, and when I looked at the photo there were actually 2 mayflies there. There were singing Chaffinches, a Wren and another Chiffchaff near the quarry. Meanwhile we had Swifts, House Martins and Swallows flying over us at various times.

On the return to the gallery there were almost as many red-legged Partridges dicing with death, but the only new birds seen were a pair of Linnets flew up as we drove back past a quarry.

Badgers by Owl-Light

2 Tawny Owl Fledglings

Tawny Owl Fledgling

After the excitement of finding a Corncrake at Struncheon Hill, that evening was Robert Fuller’s first Owl and Badger Watch of the season. Luckily, Chris Cox had booked, and he volunteered to drive, again rescuing me from dropping off at the wheel, after being on the go since 4.50 than morning. We arrived at the gallery in good time to find most of the attendees already assembled. The original plans had to be altered. One of Robert’s Little Owls had been eaten in March, probably by Tawny Owls, and his Tawny Owls hadn’t nested in their usual box, probably because one of the adults had been electrocuted during the winter.

Everyone followed Robert to the new Owl location in their own cars. On arrival we headed to the area where Robert had seen 2 chicks that morning. Down in the valley we could hear an adult Great Spotted Woodpecker calling from higher ground where there had been a scout minibus a few minutes before. However, we were near recently fledged youngsters, and Robert pointed out these calls to the assembled throng, but we didn’t manage to get a visual fix on them. A Chiffchaff called nearby and sang fitfully a few times. At least one person fell over trying to look up for Owls and walk at the same time, but no one was seriously hurt. So, that is what Healthy & Safety is for! We started to go uphill again on an uneven track & Robert said that the Tawny Owl chicks were calling quietly. It was much more difficult to find the chicks in this large Beech tree, than those which had frequented the long line of trees outside Robert’s gallery. One of my students, Richard W, was the first to spot one of the chicks. We eventually all had views of these fledglings, but they were flighty, and moved about several times before they remained still long enough for most to get good views in Robert’s telescope.

The Badgers had been coming out shortly after 8pm, so we switched our attention to them. We settled down on the hillside near the sett they had been frequenting. However, we were spread out, so Robert wasn’t able to regale the group with tales of Badger lore and behaviour. We waited for 75 minutes before anything happened. It was thought they could smell us, so they refused to come into the open, or that we were too close to the sett. In fact the Badgers were already abroad because after an hour and 15 minutes the sow and 4 cubs headed back down to the sett. Everyone got to see them as a couple of cubs stayed in the open for some time. However, they all went back into the field above their sett again and were lost from sight. Robert went up the hillside and walked along the side of the fence and this caused the return of the cubs and the sow. She froze and looked over her shoulder because of the excessive noise caused by the nearby scouts, but soon headed back to the sett following her cubs.

The return of the badgers brought an end to our vigil. On the return journey we stopped to listen for Quail without success, but I’ll be trying again on our next visit.

Craking in Our Boots

Barn Owl [male?]

Greenshank

Friday was our final visit to Hempholme Meadows. On the drive up we had a pair of Grey Partridges along the reservoir walls, and then later we saw another pair near Hempholme lock. At the new scrape area there was a Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Whitethroat, Lapwing, and Greylag Goose. Birds heard but not seen around here included: Yellowhammer, Skylark, Blackcap and a distant Cuckoo, which seemed to be on the southern area of the site. Jim spotted a Barn Owl out hunting. This bird was being victimised; first it was mobbed by an immature Common Gull, and later it caught a vole, and was harried & attacked several times by a Kestrel, until the Kestrel flew away bearing the vole to its next box. You can’t beat a bit of klepto-parasitism!

Barn Owl

Male Kestrel Striking the Barn Owl

Owl taking Vole to the Ground & Kestrel Flying to a high perch

Barn Owl perched in the pm with Thieving Kestrel's Box Behind

Barn Owl Hunting in the pm

ditto

Common Tern

From Stanningholme farm we could see a Stock Dove and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, whilst there’d been an influx of Reed Warblers since the last visit with at least 2 birds heard. A Song Thrush belted out its song. From the shooting estate we could hear a Reed Bunting, Reed warblers and a loud Sedge warblers, but the Whitethroats were much quieter.

When we reached Scurf Dyke and 4 Sand Martins flew overhead in a northerly direction. Meanwhile 5 Pochard went in the opposite direction. This was the area where we heard our nearest Skylark. A Common Tern was hunting for fish along the dyke, and a Kingfisher saw us & took evasive action, but did give a fly-past on 2 occasions allowing everyone to enjoy a flash of blue as it came down from its higher evasive route to hug the water, as is its usual wont. Towards the junction with Barmston Drain we came across our first Willow Warbler, and several Tree Sparrows and a Long-tailed Tit.

Long-tailed Tit

Roe Deer [Hind]

On the River Hull we had a very loud Reed Warbler which seemed to be singing from a Hawthorn bush rather than the reeds. A Shoveler flew along the River Hull & appeared to land, but there were 2 small boats heading south along the river Hull, so it wasn’t able to hang around. There was our first Meadow Pipit singing in this area & 5 Canada Geese were in a field next to plenty of Friesen cattle. It disappeared into the shooting estate, and this is where Kathleen spotted a female Roe Deer, which stared at us for a few minutes before disappearing into cover. Another pair of Grey Partridge flew into the fields on the east side of the river, and nearby it was clear that the Otter trail was still being well used, as it had forged a noticeable path in a the newly-grown vegetation. Later we were nearly back at the cars when we noticed that a Mute Swan had taken up residence on the riverbank near the new hide.

Mayfly

Linnet [male]

Hare

Mute Swans

Swift

On the drive in the afternoon we had good views of a male Linnet on the reservoir wall., a Buzzard flew over us at the beginning, while the barn owl was out again, and this time successfully caught a vole and was not robbed this time. A Hare was seen in a field of Red & White Campion, while minutes later a flock of 33 Mute Swans flew south overhead. The remainder of the sightings mainly followed the am session, but we had very close encounters with a flock of Swifts and an Oystercatcher flew just over our heads. However, there was one encounter in the afternoon, which was very different from anything which happened in the morning.

Oystercatcher

In the afternoon I was scrambling up the bank of Scurf Dyke when I heard 4 harsh notes in a very distinctive rhythm. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. I waited while the rest of the group scrambled up, when it gave a further 2 harsh notes ‘crex, crex’, but it was very faint. I wasn’t convinced everyone on the class could hear the Corncrake. We waited for 20 minutes and I heard it again for another 4 times, sometimes only 2 notes, but the final time a whole 6 notes. The call seemed to come from 2 different areas, but the gap between them was long enough for the bird to have moved between one location & the other. This was the first time I’ve heard the bird apart from in TV documentaries, when I was always led to believe that they sang for hours at a stretch, so these short bursts were a bit disconcerting. I telephoned the reserve warden, and he informed me it was one of only a very few records for the site. He later texted to say both he & 2 Hull Valley stalwarts were listening to the bird. It was a relief to have independent confirmation!

You can hear the Corncrake singing for longer, recorded later that same afternoon by Reserve Warden, Richard Hampshire here: http://tophilllow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/just-one-cornetto.html

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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.