Spring Term Launched

The new term was launched on the outskirts of Beverley on Tuesday. It was a very windy cold morning, but conditions did improve as the morning went on. It was rather quiet on the bird front at first with no hirundines around the bridge, and no Mistle Thrushes or Pied Wagtails in the paddocks. However, a couple of rarities were still in evidence - a pair of House Sparrows. Then we reached the pastures and things changed a little. Almost immediately we found a Stock Dove on some wires. There were some Lapwings displaying in the distance, a few Shelduck on the distant water and some very smart Herring Gulls. A couple of large Greylag Geese were also in attendance. A Heron seemed to be taking shelter behind a Hawthorn bush, and later a Little Egret could also be seen. Then 3 Sand Martins were discovered overhead struggling against the wind.

All Photos (c) 2015 Maggie Bruce

Sand Martin

Male House Sparrow

 Sand Martin

 Sand Martin

We carried on fighting the head wind, which was supposed to be only 13mph, but this was way out. We could just make out the song of a Skylark, and a Meadow Pipit was heard twittering in the grass below the floodbank. On a distant solitary bush a bird was seen clinging precariously to the top twigs, and from its dark primary feathers and its beige upperparts it was identified as a Wheatear. We began to get closer to the water, and it was possible to discern small shapes. These eventually resolved into Teal (identified by Maggie), a Redshank, some Ruff and a displaying Ringed Plover. The telescope was shaking so much it wasn't possible to see much apart from the spangled back feathers of the Ruff and its pale orange legs. 

Distant Little Egret, Shelduck & Teal

 Black-headed Gulls, Teal & Redshank

 Shelduck & Ruff

 Teal

As we neared the first industrial building we spotted 3 Swallows skimming over the grass. When we reached the building we found warmth for the first time. Although the construction is ugly, today it acted as a microclimate providing shelter for the Swallows, but also for a female Brimstone, a Peacock, 2 fighting Small Tortoiseshells, but the definite highlight was a gorgeous Holly Blue. A Greenfinch twittered away, and made its blackboard screeching "greeeeen" call, whilst a Chiffchaff stuttered out a few tentative notes. A pair of Long-tailed tits were busy in one of the hawthorns alongside the drain. Maggie stayed behind to attempt to photograph the butterflies. 

Long-tailed Tit

 Small Tortoiseshell

 Peacock

 Holly Blue

We had a look where a Kingfisher used to nest before the winter of 2010, but the area hadn't been recolonised. We walked north along the drain and saw a few Tree sparrows, but then distantly we caught the unmistakable cadence of a Willow Warbler, eventually we tracked down at least 3 individuals. We checked on the waders again, and even though they were more distant, the telescope was no longer shaking, so it was possible to see more detail on the Ruffs. Rose pointed out a much smaller Ringed Plover, again easier to see through the binoculars which were no longer shaking. 

Willow Warbler

We crossed the bridge and carried on towards the other industrial area. Suddenly we found three House Martins above our head, so we now had the full set of hirundines on our first morning back. A pair of Pied Wagtails flew past us. When we arrived at a tiny drain there didn't seem to be anything about, but then Steve and Mark saw a Fox. We all gathered around and the lovely ruddy colour could be seen as the Fox jumped from bank to bank before slinking away into the distance. 

As we neared the parking area we found that 7 Sand Martins had arrived, and then we spotted that a couple of them flew into a large drainage pipe in the decaying brick wall of the river bank. After a few minutes another one entered the pile too, and it was quite a while before the birds re-emerged. We left Maggie in position to attempt to obtain photos of the Martins around the pipe entrance.

In the end the the wildlife performed well for us, but we can only hope the weather becomes more springlike as the term continues.

No Birds, But Still An Award Winner

At the Tolkien Society AGM on Saturday in Arundel it was announced that my article 'A Hemlock by any other name...' won the Tolkien Society award for best article of 2014.  You may read the whole thing here

Cow Parsley in Roos Churchyard late May 2014

If you find that of interest, you may also be intrigued by another more wide-ranging blogpost discussing Tolkien's time in East Yorkshire here

You may read the whole list of 2014 Tolkien Society Award Winners here

YWT Wonderful Waders Event

A few weeks ago I was asked if I'd step in at short notice to lead 3 YWT events at Spurn. Luckily, I had three free Saturdays, and today was the first. After a week of glorious weather it was a little annoying to see the glowering clouds and strong winds. I hadn't reached Hedon when my orange engine warning light came on. Spurn isn't the place you want to go if your car is playing up! 

All photos from the photo archive - the camera remained in the car because we started in driving rain 

A Wonderful Wader at Spurn (Bar-tailed Godwit)

What I was hoping to see before I saw the forecast!

We got there in plenty of time only to find the start time coincided with the arrival of the squally weather system. After a 7am start in Sproatley Spurn Heritage Officer Andy Mason arrived with the unimog. He opened up the YWT centre and we waited out the worst of the weather for 10 minutes. Andy then suggested we start in the Seawatching hide, so we decamped to there. The wind and rain whistled and pounded the back of the hide as we stared out over a rather misty ocean. We did see a few fast-flying Dunlin and Oystercatchers, plus some very distant Gannets heading south. The only other birds were some immature gulls mainly heading north. The system began to pass over, and the previously invisible new sea turbines started to loom straight ahead of us. 

Grey Plover & Dunlin (ignore the Knot)

 Male Pied Wagtail at Canal Scrape

 Ditto

Once the rain had subsided we retraced our footsteps and tried looking over the Humber at the waders. Unfortunately, the wind was so strong it was very difficult to keep one's optics steady. We could just vaguely make out Grey Plovers, Curlews and Dunlin. To avoid the worse of the wind we travelled to Canal Scrape, and from here we saw the differences between male and female Pied Wagtails, plus a Meadow Pipit, a Reed Bunting, Mallards, Magpies, a Coot and Moorhens. A large flock of Curlews flew south along the Humber bank, plus a few Shelduck and the usual suspects.

Meadow Pipit at Canal Scrape

 We decided to brave the weather and walk along the Canal Bank, part of what is called the Triangle. We took shelter behind a large bush, from which we had good views of Curlews, Grey Plovers and Dunlin. The walk along the floodbank was horrendous with gale force head winds. Despite this a Skylark could just be made singing - above the crazy wind. There were a couple of Turnstones, but the conditions prevented everyone from spotting them in time. Near the tanks blocks were 2 large flocks of Oystercatchers and Brent Geese with a single Redshank. A single Linnet flew north as we walked along the hypotenuse.

Curlews

 Oystercatchers at Sewerby (ignore the Ringed Plover)

Brent Goose

We turned right at the pub and walked along the main road. A noisy Greenfinch was the most noticeable bird along here, apart from the large flock of Curlew in the field on the left. A Great Tit sang a weird song, a Wren sang loudly and near the gate to Church Field a Dunnock sang its pleasant quick warble, whilst one participant spotted a Blue Tit and then we turned right at the Blue Bell. 

White Wagtail [at Tophill Low]

We don't normally walk along the road, but because of the wind I thought we'd better avoid walking along the sea front. This was a fortuitous decision because Ben Identified a White Wagtail & shortly afterwards I spotted a Wheatear near the long-horned goats. Then the radio crackled into life informing us about 2 Buzzards heading our way, one of which was allegedly a Rough-legged Buzzard. We span round and spotted them. One of which was an obvious Common Buzzard, the other was a little different but didn't look like a typical Rough-legged Buzzard. They headed south and their progress down the peninsula was covered in detail. I voiced my concern a few times, but said the observers here were the experts, so they must be certain what they'd seen. One chap was going to add it to his life list when he got back. As we neared Canal Scrape another Wheatear was spotted hunkered down on a post with yet another Pied Wagtail on nearby barbed wire. 

Common Buzzard

 Genuine Rough-legged Buzzard at Skeffling (c) 2015 Phil Jones

When we entered the reserve itself several small leaf warblers could be glimpsed trying to feed on insects in the long green grass near the small bushes and barbed wire. Some of these looked very green, so they may have been Willow Warblers or Chiffchaff, but it was very hard to be sure to the exact species as they only left the safety of the long grass for very brief periods. 

Wheatear

Despite the atrocious conditions especially at the beginning of the session, and on the riverbank where the waders reside, we saw a good selection of species, and everyone left pleased with what we'd seen. However, 20 minutes after the participants had set off home, the radio spluttered to say that the Rough-legged Buzzard was actually only a Common Buzzard, so some life lists will have to be marked down again!! 

Ditto

The next event, Migration Walk, is next Saturday afternoon. More details here
Whilst the final event, Wader and Migrant Walk Is on 25th April: here

Next Term, 11: Nightingale

Today's bird isn't as spectacular to look at as some of the other birds featured in these previews, but it has a unique charisma all of its own. This is a bird we should encounter on a special Monday trip to those who have booked at the end of April. 

 Nightingale's Tongue - a delicacy

The Nightingale's song is justly renowned. It will sing an equivalent of an aria, followed by a short pause & then will sing something completely different, and then pause & sing something completely different again, and it can often keep this up for hours at a time. Although the range of song is remarkable, it's probably the volume which is the most incredible aspect. Even during the daylight, when we will be visiting, it easily outclasses and drowns out anything singing nearby. Once you hear a Nightingale sing, it will be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. 

A rare view without too much undergrowth

 ditto

 Singing in the Shade

The Nightingale has rather unjustly been described as a drab brown species, but is actually a classy bird of subtle distinction. It has a large dark eye for finding insect prey in thick cover with a noticeable pale eye ring. If you catch a good view of the tail it looks decidedly rusty in comparison with the remainder of the warm brown plumage. It will also often cock its tail like a giant Wren, especially when its looking for insects on the ground. Another feature of its plumage, which I haven't seen mentioned in bird ID books, is its pale lower mandible and gape, which almost gives some of these adult birds the look of a recently fledged youngster. 

Nightingale - last year's star

 Possibly a female with nesting material

 A ground feeder with tail cocked

I'm afraid the depressing theme mentioned in some of these earlier previews appears again as this is another summer visitor in serious and perhaps terminal decline. It is thought the Nightingale originally started to decline because of the phasing out of rotational coppicing, which gave these birds the perfect cover they require. However, another recent additional cause of decline is believed to be the spread of non-native mammal species. Muntjac and other deer are spreading at an alarming rate and consuming the dense low cover Nightingales require.   Yorkshire last stronghold for nightingales no longer holds the species, so we will be going out of county to enjoy the experience of listening to these stunning songsters. It should be a truly awesome experience - not a phrase I use very often, unlike too many others these  days! 

One I was lucky enough to find on migration at Spurn on 21/4/2008

There are still a few vacancies on this year's Nightingale special, especially on the Monday afternoon, so please ask if you are interested...

Next Term 10: Osprey

When these classes began 11 years ago Ospreys weren't even on my radar for possible species we might see. So, it was with absolute amazement on the 6th of May 2009 when the Wednesday morning group had just climbed a hill in Holderness, if that isn't a contradiction in terms, when I spotted a large raptor heading straight towards us. It eventually passed just above us, heading in a north-easterly direction. Unfortunately, it decided not to stop off and fish from the lakes just behind us.

Osprey (c) 2015 Tony Robinson

 Ditto

Since that orgasmic experience the same group have watched another Osprey catching and carrying fish at Spurn Point, and another just hanging around on Hatfield Moors. We certainly don't expect to see an Osprey every year, but we are overdue for another sighting this spring. 

Osprey with Fish (c) 2015 Maggie Bruce

 Osprey with Fish (c) 2016 Aileen Urquhart

Osprey are fairly large raptors with very long wings, and usually a noticeable kink, or elbow, may be seen in the wing. They are very white underneath with brown upperparts. The brown line through the eye can be a diagnostic feature on a good sighting. Of course a large raptor with a fish in its talons should help to narrow down identification! 

Osprey (c) 2015 Tony Robinson

The recovery of this species, and protection by the RSPB and other conservation agencies is well documented, and there's no need to go into all that here. As far as I know there isn't a single breeding record of this exciting species in Yorkshire since 1900, but hopefully measures will soon be taken all over Yorkshire to erect possible artificial nesting platforms to encourage it to nest in God's own county in the near future.  

The original silhouette in 2009

 Ditto

Next Term, 9: Hobby

One bird that we will be hoping to see, but cannot really guarantee at any location is the Hobby. This is a bird which it was virtually impossible to see around here when I started birdwatching. According to the Reader's Digest/AA coffee table book it was almost restricted to the area round the New Forest. However, since then its seen a remarkable expansion in its range, and these days can even be seen in Scotland.

Hobby at Rest (c) 2015 Mick Sharpe

 Hobby at Thorne Moors

Hobbies are dashing little falcons, smaller than Kestrels, and can look very dark in appearance. They are slate grey above and are heavily streaked with black vertical marks below. They have a black head and strongly marked 'tear-drops', which forms a mask around the head, the black is strongly contrasted with the white around the lower neck. The adults also have orange 'trousers' - that is orange feathering above the legs. For a lot of the time Hobbies feed on large dragonflies, which they scoop up in flight, and after they have done so they have a unique flying silhouette. Their feet then move forward up to the hooked bill, and the head comes down as the insect is transferred from talons to bill. It then proceeds to chew the insect in flight. Last autumn we watched a Merlin catching dragonflies at Blacktoft Sands, but it had to return to a bush to devour its catch. It didn't seem able to consume its food in mid-flight. 

 Ditto

When Hobbies are chasing quickly-flying birds, rather than insects, their wings will often be swept back and they can take on the appearance of a giant Swift or hirundine. Hobbies are one of the few birds of prey (Peregrines are another) which are fast enough to regularly take Swallows, martins and even Swifts. 

Hobby with Insect (c) 2015 Mike Day

 Typical Feeding Shape (c) 2015 Mike Day

Probably the most reliable site that we've ever been to for this species is Thorne Moors, near Doncaster. However, this venue is a bit tough on "the forced march front" for some of the oldest student members of the classes, so we are giving it a miss this year. 

Perched at Welton Waters - note dark mask

In the past we have seen wonderful lingering views of one catching dragonflies along a hedgerow at Welton Waters, enjoyed good views at Tophill Low, and I've heard rumours of them at Hornsea Mere, Fairburn Ings or Leven Canal after our visits for the year have ceased, but nowhere locally seems to be as cast-iron for them as Thorne Moors. Last year my best view was during my lunch hour as one skimmed along Winestead Drain near Patrington Haven alongside my car when my camera was in the boot! 

Hobby in Flight near Scunthorpe

During the actual classes last year the most lingering view was at a site near Scunthorpe where one was seen catching insects high above our heads when it wasn't disappearing behind a pine plantation. The previous year the Friday morning group were recovering from an early morning Otter sighting in one of the hides at the same site. They were marvelling at a large group of Sand Martins which had recently arrived. Suddenly a Hobby dropped in and attempted to catch a Martin directly in front of their faces. The attempt was unsuccessful, but it was a truly thrilling moment, and this brand-new venue to us, soon became a firm favourite. 

Hobby - note dark appearance

 Hobbt in flight

At the moment I can only speculate as to how many Hobbies we'll actually see, and how thrilling any encounters will be.

Even if we don't see many in the spring, we will still have a second chance on the autumn course, when we may see some before they head back to warmer climes!

Next Term, 8: Whitethroat

Probably the most colourful common warbler expected in these parts in a few weeks is the Whitethroat. The male has pink underparts, a brown back, warm rufous wings, a peaked grey head, white outer tail feathers, and of course a noticeably white throat.

Common Whitethroat

Most warblers are skulking birds and can be quite difficult to see, but the easiest time to see many of them is shortly after they arrive back from Africa. Whitethroats often perch on the top of a hedgerow, fence, post or barbed wire singing their scratchy, but cheerful short song. In these early weeks the males get so full of testosterone that every so often they launch into a fairly short jerky song flight - like a puppet on a string, before returning to the hedge top.

Ditto

Whitethroats usually nest on the top of nettles, hopefully protected by brambles, gorse or some other impenetrable undergrowth. For this reason one of their old country names was Nettlecreeper. Other vernacular names include the one favoured by our late old local countryman, Ernie Teal: the Peggy Whitethroat.

Ditto

 Ditto

In 1968 the Whitethroat was the commonest summer visitor when it left in September, but the following year only around 25% of those birds returned. It took a while for this sudden catastrophic loss to be properly understood, but it is now generally accepted that in that year there was a particularly pernicious drought in the Sahara. Like many summer visitors the Whitethroat has to cross the Sahara twice a year. Unlike some other migrants the Whitethroat tries to cross the Sahara in one crossing, but that year the Sahara was suddenly a lot wider than in previous years, and many individuals simply perished trying to cross this arid barrier.  During dry spring migration times Whitethroats will even stop over in suburban and urban gardens, which are well-stocked with water before moving on to their prospective breeding grounds.

A Whitethroat migrating through the garden during a dry spring

 A Bird on Autumn Migration

Since 1968 the Whitethroat has slowly increased its population but it is no longer the commonest summer visitor, and it's numbers have never reached its pre-1969 levels. Despite this severe slump we still have plenty of Whitethroats in East Yorkshire, and once they are back around the 20th of April we should see them almost every week of spring. 

Next Term, 7: Willow Warbler

One of the most delightful sounds of spring is the song of the Willow Warbler, which should be heard any time soon. I usually hear my first around the 6th of April, but the earliest I've heard one in these parts is on the 1st of April. I went to two suitable habitats on Thursday, and although there were several Chiffchaffs, there were no Willow Warblers.

Willow Warbler



Ditto




Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs because of their small size and their habit of picking insects from the underside of foliage are known as leaf warblers. The other UK leaf warbler, the Wood Warbler, is a bird that is only seen on migration in East Yorkshire, and then only in minuscule numbers. It is more than 20 years since I heard one at the back of the local cemetery, presumably on its way to the west or north. 


Immature Willow Warbler at Spurn




Willow Warblers are usually brighter than Chiffchaffs, but less so than the slightly larger Wood Warblers. However, one of Thursday's Chiffchaffs was fairly yellow, as was one a few years ago. Young Willow Warblers seen later in the year are even more brightly-coloured than the adults, which should be arriving next week. Both birds have a pale supercilium, but when in very close proximity you may notice a difference in leg colour. Those of a Willow Warbler are pinkish, or flesh-coloured, whereas Chiffchaffs have black legs. The Chiffchaff is also much more likely to continually dip its tail, especially in a figure-of-eight motion. If you look very carefully you may be able to tell that the Willow Warbler's wings look longer than a Chiffchaff's.  If you compare them look at how far the tip of the primary extends when it is at rest down the length of the tail.  The Chiffchaff only migrates to the southern Med or to North Africa, whilst the Willow Warbler migrates well south of the Sahara, and it needs longer wings for that more arduous journey.  However, the most reliable way of telling them apart is their song. The Chiffchaff has a cheerful, but very repetitive two-note song, whilst the Willow Warbler has a lovely descending, slightly wistful cadence.  


A very yellow Chiffchaff




Willow Warblers make a dome-shaped nest from grasses on the ground, hopefully protected by a bramble bush. They usually have one brood, but can sometimes manage a second, and each brood will probably be made up of between 5 and 7 eggs. In 2009 there were estimated to be 2.2 million pairs breeding in the UK. However, we have noticed in the last 5 years that numbers are declining in some of our best local woodlands.  


Wood Warbler



Although no Willow Warblers have returned yet, I remain confident that the will be back on habitat before the classes resume on 14th of April. I'm sure all the students will be enjoying the song and views of Willow Warblers during their first classes in less than a fortnight's time.