Birding with Flowers

Monday, 11 November 2013

The Shorts are Out in the Afternoons Again


The forecast for Friday was excellent, although it was due to cloud over in the afternoon and rain was predicted for later in the day, so we were able to visit one of the bleakest locations in East Yorkshire. Sure enough it was a lovely sunny morning with only a light breeze. There wasn't a great deal to see at first with just a few Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings calling as we walked along the drain. Then we reached the floodbank, and climbed it to see that the tide was extremely high and had inundated most of the designated area. Because of the depth of the water there weren't many waders here, but the Shelduck were still dabbling in the water. Great flocks of Golden Plovers swept over our heads, and looked especially fine in the sun - their flapping wings seemed to make them wink in the sunlight. In the afternoon the water had drained away, and some Redshanks had dropped in. Also in the afternoon we looked 90 degrees towards the west, where we spotted a bird flying around the rough grass near a telegraph post. It was a Short-eared Owl. It continued hunting for several minutes, but there was an opportunistic Kestrel a little nearer to us in the hedge, so the final outcome was unknown.

Short-eared Owl

Golden Plover

Knot

Mainly Knot

Mute Swan

We carried on towards the pumping station and here there were literally hundreds of birds on the small portion of available mud, but many more swirling around in the air. There were Oystercatchers, Curlew, Dunlin, Knot, Ringed Plover, Wigeon, and Friday Unmentionables. The air was rent with the very distinctive 'Cooo-eee' of Grey Plovers, and we eventually saw some of those too. As we stood on the floodbank a couple of Little Egrets were noticed flying from one area to another.

Reed Bunting

Record Shot of Short-eared Owl

Ditto

Looking towards the Saltmarsh there were Roe Deer and Carrion Crows, but no raptors of interest. This changed after lunch when a Short-eared Owl was observed hunting up and down for virtually the whole of our visit. It was later joined by a second bird, which may have been the one we had seen earlier. It was so mild in the afternoon we were able to return along the top of the floodbank - it is usually far too windy and cold to even attempt this is in the winter months. As we walked back the shrill cry of a Kingfisher came from the drain. It appeared to be flying towards the pumping station, but it was obscured from our sight by the vegetation along the bank. The first drops of the approaching weather system could be felt on our faces, but we managed to get back dry shod and just before the rain began in earnest. The gamble had paid off.

Friday, 8 November 2013

A Splash of Gold


We had our first visit to the year to a particular estuarine location. At first it was beautiful: a Marsh Harrier hunting as seen from the car park, and a smattering of ducks and gulls. Linnets, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits flew over, but they must have been fairly high, as they couldn't be seen against the very bright sky. However, the wind soon picked up and made the day less bearable. The reedbeds were sparkling in the sunlight, but Wrens seemed the most numerous birds in there. I did hear the single "ping" of a Bearded Tit a little later, but it was never repeated, and we certainly didn't see the bird.

Grey Wagtail

Marsh Harrier

ditto

Golden Plover


Once we left the factory buildings behind we could obtain a better all round view, and son several Skylark took the air, and a few of them were singing. Once we caught sight of the marsh, which has been hidden behind a massive floodbank, we could see Lapwings, and Golden Plovers, which were hunkered down in the long grass. Greylag Geese and Starlings were also present, but last year's Herons were absent.




We arrived at the Fishing Lake and this had a diverse population of Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Mute Swans and Coot. The skiing lake was much quieter, and at first there didn't appear to be a single bird, but Claire first spotted a Grey Wagtail, followed by a pair of Little Grebe. The only other bird on the water was a Moorhen, while a male Reed Bunting and a charm of a Goldfinches were flying around.

Grey Plover

Long-tailed Tit

Roe Deer

ditto


This was the extent of our walk, and the remainder of the morning consisted of a March back to the car park. On the return journey, not a single new species was added to the tally.

In the afternoon the tide had begun to leave some exposed mud, and on here there were some Black-tailed Godwits and a new species for me at this site: 4 Grey Plovers. Of course there were Redshank and Lapwings, but the Golden Plovers were under the radar. 2 Snipe flew up from the marsh area, and a male Marsh Harrier brightened the afternoon, as did a female Sparrowhawk. Three Roe Deer grazed in the open during our return journey.

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Hitting a Purple Patch


We went to Bimble Bay again today.




I looked in the bushes for any ringing going on, but I couldn't see any. We therefore shared cars to Bimble Bay Dams. We tried the big hide first, but it was relatively quite, with not a single wader to be seen. Bird seen included: Heron, Teal, Herring Gull, and a Sparrowhawk being chased by Magpies or Crows.

Purple Sandpiper

Heron (with a gull we totally ignored at the time!)

Trying the smaller hide we came across Tree Sparrows on the way & plenty of Blackbirds. From the hide itself we saw absolutely hordes of Moorhens, plenty of Friday Unmentionables, but a pair of Wigeon flew in later.

Teal

Oystercatcher

We tried birdwatching from Carr Naze. A Redshank was the only bird any way near the grotty pond just through the gate. We could see plenty of Oystercatchers from here, and a single Curlew, and Cormorants flying low over the sea. Reaching the end Lynn spotted a seal pup, and Eric identified a female Eider bobbing off the end of the Brigg. As we made our way back a flock of tiny waders were seen, which turned out to be Dunlin. Later I saw three Turnstones fly in & myself and Anthony could make out a Purple Sandpiper scurrying along the water's edge.

Knot & Dunlin (left)

Turnstone (& rear of Purple Sandpiper)

Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Knot & Purple Sandpiper - you decide

ditto

Cormorant

Record shot of Rock Pipit

Mock Air Sea rescue

Daredevil

In the afternoon we went down onto the beach first, and saw a select sprinkle of wader species, but they were continually being frightened off by rampant dogs. Despite the canine invasion, I think it was the first decent views some had obtained of a single Purple Sandpiper. It was certainly the first the Weds pm group had seen for some time. Hardly noticeable among the seaweed were a few Rock Pipits, with Meadow Pipits somewhere around too. The subsequent visit to the Dams was as disappointing as in the morning. A single Curlew & a sole Redshank dropped in briefly.  The most interesting sighting came in the afternoon.  I went to inspect the site of the mist nets in the Carr Naze bushes, when a Woodcock launched itself into the air - I didn't have my camera with me at the time.   That's the most convoluted use of a euphemism I've made it quite some time!

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

The Way Old Friends Do


Another terrible weather day, another day at North Cave Wetlands. 




The day started well with a Curlew over the car park, swiftly followed by the flight call of a Green Woodpecker. We hadn't been walking long along Dryham Lane when Chris Cox spotted the Green Woodpecker right on the edge of the road and the grassy verge. It allowed us to approach fairly close, but we had good views of it flying across the road and hopping about on the verge. A single Meadow Pipit flew over, and a large charm of Goldfinches.

ditto


There seemed to have been a clear out of birds on the Main Lake, but we did see 5 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Little Grebes including one of the latter, which ran on the water. 2 Snipe spent a short period on the edge of the lake before disappearing into the the vegetation.

Ditto


We were just entering the gate to make a circuit of the reserve, when I spotted a Kingfisher flying low over the water towards South Hide. Maggie & Chris crept back there and were rewarded with excellent views in the semi-gloom, including a period when it landed on the ground in front of the hide!  We hadn't seen either Green Woodpeckers for months at this location, years in the case of the Kingfisher, so it was like meeting old friends.  Lets hope they'll be still there on future visits.

There were Fieldfare, Redwings & Siskins in the bushes around the perimeter. Gadwall and Wigeon were on Carp Lake and Far Lake respectively.

ditto

There was a family of 5 Whooper Swans on Reedbed Lake, but they took fright at the massed ranks of the large Tuesday am group & flew to the new flooded area in front of Crosslands hide. When we were watching them there in the afternoon another pair of adults flew in, making 8 Whooper Swans in total. During our morning walk a male Marsh Harrier flushed all the Teal from Village Lake. As we emerged from the big hedge we had good views of many individuals making up an exaltation of Skylarks. In the same fields was a large flock of Greylag Geese

Teal were the main birds seen from Turret Hide, but we failed to find a single Snipe. On the way back to East hide a female Sparrowhawk dived out of deep cover with small prey in her talons, plus the remains of the tree the bird had been sat in! We flushed her 3 more times, after she'd dropped half the tree she was carrying - the last time after we'd been in the East hide, and it still hadn't plucked its prey. She eventually flew to an area of the reserve from where she was unlikely to be disturbed. In the afternoon Linda spotted a Snipe, and after that we managed to find 4 more.

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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.