Blowing Bubbles

The Thursday groups were given the stark choice, would you like to see lots of different species or do you want to try & and see one species you've never seen before. Rather surprisingly, the vote was to go and see a species they'd never seen before. 




After the rain stopped and birdsong burst out in the car park we headed north along D Reservoir. We stopped at the feeding station and watched the birds going to and fro. Apparently, a pair of Long-tailed Tits were present when we arrived, but there were plenty of Chaffinches, Coal, Great and Blue Tits, then Maggie spotted something different. It flitted away before we got a decent look at it, but then what looked like a Willow Tit was seen at the top of a hawthorn bush in decent light. However, later what looked like a Marsh Tit was seen snatching seeds from one of the feeders. After 10 minutes we strode on the North Marsh hide.

All records shots (c) 2013 Richard Whateley

Otter

 Otter

 Otter

As I opened the door, the chap already ensconced explained that an Otter was present, and I signalled everyone else to try & enter the hide noiselessly. Luckily, Richard was one of the first in the hide, and he managed to snatch some pictures of it as it swam along the left hand channel. Most of e time the only thing visible was a few ripples as it swam under water. However, it did pop its head up for a few seconds, and Richard pointed his camera and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, I think David was the only other person to see anything. It may have been the rustle of people's waterproof clothing, that it heard, or it just may have sensed the massive influx of humans into the hide, and it disappeared for good. We waited for another half an hour, but there was very little else to see. A Wren called crossly as did a Dunnock, and Moorhens piped up from time to time, and a Heron was sighted flying in the distance, but that was it.

 Willow Tit

 Goldcrest

 Goldcrest

We carried on and as soon as we emerged from D Woods a female Barn Owl was spotted. We hadn't been watching her long when the male was seen flying nearby. At least one participant had never seen anything other than single Barn Owls previously, so to see a couple was a special day for him. We carried on to Hempholme Meadows where virtually the only bird present was the White-fronted Goose. This was a lifer for nearly every other participant. When we left the hide a male Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the top of a tree outside, and remained perched there for everyone to see.  

 White-fronted Goose

 Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)

From the hide overlooking D Reservoir we saw: Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall. One striking feature were the gangs of ducks which seemed to be tightly packed feeding near the swans. Were they simply feeling in the shelter of the more bulky swans? On the way back we failed to see the Redpolls feeding on seed heads near the feeding station.

Going Misty-Eyed

On Tuesday we abandoned both Wheldrake Ings and North Duffield Carrs, because one was too muddy, and the other almost completely devoid of birds. We travelled to North Cave Wetlands instead. It transpired that almost everyone left home in bright sunshine, but we all hit fog at North Cave. It only slowly evaporated during our visit.

All photos today are misty record shots (c) 2014 Maggie Bruce

Red Kite

We neared 1st Hide and suddenly a Green Woodpecker bounded ahead of us in the mist. As we peered through the murk we could discern another on the right hand verge, and it bounced into the road before disappearing with its yellow rump the last thing seen before the mist swallowed it up. Only a few minutes later first one bounded past us on the other side of the hedge, shortly followed by the other. 

Green Woodpecker

From the hide itself there had been an increase in Pochard since our last visit, and there were quite a few Tufted Ducks and a single Great Crested Grebe. There were 3 Lapwing on the pontoon, and we could hear the life support bleeps of Teal, although they could barely be seen through the mist. What looked like a flock of Golden Plovers flew south, but there wasn't really much else to see. 

Great Crested Grebe

 Tufted Duck

 Teal

 Teal (& Friday Unmentionables)

 Mute Swan

 Gadwall

We began to walk around the perimeter of the reserve, and another (?) Green Woodpecker flew out of the bushes into the SW corner of Carp lake. On the lake itself there were plenty of Gadwall croaking like frogs. We crept towards the Yaffle and had several views as it fed along the right hand side if the path to Far Lake. We located a small flock of Siskins feeding on an Alder tree, and Rose spotted a distant Song Thrush.  

Female Siskin

Far Lake had an island again and here there were some Shoveler, Wigeon and Gadwall. On the left hand side of the path were a pair of confiding Goldcrests. They were very busy looking for insects and flicking their wings, but I think everyone managed to get a decent views before they were subsumed into a passing flock of Long-tailed Tits. 

Marsh Harrier

At the corner of Far Lake we refound Rose's Song Thrush and in the field towards the Barn Owl box we managed to see a Mistle Thrush. After turning the corner David and Steve drew my attention towards some brown blobs in a field near a Pheasant. It was very difficult, but because no bright stripes or other markings could be observed they were probably Grey Partridges. A single Snipe flew over the lake, while another dropped down into the reeds just infront of us. Suddenly a big, butch sleeping Shelduck on Reedbed Lake took to the air, and we realised a Marsh Harrier was quartering the area, and had also flushed all the smaller birds. Something seemed to be hanging from its talons, but again the mist hampered a clear view. As we carried along the path a small charm of a Goldfinches flew up. We were surprised at this point when one stalwart mentioned that she dislikes them as they are too flashy and red & yellow isn't an aesthetically pleasing combination!  A couple of Reed Buntings disappeared into the long vegetation, while 3 Skylarks disported themselves over the large field to our left.

 Common Gull

 Shelduck (not Shell Duck as some people write in log books!)

When we reached Turret hide there were relatively few birds to see, but the Marsh Harrier landed on a low area of broken reeds, and scoured the air looking for prey or trouble. While we were watching that someone spotted a Red Kite heading right towards the hide from a westerly direction it came quite close and flew around for a while, before heading back the way it had come.

Marsh Harrier

 Wigeon

 Back End of a Snipe

From the final hide the most noticeable birds were a large group of Wigeon grazing on the grassland. However, Liz's sharp eyes eventually spotted a Snipe before the bacon butties beckoned.

Great White Hope

On Friday we met at Hornsea Mere. There were a few newcomers on that day, so I pointed out every bird I could and explained about Friday Unmentionables and their various mongrel strains you sometimes see at places like Hornsea. The same thing was done with Greylag Geese and their farmyard equivalents. WOn the genuine wild side we managed to see Pochard, Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, and quite a lot of Goldeneye, but the highlight of both sessions was a fly past by a Great White Egret. At first glance this could have been mistaken for a Little Egret, but the yellow bill could be seen plainly on both occasions. In the afternoon if flew to a distant point and landed near a Heron, and we could just about make out that it is slightly larger than the bog-standard Grey Herons we are always encountering. 

Great White Egret

 Ditto

 We tried viewing the mere from another point, and saw more Goldeneyes and quite a few Great Crested Grebes. We shared cars to Wassand Estate. As we opened the car doors our ears were assaulted by the birdsong of several Robins. There was a lot of activity near the feeding station belonging to the little lodge including Great, Blue, and Coal Tits, plus several Chaffinches. In contrast the walk along the long avenue seemed very quiet at first. However, both groups eventually saw several Great Spotted Woodpeckers. This was a first for at least one of the newcomers. The morning group were surprised by the sight of a Peregrine Falcon, and then we saw a male Kestrel and finally a distant male Sparrowhawk. Only one brief view of a silhouetted Jay was glimpsed as it flew from one area of cover to another.

A Pernicious Swan Trying to Look Harmless

 Buzzard

There had been a big campaign to cut down many of the trees, and this operation was still under way. The normal path was churned up and extremely muddy, and we decided not to venture as far as the trucks and workers. Small flocks of both Goldfinches and Siskins flew overhead occasionally. On the return journey to the cars both sessions enjoyed even better views of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. The sessions were split into 3 discreet sections, but this didn't seem to deter the newcomers, who seemed pleased with the experience and the birds they observed. 

Birding with Flowers is 10 Years Old!

We arrived much earlier than the planned time, and straight away there was a Mistle Thrush singing in the parkland, and a Great spotted Woodpecker flew in. Not long after that I was ambushed by a presentation. The Thurs am group had worked out somehow that it was the 10th anniversary of the classes starting. They brought champagne and some amazing bird cup cakes. Thanks to everyone for such a nice surprise!



Once we'd all over-indulged we headed through Sewerby Hall grounds. Something made me look back and I was amazed to see a Peregrine Falcon just drifting towards us without any wing flapping. It flew over us & then headed towards the gulls flying around the cliff edge.  My camera was on the wrong setting - it was too sunny & bright to take a picture!

Goldcrest

The Thurs am group before getting sozzled.  Someone is eying up the cakes (c) 2014 Phil Todd

 The drink and 'standard' cake (c) 2014 Phil Todd

 The Song Thrush & Friday Unmentionable among the cakes (c) 2014 Phil Todd

 The Song Thrush & Mallard - after a bumpy car journey

 Oystercatcher (c) 2014 Phil Todd

 Sanderling (c) 2014 Phil Todd

We went down the steps on to the beach where it was low tide. There was a lot going on on the beach. We could hear the Oystercatchers before we even reached the cliffs, and there were plenty of those. Also there were Sanderlings, Turnstones, a few Redshank, and a single Knot. Also on the beach were Black-headed, Common & Herring Gulls. After half an hour in gorgeous weather we headed back. Just before we climbed the steps Phil G spotted a Rock Pipit among the decaying seaweed. It was later joined by a couple of Pied Wagtails.

Sanderling

 Walking Heap of Seaweed!

 Turnstone

 Rock Pipit

 Rock Pipit

 Goldcrest

 Goldcrest

 Goldcrest

We then went for a walk in the grounds, and the best bird here was a male Goldcrest which gave stunning confiding views. In the afternoon the tide was coming in quickly, but Ken spotted the Rock Pipit, which again gave good views. Unfortunately the Goldcrest had moved on, and a bigger bird roamed the coast top instead! It was a gorgeous day on the beach for January. I've been at Spurn in July and been much colder than it was today! 

 A very large bird

 Birds above Flamborough Head

Here's to the next 10 years!

Approaching 50

On Wednesday am we covered the south part of the Tophill Low nature reserve. On the way in I spotted a few Fieldfare, while Anthony & Susan mentioned seeing at least 2 Little Egrets. There was quite a lot of birdsong in the light rain, and some Great Spotted Woodpecker activity. The Mistle Thrushes in the compound flew off as soon as they saw us coming. We carried on to O Reservoir from which we could see Tufted ducks, female Goldeneye and Great Crested Grebes. Later, we could hear many whistles of Wigeon coming from there.

Barn Owl

 Long-tailed Tit (c) 2014 Tony Robinson

 The pick of the day for small birds were the back-to-back hides. SME now had some water on it & contained at least 3 Shoveler, a single Shelduck, and a drake Teal popped in for a few minutes. The other hide was even better. At first we had an amazingly confiding female Goldcrest, then a whole family of Long-tailed Tits, while we were watching these a Cetti's Warbler gave a few outbursts of song. Later a 2nd Goldcrest joined the other.

Record Shot of Goldcrest (c) 2014 Tony Robinson

We didn't add a lot in the "cafeteria hide", but the hide overlooking Watton Borrow Pits was more successful. There were 2 striking drake Goldeneye, and at least 17 Curlew, 15 of which flew off almost immediately we got there. A few Lapwings flew over, but they didn't land. Other birds here included: Pochard, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Cormorants, Heron, Mute Swans and lots of Greylag Geese. We checked the latter very carefully, but couldn't spot any Pink-footed Geese.

 White-fronted Goose

 White-fronted Goose (c) 2014 Tony Robinson

In the afternoon we went North instead. It was very quiet at first, a Siskin flew over near o Reservoir hide, but we couldn't catch sight of it. We visited a hide before D Woods from where we saw Goldeneye, hundreds of Wigeon & Coot, plus a Great Crested Grebe, and more of the usual suspects. There were lots of Tits including a Willow at the feeders, but only a Moorhen at North Marsh. We emerged from D Woods, and almost straight away saw a Barn Owl and then another - one, probably a female, was noticeably darker than the other. The birds were perched in the bushes, but also flew around apparently hunting for food. These were the best views of Barn Owls we've enjoyed for quite some time. 

Barn Owl (c) 2014 Tony Robinson

 Barn Owl (c) 2014 Tony Robinson

 Barn Owl - showing wing markings

On the return journey we endured a thin drizzle, which at first curtailed the activity of the Barn Owls. However, once the rain stopped the pair interacted, almost seeming to have a mid-air 'dog-fight'. Two birds flew off along the course of the river north, but only a minute later we saw another hunting in the original position, so there may have been 3 in the area. Some of the participants swear blind that they saw 3 Barn Owls all in the air at the same time, but I can't confirm this for certain. 



In the morning we racked up 42 species, and the afternoon added at least 5 more, so just missed out on seeing 50 species in one day.