Birding with Flowers

Saturday, 2 March 2019

Half Bright, Half Grey

The forecast was amazing on Tuesday so we were able to go ahead with Fairburn Ings. The feeding station had Reed Bunting, and most of the usual suspects, but no Nuthatch, Willow Tits, Redpolls, or Bullfinches. From the elevated screen we could see the Heronry and some Cormorants on nests. A little Egret flew overhead and seemed to be making for the nesting area too. However, the most noticeable thing was the proximity of perhaps 3 laughing Green Woodpeckers.

Barn Owl

Dunnock

Reed Bunting

There was nothing but a Magpie near the Kingfisher screen. The walk up to the hilltop provided a few gulls, fighting Moorhens and David identified a Reed Bunting on the reedbed. On the river we located several Goldeneye, and a female Goosander, which we were able to connect with much later.

Pintail

We shared cars to Lin Dyke, and were surprised to find a Pintail, but also some Pochard, Teal, and more Goldeneye. We heard a Curlew, and saw a Buzzard take to the air. When we returned to the car park, Sue spotted the Peregrine, which was probably the star bird of the morning. By this time it was almost hot, and everyone was wearing too many layers.

Mute Swan - 2 Cobs?

Female Goosander

Sue's Peregrine

ditto

Small Tortoiseshell

In the afternoon I headed for Kilnsea Wetlands after Canal Scrape proved to be very disappointing. 5 Whooper Swans were present, and spent most of the time asleep, but one of them was more alert than the others, and didn't enjoy an overhead helicopter or a bird scarer. The sunshine was brilliant and the Shovelers, Shelduck, Wigeon and Teal looked "spiffing" in their finery.

Whooper Swans

ditto

Wigeon

Teal

Avocets

However, the highlight was a Barn Owl, which flew across the road just beyond Stone Creek, and parked itself on the sticky buds of a Horse Chestnut for 5 minutes. It kept its eye on the ground and eventually plunged down after prey, but we weren't certain it managed to catch anything.

Barn Owl with Insects

ditto

On Tuesday I checked out Denaby Ings and Sprotbrough Flash. The car park at the former was large enough to cope with my classes, but the latter wasn't. It's fairly unlikely that we will travel to these sites, unless some solution occurs to us.

Shelduck

Siskin

Courting Great Crested Grebes

ditto

On Wednesday we were able to go to Tophill Low where again the weather was excellent. We visited the south part of the reserve.

Buck Roe Deer - near the old visitor centre

ditto

Goldcrest

ditto

Mistle Thrush

Goldeneye

ditto

Pied Wagtail

ditto

Kestrel

Reed Bunting

Sun Worshippers

Ditto

Les's Courting Cormorants

ditto

Cormorant

Heron

Lapwing

Ditto

Little Grebes

Ditto

Teal

Record Shot of Red-necked Grebe

ditto

On Thursday the weather had changed and East Yorkshire was shrouded in greyness and mist. We went to the South Wolds as planned. In the meeting place we had a Yellowhammer singing and a Pied Wagtail flew over a roof. We shared cars and each one was surprised to see a bedraggled Caroline Hawley having just finished walking her dog. On arrival we were immediately hit by the clear notes of Song Thrushes and the ringing peal of Green Woodpeckers. This remained the soundtrack of the morning. Indeed, we probably came across 4 pairs of Song Thrushes, and possibly 3 laughing Green Woodpeckers. Near the large house we saw a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, and possibly a third. Unfortunately, Green Woodpeckers found nothing to laugh at after lunch.

Mistle Thrush

ditto

Song Thrush

We left the cars, and Pam spotted a bird alighting on the grassy area - it was a Mistle Thrush, and it was later joined by its partner. The last visit’s Redwings seemed to have moved on. Greenfinches were prominent with their nasal drawls, and as we reached the last house Elaine spotted a Marsh Tit, and shortly afterwards a pair of Treecreepers, but luckily one of these came a lot closer, so everyone could see it.

Treecreeper

Pheasants

ditto

Pheasant

The bridge area didn’t add any extra species apart from a singing Coal Tit, and the water feature failed to provide the expected Grey Wagtail. However, as the afternoon group were heading back it did put in a farewell appearance. A climb to the hill top was less successful than expected, as mist started to flow through the valley. We did hear a singing Yellowhammer, and saw some finch-like bird flushed out of the field on the hilltop. Eventually a Red Kite was seen briefly, but it disappeared into the mist followed by a mobbing Crow.

Record shot of Linnet [left]

The journey back actually provided a prolonged view of a flying Green Woodpecker. Overall, it wasn’t quite as misty in the afternoon, but the sun never broke through, and all the morning birdsong had diminished.

Grey Wagtail

On Friday the weather looked as though it was due to deteriorate after the classes had finished, so we went ahead with Horsea. We began by looking around the mere. There had been a mass clearout of wildfowl, but luckily there were still a few examples of every species. A good number of Goldeneyes were still present including one female being harassed and corralled by several drakes. A few Tufted Ducks were present, but we couldn’t find any Pochard, Scaup, Wigeon or Shoveler. There were Herring, Common and Black-headed Gulls, but these aren’t really an adequate compensation for the more colourful ducks.

Mistle Thrush

Roe deer

We travelled to Wassand. The lovely song of a Mistle Thrush greeted us as soon as we opened the car doors. Mike spotted a male Bullfinch, and then 2 more males were seen. Rather surprisingly there weren’t any females present. We could hear drumming Woodpeckers, but no Jays this time. As we approached the hide a strange squawk was heard, and before we went in we could just discern a male Marsh Harrier completing its skydancing. Luckily, and it’s partner remained active during our stay in the hide.

Marsh Harrier

ditto

At least 2 Cetti’s Warblers were directly outside the hide, and another highlight was a drake Goosander heading west. There were plenty of Goldeneye here too, plus Tufted Ducks and Coots. A Buzzard landed in a tree on the other side of the mere, and the Marsh Harriers continued to perform.

Heron

On the journey back we did see a Great Spotted Woodpecker, but it soon plunged towards the ground and was lost to sight. A few Redwings were also glimpsed over the fields on the way back to the car park. The afternoon group saw Bullfinches on their way back, and a Siskin flew east as we walked along the avenue of pines.

Goldeneye

Ditto

ditto

On Tuesday two Friday am stalwarts tried out Blacktoft Sands. It has been rather quiet lately, but things had obviously perked up. Another plus was the marvellous light, which brought out all the colours on the waders and wildfowl.

Trick of the Light

Ditto

ditto

Monday, 25 February 2019

Half-Term Holiday Photos

Last week was half-term, and the weather was rather unseasonal, so several people sent some photos in. One student returned from a visit to Costa Rica. The names used for the birds are those utilised by the person who sent them in.

Tony Robinson and several of the Weds am crew went on to Scarborough to the raptor viewpoint. Although they did see at least 4 raptors the closest views of any bird were these Crossbills.

ditto

2 Friday stalwarts visited Patrington Haven for the first time, and were rewarded with a Short-eared Owl, and were surrounded by 500 Curlew, plus many other waders. Will they ever want to visit again, perhaps when ii is less windy?

ditto

A male Sparrowhawk sat in our holly tree for nearly half an hour, and prevented any small birds from visiting the feeders!

Male Sparrowhawk

ditto

Having a stretch

ditto

I've never seen Allerthorpe Common so dry at this time of year, but the birds were rather thin on the ground. Highlights was a flock of 4+ Redpolls and a stream with bathing Goldcrests, Treecreeper and several species of Tit. It was too dark and rather busy with dog walkers for photos of the bathing birds.

Redpolls

ditto

Coal Tit

Ditto

Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Beverley FM: East Park

A programme about the wildlife currently to be found in East Park, Hull is being broadcast this week on Beverley FM. The following birds are the ones mentioned in the programme. The majority of these photos were actually taken in East Park.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Drake Mallard - the standard dabbling duck

Mallard, Drake [left] & female [right]

Tufted Ducks [female, middle] - a diving duck

Drake Pochard - another diving duck. Note the red eye!

Female Pochard

Jay - a recent addition to the park fauna

Kingfisher - back in the park after being wiped out in 2010 winter

Grey Wagtail - seen in the park only in winter months
[not mentioned on the programme]

Although bright yellow under the tail, this is a Grey Wagtail
[not mentioned on the programme]

Although not mentioned in the programme, there is a free-flying Ring-necked Parakeet in the park. It is usually found near the aviary.

Little Grebe [or Dabchick] - another recent addition to the fauna

Great Crested Grebes courting in the park last Friday

Drake Goosander

Drake Goosander [left] & female [right]

Black-headed Gulls [winter plumage]

Black-headed Gull [1st winter]

Common Gull

Herring Gull

Spring Term Details

Bookings for the 10-week Spring term have started. At the time of writing there are most vacancies on Thursday afternoons with a few on Wednesday afternoons & single spaces on Thursday mornings & Friday 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. 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 songsters and summer visitors. Spring birds we’ll be hoping to find include Redstart, Yellow Wagtail, Flycatchers, Warblers, & some wading birds. We pay more attention to woodland and hedgerow birds in the spring. 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

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.