tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76566469186194517702024-03-17T08:44:48.197+00:00@birdingdadUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1063125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-83615728193014674422024-03-17T08:44:00.001+00:002024-03-17T08:44:07.537+00:00Oh! For a better camera lens...<p>I have led three Goshawk Tours for <a href="https://www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/category/69/goshawk-birding-safari-2024" target="_blank">Yorkshire Coast Nature</a> in the last week, and the birds have been spectacular. After another wet week, yesterday dawned bright and clear - and a little bit chilly. I had high hopes, and sure enough, within ten minutes we picked up an adult male Goshawk, circling over the forest, his white underparts gleaming in the sunshine. He drifted down the valley, being replaced by his mate who was having some trouble with four second calendar-year birds. The sparring didn't seem too serious, almost playful, with some brief aerial skirmishes high above the valley. The male returned and so for a while we had six Goshawks together - pretty awesome! One young male stooped at a Woodpigeon, missing by a fraction, though it almost looked like he had the speed and accuracy to take it, but didn't bother. Very cool to see, nevertheless. We headed up the valley and the adult pair returned from the melee and showed very well, circling with a bit of relaxed display right in front of us, and at times, overhead. Of for a better camera lens! My wife's 200mm just wasn't powerful enough, otherwise I would have got some good pics. Views through the scope were fantastic! After lunch, we headed to a different part of the forest where we had a further three Gos, plus an unseen calling bird, deep in the forest. A sublime day ended with frustration, when my car wouldn't start. I sat in a cold car for 2 1/2 hours waiting for the AA to sort me out, which thankfully they did. I did see two roding Woodcock at dusk while I was waiting and a rather furtive Sparrowhawk on the hunt, which relieved my frustration. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrcSVlUQ5DVESmvVj-LwMLL-m5HZxoZpSpPnmzOcBaTEZWMat0kPFE2dINK-U3pw4htXB_1R7r_mm5w74mS0qjHu8M9nItMbawU_vJ4uneqOKtyuoynXEZRM5F2FF3mYpGfI-QSmc8fYIZe-Hh3e1BSveY5VbB_IwlzHznEakmPelHDCjqs4egaqN2pI/s1692/Gos_ad_160324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1692" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrcSVlUQ5DVESmvVj-LwMLL-m5HZxoZpSpPnmzOcBaTEZWMat0kPFE2dINK-U3pw4htXB_1R7r_mm5w74mS0qjHu8M9nItMbawU_vJ4uneqOKtyuoynXEZRM5F2FF3mYpGfI-QSmc8fYIZe-Hh3e1BSveY5VbB_IwlzHznEakmPelHDCjqs4egaqN2pI/w403-h251/Gos_ad_160324.JPG" width="403" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex-3CqXqEK8HnJ1eVwgh-VTRQzFsTf3d2VXrX5YVr87yUKAafvVkjz_22sHYOt5IF5x8GBYAbyIP2FTEL6ZAVkQUL5ZfHZiqzSL8MyMVhG9A2O8F0Gy97tCD_5cPBfWmkEzHFdS63a-QfPtRwJP4yw0qcP1bW9J4abCbHgbs1nxiJbiuGATGnEaWzCtI/s1658/gos_adm_160324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1658" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhex-3CqXqEK8HnJ1eVwgh-VTRQzFsTf3d2VXrX5YVr87yUKAafvVkjz_22sHYOt5IF5x8GBYAbyIP2FTEL6ZAVkQUL5ZfHZiqzSL8MyMVhG9A2O8F0Gy97tCD_5cPBfWmkEzHFdS63a-QfPtRwJP4yw0qcP1bW9J4abCbHgbs1nxiJbiuGATGnEaWzCtI/w403-h246/gos_adm_160324.JPG" width="403" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ12Db3gTz-gXItA_kxXlwwhQJBdu5lXAmND2TU10yCwHrNVWCfu13HI1auxCIL856pjYOkAjlwdLR98GIVCL1Im4s7PzDCXsUVQGMhEovhdiT-PjeAfiQHKbvvTzaLYekPIJWi7WRjU5QQ0JbTqLblSpypbs9Nr5aiW9o06697GQs6BCidBZhGI9fK-g/s1063/Gos_immM_160324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="1063" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ12Db3gTz-gXItA_kxXlwwhQJBdu5lXAmND2TU10yCwHrNVWCfu13HI1auxCIL856pjYOkAjlwdLR98GIVCL1Im4s7PzDCXsUVQGMhEovhdiT-PjeAfiQHKbvvTzaLYekPIJWi7WRjU5QQ0JbTqLblSpypbs9Nr5aiW9o06697GQs6BCidBZhGI9fK-g/w400-h244/Gos_immM_160324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-VbTW8PKwlINQzmhLQJnxZusmOExIY_87a6w-qimgIusbrzvjPoAcjyhzXdJtamfTqFrJhoPob1OOu_MveQUWIyiHDiKQ5p-QnPShso3sZLRkRgABOopN7OtG-d592c5pxZ-cX2Rnd8LH9OuWYezGWZc1W9lxEKWxXpPwWTWGvDsxShAEP0RiJmjV5U/s1288/goshawk_adultpair_160324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1288" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-VbTW8PKwlINQzmhLQJnxZusmOExIY_87a6w-qimgIusbrzvjPoAcjyhzXdJtamfTqFrJhoPob1OOu_MveQUWIyiHDiKQ5p-QnPShso3sZLRkRgABOopN7OtG-d592c5pxZ-cX2Rnd8LH9OuWYezGWZc1W9lxEKWxXpPwWTWGvDsxShAEP0RiJmjV5U/w396-h235/goshawk_adultpair_160324.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>Top two: Adult male Goshawk; third pic, immature male Gos; bottom, the adult pair together -male at the top.<br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-6628257421244895012024-03-03T21:53:00.003+00:002024-03-03T21:53:37.763+00:00York's first Lesser Scaup? Not quite...<p>For the second time this winter, some of the local birders had expressed interest in a duck in the LDV that was showing characters of Lesser Scaup.This would be a first for the York area and after several years of increasing rarity in the UK, this winter had seen a reverse in fortunes, with a real influx, so if we were going to get one, surely this would be the year. With deep flooding since November, the valley has supported good numbers of diving ducks, including several Greater Scaup, so if any Lesser Scaup was passing, there would be a good chance of it dropping in. </p><p>The first bird to get local birder's pulses racing was a female type, but photos showed that to be a Tufted Duck with extensive white feathering around the bill base. Female Tufties can show this frequently, but this bird was at the extreme end, but the shape of the patch was not right for LS, nor was the colouration of the mantle and flanks. Whilst some claimed it had some Scaup parentage, I couldn't see that myself; it just looked like a Tuftie to me, with standard upperparts and flanks, head shape and size.</p><p>Fast-forward to the last week or so, the valley was deeply flooded yet again and distant views of a drake Scaup-type on Wheldrake Ings had generated a lot of interest. Towards the end of last week the water had dropped enough for birders to get to Tower Hide and some rather record shots showed a bird with some really pro-Lesser Scaup features: the head shape had the classic peak to the rear-crown, it looked fairly small and the back a little darker than a nearby drake Greater Scaup. This looked good! Comments from birders on site were very positive but unfortunately, the bird was feeding on Swantail Ings, rather distant from Tower Hide so hadn't been nailed. If only we could access Swantail Hide! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aKaSpkZ4U7rCeh3FikP1oXlN6tV3Ud19QNFMy9D6xxKp9b-7hxxShJcFuq321OFPs720-CGi_VKWc0-Dt4s5oBRBkAvnygfk79wo9GgFdRKKgCi6HBY8aX_5HX4e8PRpYIAfovKrCCkXeCSgJd-yjfP34SlPeWujwR2_CeLas6S89xtKPn8qtO3t5dE/s1800/wheldrake_010324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5aKaSpkZ4U7rCeh3FikP1oXlN6tV3Ud19QNFMy9D6xxKp9b-7hxxShJcFuq321OFPs720-CGi_VKWc0-Dt4s5oBRBkAvnygfk79wo9GgFdRKKgCi6HBY8aX_5HX4e8PRpYIAfovKrCCkXeCSgJd-yjfP34SlPeWujwR2_CeLas6S89xtKPn8qtO3t5dE/w446-h201/wheldrake_010324.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>The watery view from Tower Hide.<br /> <p></p><p>I was keen to get down there and have a look for myself, and managed to do so on a rather wet Friday afternoon. Unsurprisingly, nobody else was present and wading through the floodwater in pouring rain made me start to doubt my own sanity. However, the chance to clinch a first for York was plenty of motivation to battle down to Tower. I soon found the Scaups feeding actively with the other diving ducks. The light was bad, it was raining and the ducks were diving frequently. </p><p>This wasn't going to be easy - or even possible! The 'Lesser' stood out from its larger cousin and I could see why it had caused some excitement. The headshape looked spot on, as it had in photos I'd seen, with a nice peak at the rear and a steep forehead. The bill was parallel-sided and blue, perhaps paling towards the tip. It was difficult to discern the extent of any black on the tip at first. The upperparts appeared mid-grey and uniform, clearly darker than the Greater Scaup nearby, but I couldn't tell if this colouration was due to thick vermiculations (lines), as you'd expect in Lesser Scaup, or just a mid-grey base colour, more typical of a hybrid. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbGpbUAaH47nikFbNk0tarozwCMdped9oxYDwvMlccVBx_w4i0NGh3d-E0Qhwq35_M4hI9lju_O1U6zK5KiokwJ-1rCG4e_th1_QDjBRk-eFI_cx8rsFXgxZfOJDRoy-M7lMvVtHbGmJu6-SNWNOTzQEauEnV6PRcs2Ee6vBRqPAuOTFjqilODoq46sY/s1800/scaups_010324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1800" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbGpbUAaH47nikFbNk0tarozwCMdped9oxYDwvMlccVBx_w4i0NGh3d-E0Qhwq35_M4hI9lju_O1U6zK5KiokwJ-1rCG4e_th1_QDjBRk-eFI_cx8rsFXgxZfOJDRoy-M7lMvVtHbGmJu6-SNWNOTzQEauEnV6PRcs2Ee6vBRqPAuOTFjqilODoq46sY/w438-h211/scaups_010324.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><p></p><p>'Lesser' Scaup on right hand side, with the drake Greater Scaup in the middle and the third bird on the left (I will mention that in a minute). <br /></p><p> </p><p>After a while, the two decided to have a preen and clambered on to some floating vegetation. The 'Lesser' looked smaller than the Greater but I wasn't convinced it was really small <i>enough</i>. I'd noticed that when they were diving, it was sometimes difficult to tell which bird I was looking at - the size difference wasn't really what I would have expected. This rang an alarm bell with me and sowed the first seed of doubt in my mind. Secondly, that grey back looked very smooth and didn't really seem to have the same base colour as the back of the Greater...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVwzs3hCTUF69HvVWquUWDpqjqp0GDSEEWynXp_zG6dFB4WpWBexfgWa2GtSHaZKN9QbhgJMdePUri16kuSfMIfo1XZcY77CADtwu4TLq3yN4-8fDQxa-61EuVwULff5I91f4Mbl3Jan1-r8IFnCIqWTMCmjRCddd-KGGA3sInM7bbMfyNI3z_41yL2s/s1800/scaups3_010324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1800" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVwzs3hCTUF69HvVWquUWDpqjqp0GDSEEWynXp_zG6dFB4WpWBexfgWa2GtSHaZKN9QbhgJMdePUri16kuSfMIfo1XZcY77CADtwu4TLq3yN4-8fDQxa-61EuVwULff5I91f4Mbl3Jan1-r8IFnCIqWTMCmjRCddd-KGGA3sInM7bbMfyNI3z_41yL2s/w394-h219/scaups3_010324.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p>Drake Greater Scaup (left) and 'Lesser', facing away. You can clearly see the difference in back colour, despite the terrible light.</p><p> </p><p>After a heavy downpour, the sun came out briefly. The Scaups immediately started bathing and splashing around. I stared hard to see if the bird would do a wingflap and reveal its two tone wingbars (Lesser should have a grey wingbar across the black primaries, and a white bar across the secondaries. Greater Scaup and hybrids tend to have white wingbars throughout. Sure enough, the 'Lesser' did three wingflaps but managed to be facing towards me every time! Typical. </p><p>With better light, I noticed to my dismay that there seemed to be black on the tip of the bill. A pure drake Lesser Scaup should have a tiny amount of black on the nail of the bill. This bird seemed to show black on the nail <i>and</i> bleeding on to the sides of the tip. This feature alone ruled out Lesser Scaup, indicating mixed parentage, and made squinting through my scope at the other features rather academic. So, close but no cigar and Lesser Scaup still evades the York list. <br /></p><p>A little while later, I came across a third Scaup-type, which until that moment I hadn't noticed. The Lesser type seemed to stick closely to the Greater Scaup, whereas this bird seemed happy hanging out with the Tufties. This third bird also looked a little like a Lesser Scaup though not as convincingly. I then got myself very confused and realised perhaps I had been watching the original hybrid and it had just moved along the flock. Wierd. Either way, this bird wasn't a Lesser Scaup either. </p><p>I put out the rather disappointing news, although caveating it to say if the bird was seen much closer and the features were in fact spot-on, then I would be surprised, but pleased to be proved wrong. </p><p>...</p><p><b>3rd March.</b></p><p>I found myself at Wheldrake again in rather better light this afternoon. Bumping into Duncan, we walked down the riverside path, which was disgustingly muddy and flooded, to the viewing screen. The three Scaup were still on Swantail Ings, but marginally closer. I was able to confirm my suspicions that the bird was in fact a hybrid and the third bird seemed also to be a hybrid although a little less Lesser Scaup like. It was still a little smaller than the Greater Scaup, had the same dark back but the headshape was between Lesser and Greater, with an insignificant rear peak. Perhaps these two hybrids were siblings? So it seems we have one Greater Scaup and two Aythya hybrids, presumably both Pochard x Tufted Duck. It is massively frustrating that this has been the result, but hopefully the genuine article will turn up this spring as birds begin to move north. A pair of Lesser Scaups turned up in Lancashire yesterday and it was interesting to see all the salient features on these, compared to the two birds we have analysed in the LDV this winter. The distances we have had to deal with have been really challenging, so hopefully when a real Lesser turns up, it will be on the pool so we can get a better look!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fuijcknFowXpWkjvCLiepL64xnAqHCHdMQ-TBBW7ASdDhr-XHSpfkd_JOAeQ-CaNe-erSGMigerhRg6DoL9GLgiJK783UDY8lLI1JycElUD6F0r9TRA1zFJcIeBqFz5YeLrEyqYmpPN3vnfAznmdMyUjhtHMrPnRgJ7KcgdcAGw08DWeTvafaYZudDo/s1362/scaups_030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1362" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fuijcknFowXpWkjvCLiepL64xnAqHCHdMQ-TBBW7ASdDhr-XHSpfkd_JOAeQ-CaNe-erSGMigerhRg6DoL9GLgiJK783UDY8lLI1JycElUD6F0r9TRA1zFJcIeBqFz5YeLrEyqYmpPN3vnfAznmdMyUjhtHMrPnRgJ7KcgdcAGw08DWeTvafaYZudDo/w405-h205/scaups_030324.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><p>L to R: Greater Scaup, second hybrid, original hybrid (facing away) and two Tufted Ducks. The second hybrid is clearly smaller than the Greater, but bigger than the Tufties.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRSAsf-hppSmepHweHYJ4X2cGGp3IZCxyhsHRPojgC-Rz_scnjoOOlFGqZFKbqqf-CrCxfBiVrvsyWiHr_FWvAakD7EDCZcT-RWjDgFl5Ggrq5EoU1VjOfRgFCOWnh3Vx4K7jaWtjDGkYECJNOuUo_U17aoLKQGcVHFn1yWjK5F6Vd3DXnwg3CoQvLUY/s1800/scaups2_030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1800" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRSAsf-hppSmepHweHYJ4X2cGGp3IZCxyhsHRPojgC-Rz_scnjoOOlFGqZFKbqqf-CrCxfBiVrvsyWiHr_FWvAakD7EDCZcT-RWjDgFl5Ggrq5EoU1VjOfRgFCOWnh3Vx4K7jaWtjDGkYECJNOuUo_U17aoLKQGcVHFn1yWjK5F6Vd3DXnwg3CoQvLUY/w450-h183/scaups2_030324.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><p></p><p>Among the Tufties, the original hybrid is at the front on the left, with the Greater two ducks to the right. The secodnd hybrid is to the rear facing left. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZklC3xaa8epcaqmJuAzN92qyb7AR1jQP_ptN6C6u4x7ra91_xOqQFAYz4V5LbE7YK4rb3hrOtw7QJaw8kuoETHodI-smmchx7Kw5p_OjAOGWzj1Tx7Ad-fzOaHNNvXWNd18yZM7jRfuzdIsbSrs_cOrl_R-hGPl06wLsD0vk7CrdpaoZKtKiiyKUBxw/s1134/scaups3_030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1134" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZklC3xaa8epcaqmJuAzN92qyb7AR1jQP_ptN6C6u4x7ra91_xOqQFAYz4V5LbE7YK4rb3hrOtw7QJaw8kuoETHodI-smmchx7Kw5p_OjAOGWzj1Tx7Ad-fzOaHNNvXWNd18yZM7jRfuzdIsbSrs_cOrl_R-hGPl06wLsD0vk7CrdpaoZKtKiiyKUBxw/w431-h246/scaups3_030324.jpg" width="431" /></a></div>L to R: Greater Scaup and original hybrid. The second hybrid is behind the Greater and mostly obscured. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcff_caxFfrd1qff7nA9gLCcON7xv8yeL-xdHOv-Qdt_-zjsuu0NHx4QHjucv1CI6IrVqB19vbJ9rI234WdYJLiNXHVmbvx8YpTUhAKYcfTaV8-BLZR45yRwCKNU6bpy6FXG-JMq_d2HHlppgiXHT_e8neV2mW1Xlpq4ElG4HFZukKDb4DUjW5e0r_XPs/s1572/scaups4_030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1572" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcff_caxFfrd1qff7nA9gLCcON7xv8yeL-xdHOv-Qdt_-zjsuu0NHx4QHjucv1CI6IrVqB19vbJ9rI234WdYJLiNXHVmbvx8YpTUhAKYcfTaV8-BLZR45yRwCKNU6bpy6FXG-JMq_d2HHlppgiXHT_e8neV2mW1Xlpq4ElG4HFZukKDb4DUjW5e0r_XPs/w425-h255/scaups4_030324.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qSDdHLELqqv_Lo2uDYRzGi8oTANpx0hBnh27W2gGOCrjMPEQdIUGsNaxJE3PhYWvCQ8hLF9YNEU4n7B_bOwNW0aMLDhoIUc6JQLt9qvr3goJG9bcAqQTeoDHKMmUWWUvLz5PDqkJVNZyPfHeTqwvuXI8ZuW8BcgGaMHnFW4pHUllpuf38S_vhHIdN-U/s1800/scaups5_030324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1800" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qSDdHLELqqv_Lo2uDYRzGi8oTANpx0hBnh27W2gGOCrjMPEQdIUGsNaxJE3PhYWvCQ8hLF9YNEU4n7B_bOwNW0aMLDhoIUc6JQLt9qvr3goJG9bcAqQTeoDHKMmUWWUvLz5PDqkJVNZyPfHeTqwvuXI8ZuW8BcgGaMHnFW4pHUllpuf38S_vhHIdN-U/w423-h234/scaups5_030324.jpg" width="423" /></a></div><p>Original hybrid with the Greater Scaup. Note how the hybrid is not that much smaller, it's back is quite a flat mid-grey, and doesn't really have the same base colour as the Greater; no coarse vermiculations can be seen, which should be visible from this range. In the upper photo, you get a suggestion of the black on the bill tip, though it is not easy to see in the pic. </p><p>It is possible that the first hybrid is the bird seen previously at Slaynes Lane in South Yorkshire. This was also considered to be a Lesser Scaup until closer views confirmed it was a hybrid. So it is not just us York birders who get frustrated by these Aythyas! The very first Lesser Scaup I twitched in the UK was at Gouthwaite Reservoir in the late 1980s, not long after the first UK record. By the time my Dad and me had arrived, birders had identified that bird as a hybrid. So, this pitfall is always on my mind with this species. I have seen about a dozen in the UK over the years, but only one in Yorkshire, so it would be great to get one here in York. One day soon, hopefully!</p><p>... <br /></p><p>I stayed on to do the gull roost and it was interesting to see how many of the Black-headed Gulls had acquired their hoods now. A partially leucistic snowy-white BHG came in to roost, the first I've seen this winter. A first-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull came in too, but very few large gulls at all. <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NNzk-qG9JBUMks796TtiZUYP82ZODuWylv5k_IgBQmTmWo247doSo6Ww0oxJZ8Eht0_QQf0w0B1SjtoNqipZHe27XM0iL_9l-uMx5Oz8rNG5HFfK1crlMn1_vZNWrz8M23xIfbX0LvCLF7SNJ8tI_DyVOyIscJPFIMBYAXrItA2LTBlWF1XzKRQCO_I/s1800/snowy_010324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1800" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NNzk-qG9JBUMks796TtiZUYP82ZODuWylv5k_IgBQmTmWo247doSo6Ww0oxJZ8Eht0_QQf0w0B1SjtoNqipZHe27XM0iL_9l-uMx5Oz8rNG5HFfK1crlMn1_vZNWrz8M23xIfbX0LvCLF7SNJ8tI_DyVOyIscJPFIMBYAXrItA2LTBlWF1XzKRQCO_I/w383-h195/snowy_010324.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-58637179290760743382024-02-25T20:30:00.002+00:002024-02-25T20:34:25.816+00:00Challenging Yank<p>With a bit of time to spare, I headed down to Bubwith where good numbers of birds are present due to the floodwater being a bit shallower than elsewhere in the valley. There were stacks of ducks and waders on North Duffield south ings, but the light wasn't great and a strong cold wind was blowing straight in my face. I switched my attention to the river as the male American Wigeon had been showing here on and off all week. Unfortunately, despite over a hundred Euro Wigeons milling about in the sunshine, the Yank wasn't with them. I decided to trawl through the big flock on the flooded ings, which after several chilly minutes paid dividends, when the gleaming white crown of the American Wigeon caught my attention. It was facing away and asleep, but the creamy-white head was eye-catching. After a bit, it turned side-on, which made things a bit easier and after a challenging few minutes, I managed to get another two birders on to him. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zDQy5l3WrqA_LOcNZlYutEe6S8FZJlJ4QEq0KwpvRtoq0sBwfB9ANE0hmr4MXk4LXVz7ZXea3XjlxeVX0aJe9hA0ehi3jPuSGcHTB6xXU04e_tW8ZuOEjFv4swYPAV_jxhG6DymaGT_BPicJ-ZTydQj00aM0keboFe44fWakUWdXg1AKiUkfHpLh7p4/s1800/AW_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zDQy5l3WrqA_LOcNZlYutEe6S8FZJlJ4QEq0KwpvRtoq0sBwfB9ANE0hmr4MXk4LXVz7ZXea3XjlxeVX0aJe9hA0ehi3jPuSGcHTB6xXU04e_tW8ZuOEjFv4swYPAV_jxhG6DymaGT_BPicJ-ZTydQj00aM0keboFe44fWakUWdXg1AKiUkfHpLh7p4/w394-h192/AW_3.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p>My first view. A bit of a challenge. Can you see it?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNDrbRVZmh9TW8hryUA_X3wBTRDZTEy4NQiyUlfDCRw9HaORY9KDAAcFhCjT5BjXUGaoWGH3I95n1cdKK-Aq7kRwtdIIL2fKtBqXHkPBFF4wJy8G2rPL5a-vsCfePoehC0zm7GWVWS9pZChKev0JE0ngJbntuvFAD8KZqcWa8v4UoHP0r1lu9m5XL6xU/s1800/AW_3pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1800" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNDrbRVZmh9TW8hryUA_X3wBTRDZTEy4NQiyUlfDCRw9HaORY9KDAAcFhCjT5BjXUGaoWGH3I95n1cdKK-Aq7kRwtdIIL2fKtBqXHkPBFF4wJy8G2rPL5a-vsCfePoehC0zm7GWVWS9pZChKev0JE0ngJbntuvFAD8KZqcWa8v4UoHP0r1lu9m5XL6xU/w392-h191/AW_3pic.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>Easier with a yellow ring round it!<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS27KmFHIL4INpka1vVLuE2JHhE17ZMapBqBFUfi8HidvsRotSOeUlEnLPgq1DvA_MQNdHyiFCDIXH_rOfTNuek-iZ09Y3NS_j86oIUDCbR0P6r4BflXx58s8ECSy4oLHBRswpnU009sieT0nT_TaLGU5RQKQZggAWZEX8J3DzcpC87IUWik5zjmgvr8/s1800/AW_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS27KmFHIL4INpka1vVLuE2JHhE17ZMapBqBFUfi8HidvsRotSOeUlEnLPgq1DvA_MQNdHyiFCDIXH_rOfTNuek-iZ09Y3NS_j86oIUDCbR0P6r4BflXx58s8ECSy4oLHBRswpnU009sieT0nT_TaLGU5RQKQZggAWZEX8J3DzcpC87IUWik5zjmgvr8/w389-h180/AW_2.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilBY6FYbRNmZzAarvUqtIV9kwIK-bjtzhmEK7Ay35-3wUlDMJ0hyphenhyphenwUZWNriyCDqrIROTdcUtosY8u202heu6httsIX5Lpk71y-UWLni_NlMIE5_FojBfLMjmQXy9BcSXTd071ZUxGu1zOfztz8nVCxHCMkjdgI9kiXtJ8oXpviIItHs4-LXEtuYbIVMI/s1800/AW_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1800" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilBY6FYbRNmZzAarvUqtIV9kwIK-bjtzhmEK7Ay35-3wUlDMJ0hyphenhyphenwUZWNriyCDqrIROTdcUtosY8u202heu6httsIX5Lpk71y-UWLni_NlMIE5_FojBfLMjmQXy9BcSXTd071ZUxGu1zOfztz8nVCxHCMkjdgI9kiXtJ8oXpviIItHs4-LXEtuYbIVMI/w394-h149/AW_1.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p></p><p>Other birds of note included 222 Pochard, between here, Bubwith and Aughton Ings, several Ruff, a couple of Redshank and a few Whooper Swans. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-65951073214614484602024-02-25T20:22:00.002+00:002024-02-25T20:22:17.084+00:00Unexpected Wax<p>Waiting to meet my sister at Heslington Sports Village car park, to go birding up in Wykeham, I noticed a bird atop a small tree that I thought surely must be a Waxwing. I reached for my bins (always keep them handy), assuming it would just be a Starling, Chaffinch, or similar, but to my delight it was a Waxwing. It flew down towards me into a bush on the edge of the car park and started eyeing up the rosehips, about the only fruit left around these parts. There were plenty of Waxwings around before Christmas, but they've mostly spread south and west so this is the first one I've seen in York this year, so a little unexpected.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFhBwDDoTPWzih5ZJJjs7Iz2KW7QwjYCjWgZiXf8E68ZODuUn_l9K2xEyXOFgaEgvqKtOMqCUdEMPPE_vHoghAejqHZAQembHAehaZ9RLH2EDLB0dUp40dlrnDawgVYe3RRUcVV1xbn2Di19PzsB7r26EpkNp3BKod2hbu9yYW14WT0MGZdGz1C3Ju44/s1800/wax2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1800" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFhBwDDoTPWzih5ZJJjs7Iz2KW7QwjYCjWgZiXf8E68ZODuUn_l9K2xEyXOFgaEgvqKtOMqCUdEMPPE_vHoghAejqHZAQembHAehaZ9RLH2EDLB0dUp40dlrnDawgVYe3RRUcVV1xbn2Di19PzsB7r26EpkNp3BKod2hbu9yYW14WT0MGZdGz1C3Ju44/w378-h243/wax2.JPG" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGycOUP78ZYfQYqYbPdnE_RceXB22369ixeXvJSOTStfQkcEXzpw6afRm6MjcmkCdqbjDjX4Xvrx9O-TLcsuH2CQM5P0_Mflh0Fyk4dArHE8H57PqsyYrTdFikRrUssB42x1CbBqOO4_O6i9sTCH5vrmJQHA6REP_wh5Y6P1WPv1LSU7UlxsvB8wW7zc/s1800/wax1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1800" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGycOUP78ZYfQYqYbPdnE_RceXB22369ixeXvJSOTStfQkcEXzpw6afRm6MjcmkCdqbjDjX4Xvrx9O-TLcsuH2CQM5P0_Mflh0Fyk4dArHE8H57PqsyYrTdFikRrUssB42x1CbBqOO4_O6i9sTCH5vrmJQHA6REP_wh5Y6P1WPv1LSU7UlxsvB8wW7zc/w369-h242/wax1.JPG" width="369" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-81335080264989921252024-02-18T20:59:00.003+00:002024-02-18T20:59:11.406+00:00One good duck, deserves another...<p>I went up to the forest early doors and despite the gloomier-than-forecast weather, it did not disappoint. The forest was alive with birdsong; spring is really gathering momentum with the mild weather. Song Thrushes, Chaffinches and Crossbills were belting out their songs, and the local Goshawks were active, chasing off young from last year in some high speed pursuits across the valley. One youngster, a male, flew directly over my head, but against the bright cloud was largely silhoutted. The territory-holding pair were calling continually, and engaging in plenty of display, but apart from some early views, most action over the other side of the valley. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCspIiqWEM6tvvuIClds-_z6CYn2Iy38drRkVWZxnPFIBsB8i72t_xmhwEOOUVOes8goIZp1Bx4s6-Mn75wQB8wlIeV9vs4lQNLspgMSt8lVVDK_VBOpGINSgxeLLJ-42kId6_tjdQNyz02sg7W9CsXHghDq8xxlBSz5HSAvS0tw4hWQFHC5pEau_b26c/s1812/Gos-f2_180224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1812" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCspIiqWEM6tvvuIClds-_z6CYn2Iy38drRkVWZxnPFIBsB8i72t_xmhwEOOUVOes8goIZp1Bx4s6-Mn75wQB8wlIeV9vs4lQNLspgMSt8lVVDK_VBOpGINSgxeLLJ-42kId6_tjdQNyz02sg7W9CsXHghDq8xxlBSz5HSAvS0tw4hWQFHC5pEau_b26c/w400-h230/Gos-f2_180224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqynEOy1iuuNzRHIBIYZ859OvNcFFJiJrjiGLeVTD615w2E4edZlYYrlJYOYm9uK2eas5sbahTMm0zE2j-VPoI39oVZOj-m29WDo3ctLQFNBM0GYV-rh3y9-XXZ-k6_qu6827iH3Px2Aq2EvXWMggSkYXE0dQwMU1LDiaeaX5psQ8p3WiVJqXIDmRnGY/s1800/Gos-f_180224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1800" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqynEOy1iuuNzRHIBIYZ859OvNcFFJiJrjiGLeVTD615w2E4edZlYYrlJYOYm9uK2eas5sbahTMm0zE2j-VPoI39oVZOj-m29WDo3ctLQFNBM0GYV-rh3y9-XXZ-k6_qu6827iH3Px2Aq2EvXWMggSkYXE0dQwMU1LDiaeaX5psQ8p3WiVJqXIDmRnGY/w397-h226/Gos-f_180224.JPG" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09jwMCoOLLb2qohMPtU1EqqvY7H6Ji7HEDi1R8x53_yQI0ZWI7L3JrDt3y-LjJ6qEmx-fw2GLe1xRVVqT_8BXUXMBbcpGeB_lPmeC4n-mp8sguyDfk4LRQh7s9ObenBKb5C_fUvzieIfsu6oAIamH8EzujpmfhpKoXlOtwmqt-n9fjvxh7XbXvQB3FYQ/s863/Gos_m_180224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="863" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09jwMCoOLLb2qohMPtU1EqqvY7H6Ji7HEDi1R8x53_yQI0ZWI7L3JrDt3y-LjJ6qEmx-fw2GLe1xRVVqT_8BXUXMBbcpGeB_lPmeC4n-mp8sguyDfk4LRQh7s9ObenBKb5C_fUvzieIfsu6oAIamH8EzujpmfhpKoXlOtwmqt-n9fjvxh7XbXvQB3FYQ/w381-h239/Gos_m_180224.JPG" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdl1_f_TMgxCsqZK1M8Gx6ByCnz8x8eyTsq24ovhmYCj0P-xUrlm_SMAmDOVHsI_I-t0cV_HbYMGBkApQ871Wo7pjAZY7VaKxtSeh5AGZQBBOuD1-8c346hBPmXU_RA_x4Q3ENu702TrU3eyzG7yAZLQ0kwp4X1l8JyuIvji2k3yvRGW1sZQG8Q2nQDs/s1402/Gos_imm_180224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1402" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdl1_f_TMgxCsqZK1M8Gx6ByCnz8x8eyTsq24ovhmYCj0P-xUrlm_SMAmDOVHsI_I-t0cV_HbYMGBkApQ871Wo7pjAZY7VaKxtSeh5AGZQBBOuD1-8c346hBPmXU_RA_x4Q3ENu702TrU3eyzG7yAZLQ0kwp4X1l8JyuIvji2k3yvRGW1sZQG8Q2nQDs/w386-h221/Gos_imm_180224.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><br /><p>Top two: adult female displaying. Bottom two, one of the harrassed young males, just trying to find his way in this busy forest.</p><p>.....</p><p>On the way back, I received a message that the Chapman family (Rob, Jane and Tom) had found a drake American Wigeon at Bubwith Ings. Great! Neil Cooper had seen one at Melbourne in mid-January; it was then seen again a day or two later on Bubwith Ings, but hadn't been seen since. The valley has been deeply flooded making birding tricky, so I guess it could have been hanging out unnoticed for a month. Alternatively, it might have had a trip to the Humber with some of the Wigeon, looking for better feeding, and had now returned. Either way, it made for a fine sight, chilling on the grassy edge of the flood with plenty of commoner cousins, quite unaware of the mini-twitch it had created! The gathered locals informed me that Tim Jones had just seen an adult Kittiwake feeding with the small gulls over the wet fields behind the flood - strange! I scanned through the flock which had just flushed, and picked up the Kitt, which flew along over the field before disappearing behind the trees. A smart, unexpected bonus - nice one Tim! I enjoyed a few more minutes of the American Wigeon, my first in the York area for five years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyLZUhf2wcEOW4wSuGxFXFlw029yXLmkedBWI6af5uX11R3VyQLnHR_oAWOGkRtLlG_N65lta6bMpWfoRH-pCLUpXtA77nfhxAkmQ1p-VYRinXgD23_s5D4t09ziqbnS3ZYreoccxspiXYI4F26JSCaeV6wmVcHEIMKcihc5d_1GFI6SsKIHW9dZ0o4I/s1800/amwig_180224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1800" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyLZUhf2wcEOW4wSuGxFXFlw029yXLmkedBWI6af5uX11R3VyQLnHR_oAWOGkRtLlG_N65lta6bMpWfoRH-pCLUpXtA77nfhxAkmQ1p-VYRinXgD23_s5D4t09ziqbnS3ZYreoccxspiXYI4F26JSCaeV6wmVcHEIMKcihc5d_1GFI6SsKIHW9dZ0o4I/w399-h181/amwig_180224.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgFhPqSEvE5Yxsi-xtWwH2fRZawgsFvwQzwjGA03cg_-CZ0M3IjnpkbAcqEU4wGOuHQXvUS1S1wIdezX-5T62P8vc-8iV7FvzFnz5uSl0HLLA7QobKQGnOyZN1ibf_BwMA_Znq7Ntn9e18PnoJZLglJY3eFqtF0vYZEDJR696gO_WxYLH1CnsGzEkqP4/s1800/amwig_180224_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1800" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgFhPqSEvE5Yxsi-xtWwH2fRZawgsFvwQzwjGA03cg_-CZ0M3IjnpkbAcqEU4wGOuHQXvUS1S1wIdezX-5T62P8vc-8iV7FvzFnz5uSl0HLLA7QobKQGnOyZN1ibf_BwMA_Znq7Ntn9e18PnoJZLglJY3eFqtF0vYZEDJR696gO_WxYLH1CnsGzEkqP4/w399-h229/amwig_180224_2.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-88405284454215143442024-02-16T18:50:00.000+00:002024-02-16T18:50:04.706+00:00Long wait for a Long-tail<p> Long-tailed Ducks are mega-rare in the York area, despite being a regular, but scarce passage migrant and winter visitor along the Yorkshire coast. It has been a good winter for inland records in England, with a few in the north, so I had had my fingers crossed one might show up and break my 'duck'. On Tuesday, I had a meeting over at Grassington with some of the senior team at YWT and it was with shock and a little dismay that as I arrived on site, I saw a bunch of excited messages from fellow York birders congratulating Stuart Rapson, who had just found a Long-tail at Castle Howard! I was stuck in the Dales for most of the day, so it seemed unlikely I was going to get there in time to see it. Fortunately, the meeting finished ahead of schedule and the trip back to York was smooth, so after catching up on a bit of work admin, I decided to head over before the dusk slammed shut. There had been no news since late morning, so it was with trepidation that I made my way down the path by the lake. I scanned the water hard, checking the flocks of diving ducks carefully. Alas, there was no sign. When Long-tailed Ducks turn up inland they either disappear within a few hours or stay for several weeks. It appeared that this bird, which seemed to have been the individual that had spent the last few weeks at Pugneys Country Park in West Yorkshire, was heading coast-wards and it looked like it had maybe moved on during the afternoon. I reached the end of the lake path and with no more water to check, I turned to head back, with a sinking feel of an impending dip beginning to envelope me. Would it be another 20 years before I got a shot at another York Long-tail? I hadn't even seen the Smew which had been found this morning. Gutted! I carried on scanning as I wandered back and to my delight, I suddenly had my bins on the Long-tail!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96gguherRJKNRvLR0d7B3G79LiCzLfo8W6y_MU4Dq78R7mHGQgaygklFvYfvnS6ubv_O0bXWVjxEUEJ_FwhHc2tSEFe-b2G0XV7YZ1RmN5JSClFTBJbXI4-36PpizdYmY2OJP6XnvgYQe-BAolMeVsFl-cZtbzkjv0JAaZbJlkIHMRL-TPMNMq_ZrIdI/s1800/LTD_160224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1800" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96gguherRJKNRvLR0d7B3G79LiCzLfo8W6y_MU4Dq78R7mHGQgaygklFvYfvnS6ubv_O0bXWVjxEUEJ_FwhHc2tSEFe-b2G0XV7YZ1RmN5JSClFTBJbXI4-36PpizdYmY2OJP6XnvgYQe-BAolMeVsFl-cZtbzkjv0JAaZbJlkIHMRL-TPMNMq_ZrIdI/w389-h204/LTD_160224.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><p></p><p>She immeditely dived, opening her wings as she went under. She spent a good 45 seconds underwater and on surfacing, was only up for about five seconds before disappearing again. No wonder I'd walked right past her! I decided to try and get closer, as I was looking into the light. It took me about ten minutes to refind her, during which time I began to think I was losing the plot! Fortunately, she surfaced again in my field of view and this time I managed to track her. A smart bird, and really dinky compared with the local Tufties and Goldeneye. The bird seemed ot have a pinkish wash near the bill tip, making me thing the bird might be a young male, but later discussion confirmed it is a first-winter female, and the pinkish colour is actually just pale grey. This Long-tailed Duck is my 228th species in the York recording area and my first new addition in 2024. What will be next? <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyKbTfZYUkrNibD-oMOPAi_2RFb8HueSZObchSNdWc67udEf_nvVpr8fQ61XT0MhUgmyVSwxfiP3VSjaU5Dpg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dydZ4u254F4WCTmlnpG8H-hcyucXlXZroYPOPErRvYxr_0UqDTUOLBk3P8nytgHN4zX129PKNA7UR9-UXQONw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>...</p><p>Today I had the day off and headed back up to CHL to see if the Long-tail was still there. Again she took a bit of finding and this time she was right down the far end in the company of a few Goldeneye. She again was diving repeatedly and once took flight and did a bit of a fly-round, soon returning to the same spot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40IwyB9THGGq4ZTcwWVYUJ30BXv6atss0udxxG4h3L-3WgJ_S5EOIdsgy2fTwsxRW6UCu_du73AB7fQi06LvpBTmTiKEnsW0K5I8qJGCWqqWNJhzWBS7eL8YYgKzuTCrBCJ7rFSkV5rcibIZ7c8YMDQVRZS67PzkAEo4OVAhbV93SdGqqLbcfycLN7RA/s1800/LTD_160224_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40IwyB9THGGq4ZTcwWVYUJ30BXv6atss0udxxG4h3L-3WgJ_S5EOIdsgy2fTwsxRW6UCu_du73AB7fQi06LvpBTmTiKEnsW0K5I8qJGCWqqWNJhzWBS7eL8YYgKzuTCrBCJ7rFSkV5rcibIZ7c8YMDQVRZS67PzkAEo4OVAhbV93SdGqqLbcfycLN7RA/w389-h192/LTD_160224_2.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd2xUNatFKRzQa6sTYDNn3YHAMLp9eCZxLIDbmfKMnal1A3TXSvHrkDMq_K_sbAl4nbiNMlV_MI9fFD84EjVw7zreykeZke_Wzm-fJ1oCWSh2TF8X17pIHFwPffoemhEqcxY4WH8D7NJvnAOxQ4tIQv9Lp8Vc78zXLkDIuLtIrPUbnY5NQ0TxPo06Yn4/s1464/LTD_160224_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1464" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMd2xUNatFKRzQa6sTYDNn3YHAMLp9eCZxLIDbmfKMnal1A3TXSvHrkDMq_K_sbAl4nbiNMlV_MI9fFD84EjVw7zreykeZke_Wzm-fJ1oCWSh2TF8X17pIHFwPffoemhEqcxY4WH8D7NJvnAOxQ4tIQv9Lp8Vc78zXLkDIuLtIrPUbnY5NQ0TxPo06Yn4/w390-h251/LTD_160224_3.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWnHxZkfswvU_85C2uYvz8W7RonyQ6HftOqPOmMCyeNGsiaUjCqscHsk60nUHITk6FBklORMrOTzBtrn6xiq_18omC20PmX9wpmtny8kSVohyphenhyphen7rJ9rhP3UyWto_FDFoDYc2aBa3YFoORQ-yGa29gkZtR9XkQ_rSoBRLmfOZvQsFHcNnKvhNObJfi-pX8/s792/LTD_160224_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="792" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWnHxZkfswvU_85C2uYvz8W7RonyQ6HftOqPOmMCyeNGsiaUjCqscHsk60nUHITk6FBklORMrOTzBtrn6xiq_18omC20PmX9wpmtny8kSVohyphenhyphen7rJ9rhP3UyWto_FDFoDYc2aBa3YFoORQ-yGa29gkZtR9XkQ_rSoBRLmfOZvQsFHcNnKvhNObJfi-pX8/w389-h242/LTD_160224_4.JPG" width="389" /></a></div><p></p><p>After watching her for half an hour, I decided to head off to look for other things. Two Barnacle Geese were loafing on the lake and a Cetti's Warbler was singing in the reedbed near the road. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHDZx_06L_oaz58-kTujCzS5lms-oWNVh4rlLhgaKGqNtsf4Xd3RjLZDWX4JBILDbTCNgvXQAWEHCEBAjved0cN86a1ngIMCaG0IM9II2NwUqS71WT8PjObOIEqTIcwVsx0XrlpPXOVxMBagFWFkzgAQhBONcuHorNZP9fZEEAVttH4JqYylctcmjk2A/s1800/barnies_CHL_160224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1800" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHDZx_06L_oaz58-kTujCzS5lms-oWNVh4rlLhgaKGqNtsf4Xd3RjLZDWX4JBILDbTCNgvXQAWEHCEBAjved0cN86a1ngIMCaG0IM9II2NwUqS71WT8PjObOIEqTIcwVsx0XrlpPXOVxMBagFWFkzgAQhBONcuHorNZP9fZEEAVttH4JqYylctcmjk2A/w377-h185/barnies_CHL_160224.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-53406876137418093732024-02-16T18:22:00.003+00:002024-02-16T18:22:40.815+00:00Feisty Finches<p> It is early spring and the volume of birdsong has gone up a few notches. Song Thrushes started belting out their varied songs at the beginning of the month, along with Chaffinches, Skylarks and Dunnocks. In the last few days, mild weather seems to have got the local Blackbirds going, and they are delivering their beautiful, summery notes to the growing chorus, hinting at warmer days to come. </p><p>In the garden, the first Frog appeared last night (15th Feb) but no spawn yet. Last year, we had spawn on the 19th, so we will see if that record is broken. Pink-footed Geese have been on the move north, with several skeins heading over the village and elsewhere. It has been a good winter for Bramblings, and I have had several in the garden, with a female appearing a few times recently. Yesterday morning, she appeared along with five Siskins, who really bossed the feeders, angrily defending their spot at breakfast from bigger Greenfinches and Goldfinches. Very feisty!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDfGLZzd09YYD2YZj1_hKb2QN7jXxrdXzCIJ1FIh8ayJYKMzaTyt0G04StYktewqR3FGSMw6XEhWnFrOG8GAp0EJdNpflINTHzu9ugDVrgig3zOQ8DeLMmf5kwMlHx8eWUbmhUCpijYxdBTpnXU2ZVEUUMJ9sZnirT1CnOsH1k7m7j9W_-3ZfDRAWE5Q/s1800/siskin_150224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1800" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDfGLZzd09YYD2YZj1_hKb2QN7jXxrdXzCIJ1FIh8ayJYKMzaTyt0G04StYktewqR3FGSMw6XEhWnFrOG8GAp0EJdNpflINTHzu9ugDVrgig3zOQ8DeLMmf5kwMlHx8eWUbmhUCpijYxdBTpnXU2ZVEUUMJ9sZnirT1CnOsH1k7m7j9W_-3ZfDRAWE5Q/w410-h293/siskin_150224.JPG" width="410" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-1267748348374211272024-02-10T18:40:00.005+00:002024-02-11T09:27:31.306+00:00Rosedale Raptor Fest<p>With the Vale of York fog-bound, I took a gamble to head for the hills, or the Moors to be precise. The North York Moors are only an hour north of York and much is heavily-degraded driven grouse moors, all burnt to within a few inches of their life, to promote the growth of young heather, for the Red Grouse to eat. Raptor persecution is rife along with wholesale industrial slaughter of every other potential predator of grouse chicks. This is all to enable moor owners to offer large 'bags' of grouse, to tempt rich punters to part with lots of cash for a days blasting birds out of the sky. All very depressing. <br /></p><p>As I headed up through Hutton-le-Hole, the cloud was still very low and I began to feel I had been a little too optimistic! However, to my relief, as I broke the ridge and descended Rosedale Chimney, I could see clear skies to the north of the village. Fingers crossed!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwXpviF3W8pifzHffh-FZ7DXDRkb0Z9_Sq5PikCUpTRYDs1lQ6wK9dJQRxwfx55yctfV9w5LRZobn0JL85RHywzWiHUR0PcIUexWKvB2niRp0W1ACM2s9S0A6RDqOpdB_xXb46d9joiN15XGyN2RUnnuv-JDnupwJN1pFvoAp_A7aLElgPCLB-9vLn50/s1800/RosedaleChimney_100224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwXpviF3W8pifzHffh-FZ7DXDRkb0Z9_Sq5PikCUpTRYDs1lQ6wK9dJQRxwfx55yctfV9w5LRZobn0JL85RHywzWiHUR0PcIUexWKvB2niRp0W1ACM2s9S0A6RDqOpdB_xXb46d9joiN15XGyN2RUnnuv-JDnupwJN1pFvoAp_A7aLElgPCLB-9vLn50/w444-h200/RosedaleChimney_100224.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><p></p><p>Mark Fewster, Nick Addey and Chris Bell were all in position when I arrived on the moor; they hadn't seen any Rough-legged Buzzards but had had a mouth-watering haul of raptors, which boded well. A pair of Ravens cronked past within minutes; not a common bird on the NYM, so this was a good start. Golden Plovers were bombing about and there were plenty of Red Grouse strutting their stuff. Shortly, Mark headed off, followed a little later by Nick and Chris though not before a Peregrine cruised south along the ridge in front of us. Shortly, a Hen Harrier - a ringtail- appeared over the ridge and quartered it's way north across the moor and into the distance, flushing coveys of grouse and fast-flying Goldies. </p><p>After a while I noticed a raptor sitting on a stone post on the far ridge. To my surprise, zooming up it seemed to be a young Goshawk! Even at long range, the upright stance, long tail and comparatively small head on a long body was distinctive. But what was it doing out here? Cropton Forest was only a mile or so away, so perhaps they do come up here, hunting plovers and other small birds. </p><p>Another birder arrived and I pointed the bird out; he wasn't convinced, but it was a long way off. I kept my eye on it, feeling that if it flew, I could nail it. To my surprise, another raptor came gliding over the ridge not far from the Gos and down the slope towards us. It was clearly a buzzard sp. and seemed pale-headed. I suggested the other birder get on the bird; it then swooped on to a large boulder, revealing a big solid black belly patch contrasting beautifully with a straw-coloured breast and head. A Rough-leg! Just then the other bird took flight and headed off low across the moor, confirming itself as a Gos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwY4EGLB8twk_GqVPGFKCMHzm6phpXuXdB3_StRcpGGcH4xCQWr53qUCpUJ7voevI38CHifb4QLCDVV-nvGfQvf325nt-40SumYyo3RwfAPVu9ERV6RjhKK_WZFzj9TSfUsqiPSuTBoTTCbi17lVMQYdJImXdPNY3OWmLdG6CUqEenG35d69m8MZyMzA/s1890/RLB_100224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1890" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwY4EGLB8twk_GqVPGFKCMHzm6phpXuXdB3_StRcpGGcH4xCQWr53qUCpUJ7voevI38CHifb4QLCDVV-nvGfQvf325nt-40SumYyo3RwfAPVu9ERV6RjhKK_WZFzj9TSfUsqiPSuTBoTTCbi17lVMQYdJImXdPNY3OWmLdG6CUqEenG35d69m8MZyMzA/w468-h247/RLB_100224.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Rough-leg was pretty distant and after 20 minutes of watching it, the other birder told me there was a track close-by which would allow us to get 500m closer. I headed down there, followed by the other guy. It did seem a lot closer, but the bird was still pretty distant, allowing us to watch it without disturbance. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRrMF2WOobSd3s-uacu-TPKJxZVN4VZ1vXMaxlTDOPzlnYIOvkxbVxIhq6iN1yKJaDRNZbKt5TizYdvwBc8GfwY1oftZ-q0ELONZl2nio-VB2_MAs8nryOjJhrKAO1IUAiUxvzi35dfjRUFFddzRTrXUUEyM_DYU5Kh6dhbmr13wddsYP7LfPEI3xG0/s1800/RosedaleMoor_100224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaRrMF2WOobSd3s-uacu-TPKJxZVN4VZ1vXMaxlTDOPzlnYIOvkxbVxIhq6iN1yKJaDRNZbKt5TizYdvwBc8GfwY1oftZ-q0ELONZl2nio-VB2_MAs8nryOjJhrKAO1IUAiUxvzi35dfjRUFFddzRTrXUUEyM_DYU5Kh6dhbmr13wddsYP7LfPEI3xG0/w458-h206/RosedaleMoor_100224.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><p></p><p>As I was watching it, Nick rang to say they had found another Rough-leg and could also see 'our' bird in the distance. Unfortunately, their bird was out of sight for me, but our bird was good enough. After my temporary companion departed, another birder turned up and we spent the next couple of hours following the Rough-leg as it boulder-hopped up the valley. The moor was very still, with little breeze, which perhaps was causing the bird to hunt in this manner. There was certainly no wind to aid hovering, which is often employed by Rough-legs. Much of this area of Rosedale Moor is heavily managed for grouse, but the steep slopes and narrow valley of Northdale Rigg has a mix of rough grass, scrub and woodland, along with the heather moorland above, and it is perhaps this mix that is attracting the raptors, presumably hunting voles, birds and rabbits. <br /></p><p>The Rough-leg never came close until right at the death, when having reached the top of the valley, it decided to fly back down towards Rosedale, giving great views as it passed along the rigg in front of us. Nearby, a Merlin was perched up on a rock and we saw a Peregrine again, the female Hen Harrier and two or three Common Buzzards. Havings seen Sparrowhawk and Kestrel on my way up, this had become an unexpected eight raptor day! With Marsh Harrier and Red Kite easy to see back near York, I was tempted to head down the LDV to complete the set, but in the end decided to quit while I was ahead and go back for a celebratory cuppa. As I headed back down towards Rosedale village, a Barn Owl was perched on a gate next to the road. Perfect! To see this many raptors on a small part of the North York Moors demonstrates what the area could support if only some of the gamekeepers would be more tolerant of birds of prey (and not break the law) and would allow a more natural mosaic of upland habitats to develop. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cQg1K9V937DSvQAabDpi2GHpL6-pblvrf9m5AdIJnmUPjPHmhwOqOpizebzSFNBq4hju8g969WqxxDPSqDUzNSyjBSykl1svofiFaTjnFt4g60WBjPjZI5pE19TlEPryqAduOJ61iQ6BdQON3eLpVey6fV93YFZ1V3MB8XsAZADW2d6tJbql_vRtTUQ/s1431/merlin_100224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1431" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cQg1K9V937DSvQAabDpi2GHpL6-pblvrf9m5AdIJnmUPjPHmhwOqOpizebzSFNBq4hju8g969WqxxDPSqDUzNSyjBSykl1svofiFaTjnFt4g60WBjPjZI5pE19TlEPryqAduOJ61iQ6BdQON3eLpVey6fV93YFZ1V3MB8XsAZADW2d6tJbql_vRtTUQ/w377-h218/merlin_100224.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><p>A tiny Merlin - honest!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dym4EmDZB1SF53jbejYkoZTjZJPM10v3xtq41GbHzfs86LydtI3etSd6enuHdF3dL82Hw5qkj6IGX1EF_6sxg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwitS3OYUM4OmTR6K9IMJmZijeegSLiZII8SSFcN4ZE1368WLKfErMHTkK_ftDtKZXjpkDg9CiPDLoHIDGz-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzFY0FbAlr2ZOnUK8LibYN6i2T9nm5kj6bcS7BnwuIEU-0JFj6MkhqaLZ1QuRLwjnjAf1W8HPKKEX-g8Jw_RA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>Distant Rough-leg footage. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-52894362675174954392024-02-10T18:06:00.001+00:002024-02-10T18:06:20.971+00:00Penetrating the Murk<p>My Yorkshire Coast Nature LDV tour was postponed due to bad weather and deep flooding, but it turned out to be not as bad as forecast, so mid-morning I went out for a wander. My second Barn Owl of the day, following one on the dawn dog walk in Bishopthorpe, showed well hunting the rough grass at East Cottingwith. The bad weather over the last few days has probably made hunting arduous for these owls, which is why they are out and about this late. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhPqhV25PVFSHun_nvBKbjDnUlu3YcHXFEVPiMs4Ih3C3UD_25VQMyDosTIkmmbEEv0k_cFsNUQsYbSVzyimanzGvgAnqDhtShj_8vGygeqIW4nwmBGh2lNYumKZPfTWBnB9vUY3HW4yTAHdAXjADbN1Us8e63Ip7auWBWSXoE3ko7HUhidwlURP_5x8/s1800/barny_ecott_090224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1800" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhPqhV25PVFSHun_nvBKbjDnUlu3YcHXFEVPiMs4Ih3C3UD_25VQMyDosTIkmmbEEv0k_cFsNUQsYbSVzyimanzGvgAnqDhtShj_8vGygeqIW4nwmBGh2lNYumKZPfTWBnB9vUY3HW4yTAHdAXjADbN1Us8e63Ip7auWBWSXoE3ko7HUhidwlURP_5x8/w427-h218/barny_ecott_090224.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><p></p><p>Not much was doing at Wheldrake from the East Cottingwith side, due to deep flooding, but it was nice to see D3 the regularly-wintering female Marsh Harrier, here for another vacation from East Anglia.</p><p>148 Pochards at Aughton was good, but there were no birds with paler mantles among them (Canvasbacks). Five more were on Bubwith Ings but unfortunately I couldn't pull in at the bridge due to a line of traffic, so I missed the 170+ Blackwits that Tim reported later. North Duff was quiet, due to deep water, so I pressed on to Thorganby. A Little Owl was calling on arrival but I failed so spot it. Counting the distant Whoopers on the other side of the river, I suddenly noticed there were two smaller swans with them. They had their heads underwater (feeding!) for what seemed like ages and seemed to always pull their heads up when they were facing away. After a few minutes of convincing myself they were Bewick's Swans, they finally turned side-on and I got a good view of one of the beaks, clinching the ID. I thought I was not going to see any Bewick's in the LDV this winter, so this was a nice finale to my loop of the valley. The drizzle had started again and the visibility was reducing, so I decided to call it a day.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0PPp0yQkd76E-nPEmcmbZDkhBQhoYLFa4Vh5WKbMtSwxnyw7BQoJ92M3k6d3xgmNNVELBJsI3FoGhlbztWphHya4kt7YqV0V64FSItJTfgTObgRmWvKZvPBTvNT2ExzG7Qh49oGnGOCMdBEgHboJ2zsE6wVGID24C8AmpHS8dfhQLMiY7ApdM7TUhog/s1800/bewicks_thorg_090224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1800" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0PPp0yQkd76E-nPEmcmbZDkhBQhoYLFa4Vh5WKbMtSwxnyw7BQoJ92M3k6d3xgmNNVELBJsI3FoGhlbztWphHya4kt7YqV0V64FSItJTfgTObgRmWvKZvPBTvNT2ExzG7Qh49oGnGOCMdBEgHboJ2zsE6wVGID24C8AmpHS8dfhQLMiY7ApdM7TUhog/w427-h183/bewicks_thorg_090224.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>Bewick's in the murk<br /> <br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-13353317273404342602024-02-04T21:32:00.000+00:002024-02-04T21:32:03.944+00:00Doing the roost<p>I've been doing the Wheldrake Ings roost as much as possible recently. No white-wingers (Glaucous and Iceland) is a sign of the times, but there have been regular Caspian Gulls, with at least three different first-winters recorded. Mediterranean Gulls have been among the hordes of Common and Black-headeds too, with adult, first and second winters all seen recently. A couple of Lesser Black-backs have been around too, with up to 69 Great Black-backs and 300+ Herrings some nights. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nWzg-Xkk_n_K2CPzhyGPxFYVzEcIiDdKZfJfZ3NZfyO8hd7HKpmSoXkGRuKaRdeP3uwa8n-Btmtpa74KGIVEtgeYphcqjCLnjtQ4wmFTfNdJU9QS8AIjZg5Yu2wMbWAShSFLHzSFK2NOmmGbXRtg-TqBdy6AuT42rxLLiNwjPaY1P0E5HwKO2ehfThI/s1800/medgull_270124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1800" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8nWzg-Xkk_n_K2CPzhyGPxFYVzEcIiDdKZfJfZ3NZfyO8hd7HKpmSoXkGRuKaRdeP3uwa8n-Btmtpa74KGIVEtgeYphcqjCLnjtQ4wmFTfNdJU9QS8AIjZg5Yu2wMbWAShSFLHzSFK2NOmmGbXRtg-TqBdy6AuT42rxLLiNwjPaY1P0E5HwKO2ehfThI/s320/medgull_270124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Adult Mediterranean Gull, 27th Jan<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkolaAIzjisdI52uzRsNOw0UKCTGxGA0hISCC1Z5LV_Glvj8nWxz6MlrzH_C3tfe7t0-M-AWbrSGNaW4uIYLvFYd5n2Dknk7BgAdsAKjwypNA6QzsHn6sDUh4yignC3NsqRW1Mip1Vnb-guj3jYBxlrGxg8Vm4KTy9a2EQ0jMosXFnUdNn-bASkiHOcw/s1800/LBBG_270124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1800" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkolaAIzjisdI52uzRsNOw0UKCTGxGA0hISCC1Z5LV_Glvj8nWxz6MlrzH_C3tfe7t0-M-AWbrSGNaW4uIYLvFYd5n2Dknk7BgAdsAKjwypNA6QzsHn6sDUh4yignC3NsqRW1Mip1Vnb-guj3jYBxlrGxg8Vm4KTy9a2EQ0jMosXFnUdNn-bASkiHOcw/s320/LBBG_270124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>First-winter Lesser Black-backed Gull, 27th Jan <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEK9IMmyvVmju_8xACBLDerYPv0a1d9p6XbuzBTedhn2GsnczVe4Li9prlqS-Um7RLM1NDRogjkhWi5uqulPAtf4UTXsR5u2Ig-m-aPDQF6IbYYkX4_nZvoMRO45MLssA-uafTQoqsVPhloQYub2mwBMbLlInVr1MPm7ZW_Ra6NG1QQQOItiEMvbpMX0/s1920/casp_020224_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1920" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEK9IMmyvVmju_8xACBLDerYPv0a1d9p6XbuzBTedhn2GsnczVe4Li9prlqS-Um7RLM1NDRogjkhWi5uqulPAtf4UTXsR5u2Ig-m-aPDQF6IbYYkX4_nZvoMRO45MLssA-uafTQoqsVPhloQYub2mwBMbLlInVr1MPm7ZW_Ra6NG1QQQOItiEMvbpMX0/s320/casp_020224_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztuDo-fGp5GJChK_FA9GMXL0TYoI5BKQkyAiQoIzV1140cBOdRK4m5XAQovBhFHAKzOIQmZ6JU_n04rUzFYu5Z5LuDvk1gmcnj3fQthoES9MqL_q1tTFjDXiBklduJvLePGRxXffxsp9_frNR2cYry5uo_kFIrJek_Al4ampPBoUPh9KipgQfqfPpK5w/s1800/casp_020224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1800" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhztuDo-fGp5GJChK_FA9GMXL0TYoI5BKQkyAiQoIzV1140cBOdRK4m5XAQovBhFHAKzOIQmZ6JU_n04rUzFYu5Z5LuDvk1gmcnj3fQthoES9MqL_q1tTFjDXiBklduJvLePGRxXffxsp9_frNR2cYry5uo_kFIrJek_Al4ampPBoUPh9KipgQfqfPpK5w/s320/casp_020224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>First-winter Caspian Gull, 2nd Feb<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTkBpV2feFKvw-QYRH5zhrKOsKUgH-T_vHBjjFO9gtEh1Fs8IrUfjcTSM6DzhIkUP6FHuQnnHHRVRJr5XAPPzeMxyN-ZrLRNHSupDs9r0TgNjGCioepRQXYrheIMR72VUPQNGl_duBvar6mB4fvrIS-mVCqGaboZ6R5I8n6hSVAUA6PMb78It_BsFhB8/s1800/Caspian1_040224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1800" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTkBpV2feFKvw-QYRH5zhrKOsKUgH-T_vHBjjFO9gtEh1Fs8IrUfjcTSM6DzhIkUP6FHuQnnHHRVRJr5XAPPzeMxyN-ZrLRNHSupDs9r0TgNjGCioepRQXYrheIMR72VUPQNGl_duBvar6mB4fvrIS-mVCqGaboZ6R5I8n6hSVAUA6PMb78It_BsFhB8/s320/Caspian1_040224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IvPJfy3-cykCC_13HmCfPQLAI0jDfp4br-mx-8TNOjH-YMd6qeMMKPWavSG1X0143pymk2eVU6GaRflJetvfnjeNhbxAFquagVjI-tecTLZJ7fDuid1SZBgPPBw3H6y8arJJqxnqoGkOGVAdygoTR7-JWaa3z6j65XbzI2F6omnY7VP81y_OHA0kIXc/s1800/Caspian1_040224_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1800" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IvPJfy3-cykCC_13HmCfPQLAI0jDfp4br-mx-8TNOjH-YMd6qeMMKPWavSG1X0143pymk2eVU6GaRflJetvfnjeNhbxAFquagVjI-tecTLZJ7fDuid1SZBgPPBw3H6y8arJJqxnqoGkOGVAdygoTR7-JWaa3z6j65XbzI2F6omnY7VP81y_OHA0kIXc/s320/Caspian1_040224_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFdFfgD0loY4hWfUjXCUdw7pKmTdg70yIqJZ2vfj2h5h0-GWAByWQnc4qxqcyZC1Kq09ooHJw0i9_JADk-ohLjC5pogMDmRQrvAIHWdGKO1hUyRrFRRPle-IMaQROwng2oDG-wpoa9srFdcb53FntfixIYFYKwWG_6GMmCvWwrb0dySs440-GOWjd47o/s1800/Caspian1_040224_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1800" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFdFfgD0loY4hWfUjXCUdw7pKmTdg70yIqJZ2vfj2h5h0-GWAByWQnc4qxqcyZC1Kq09ooHJw0i9_JADk-ohLjC5pogMDmRQrvAIHWdGKO1hUyRrFRRPle-IMaQROwng2oDG-wpoa9srFdcb53FntfixIYFYKwWG_6GMmCvWwrb0dySs440-GOWjd47o/s320/Caspian1_040224_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtjK9crVu30ytyoB7yiyIYwR0xNNziPUgNBQGrwaidy5yHlu1kE4DbElm7kzcz4bw_1J2rVr5bu3N1S_A_26q34DRnWShzAkc5SPRIsK67Fl7DOvW252ilM6wtGIUr_Szg-yX6hjP00lKyArv9nbAimfEDZF3HxpOI1AOyt9MRU041IOFZ-Pigr2LIoU/s1800/Caspian1_040224_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1800" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtjK9crVu30ytyoB7yiyIYwR0xNNziPUgNBQGrwaidy5yHlu1kE4DbElm7kzcz4bw_1J2rVr5bu3N1S_A_26q34DRnWShzAkc5SPRIsK67Fl7DOvW252ilM6wtGIUr_Szg-yX6hjP00lKyArv9nbAimfEDZF3HxpOI1AOyt9MRU041IOFZ-Pigr2LIoU/s320/Caspian1_040224_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGhpNHb0P682ohlAh7_gAzjwKBWwRLolr57_Zx08CzJgD8gs88NXIVeAJUF7LhAmiURbxF00Nn4V08lKeXlZo0nAdr7Jjdf7AyXsl-vHGwg8GtQVra6jHcKRtzpx_qVrpoP1l6T2IYn9WL4L0X442GH_bL-6pALsSa0GGQ0aNBVyAu42eHMWqxjMPFhI/s1800/Caspian1_040224_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1800" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQGhpNHb0P682ohlAh7_gAzjwKBWwRLolr57_Zx08CzJgD8gs88NXIVeAJUF7LhAmiURbxF00Nn4V08lKeXlZo0nAdr7Jjdf7AyXsl-vHGwg8GtQVra6jHcKRtzpx_qVrpoP1l6T2IYn9WL4L0X442GH_bL-6pALsSa0GGQ0aNBVyAu42eHMWqxjMPFhI/s320/Caspian1_040224_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3BNh6ZGIPeQCxSFtFCLU4Pei2OKfbnSr3_R_aXoDeanpXQaCMD4JAyUlipDe8xwC33hFa54cRctf7tUPqIp8IPDLrP38Bx0lDQ44e_kg-rcGgULlL_2xXODOPuuaSiaTRFV857icKh9vgY1rYJHFhBcJKciAP5zpbV7TrqDhjeV-NNk1lFKJBd5SZYE/s1764/Caspian1_underwing_040424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1764" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3BNh6ZGIPeQCxSFtFCLU4Pei2OKfbnSr3_R_aXoDeanpXQaCMD4JAyUlipDe8xwC33hFa54cRctf7tUPqIp8IPDLrP38Bx0lDQ44e_kg-rcGgULlL_2xXODOPuuaSiaTRFV857icKh9vgY1rYJHFhBcJKciAP5zpbV7TrqDhjeV-NNk1lFKJBd5SZYE/s320/Caspian1_underwing_040424.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuyoMoqvB401PHDyUo5io_c6gIjyzTfi6-V-T32nSI-KCXifQ0JpsIGSUTuHgkM1gMXnyHZM-Yon67vZRpur6u6dNDXtMJGMbU434pHZ2QnZNvw4FSnxPocGlSVZ5hmcOFR_FD22exsdl20dKu9bgI6hxKxkrTpJnuQESozNMG9Ei_MxG5mMM0qI3xEo/s1830/Caspian1_underwing_040424_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1830" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuyoMoqvB401PHDyUo5io_c6gIjyzTfi6-V-T32nSI-KCXifQ0JpsIGSUTuHgkM1gMXnyHZM-Yon67vZRpur6u6dNDXtMJGMbU434pHZ2QnZNvw4FSnxPocGlSVZ5hmcOFR_FD22exsdl20dKu9bgI6hxKxkrTpJnuQESozNMG9Ei_MxG5mMM0qI3xEo/s320/Caspian1_underwing_040424_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7e5OG0YwGUD6h7NcJDqFa-y8-unxcI9KWLTBH_vgsQ9w2j7uBPGmwT4dLMPtlpp5eiePMhTySlS1-pk-ZVRyBrpsO2OguEbiWK3_nhwpxJ3cbEsqR30VbUD5EpFg__A1ceo81M5LLRNFvwBqgN7SbAAl8HnhQeyMMb1_oqG2FTu6xQANZkt-zYBQGcnI/s1800/Caspian2_040224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1800" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7e5OG0YwGUD6h7NcJDqFa-y8-unxcI9KWLTBH_vgsQ9w2j7uBPGmwT4dLMPtlpp5eiePMhTySlS1-pk-ZVRyBrpsO2OguEbiWK3_nhwpxJ3cbEsqR30VbUD5EpFg__A1ceo81M5LLRNFvwBqgN7SbAAl8HnhQeyMMb1_oqG2FTu6xQANZkt-zYBQGcnI/s320/Caspian2_040224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuR03xF9p0nV0OHkWVaraWanenxlZ19UN71VuJIABmrTypQeBw5L5VDsw4c7V-UUKpFTzeivBDP5Wg1ftrf46pXBh1p12vqUyWb1eTBRS4zYCjuOuMLxoNqykuf7MvFLWUHZajhBlUfO_Z12rq71-Fi6iruVOE8Qyb48svffV0_YEXnGXkL1NSHsrVgk/s1944/Caspian2_040224_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1944" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuR03xF9p0nV0OHkWVaraWanenxlZ19UN71VuJIABmrTypQeBw5L5VDsw4c7V-UUKpFTzeivBDP5Wg1ftrf46pXBh1p12vqUyWb1eTBRS4zYCjuOuMLxoNqykuf7MvFLWUHZajhBlUfO_Z12rq71-Fi6iruVOE8Qyb48svffV0_YEXnGXkL1NSHsrVgk/s320/Caspian2_040224_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Two first-winter Caspian Gulls, 4th Feb</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQnhAPXrLBdiWFCj8t6F7w77myL7zN5sYkYqyWzOvK0lRaVBUMz6UK5J0R1K9t00YFzxSIULj3CSL6xt2wrJ9t1mzrjZTUqQPiro838GhFtGhGZ3ceyqOtWABXxfpoGur1aAsmHa-Zsss2DDiUQ00GObcELwOY8QPceuoEh4-ZV1ewg9qTeB1n0j0kPw/s1800/med2w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1800" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQnhAPXrLBdiWFCj8t6F7w77myL7zN5sYkYqyWzOvK0lRaVBUMz6UK5J0R1K9t00YFzxSIULj3CSL6xt2wrJ9t1mzrjZTUqQPiro838GhFtGhGZ3ceyqOtWABXxfpoGur1aAsmHa-Zsss2DDiUQ00GObcELwOY8QPceuoEh4-ZV1ewg9qTeB1n0j0kPw/s320/med2w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RrtmJMfFlLcj3zghcnvRuQeC5V08OTv_NGRv_AJwdzlpuwMmsqnh9-7I0-ecbdpIr_38ptsVfDdFc5BG6J1DhGgY_FvqKdmF_IiTwySMtlGNJ4WFOo_5P9-Gbrf3B-eZAXgIuYt2Jbml2Z7xT67EpW3KnpbhV-YvlF4JtnhkiiWkmSohXSfSUDnq18w/s1800/Med_040224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1800" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RrtmJMfFlLcj3zghcnvRuQeC5V08OTv_NGRv_AJwdzlpuwMmsqnh9-7I0-ecbdpIr_38ptsVfDdFc5BG6J1DhGgY_FvqKdmF_IiTwySMtlGNJ4WFOo_5P9-Gbrf3B-eZAXgIuYt2Jbml2Z7xT67EpW3KnpbhV-YvlF4JtnhkiiWkmSohXSfSUDnq18w/s320/Med_040224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Second-winter Mediterranean Gull, 4th Feb<br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-44021207534622737042024-02-04T21:06:00.005+00:002024-02-04T21:38:15.030+00:00More Goshawks<p>With sunshine, mild conditions and a steady breeze, I headed to the forest to see if the Goshawks were getting frisky. Sure enough they were, with lot of display seen and incessant calling. I checked out three sites, with birds seen at each, a total of about 12 individuals. The adult females were doing a lot of stiff-winged flapping, with high amplitude wingbeats and puffed out undertail coverts. Lots of Crossbills and Siskins around too.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbGapadENc_Tn71dWPo_L_asSnSVT0Uh5r66OS8BRvY-lpXleS8yAmfx3E9uRK5R0EgRK-R3JGzlQGPEOwAkZiyfz67A4JK4hHDmy7AGjfJIYQmXWvbm1obZ4g4aDTCy37Ese8A4HM6iMKu43Qt23ebPAN1ZhGNUjYIWlHmDPCrihIFqMUE32Ia38r-o/s909/Gos-male_030224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="909" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbGapadENc_Tn71dWPo_L_asSnSVT0Uh5r66OS8BRvY-lpXleS8yAmfx3E9uRK5R0EgRK-R3JGzlQGPEOwAkZiyfz67A4JK4hHDmy7AGjfJIYQmXWvbm1obZ4g4aDTCy37Ese8A4HM6iMKu43Qt23ebPAN1ZhGNUjYIWlHmDPCrihIFqMUE32Ia38r-o/s320/Gos-male_030224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GZ2oO9zjxIbCbzUGJKoNrisz7wxuB7g9CxyzvoZGK8co4iyC0DsEan1udvhVrzLpOHk2VEgIQ4CN2SBJXh8bbYm1WsG9jo761kVzUqTg_QcfCukMNFNjpYnV5v4gkWklhkaRbsMosPIrvpFFzNzKUMBwT7mTAbhiZLA22_ElrcD2-P72eJ2CWBQ6WZU/s727/gos_male.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="727" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GZ2oO9zjxIbCbzUGJKoNrisz7wxuB7g9CxyzvoZGK8co4iyC0DsEan1udvhVrzLpOHk2VEgIQ4CN2SBJXh8bbYm1WsG9jo761kVzUqTg_QcfCukMNFNjpYnV5v4gkWklhkaRbsMosPIrvpFFzNzKUMBwT7mTAbhiZLA22_ElrcD2-P72eJ2CWBQ6WZU/s320/gos_male.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliBt7ZhYOBCenfRXssRwBIAP-godvm470eR8K7Ln383tJYkpSBKATF-1PZ2nppSCIYPoRVC8b70TTkMFkMfMA4nEuBC-iJC8FTys2grx3W6nwfTZko_UT9cGyxtV7p5O-WRB3CLVo4bzOSZFfJt4JWxddoZsBy1wbqcgR712O0yf2DcytyWCrOOnxesg/s890/Gos-fem_030224_4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="890" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliBt7ZhYOBCenfRXssRwBIAP-godvm470eR8K7Ln383tJYkpSBKATF-1PZ2nppSCIYPoRVC8b70TTkMFkMfMA4nEuBC-iJC8FTys2grx3W6nwfTZko_UT9cGyxtV7p5O-WRB3CLVo4bzOSZFfJt4JWxddoZsBy1wbqcgR712O0yf2DcytyWCrOOnxesg/s320/Gos-fem_030224_4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmj7END0kwYS8BX-piXIXPV52ZVBZyyo-rVJy8UenoCaChUj7jpYZn6-1KtdmwOOsqaVPC0_N5N4NuHKtICtNemKXC0AU5laYFCmjfxHqhFc4OaWvCLgdHOxy945-4hwxJeuGrgYKe9sdS3-Ak71HkJBTvobS1E7Em4esfc-aWuXTQLibmZ3X_LKGQvFw/s807/Gos-fem_030224_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="807" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmj7END0kwYS8BX-piXIXPV52ZVBZyyo-rVJy8UenoCaChUj7jpYZn6-1KtdmwOOsqaVPC0_N5N4NuHKtICtNemKXC0AU5laYFCmjfxHqhFc4OaWvCLgdHOxy945-4hwxJeuGrgYKe9sdS3-Ak71HkJBTvobS1E7Em4esfc-aWuXTQLibmZ3X_LKGQvFw/s320/Gos-fem_030224_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOikLvl_vWeYV0tMzbXT8NXXTOR3doE72ByRC5XWHGphDJcWwcQCfayD2iLRRsEkzoN_da_s3KMcZsI1W3-yxiFddXdaSSvHENFE3Wm0tVXpoBtRvSJ8a01Uwv99wjT7Lh9m8IS-VWv3iYUr8f0epud7Sup7l2nXHX09Nhdo1_4WJKBn_Prxl4ux27CC0/s995/Gos-fem_030224_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="995" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOikLvl_vWeYV0tMzbXT8NXXTOR3doE72ByRC5XWHGphDJcWwcQCfayD2iLRRsEkzoN_da_s3KMcZsI1W3-yxiFddXdaSSvHENFE3Wm0tVXpoBtRvSJ8a01Uwv99wjT7Lh9m8IS-VWv3iYUr8f0epud7Sup7l2nXHX09Nhdo1_4WJKBn_Prxl4ux27CC0/s320/Gos-fem_030224_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy6eK7WofAgG8oyGAqx2iayUfMyUIP1DuDtoCewqcevCM2UV-jbdnbUJFjQrEixyHbkCI6ytZurXeBnIvFF-syiW8GbfmlgLXn0feCLwCW7XtRmozH35jU7Dibjg_xyhmFnUeLDi3D7N088V9HCfu2Tu_cjl0x8HOGZevSCfTjfHV7nFEyzfineMtloY/s955/Gos-fem_030224.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="955" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPy6eK7WofAgG8oyGAqx2iayUfMyUIP1DuDtoCewqcevCM2UV-jbdnbUJFjQrEixyHbkCI6ytZurXeBnIvFF-syiW8GbfmlgLXn0feCLwCW7XtRmozH35jU7Dibjg_xyhmFnUeLDi3D7N088V9HCfu2Tu_cjl0x8HOGZevSCfTjfHV7nFEyzfineMtloY/s320/Gos-fem_030224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Adult male (top) and female (other four), with an immature female with the adult in the second photo.<br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-3554755466973144232024-02-04T20:56:00.008+00:002024-02-04T20:56:50.597+00:00Local Owls<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27HIefHvlsvmwYBgzHriuiUVcYFGr3efVPQb0EyUu2J6o3QnpiHkhpbvblzKh_IywlCVOjh02bxedA41EA_c5r7_EdCOsA_QCKVLURxBhKF0iJZlUl0CXbhB6dcQBmRVV391vmdENqR9n5QfIYQn55Dj_yorl958QZIk_CdebtLqlKB9XDQpyQ-61pf8/s1800/towerhide_130124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27HIefHvlsvmwYBgzHriuiUVcYFGr3efVPQb0EyUu2J6o3QnpiHkhpbvblzKh_IywlCVOjh02bxedA41EA_c5r7_EdCOsA_QCKVLURxBhKF0iJZlUl0CXbhB6dcQBmRVV391vmdENqR9n5QfIYQn55Dj_yorl958QZIk_CdebtLqlKB9XDQpyQ-61pf8/w407-h183/towerhide_130124.jpg" width="407" /></a></div>After dipping this Little Owl on the birdrace early in January, it was good to catch up with it, in it's favourite tree at Thorganby a few days later. The regular Tawny Owl was sunning itself on the Barn Owl box at Wheldrake Ings the next day. Here is a pic of a typical Wheldrake scene this winter; wading through the floods to get to Tower Hide.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbZhxctEGr3BnoXX8w50DP3jg79Va2vG2ik7Npuiz5F5bl8r8mh1dizDLk4wFMalLsvMK7tVZaZxtZTUM8DGxyODGBkBAkpCc8w32mv1CLwGkQGVvsXRlqb_KE4XMYXBosbc9o4YeXZwXHSS5YpNf9zXZZ3hRimUoisb_EkzEbyILkTsSoK4xQXLForU/s1800/littleowl_thorg_120124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1800" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbZhxctEGr3BnoXX8w50DP3jg79Va2vG2ik7Npuiz5F5bl8r8mh1dizDLk4wFMalLsvMK7tVZaZxtZTUM8DGxyODGBkBAkpCc8w32mv1CLwGkQGVvsXRlqb_KE4XMYXBosbc9o4YeXZwXHSS5YpNf9zXZZ3hRimUoisb_EkzEbyILkTsSoK4xQXLForU/w395-h227/littleowl_thorg_120124.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vQuIJvRR5N3WHCJeK_Xf9JE-4BMtbh3ja2D1ugDTvJyr_gEl1pkSnqUxIix943sD-bbuXnkhbaLYf-G4BoEkMrHIgBsHwe25t6pK3ByNgHoQXd2z7MY9RwcjT03tIguFFt7H_Zg8lAUL55DK3Zv7orWHxE1IDP6Vx_6McnZ9gYffZf-nzI8599w2Ock/s1800/tawnyowl_wheldrake_130124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vQuIJvRR5N3WHCJeK_Xf9JE-4BMtbh3ja2D1ugDTvJyr_gEl1pkSnqUxIix943sD-bbuXnkhbaLYf-G4BoEkMrHIgBsHwe25t6pK3ByNgHoQXd2z7MY9RwcjT03tIguFFt7H_Zg8lAUL55DK3Zv7orWHxE1IDP6Vx_6McnZ9gYffZf-nzI8599w2Ock/w397-h200/tawnyowl_wheldrake_130124.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-71699931303997050762024-01-22T20:20:00.001+00:002024-01-22T20:20:31.151+00:00January Daze<p>It was cold last week, with hard frosts and night-time temperatures plummeting to minus six. Birds flocked to the garden; there have been one or two Lesser Redpolls on the feeders again, but best of all, two handsome male Bramblings appeared on Friday, one of which fed from a feeder for a while. They got flushed by something and sadly didn't return. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIom1vkZ0jlLTwTsH-u5XG1Va238tVoJxXHGnnNbGXBKeDRK6PLSs6-X5m1vOC6RK4xfHE1IJFZH-kb0F2cbdKttDZuobSOfaUSFzwZHlMXGTnjQEn42lo3a9koLt37BJ3yLBEw6IjXS8p4kRbdM3HFWPa9u_5lPKhX85Yu3-1xuVVhjA_yMo9QrVL-uY/s1218/brambling_190124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1218" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIom1vkZ0jlLTwTsH-u5XG1Va238tVoJxXHGnnNbGXBKeDRK6PLSs6-X5m1vOC6RK4xfHE1IJFZH-kb0F2cbdKttDZuobSOfaUSFzwZHlMXGTnjQEn42lo3a9koLt37BJ3yLBEw6IjXS8p4kRbdM3HFWPa9u_5lPKhX85Yu3-1xuVVhjA_yMo9QrVL-uY/w392-h223/brambling_190124.JPG" width="392" /></a></div><p></p><p>I led a tour round the LDV on Saturday, for Yorkshire Coast Nature. It was tricky as most of the floodwater was frozen and consequently most of the ings were devoid of birds. The upside was that all the ducks and waders were concentrated along the ice-free river, with hordes of Wigeon and Teal attracting the attention of Marsh Harriers and a Peregrine, which caused much anxiety among the ducks. </p><p>Despite the cold, a few hundred Dunlin were flying around, settling on the field near Bubwith Bridge along with a white-headed Ruff, to wait out the cold. Round at Wheldrake, we were able to get down to the windpump for the first time in weeks. By mid-afternoon, temperatures had finally begun to rise and the ice was beginning to melt. On the refuge, we located a pair of Smew, presumably the same birds that had been at Thorganby recently until the ice froze them out. A female Scaup was with the Tufted Duck flock and another Peregrine was hunting along the canal, flushing seven Black-tailed Godwits (there were two others standing on the ice with the ducks) and a few Curlews. I bade farewell to my group and then squelched back to Tower Hide to do the roost with Adam and Duncan. Duncan paid more interest than the rest of us in a small egret that flew past. I was too busy looking at the arriving gulls but when Duncan said for the second time that it looked interesting, I decided to have a look. The bird dropped into a distant field right next to a cow, and when it started pacing forward picking things up out of the grass, we realised Duncan was right; it was a Cattle Egret! </p><p>A little later, my scope settled on a smart first-winter Caspian Gull among the hordes of Herring Gulls. The light was failing so my pics weren't great, but it was a good-looking bird nevertheless and a nice way to end a good, but challenging day in the valley.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1tLwPCNj6L61GbriXogaUGCfGk9Tk8c90xLjvTRsnzGNBZkLSW9s0oBRWqBdDB0Ka8m4MPEqcl1BWBQE4VTplXhYAl-yI8bdln8gVmzimuV1wfvMVdaYahubXJtSgAw8xQ4sM4xE_B08Db2lVWzBbZLM21vye6K0iG74g752Ea_jbItczpnL6p3PpBw/s3054/casp2_200124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1590" data-original-width="3054" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1tLwPCNj6L61GbriXogaUGCfGk9Tk8c90xLjvTRsnzGNBZkLSW9s0oBRWqBdDB0Ka8m4MPEqcl1BWBQE4VTplXhYAl-yI8bdln8gVmzimuV1wfvMVdaYahubXJtSgAw8xQ4sM4xE_B08Db2lVWzBbZLM21vye6K0iG74g752Ea_jbItczpnL6p3PpBw/w437-h228/casp2_200124.jpg" width="437" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofGYoZeFnwv_ke_1ptc8qabLsoc78OsdjwRn5Yi_8dUlE2QtudBCtc-TQYlYACUocGOHod60QIHYia1IgO9MDc0emlJDx8TFC24i9yj1NOTbDC6kHt1py0b79hgJDYCZ8hoLXK92zBp6TejQ2njVZPp5SNT50B088wSj9gl5ivwNBDHO4osaZWqGallA/s1800/casp_200124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1800" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofGYoZeFnwv_ke_1ptc8qabLsoc78OsdjwRn5Yi_8dUlE2QtudBCtc-TQYlYACUocGOHod60QIHYia1IgO9MDc0emlJDx8TFC24i9yj1NOTbDC6kHt1py0b79hgJDYCZ8hoLXK92zBp6TejQ2njVZPp5SNT50B088wSj9gl5ivwNBDHO4osaZWqGallA/w432-h196/casp_200124.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sunday dawned mild and sunny. I had things to do but managed to get out birding early afternoon, so I headed down to Wheldrake again. The thaw had really worked its magic and the sodden ings were now covered in birds. I spent ages looking through the hordes of ducks for something rare, but failed. However, the female Scaup was still present, and had been joined by a handsome drake. </p><p>The gulls began to arrive mid-afternoon, along with a strengthening wind, the first breath of Storm Isha. A monstrous first-winter Great Black-backed Gull came in early; we recognised 'The Beast' from yesterday's roost. The gulls were spread out in a vast arc, with hundreds feeding on the exposed ings, presumably finding lots of worms and other invertebrates to eat. Yesterday's Caspian Gull arrived at 4pm and showed well in front of the hide and we picked out single first-winter and adult Mediterranean Gulls and an adult Lesser Black-backed. We estimated about 5000 Common Gulls, 12000 Black-headed Gulls, 400+ Herring Gulls and ten Great Black-backs. Four Goosanders arrived to roost too. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHZ1ba6gMOZYRQifce2MdysGN75dEzmO4w2iq8d3Fu_gDWtk5iginOw8g926bxCzufHJdKxyvAdu6LTNGD9y-z2T1aBfW_P80sfxNq6abIn1W1pFtVC4yobWmiqwb5gxlqqidm5S2gVAwKgtLrmp8HsGk42C-ThWZlznRrMqRgTBw_mNm5lEfARuYy-8/s1800/meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHZ1ba6gMOZYRQifce2MdysGN75dEzmO4w2iq8d3Fu_gDWtk5iginOw8g926bxCzufHJdKxyvAdu6LTNGD9y-z2T1aBfW_P80sfxNq6abIn1W1pFtVC4yobWmiqwb5gxlqqidm5S2gVAwKgtLrmp8HsGk42C-ThWZlznRrMqRgTBw_mNm5lEfARuYy-8/w410-h184/meadow.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlbef-rLTsVtMcDhDqvjbJXO2DW9xVqU2AnUMA8rRruJbz-01NDlV2nnkrwOtJ3Ol0mUs3mhwuZMZv070zgLApbXOkjcuWG-ZtaQABWzRz0KpaZcqVnJrK_3PAfNn_czlyOqfnOcpXNXy52nLpEu0CCdW5CzOSEwviDrigdE3iex0nIeStl2CDEGykk8/s1800/casp_210124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1800" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlbef-rLTsVtMcDhDqvjbJXO2DW9xVqU2AnUMA8rRruJbz-01NDlV2nnkrwOtJ3Ol0mUs3mhwuZMZv070zgLApbXOkjcuWG-ZtaQABWzRz0KpaZcqVnJrK_3PAfNn_czlyOqfnOcpXNXy52nLpEu0CCdW5CzOSEwviDrigdE3iex0nIeStl2CDEGykk8/w413-h195/casp_210124.jpg" width="413" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxEeEwPeFaPZZfPD2hoipuvtoojsyCcYNxOUAy6ldMob7ooh-lp3hms7HXB7S0BPLA6E3CwXPuw_QedjjvKvQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybCz01jpZgbe2hhgm2qDudBD79DLBXCT4GrYKPt9X8HDN55_auCExhd4RtI70LyX-4DPdkP5_pp7tYp_ipEA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyb9l0YnBEr4CLXJvpoLlcz3HGcNDopv1vJwsWxGTxVFU4oaSBOtGeUGNzB7c7KmBJeonjr8rR39AGrqw07hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-60526346672558347032024-01-08T21:35:00.002+00:002024-01-09T12:01:11.814+00:00Solo Effort<p>Having walked a long way today in the forest, I was feeling pretty tired and went to bed lacking in enthusiasm for the following morning's Yorkshire Bird Race. I read a little of Oddie and Tomlinson's classic 'The Big Bird Race' and this did the trick; I set my alarm for an early start and went to sleep planning my route and dreaming of the fantastic birds I was going to see tomorrow. </p><p>For a while now, the Mike Clegg Memorial Bird Race has been non-motorised, so this means logistics have to be planned carefully and a route is dictated by one's fitness and how many miles you can squeeze in before the light fails. This year would be a solo effort, with previous team mates either being away from York or planning alternative routes. Bird-racing is usually a team event, but I do enjoy a bit of solo birding as it means there's no distracting chat and I can please myself with where and when to go. The downside is that you have only one pair of eyes and ears - a big disadvantage - and there is nobody to give you an encouraging nudge when you are starting to flag. </p><p></p><p></p><p>My day began at North Duffield Carrs, overlooking the watery world of deep flooding in the Lower Derwent Valley, as the first rays of light crept across the waterscape. A huge throng of gulls was milling about noisily, with birds heading off in all directions for their day's feeding. I quickly scanned through trying to make out species in the half-light before they all departed. I thought to myself that the only way of identifying anything unusual in the gloom would be if it was at the very front of the flock. Moments later, to my astonishment, there at the front of the flock was a small gull with gleaming white primaries and a dark bandit mask- an adult Med Gull! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZqQVSU5ya2HJU30ThP-ZMnTv8cKzCg5xHI3olU3B6pUn96QdIIrGjeuwL1ClIb89BRTJbMzH2Dkp5s-IeOaeFkvYKm7IV-zrG6irFNldNTCduRHwHnoxMa97C_nnr6EhkXcP2m1Sx1gkJoZtTaClYt37RsQcTAd3Z7P0l5bK2FahgTzVvCDbbLN99h4/s1800/medgull.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZqQVSU5ya2HJU30ThP-ZMnTv8cKzCg5xHI3olU3B6pUn96QdIIrGjeuwL1ClIb89BRTJbMzH2Dkp5s-IeOaeFkvYKm7IV-zrG6irFNldNTCduRHwHnoxMa97C_nnr6EhkXcP2m1Sx1gkJoZtTaClYt37RsQcTAd3Z7P0l5bK2FahgTzVvCDbbLN99h4/w384-h199/medgull.jpg" width="384" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Bonus. This was presumably the same bird I'd seen a few days ago, but was more than a little luck to find this here at the start of the race. After notching up most of the regular species from the hide, including a pair of hunting Peregrines, Marsh Harrier and Little Grebes, I decided to have a walk towards the Garganey Hide to see what farmland birds I could find. I didn't find many farmland birds, but on the way back I was treated first to the fantastic spectacle of Pink-footed Geese emerging from the dawn sky and heading west filling the air with their lovely cries, and then moments later, I was astonished for the second time when a ringtail Hen Harrier cruised low across the field in front of me. She went across the road and into the distance. What a fab start!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkNinDLoY5KaX76yTH_cbjOINuohLHwUol3hSXfGdXeg-Tk7kpcbJrjgoRkEy-athaRQwWn1HXucyuKX21Eg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p> </p><p>I peddled off down to Bubwith Bridge, with the hope of seeing the Pochard flock on the ings: they were present and correct; and to look for waders on the riverbank: Curlew, Ruff and 20 Redshank also gave themselves up. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfhkVOYDSexMKVXtIT5hwt5Z8njMkVX54kRLetF8yqa-j4FmxZC8J650m4J8Pl9ornpws8kL6oGaTH-PL4d4RugCmyNibiN2HMALhVyckjf1s-u0Y8wu5BIj3o18-G0aAQzJcdAMmR1CPm0te_fUDynfPelmZV34JWM71XSD3zoDz9AyP4btr9pHgfg/s1800/bubwith.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfhkVOYDSexMKVXtIT5hwt5Z8njMkVX54kRLetF8yqa-j4FmxZC8J650m4J8Pl9ornpws8kL6oGaTH-PL4d4RugCmyNibiN2HMALhVyckjf1s-u0Y8wu5BIj3o18-G0aAQzJcdAMmR1CPm0te_fUDynfPelmZV34JWM71XSD3zoDz9AyP4btr9pHgfg/w369-h166/bubwith.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><p> Nearby a fine Stonechat posed nicely in what was left of the car park that hadn't been flooded.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuqqaUygerEFsjaTMIPIRTYPNslnXJxigaSHiMwfz2f_VBnTYyXx9T6xZUrk6tdlVPC9_lCLBtqvvOjiGFcbs78Dtp9_LdIj1yYOSqwYiRCPqurxlnRJCj5HXyBdRrH2arJl8Je34X0Yl89-gEak3cwG9Sfuw5NPmxQ_3fyXHoT5CeHl31MIAOuFTY54/s1800/stonechat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1800" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuqqaUygerEFsjaTMIPIRTYPNslnXJxigaSHiMwfz2f_VBnTYyXx9T6xZUrk6tdlVPC9_lCLBtqvvOjiGFcbs78Dtp9_LdIj1yYOSqwYiRCPqurxlnRJCj5HXyBdRrH2arJl8Je34X0Yl89-gEak3cwG9Sfuw5NPmxQ_3fyXHoT5CeHl31MIAOuFTY54/w369-h232/stonechat.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br /><p>As I cycled back towards North Duffield a sharp call from a roadside reedswamp revealed an unexpected Cetti's Warbler. With deep flooding the only Cetti's I was aware of were on the other side of the valley and out of reach of me and my bike, so this was a really nice addition. Next up, I headed to Skipwith Common, notching up a notable flock of 60 Corn Buntings feeding in a stubble field and sitting on the overhead wires.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaszp8bmBQEddomfJSJSyh1rLOVlFdyxSMFc47Srh5hNCS0R0MU6LRp83eM_Al7qUqVviRFYVkfUXOYSlqeFmyhxM0OOKCkQDrOkCLaEVuIscKwiY833Ba6wYIT9z2lPmcWTZmeedY9MROnm4uy6_yaZxoQDHhZAUxiYQjPB4XFxhiLvOzUNBgETTGluo/s1800/cornbunts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1800" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaszp8bmBQEddomfJSJSyh1rLOVlFdyxSMFc47Srh5hNCS0R0MU6LRp83eM_Al7qUqVviRFYVkfUXOYSlqeFmyhxM0OOKCkQDrOkCLaEVuIscKwiY833Ba6wYIT9z2lPmcWTZmeedY9MROnm4uy6_yaZxoQDHhZAUxiYQjPB4XFxhiLvOzUNBgETTGluo/w414-h167/cornbunts.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><br /><p>My luck held and following up a calling Green Woodpecker, another ringtail Hen Harrier flew past me and began quartering the heath in front of me. She was gorgeous and seemed unperturbed by my presence. She drifted off towards another part of the common. Shortly after, I had my most frustrating moment of the day, when a small raptor shot low across the heath. I got my bins on it just before it disappeared behind some trees and I was sure it was a Merlin, but I just couldn't be sure with such a brief glimpse so had to let it go. After stomping around the wet heath for a while, I had only one Snipe to show for my efforts so decided to leave the common. I paused near the entrance where I'd seen Treecreepers previously, one of the few woodland birds that had so far eluded me. No sign today, maybe too many visitors. I decided to go for a pee. Midway through, I realised the car next to the tree I was peeing against wasn't as empty as I'd assumed and the old lady inside gave me a rather surprised look! I shuffled awkwardly around the tree a bit.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaGWCqbC8Xtxf0reMlLxRVihsD1x6YVpDIdaioFySe32ixCBqV7lHsQNe4idAEiPvSDqXTw_Kd1W6mpP7yQMk3Uw9ETKgDawdFF5QRwroXVLyPdlWkvdpiA0JMw-pr1Anv2xak87hOoUOh41w5tPFZVTFNDWrB_pD9hTyRwTdzpfAgJvbejSHF-pg0Ck/s1800/skipwith.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaGWCqbC8Xtxf0reMlLxRVihsD1x6YVpDIdaioFySe32ixCBqV7lHsQNe4idAEiPvSDqXTw_Kd1W6mpP7yQMk3Uw9ETKgDawdFF5QRwroXVLyPdlWkvdpiA0JMw-pr1Anv2xak87hOoUOh41w5tPFZVTFNDWrB_pD9hTyRwTdzpfAgJvbejSHF-pg0Ck/w438-h197/skipwith.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><p></p><p>Pressing on, I left the common and headed further up the valley, notching up a surprise roadside Marsh Tit near Danes Hills and even more remarkably, a Grey Wagtail in a field just south of Thorganby. The Thorganby platform was next and several birders were present, twitching the wintering drake Smew. It was great to bump into Craig Storton, who I had enjoyed the <a href="http://birdingdad.blogspot.com/2020/06/check-wires.html">Biggin Red-footed Falcon</a> with a couple of years ago, and to meet Dave Aitken from Bempton RSPB. Until moments earlier one of the resident Little Owls had been perched out in the open, but annoyingly it had decided to go back to its roost. I gave the site a good 45 minutes and it didn't reappear while I was there. The Smew was much better behaved and showed very well in the usual area, before retiring to the shelter of some branches poking out of the flood, where he masqueraded as a plastic bag caught in the tree! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXSC8nhWUay-T-8Xi0kQcKYrkj7ZIyiH4gTa7XxbXZ1ig7iSFfHSRvpSzUmEtAaXaPuHQFBSTDsClq7QbeE3yulHXYEvImaN0v3aFgjOT27MDSWDdmtCUfeYWhBPUMbKCsVpKC__6wohYQuNLKuuDWli27-D5PdvJIK9mnEYqEMLpvBmSVlr1KCtxeuM/s1800/smew.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1800" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXSC8nhWUay-T-8Xi0kQcKYrkj7ZIyiH4gTa7XxbXZ1ig7iSFfHSRvpSzUmEtAaXaPuHQFBSTDsClq7QbeE3yulHXYEvImaN0v3aFgjOT27MDSWDdmtCUfeYWhBPUMbKCsVpKC__6wohYQuNLKuuDWli27-D5PdvJIK9mnEYqEMLpvBmSVlr1KCtxeuM/w378-h232/smew.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><p>Up the road I wearily rode, to my final destination: Wheldrake. Or so I thought! News of some Bramblings up by Cheesecake Farm lured me further up the road where I bumped into Duncan Bye and Tim Burkenshaw who had decided to do the bird race on foot. They had just left about 50 Bramblings by the farm, so I peddaled up the lane to have a look. A Kestrel was sitting by the farm and there were few small birds; presumably the little falcon had flushed them all. Fortunately, a few minutes later and a few finches pitched into the top of a nearby tree and at least two of them were Bramblings, to my relief. My list was growing steadily, but I was running out of daylight and still needed several relatively easy birds. I decided my best bet was to don my waders and head through the floodwater to begin my vigil on Wheldrake bridge. There was a bunch of stuff I could see from there, so that seemed like the best plan. My first problem was that it seemed somebody had stolen my waders that I had stashed earlier that morning. After checking with Craig Ralston and Duncan that they hadn't moved them, I had a mini panic until I realised they were hidden behind a different log pile. Phew! Duncan then told me I'd cycled past two Tree Sparrows with the House Sparrow flock by the village. Doh! I didn't have the energy to go back. Things were falling apart! </p><p>I headed down the lane, donned by waders and launched myself into the floods. Duncan and Tim arrived after a few minutes, and we began to watch the deeply-flooded ings. It was so frustrating we couldn't even get to Tower Hide! The Scaup that had been seen earlier had gone, and the gull roost seemed to be assembling on Swantail again- miles away! To warm ourselves up, we waded to the first corner along the very wet riverside path. This was a good plan as I added my only Treecreeper of the day! Back at the bridge, Tim spotted a Willow Tit in the willows (where else?!), which was another good bird and another tick. Sadly, apart from a Mole which emerged from the soil and then swam out into the flood water, we failed to find much else and my list ground to a halt. The only other bird I added was a Tawny Owl that called as we made out way back up the track in the dusk gloom. The bird race was at an end.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO2APCLHiPsKyYGYncpZghZC64SxwApvBEorBjd02O1lROB_miclqzzOtPePvriCz5a4zL3Ik49nbrV5nQ7mK-gDgOMbllj8H65h-whfaVjwRKeDgae5fUsPNJL_pXLtQ6NfHf0dMdqMHIx3czrgThNq4dLsTBJDhzOZic4dW1ADEo2aB7Pzysxs-o90/s1800/jono.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO2APCLHiPsKyYGYncpZghZC64SxwApvBEorBjd02O1lROB_miclqzzOtPePvriCz5a4zL3Ik49nbrV5nQ7mK-gDgOMbllj8H65h-whfaVjwRKeDgae5fUsPNJL_pXLtQ6NfHf0dMdqMHIx3czrgThNq4dLsTBJDhzOZic4dW1ADEo2aB7Pzysxs-o90/w404-h182/jono.jpg" width="404" /></a></p><p>It had been a good day, with some fantastic birds and a decent amount of luck. With a bit more planning and a lot more energy I could have easily got four or five more birds (I think I say this every year!). I had cycled further than I'd planned, about 15 miles and walked a few more. My final score was 87 bird species, one up on last year, and included some difficult bird race species, like Grey Wagtail and three, yes, three, Sparrowhawks. Green Woodpecker, Hen Harrier, Smew and Cetti's Warbler are not guaranteed and were therefore notable, but the Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Skylark, Little Owl, Grey Partridge, Coot and Canada Goose should have been easy, but I failed to see them. But that is birdracing I guess! The Young Upstarts who always win the York area race (and usually win the whole Yorkshire title too) did fantastically well, finishing on 99 species. </p><p>But the whole point of this is conservation and this year, money raised is going towards helping breeding waders at Edderthorpe Flash, near Barnsley. If you've enjoyed reading this, please make a small donation to this excellent cause. If you haven't enjoyed it, then make a big donation! Here's the link: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/edderthorpe-flash">https://www.gofundme.com/f/edderthorpe-flash</a> Thank you!</p><p>........<br /></p><p>That swimming Mole...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZD5PYr0RsB-qoWTfacQzCXOMIQjwFdtg2yB0jNeQaEiLGsbGi1VEB0uMoeo1sRs6ZZ2sHQLzIpDMMO-cq-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-64562686295143793062024-01-08T20:34:00.001+00:002024-01-08T20:34:25.517+00:00New Year Goshawks<p>I spent most of the day wandering the forest trails and scanning the ridges, with Lunar for company. The weather was far from ideal, with heavy showers rolling in from the coast and periods of low cloud obscuring my view; I had to shelter under a large fir at one point, to avoid a drenching. A few Crossbills were flying around chipping loudly, but otherwise the forest trails were pretty quiet, with very few Siskins and other small birds around. Arriving in an open area I noticed a Brambling sitting with a handful of Chaffinches in the top of a tree. Switching to my scope, I then noticed the next few trees were full of Bramblings! I counted about 100 birds in all, with a few Chaffinches and Yellowhammers mixed in. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRW-6sh6ACShR-wqqPhzRH-1rnRnJ4cDxnNWX4_SxRDX9Eo6ygoWBcg6cttB97m7-Gp7AEeKwDr5SGtPFtfTQ0EFkDVaCMGCard9w6jeuMLTMyL8HD6AEfdlDCWijjylgaBx74PlCsDRztVczciY7ohcQY0QTmowF4rgrK18T7JOnaIEk7RX63EPqlR90/s1800/chaffs_brambl_060124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1800" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRW-6sh6ACShR-wqqPhzRH-1rnRnJ4cDxnNWX4_SxRDX9Eo6ygoWBcg6cttB97m7-Gp7AEeKwDr5SGtPFtfTQ0EFkDVaCMGCard9w6jeuMLTMyL8HD6AEfdlDCWijjylgaBx74PlCsDRztVczciY7ohcQY0QTmowF4rgrK18T7JOnaIEk7RX63EPqlR90/w421-h244/chaffs_brambl_060124.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk6J-Wq3FKuFlWvR2nVIeJNQWp7r4IYd32YwVZ8SjNoQPYGzvB-j_xK6vfHrC8C_8hBRDl8bKBJ8m5k5j5zdBfvlwzTZ89wH6nqgJCgjmh3nH1gqvmr3q8UCjf0zpkX4lzlnFZHzKSpOlfLbKScaW9M9DoIB0Rb19WD51hxEONe3G-t5CLYsV5eoCxBA/s1800/bramblings_060124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1800" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk6J-Wq3FKuFlWvR2nVIeJNQWp7r4IYd32YwVZ8SjNoQPYGzvB-j_xK6vfHrC8C_8hBRDl8bKBJ8m5k5j5zdBfvlwzTZ89wH6nqgJCgjmh3nH1gqvmr3q8UCjf0zpkX4lzlnFZHzKSpOlfLbKScaW9M9DoIB0Rb19WD51hxEONe3G-t5CLYsV5eoCxBA/w421-h226/bramblings_060124.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><p></p><p>With a sunny spell mid-morning, my hopes of a Goshawk making an appearance rose, and sure enough, a young male, clad in buff and black streaks powered out of the very same fir copse I'd sheltered in minutes earlier, and headed across the ridge and up the valley. He turned over a distant larch plantation, where he may have been born last year, and began to display, flying on stiff-wings, undertail puffed-out. I was hoping for an adult to erupt out of the forest and see him off, but he didn't provoke any interest. His efforts ignored, he faded into the distance.</p><p>With the sun illuminating the far side of the valley, I scanned with my scope, looking for a perched Gos. My gaze alighted on a pale shape that had me perplexed momentarily, before I realised it was a Jay, one of a pair leaping around in a larch tree. I then realised that at the top of the same tree sat an adult female Gos, enjoying the sunshine. She was a long way off, but I could imagine the noise the Jays were making, mobbing their nemesis. She ignored them but when she craned her neck to peer down at them, they took fright and flew off quickly into the cover of the woods. I decided to head back to the car so I could drive round there, but as it turned out, she soon left her perch and melted away.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIV2srUkYSmTw-htE_k-KVrhrTLFZxUxs-XMM-l4PGJ1UM6FXUb57WZTFLVk2j7p_bGokUDuUwC0sC8IfmCQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <p></p><p>As I approached the car, a Goshawk came flying towards me - an adult male this time. He headed across the valley in front of me. I didn't have my camera, so once he got level with me I managed a bit of phonescoped video of him flying past. He flapped steadily away, behind the nearest trees and I lost sight of him. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQ1v_bAVUpy0Hzbxx5BsO-QV8P-eYH1VTKvAInSDb9_aXNmaddWOueXnZ_Aapz2rMQHL7MyXxDT3Tb6v1vkQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <p></p><p>After this flurry of activity, I decided to head to another part of the forest, to see if there was any action. The weather had closed-in again with low cloud and a bit of drizzle in the air, so I didn't hold out much hope. Approaching the first open area with a view over the nearby valley, I was quite surprised to see the unmistakeable shape of a Goshawk heading across the valley, with great purpose. He flushed a group of about 30 Crossbills as he entered a stand of firs, which scattered across the top of the plantation. He vanished into the dark trees. A little later, I flushed another Gos from the edge of the forest as I emerged from a dark, dripping path into the weak winter daylight. I suspect she had been sitting out of the rain, watching the open land for potential prey and was quite surprised by my sudden appearance. It was a close view, but very brief and the last of my sightings for the day. I mooched about for a while longer until I could sense Lunar was getting weary, so we traipsed back along the trail in the gathering gloom. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-69065460860193386792024-01-05T20:12:00.000+00:002024-01-05T20:12:02.815+00:00Cracked Ice<p>More luck today with the drake Smew at Thorganby, which performed beautifully to the north of the platform. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWjdOjLd_e96e5s4nEqDumGts5O44fztqySaIRMPDx9Tq41nZYBs6M_tV2X5b6rM8MWpXnt8v1AORt8DlsHbA8KbWiaMv1ZbF5dj6Zl52iCU8oz9u5jwpuyXDckzmku_6YHsu4tR2SFMr9yhoV7KkRX0QebDKE79kbYxu20pZ2GrnCXDbnHm3IBijjQo/s1800/smew6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1800" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWjdOjLd_e96e5s4nEqDumGts5O44fztqySaIRMPDx9Tq41nZYBs6M_tV2X5b6rM8MWpXnt8v1AORt8DlsHbA8KbWiaMv1ZbF5dj6Zl52iCU8oz9u5jwpuyXDckzmku_6YHsu4tR2SFMr9yhoV7KkRX0QebDKE79kbYxu20pZ2GrnCXDbnHm3IBijjQo/w395-h222/smew6.jpg" width="395" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Wat_XAcZ__RYEPeSAy6MR5PAxDYFdleAQbJznMtMLaba-fB491CwktazTbg5yFV6NZD9zahrrVROD6wIiSpdQ6o62-JzTRT5xtiI9zrV4iW4MBuaIWivQRpz2hBPAJ_6HCyNTTe1czn_GIeMKNuODJymXR3Oqrzn9VGkIeIMvWH7vLiEAgRvGttcVE/s1800/smew7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1800" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0Wat_XAcZ__RYEPeSAy6MR5PAxDYFdleAQbJznMtMLaba-fB491CwktazTbg5yFV6NZD9zahrrVROD6wIiSpdQ6o62-JzTRT5xtiI9zrV4iW4MBuaIWivQRpz2hBPAJ_6HCyNTTe1czn_GIeMKNuODJymXR3Oqrzn9VGkIeIMvWH7vLiEAgRvGttcVE/w397-h229/smew7.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy4x2lWT3dMYFIm_lznPZ4WNgZUNnqPqlJfRTd92OSyjif5Xj2oaJR1czO3NAm5q7qEXKQFfhK3JDa84xUP6Uy4GToFYzecO_K1o6LgOtxBpUDuyp0zsrJAocCm1H5dVqJZgnUzNjhCNcNjx9-Cepu11Mm16T90v3vKLbhET6UwQsqG71GboKC3K7OxM/s2505/smew5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1464" data-original-width="2505" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy4x2lWT3dMYFIm_lznPZ4WNgZUNnqPqlJfRTd92OSyjif5Xj2oaJR1czO3NAm5q7qEXKQFfhK3JDa84xUP6Uy4GToFYzecO_K1o6LgOtxBpUDuyp0zsrJAocCm1H5dVqJZgnUzNjhCNcNjx9-Cepu11Mm16T90v3vKLbhET6UwQsqG71GboKC3K7OxM/w399-h233/smew5.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3wxoJVFp5molN5AaofKvSE497gMx14mYzxbtkZpY1iYyFbVZQ90WevcioWU586YCPZYSXIX88LxP1E9G8GGPig-bLaXmH5DAI4ZAJh22keX-cbPbMJUFqAR8jtCR-DA7EhrlKlkyhmBEOtlbwJvU86P-vbWh7PSAOgfKuNeLs48esjOff4Zdog5WysM/s1800/smew4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1800" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3wxoJVFp5molN5AaofKvSE497gMx14mYzxbtkZpY1iYyFbVZQ90WevcioWU586YCPZYSXIX88LxP1E9G8GGPig-bLaXmH5DAI4ZAJh22keX-cbPbMJUFqAR8jtCR-DA7EhrlKlkyhmBEOtlbwJvU86P-vbWh7PSAOgfKuNeLs48esjOff4Zdog5WysM/w400-h205/smew4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>It spent ages preening and then to our surprise, clambered out on to the grassy bank and joined the Wigeon. Feather-care continued; it takes effort keeping the cracked ice appearance of his dapper plumage looking that good.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQNKPAPKibgI2DAgh07FILbTomxngof-xDJ8mF8Dljli0cOVWkFwIo9YTvR_ZYW-uhnh-XfYcWeL1A3ip6W_JXVzuyf116rAlSIAo2ZVIR2fQyuQ4zBhAo-GX3VuPZuEuAALQMmmQ3Jirve1M_iIQ7uCYSeOnGFqgMxo14tbnW0-WjMzZgxEylTytJL0/s1800/smew2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1800" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQNKPAPKibgI2DAgh07FILbTomxngof-xDJ8mF8Dljli0cOVWkFwIo9YTvR_ZYW-uhnh-XfYcWeL1A3ip6W_JXVzuyf116rAlSIAo2ZVIR2fQyuQ4zBhAo-GX3VuPZuEuAALQMmmQ3Jirve1M_iIQ7uCYSeOnGFqgMxo14tbnW0-WjMzZgxEylTytJL0/w391-h198/smew2.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaMZgV4O6Zti1JFRG0mvuiKIOp7x-aTpPvRXcZNbDjcLXi5ZfsdDVvh7FrDiAfDHGZWXeCphWMjlPoRxNH3MyFrqeMWQ4MEgfUwskPjq16cPUMbF9ctV_piqitG5XGOeUdKN_whHGH3oGkjHQaEWYDORqLaWMQKyQq7M38AI3uKBPm8PoaJw7NH3kAUA/s1800/smew3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1800" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaMZgV4O6Zti1JFRG0mvuiKIOp7x-aTpPvRXcZNbDjcLXi5ZfsdDVvh7FrDiAfDHGZWXeCphWMjlPoRxNH3MyFrqeMWQ4MEgfUwskPjq16cPUMbF9ctV_piqitG5XGOeUdKN_whHGH3oGkjHQaEWYDORqLaWMQKyQq7M38AI3uKBPm8PoaJw7NH3kAUA/w388-h201/smew3.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><p></p><p>Also, present, three Coot (pretty scarce in the LDV in winter), 500ish Dunlins and 30+ Whooper Swans to the south. No sign of any Scaup at North Duffield, but I bagged two drakes at Wheldrake Ings in the afternoon, after a very deep wade through the floods to the bridge. The gull roost was out on Swantail so too distant to do anything with. A Willow Tit was calling nearby, and a couple of Goldeneye were notes, along with a single female Pochard.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLECWN4nyXdxHOX9WXMzdJ8O-nyasoLw944OEHehStmJbf9b6x3diwohpMclbFVEm_oATYFxMm4dfUuD5OIo3t9VtzKY8Q8niXwrQtowS7bgRkVDXnB35j9SqxLMUxEnHZKjCkBni1X0L3etmrC21smrDebWVFKnUa17V-_jjnJMAVswZtRTwA6jeguQ/s1800/wheldrake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLECWN4nyXdxHOX9WXMzdJ8O-nyasoLw944OEHehStmJbf9b6x3diwohpMclbFVEm_oATYFxMm4dfUuD5OIo3t9VtzKY8Q8niXwrQtowS7bgRkVDXnB35j9SqxLMUxEnHZKjCkBni1X0L3etmrC21smrDebWVFKnUa17V-_jjnJMAVswZtRTwA6jeguQ/w433-h195/wheldrake.jpg" width="433" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwVHSe4Pw36z-gsRVFKuPdCKKrZh8AedHVAjjwgGjIvGWO-FZ2MZdwWZgCRajP5rNh0njREwNcsKodR-bzcaaGl6VABQwxSdjwXQkKXdYyRcKOZM48OudXsdH9zIJEGXYvr4sdvLrsLb-LmlnNm3HQVLRVE0vswNe8Awbznx9KuDmVwSNc4HFhRdh8j0/s1800/scaup_050124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1800" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwVHSe4Pw36z-gsRVFKuPdCKKrZh8AedHVAjjwgGjIvGWO-FZ2MZdwWZgCRajP5rNh0njREwNcsKodR-bzcaaGl6VABQwxSdjwXQkKXdYyRcKOZM48OudXsdH9zIJEGXYvr4sdvLrsLb-LmlnNm3HQVLRVE0vswNe8Awbznx9KuDmVwSNc4HFhRdh8j0/w439-h244/scaup_050124.jpg" width="439" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A very flooded Wheldrake Ings, with two sleepy Scaup in the distance (about 900m away from where I took the pic) <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyNUc7lwD_tX0rR5wM6sKz9Xlb8WljxrHHLlu0ZkuH2QUy3QxQe5n8YlefGdnCPN1qQ4i6QKELaqSuF1V4Lbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzOoP08NBCSnCwcCNOYdWnu0H0tfUOEKHrMDNt8lk7gGDICMUa13MIE5EV_diM-mhsP-kBQ1kKavp6kYBwP6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smew bathing<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-72730070006617823482024-01-05T19:37:00.006+00:002024-01-05T19:37:50.441+00:00New Year Mediterranean<p>Happy New Year everyone!</p><p>A look round the LDV under azure skies was a great way to start the year and to blow away the remnants of last night's hangover. I couldn't find the drake Smew or any Scaup, but it was great to see all the regular birds in the valley, lit by the low winter sunshine. The highlight was an adult Mediterranean Gull that dropped in with 200+ Black-headed Gulls at North Duffield Carrs mid-morning. It headed off west after 20 minutes. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgIjrneP5fDI392qCIDIMxURT5KpWHd6D9vZOUFzbUNobmsrr0IbtEdIvOmJfHzkWf8ATCvBa5f7N5JJ9N3FcDii-DjUtapchqQePuTOMe093DBIu35zqbMS3oiUd5uWAiSDUBqPWU1BzZ-nL47IXTroSfoK5sUDLzYycN0IBYOCsvJlqCkixPrewrBE/s1800/NDC_010124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgIjrneP5fDI392qCIDIMxURT5KpWHd6D9vZOUFzbUNobmsrr0IbtEdIvOmJfHzkWf8ATCvBa5f7N5JJ9N3FcDii-DjUtapchqQePuTOMe093DBIu35zqbMS3oiUd5uWAiSDUBqPWU1BzZ-nL47IXTroSfoK5sUDLzYycN0IBYOCsvJlqCkixPrewrBE/w429-h193/NDC_010124.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB0AGP6NaRp7em9zG0JGu16wanJdCrspPyb2H4wDdKqJDMZE_n1zqBud69p5cqSisGh1qQYPsdmC7ax1iv8Ck1rH_4jARKXLYEYPWxnRQNKWMpCmTr8SFzDyN7qqDlVG9c8HjaIiXoujxA2K7hhyMQyLCVe7P7yvMQ_UjJMz0MbVZg_LBJ14TKNgysac/s1800/medgull_010124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1800" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCB0AGP6NaRp7em9zG0JGu16wanJdCrspPyb2H4wDdKqJDMZE_n1zqBud69p5cqSisGh1qQYPsdmC7ax1iv8Ck1rH_4jARKXLYEYPWxnRQNKWMpCmTr8SFzDyN7qqDlVG9c8HjaIiXoujxA2K7hhyMQyLCVe7P7yvMQ_UjJMz0MbVZg_LBJ14TKNgysac/w431-h191/medgull_010124.jpg" width="431" /></a></div>View north up the LDV from North Duffield Carrs; Bottom: Med Gull in the centre at the back. Keeping up my usual poor photography standards!<br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-79509725221382616592023-12-31T18:13:00.001+00:002023-12-31T18:13:15.010+00:00One last blog for 2023<p>No sign of <a href="http://birdingdad.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-mighty-thor.html">last New Year's Eve's Walrus </a>in Scarborough today, but a handsome drake Red-breasted Merganser was busy fishing and taunting me about the gap in my York area list. Nearby, a reptilean juvenile Great Northern Diver was also after lunch, sliding underwater, submarine-like, navigating the murky harbour waters with ruby-red eyes. A Red-throated Diver was more shy, and sought the quieter waters at the front of the harbour. A few Rock Pipits fed along the rock armour on Marine Drive and a solitary Harbour Seal fed near to a hopeful angler, while pairs of Fulmars cackled from the sandstone cliffs above.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjqsGDTnVAlcEbhoLmkX_9f_iI_jLgv4JQMRhdy9IIkrAaWxT_A5pzseYbnybH2hiEr8EoZDbQ_sAuWg_9VvQ9qehG8pa1Fv5VbXBZ2JGJdGhIkfTFBc51i-gG5cHRFmwItk9EQMRoXrrUq2OhW2Q72YeMlDJcuFJWtgl9ilp9q8dbByXDVqVkWQU1Cg/s1590/RB%20merg_311223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1590" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjqsGDTnVAlcEbhoLmkX_9f_iI_jLgv4JQMRhdy9IIkrAaWxT_A5pzseYbnybH2hiEr8EoZDbQ_sAuWg_9VvQ9qehG8pa1Fv5VbXBZ2JGJdGhIkfTFBc51i-gG5cHRFmwItk9EQMRoXrrUq2OhW2Q72YeMlDJcuFJWtgl9ilp9q8dbByXDVqVkWQU1Cg/s320/RB%20merg_311223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigft4BKQeykv2aaOM7fxOf1jTyDPFtUjYjfuqGEHTy4n3Rjth58evhzXiecxl32ix5WIxt20O8G57Dp4lRSBdtHB29eLvDZzwYYzKsAlnMMbmUQu51NmHIqMBc_pJ0dWryrpytvhOc4ltQxH9PYVbIbhrZK_L6Ei6K3iNO5k366KJYC36bcMK-HZZpx6k/s1800/GND_311223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1800" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigft4BKQeykv2aaOM7fxOf1jTyDPFtUjYjfuqGEHTy4n3Rjth58evhzXiecxl32ix5WIxt20O8G57Dp4lRSBdtHB29eLvDZzwYYzKsAlnMMbmUQu51NmHIqMBc_pJ0dWryrpytvhOc4ltQxH9PYVbIbhrZK_L6Ei6K3iNO5k366KJYC36bcMK-HZZpx6k/s320/GND_311223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Gl_YM5EUTIhU37kYXdjWTL4CDZ6q0Nf5YCcDXCUwkZXgN9LQN6eiIchivJ6SOlbSN5BR4_9i6S5ugkuqyrZEtQo-i2uX06JcuR0z9JOL775ie7dp6QOu-j4Sj4fCOy35LxwUFvPP6cO88DJiLk77X6IjyR5cfTukRWst1pJefiI2-Inl0HLHr6Da8Y/s1791/rockit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1791" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Gl_YM5EUTIhU37kYXdjWTL4CDZ6q0Nf5YCcDXCUwkZXgN9LQN6eiIchivJ6SOlbSN5BR4_9i6S5ugkuqyrZEtQo-i2uX06JcuR0z9JOL775ie7dp6QOu-j4Sj4fCOy35LxwUFvPP6cO88DJiLk77X6IjyR5cfTukRWst1pJefiI2-Inl0HLHr6Da8Y/s320/rockit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1822" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd5f2a7zhKk4TNk6qyIIDfFoLifdlkFx2kSSL_-9ismAM1Mfhy8mqjcBrKIEgtXDxn-GT9ZODIBGz_EVpqFGfchFMf5U6VRB5mAfemvnJR5qwycZ-HjyIs1TK0IE76B3vTqGp3My62ZiPOYacGnglcnZNNZhtRx6LGtO75fNPkQyNJ-pK1xalUdGlnGU/s320/GND2_31123.JPG" width="320" /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPd5f2a7zhKk4TNk6qyIIDfFoLifdlkFx2kSSL_-9ismAM1Mfhy8mqjcBrKIEgtXDxn-GT9ZODIBGz_EVpqFGfchFMf5U6VRB5mAfemvnJR5qwycZ-HjyIs1TK0IE76B3vTqGp3My62ZiPOYacGnglcnZNNZhtRx6LGtO75fNPkQyNJ-pK1xalUdGlnGU/s1822/GND2_31123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>From top: Red-breaster Merganser, Great Northern Diver, Rock Pipit, Great Northern Diver<br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-73079756219483586802023-12-29T18:07:00.007+00:002024-01-05T19:44:48.003+00:002023: all done bar the shouting <p>Well, 2023 is nearly done. At the death, I've been having a little ponder about what the last 12 months has brought for me, wildlife-wise, some of which was captured in the pages of this blog.<br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Keep it local<br /></h4><p></p><p>York birding has been cracking, with a couple of 'firsts' for the area, both of which eluded being found by me, but both of which I saw: a glorious Squacco Heron at Bank Island in June, and a Purple Sandpiper brightening the dreariest day of the year, at Wheldrake Ings in early December. </p><p>Another four species were gratefully unblocked by keen York listers (including myself of course!): Black Kite, Black-winged Stilt, American Golden Plover and Grey Phalarope. Big thanks to the finders of all these birds, who generously shared their news allowing other local birders to see them. All four (well, seven really; there were four stilts!) showed brilliantly, and it was great to twitch them with local mates and share the grins and good times. <br /></p><p>My last York tick was a Brent Goose on the Low Grounds at Wheldrake, which I watched distantly from Bank Island, thanks to Ollie Metcalfe- perhaps not as spectacular as those others- but very welcome nonetheless! The last of these, the Purple Sandpiper, brought my York area list to a reasonably respectable 227, though I am still missing a few reasonably frequent birds - Bittern, Bearded Tit and Twite being three examples. <br /></p><p>The York birding scene is fantastic, with a thriving York Ornithological
Club, good local grapevine and genuine camaraderie. News spreads fast
to those who want it, and there is a lack of petty politics that often
marrs local birding. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PsDrq5BoISUEaucJLtLesMkcy0rcuvsdhhFJxuFYRAbCipuHMth-QPedmSavo1P1omxn1AvpXwOej-fX4m_8_ssMhyRxUvrxcl4jj2g2jKOm2ABKVYoB48NnbtcUTadwseMtQVzaD4RK5QDWxp_c_ketbkvaXU_yMM8HCwP4I-Q_YaquPLytMygIDCA/s1800/BWS_060523_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1800" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PsDrq5BoISUEaucJLtLesMkcy0rcuvsdhhFJxuFYRAbCipuHMth-QPedmSavo1P1omxn1AvpXwOej-fX4m_8_ssMhyRxUvrxcl4jj2g2jKOm2ABKVYoB48NnbtcUTadwseMtQVzaD4RK5QDWxp_c_ketbkvaXU_yMM8HCwP4I-Q_YaquPLytMygIDCA/w397-h202/BWS_060523_3.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR_BbJMsUXrN_xhomqFwqoajS7XrLEmPDOX-oHCTjny2s0UurjT7oNs1yyrcPywTE-kEIDTv-cLUb30eAxfP9GuNBAYUtYK6rjv08jnciYKhdjUdo2XUgEK63kCt6Uk4AV8SJExUhziwxnuTOgCnOJQcwEBEsyNjybPySLJLlqK26zybZU7FIUtTTrLY/s1682/Squacco_BI_010623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1682" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR_BbJMsUXrN_xhomqFwqoajS7XrLEmPDOX-oHCTjny2s0UurjT7oNs1yyrcPywTE-kEIDTv-cLUb30eAxfP9GuNBAYUtYK6rjv08jnciYKhdjUdo2XUgEK63kCt6Uk4AV8SJExUhziwxnuTOgCnOJQcwEBEsyNjybPySLJLlqK26zybZU7FIUtTTrLY/w398-h235/Squacco_BI_010623.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOiJUF-7Btkqju9btNMR9L_g2kGP_8Q3nIxYJ_rR2xJwNJuxkXEARIApbMmIzyMP6gUfb3UU64W-SDPx4PFZ55BxaANZxNI-cth8aicU1GSRtVxPRxfphTbrKvlFOozS3uo22VGZK1a7emEpqSvmf3403nNfZrjx2z16pAmr6UyHQQJoXWkfrggKLfW0/s1800/blackkite_210623_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1800" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOiJUF-7Btkqju9btNMR9L_g2kGP_8Q3nIxYJ_rR2xJwNJuxkXEARIApbMmIzyMP6gUfb3UU64W-SDPx4PFZ55BxaANZxNI-cth8aicU1GSRtVxPRxfphTbrKvlFOozS3uo22VGZK1a7emEpqSvmf3403nNfZrjx2z16pAmr6UyHQQJoXWkfrggKLfW0/w401-h235/blackkite_210623_4.jpg" width="401" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y73zgtTVxNWCmkHeDsEO8kdpJCI-S-t3e7klcHjsUBiJvvaj6iNvBKbZcv31hbOUrBVO-RI1zhpIrQ8V6BSR4OJBFFGnTFCzm7ct2eeYAEdwCbDBpHqe90fLxUxL8JwUr_SNNlVOSi72Z8VBWjp32LtcLr_3qV0eFVl42Ckibaomz3Sj9z1PrNxjyNI/s1800/GreyPhal_011023_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y73zgtTVxNWCmkHeDsEO8kdpJCI-S-t3e7klcHjsUBiJvvaj6iNvBKbZcv31hbOUrBVO-RI1zhpIrQ8V6BSR4OJBFFGnTFCzm7ct2eeYAEdwCbDBpHqe90fLxUxL8JwUr_SNNlVOSi72Z8VBWjp32LtcLr_3qV0eFVl42Ckibaomz3Sj9z1PrNxjyNI/w400-h213/GreyPhal_011023_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cJKXWnnKZzqqxOwI6kkn11LZK6xdy-OEycOVs6a1MbmwP8xOGuJjIJTNcbrq6qbdMRECuEBMD6UnYwA35FfnQiwhmRL0AAK8raM_4rGuyfBLAlYzgxNnLX_6kGJlu4yGx8xRzNuQIyOnO3vvf6udoBM8Eo5YkZA2Ak1W1mnxSBZrCLGua5DuVCRe-Mc/s2274/AGP_171023_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="2274" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cJKXWnnKZzqqxOwI6kkn11LZK6xdy-OEycOVs6a1MbmwP8xOGuJjIJTNcbrq6qbdMRECuEBMD6UnYwA35FfnQiwhmRL0AAK8raM_4rGuyfBLAlYzgxNnLX_6kGJlu4yGx8xRzNuQIyOnO3vvf6udoBM8Eo5YkZA2Ak1W1mnxSBZrCLGua5DuVCRe-Mc/w400-h234/AGP_171023_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzHAL-Dyh3cPXTig_yO1x_pL0KuutQguQNTKLpeu2ePTV2qTIwOfn0tNn1cvsqN5lD4K1NJf428VsIi1zvqbhV-DgWOdrYhsXS_HZSC3SW2yMQR8WjPqr9oSkNoGozdCzSJm-wm9pUepFqgzFjRKKr8iL26zqfH2gIrBlr1E8tZLlndw53p8t9S1hM1Q/s1509/brentgoose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1509" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzHAL-Dyh3cPXTig_yO1x_pL0KuutQguQNTKLpeu2ePTV2qTIwOfn0tNn1cvsqN5lD4K1NJf428VsIi1zvqbhV-DgWOdrYhsXS_HZSC3SW2yMQR8WjPqr9oSkNoGozdCzSJm-wm9pUepFqgzFjRKKr8iL26zqfH2gIrBlr1E8tZLlndw53p8t9S1hM1Q/w397-h263/brentgoose.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EvQ7pE1-3NH1JAykbmLOR6r-6cmakLn84oPMAh7b8eCRppJf-fgAzvurEunv4e9MJG8OrpXtO68TF6kEmRAhOwKVf8JJnzzMt4sNUGe-mqKmVqW_m_YBCp78AOTOVXuaGBe-XMBnI1fsFydlhoLA78Ik_loKkCH59xudYMkS_kmBDVoCBC7SSpD6IYc/s1800/purplesandpiper_031223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1800" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EvQ7pE1-3NH1JAykbmLOR6r-6cmakLn84oPMAh7b8eCRppJf-fgAzvurEunv4e9MJG8OrpXtO68TF6kEmRAhOwKVf8JJnzzMt4sNUGe-mqKmVqW_m_YBCp78AOTOVXuaGBe-XMBnI1fsFydlhoLA78Ik_loKkCH59xudYMkS_kmBDVoCBC7SSpD6IYc/w402-h194/purplesandpiper_031223.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><p></p><p>Top to bottom: Black-winged Stilt, one of four at Heslington East in May, a pair of which nested at St Aidan's; Squacco Heron at Bank Island in June; Black Kite at Elvington, also in June; Grey Phalarope at Hemingbrough in October; American Golden Plover near Elvington in October; Brent Goose on the Low Grounds in October; Purple Sandpiper at Wheldrake Ings in December.<br /></p><p>.............</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Yorkshire Listing <br /></h4><p>I have a self-imposed two hour twitch limit these days, which pretty much restricts me to Yorkshire. This is to reduce my carbon footprint, but also to spend more time birding, and less time travelling. Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, all my British ticks have been from Yorkshire, as has been the main pattern in recent years: Brown Booby at Hunmanby in September; Eastern Olivaceous Warbler at Burniston in September; Red-headed Bunting (if accepted on to the offical British list) at Flamborough in October, and a Two-barred Warbler, also at Flamborough in October. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6yDsUxg2DRSoVYRPUgQ9dy8km3K4HXNlgXbyx5pgUlNkUtlOaeX4pVaS-uGlf7XcgyYEeJFq9o8nGboBhU1VdT116cdKNSAAgmJLav0ei2RjXyKHPZ4UHdHDKD6-dn9GSuVbnfYrdYazHyWM4RXbU-2fdqLtw7zq88U5Wuhu41WGcCWV_3IohEnt1Ts/s1800/BrownBooby_090923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6yDsUxg2DRSoVYRPUgQ9dy8km3K4HXNlgXbyx5pgUlNkUtlOaeX4pVaS-uGlf7XcgyYEeJFq9o8nGboBhU1VdT116cdKNSAAgmJLav0ei2RjXyKHPZ4UHdHDKD6-dn9GSuVbnfYrdYazHyWM4RXbU-2fdqLtw7zq88U5Wuhu41WGcCWV_3IohEnt1Ts/w366-h214/BrownBooby_090923.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDnw2rNHZFjSICAGGNacXPprnNIm67xTphbHaCFMbWc76O89YhFSLp4DJ9k9pPLGGQKMdnuRIVSX8A6x2ZuVm-DyPziMlCKwgAoOB82OuD6kjr0ecswGj9l08Al23ROR1btpm9wrLlk__JZxOQkzsbDD_fzsv5lyOLZ-xUgwhyo8KS9Qn_bXo3gTvf0E/s2444/EasternOlly_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2444" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDnw2rNHZFjSICAGGNacXPprnNIm67xTphbHaCFMbWc76O89YhFSLp4DJ9k9pPLGGQKMdnuRIVSX8A6x2ZuVm-DyPziMlCKwgAoOB82OuD6kjr0ecswGj9l08Al23ROR1btpm9wrLlk__JZxOQkzsbDD_fzsv5lyOLZ-xUgwhyo8KS9Qn_bXo3gTvf0E/w367-h231/EasternOlly_2.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs_BO1sQYTlxfwLZAyXkx3LaoHtnHmDgvlr2ZHxkYyJvoPtsov3ZklIzhdXX-EV2T0ZN8k-BbA-tPzcBXfm_Az8Qys0uvtvMzy3n6xtDNttRJ1Yuc10n2vPeLSh61UdaKVI2Mi2bNMif5sQbeLUxkJo-h7dhpFSUZZqAOQpZKhmH7RzCax51XfBn1-w0/s1436/2Bwarbler_flams_281023_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1436" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcs_BO1sQYTlxfwLZAyXkx3LaoHtnHmDgvlr2ZHxkYyJvoPtsov3ZklIzhdXX-EV2T0ZN8k-BbA-tPzcBXfm_Az8Qys0uvtvMzy3n6xtDNttRJ1Yuc10n2vPeLSh61UdaKVI2Mi2bNMif5sQbeLUxkJo-h7dhpFSUZZqAOQpZKhmH7RzCax51XfBn1-w0/w372-h258/2Bwarbler_flams_281023_2.JPG" width="372" /></a><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVbogMwQwRB-T0FLSXgZLO57rzD67wEaeeWxpQOpq2W2WhDv_1pnx1UkbiorFBNpeUyndDL9kj0wFQjXCDdTjtnpUQPxop7XYR83Ryh62nTUZK2iI2TyDyxvsb-pQDH8BOvAB-sRdWLoiXMByl3bPfFIYCNN6ptewupszGeFm8kxsL4G8giYHnJX4o0Y/s2202/headedBunting2_221023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="2202" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVbogMwQwRB-T0FLSXgZLO57rzD67wEaeeWxpQOpq2W2WhDv_1pnx1UkbiorFBNpeUyndDL9kj0wFQjXCDdTjtnpUQPxop7XYR83Ryh62nTUZK2iI2TyDyxvsb-pQDH8BOvAB-sRdWLoiXMByl3bPfFIYCNN6ptewupszGeFm8kxsL4G8giYHnJX4o0Y/w381-h201/headedBunting2_221023.jpg" width="381" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div>From top: Brown Booby, September (pic taken at South Gare); Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Burniston; Two-barred Warbler at Flamborough; and, Red-headed Bunting at Flamborough.<p>In addition to these four British (and therefore Yorkshire) ticks, I also added another four species to my Yorkshire list: Black-throated Thrush at Wykeham in February; Black Kite at Duncombe Park in April; Broad-billed Sandpiper at Hatfield in May; Squacco Heron at Bank Island in June. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2gbc0-ShOtlzIuxUQeY-p_pJDeB001jooAcvsz6rywNEKBoShKnPkbTBluN0EkcOTLogtkmVEqt_OEpbP4vX4oKSGH5yqfIWcE47Efpsb16Y_RdnfUNROqb98Hro8mSsadXjWqryP_Bb53pSD2ltjzJ0zXX-8vsagJepxgrNAjmOyLrPqDmOHAW5ZZw/s3456/IMG_9486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3456" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ2gbc0-ShOtlzIuxUQeY-p_pJDeB001jooAcvsz6rywNEKBoShKnPkbTBluN0EkcOTLogtkmVEqt_OEpbP4vX4oKSGH5yqfIWcE47Efpsb16Y_RdnfUNROqb98Hro8mSsadXjWqryP_Bb53pSD2ltjzJ0zXX-8vsagJepxgrNAjmOyLrPqDmOHAW5ZZw/w382-h254/IMG_9486.JPG" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEQJB8_ewfJw7RYLrARwA3Rj9N8jbeG6k_N0O4F2s_GGRe-Pk1Naqi4Ao65LwgHMuPGwbm4UnZU81DV4kl-qMqG_3AG_ATxxjJJaPxTMndY4xK3LisbLVtOw_pBKkzphufj5qMc9TW8HgFx2cPDZa2gf9b-w54WIj04wL8M7gKa-OPsUPh9QGB3NOS5A/s784/black_redkite_210623.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="784" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEQJB8_ewfJw7RYLrARwA3Rj9N8jbeG6k_N0O4F2s_GGRe-Pk1Naqi4Ao65LwgHMuPGwbm4UnZU81DV4kl-qMqG_3AG_ATxxjJJaPxTMndY4xK3LisbLVtOw_pBKkzphufj5qMc9TW8HgFx2cPDZa2gf9b-w54WIj04wL8M7gKa-OPsUPh9QGB3NOS5A/w384-h254/black_redkite_210623.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z_CUEOrlq7at9PiNTJfn6RgBhyZsgMvB8DBe5ZEo2-4-DzrUrf6QUcfLVJfhowjY22w32hT5DJgn4oTKFB8tadnMKQsqhxiVOpKmQeDoitYmEO_p5jpo0SFumS34WStIt6rP1tQ5dmairSCzmNlqvUzpyAExbPh6ibHGQJ7TYFFCVW5Bx70IGisXuLc/s1800/BBS_Hatfield_270323_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1800" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Z_CUEOrlq7at9PiNTJfn6RgBhyZsgMvB8DBe5ZEo2-4-DzrUrf6QUcfLVJfhowjY22w32hT5DJgn4oTKFB8tadnMKQsqhxiVOpKmQeDoitYmEO_p5jpo0SFumS34WStIt6rP1tQ5dmairSCzmNlqvUzpyAExbPh6ibHGQJ7TYFFCVW5Bx70IGisXuLc/w389-h237/BBS_Hatfield_270323_2.jpg" width="389" /></a></div>From top: Black-throated Thrush at Wykeham in February; Black Kite (pic taken a Elvington); and, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Hatfield in May.</div><div> </div><div>It has all been pretty exciting really! I have been privileged to work with a fantastic bunch of people at Yorkshire Coast Nature, and also Wildlife Travel, besides my day job at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, showing folks a range of exciting birds and wildlife both in Yorkshire and Norfolk. Seeing the excitement on people's faces the first time they see a Goshawk or a mighty Minke Whale is awesome and never gets tired. I look forward to more trips in 2024.<br /></div><div> </div><div>Other really memorable moments this year included jamming the summer-plumaged adult White-billed Diver at Flamborough in October, which saved a rather disappointing day; the influx of Alpine Swifts in early Spring and, of course, the return of 'my' Swift pair to breed again in the nestbox. This year, they reared three chicks all of which fledged successfully.With no crazy hot spell like we had in 2022, there were far fewer Swift chicks needing rehab this year, which made for a calmer and more successful breeding season for those adults that made it back through the rough spring weather in the Med. <br /></div><div> </div><div>With the help of Mikey Naylor who spent a lot of time in his workshop building boxes, I installed 25 new Swift nestboxes in Bishopthorpe and the south of York city. Hopefully, some of these will be found by Swifts looking for a home next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>A spring Willow Warbler in the garden was also thrilling, as were the several Redpolls that shared the feeders with the more regular visitors during late winter, enlivening many a boring online work meeting! </div><div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN5cyjuBABc1BjfBjnz-UHASZYo6mTEjlhZPXQ4L7Oh5-Wg2aLu9OeEFcDLy8dV0raIclzKLz0HhdbzOfUbvP3n_7D4bgUaw9BaJuPvQ2jUyNkiBxtqhrRf4eJCLAR7GXN_vO_Kgp6mWvVN__zoJr6M2ToPLAmj7BojGI7TTytaScPKAmYvzXpB9IkuY/s1425/IMG_9849.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1425" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAN5cyjuBABc1BjfBjnz-UHASZYo6mTEjlhZPXQ4L7Oh5-Wg2aLu9OeEFcDLy8dV0raIclzKLz0HhdbzOfUbvP3n_7D4bgUaw9BaJuPvQ2jUyNkiBxtqhrRf4eJCLAR7GXN_vO_Kgp6mWvVN__zoJr6M2ToPLAmj7BojGI7TTytaScPKAmYvzXpB9IkuY/w387-h219/IMG_9849.JPG" width="387" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlCQ4ekzElnOsLQ6ixqqsroNLMh7jhtbLzRnRP992HkOm9xyRoHg0JIVIFj-IN-JY-viiRdFxUU2Fh-7FckZcJOcpx-AXHQaV8kXmtg2_0uB7z9J8WVeWEe6KbHYAsp3nbNlMcHnohTE3wzFo9qHklPb92BWL7c2rCq3zgwv3fm7mnvqGvoeTujX0XCI/s3447/swifts23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="3447" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlCQ4ekzElnOsLQ6ixqqsroNLMh7jhtbLzRnRP992HkOm9xyRoHg0JIVIFj-IN-JY-viiRdFxUU2Fh-7FckZcJOcpx-AXHQaV8kXmtg2_0uB7z9J8WVeWEe6KbHYAsp3nbNlMcHnohTE3wzFo9qHklPb92BWL7c2rCq3zgwv3fm7mnvqGvoeTujX0XCI/w392-h196/swifts23.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>Alpine Swift (top) at Easington, and our Swift pair, reunited in the nestbox after nine months flying around Europe and Africa. I hope they'll be back in 2024!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjOQ1UWjVx4CDLRjmeVeemXFz3CGIH4ZriCuCJrL8ROQeV4LtHkaDeTVhtonlLdHF2C1ocvPU-Pj68wGC6wUMshlqqOnKgLG1RGqd9p5GuEJJ6TvgY6-Yt1gvJ5vMNxwHdr4VS7gLOc-cLcZSugQ5QQFloq6FQst077R2W9k4Ti2NCczpyGOG3bVLOyc/s3342/IMG_20230713_215003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="3342" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWjOQ1UWjVx4CDLRjmeVeemXFz3CGIH4ZriCuCJrL8ROQeV4LtHkaDeTVhtonlLdHF2C1ocvPU-Pj68wGC6wUMshlqqOnKgLG1RGqd9p5GuEJJ6TvgY6-Yt1gvJ5vMNxwHdr4VS7gLOc-cLcZSugQ5QQFloq6FQst077R2W9k4Ti2NCczpyGOG3bVLOyc/w417-h198/IMG_20230713_215003.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>The Three Amigos. <br /><div><br /></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Don't forget the Lows </h4></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div>To get a bit of balance to this blog, it is only fair to mention a few of the lows this year. The first was the
continued impact of avian flu on local bird populations. This dreadful virus
nearly wiped out the breeding attempts of several Yorkshire Black-headed
Gull colonies this spring. Consequently, most of the gull flocks I have
seen have contained only a handful of immatures; hopefully they will
bounce back next year. My heart went out to colleagues who had to collect up hundreds of corpses to try and reduce the spread of the virus, which must have been really heartbreaking work for these dedicated birders and conservationists.<br /></div><div> </div><div>Secondly, the loss of local wildlife habitat
continues. The two wader hotspots at Poppleton and Acaster Airfield that
created so much enjoyment in the last couple of years have now been
actively drained by the local farmers, removing this valuable habitat in
a migration corridor. I have been doing what I can through my job to
restore and create wildlife habitat though it feels like fighting
against a tide of destruction at times. The ings at Bishopthorpe is threatened by a marina. This is a fantastic floodplain meadow, full of wildflowers, and hosting Snipe, Jack Snipe and Water Rail in winter. It is one of the few places I have seen Garganey away from the LDV in the York area, and yet some rich twerp wants to dig it all out so a handful of rich people can park their posh yachts. <br /></div><div> </div>Yorkshire continues
to be an absolute disaster in terms of raptor persecution. The slaughter
continues unabated despite the best efforts of the RSPB team, local
police and others. Perhaps a new government in 2024 will bring about
some serious change to this destructive industry?</div><div> </div><div>................ <br /></div><div> </div><div>From a birding perspective, it was a bummer not to find a rarity this year, despite a lot of effort, both on the coast and in the York area. Things ticked over of course, with Balearic Shearwater at Flamborough being the best I could muster on several seawatches, with Kittiwakes, Bar-tailed Godwits and a pair of very late storm-blown Arctic Terns the best I could do here in York. But I guess rare birds are just that: rare, and often the anticipation is the most thrilling part of birding. Whilst I don't twitch a great deal, I did manage to dip a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper at Blacktoft Sands in September and a Red-eyed Vireo at Bempton, and also failed to find my own York-area Dotterel in May or American Golden Plover in September, despite a lot of searching suitable fields. </div><div> </div><div>Another minor low, was not seeing a Yellow-browed Warbler this autumn, the first time that has happened in probably 30 or so years. Seeing Greenish, Dusky, Pallas's and Two-barred all at Flamborough kind of made up for it, but it remains a forlorn gap in my year-list. Numbers of migrants on the Yorkshire coast seemed reasonable, although the constant westerly in September really impacted on the numbers of migrants being seen down the coast in that month a factor that probably reduced the number of Yellow-brows arriving too. October was much better, with good arrivals of thrushes, Goldcrests and the like, and then of course the major Waxwing influx.</div><div></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;">Keeping it Wild</h4><p>Besides the birds, there was a lot of other wildlife to fill up this blog and my notebook. Off the coast, many Minke Whale sightings enthralled on our Yorkshire Coast Nature pelagics, but the really exciting moment came on 25th August, when a pod of four Common Dolphins bow-rode for several minutes. This is a really rare species in the North Sea. Even more intriguing was the Atlantic Flying Fish we saw a few days later - incredible scenes! Whilst fantastic to see, these creatures are a result of warming seas and should be heeded as a clear warning sign. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOEj0RTP_nOkm3293s8BwSp3qOkOYZ3DeL_HVjO4WM6OsZwbGy54jw806xbj1vDCxheP5I6iSNCd3sBur2vkgEU2lsnVnxNeoqo_gj5755h97NJ0kVuMPIE_XCVVxp6pQw0HRZw-C728L8sr1efzhfwT2dz4WOm4U5Vt28HeZaBFlnLSLhIh7yMx3pd0/s4000/IMG_20230825_112549.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOEj0RTP_nOkm3293s8BwSp3qOkOYZ3DeL_HVjO4WM6OsZwbGy54jw806xbj1vDCxheP5I6iSNCd3sBur2vkgEU2lsnVnxNeoqo_gj5755h97NJ0kVuMPIE_XCVVxp6pQw0HRZw-C728L8sr1efzhfwT2dz4WOm4U5Vt28HeZaBFlnLSLhIh7yMx3pd0/w460-h207/IMG_20230825_112549.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>Common Dolphins</div><div><br /><p></p><p>I added three new dragonflies to my British list: Red-veined Darter and Small Red-eyed Damselfly at Flamborough and Willow Emerald at Bempton. Again, these are all climate refugees, spreading northwards rapidly in response to warming conditions. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILfF6kiy-BIpWig9ABZTgxFbIC8IiLdUL4eITRwWuTk8Gkr1ZJYX9_584CqexE-Mdk3GN_PuMy9FmSfmK_ZvRxrFYlKUusWt5a3ic3mKUbIiL-3OWsjZ2i8Tt3tHoySh2Iesz-A5IsU3VK66oe4AnKDTTUzdOfblSzGRIg911P-DkNgpLg0XKrkf94JY/s1731/willowemerald_bempton_031023_3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1731" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILfF6kiy-BIpWig9ABZTgxFbIC8IiLdUL4eITRwWuTk8Gkr1ZJYX9_584CqexE-Mdk3GN_PuMy9FmSfmK_ZvRxrFYlKUusWt5a3ic3mKUbIiL-3OWsjZ2i8Tt3tHoySh2Iesz-A5IsU3VK66oe4AnKDTTUzdOfblSzGRIg911P-DkNgpLg0XKrkf94JY/w382-h272/willowemerald_bempton_031023_3.JPG" width="382" /></a></p>Willow Emerald at Bempton, October.<br /><p></p><p>The moth trap was used again in earnest and I had my first go with pheromone lures, both of which succesfully added to my growing moth list. The stand-out highlights, were seeing Geoff, the recently-named 'Hedge Beauty', thanks to James Lowen, and locating Lunar Hornet-moths in the Lower Derwent Valley and dazzling Red-tipped Clearwings in the village. Later in the summer, my old mate Dunc Poyser showed me the stunning Dewick's Plusia in his garden in the fens- cracking!<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwY43OKumvPJ7uBCer1pb3m0x5TSj5u1CspqYRjCfuJnowII-UxHiLVbsmnvECTvVB2Ie3WmORRq715f7hz_qRmhbla6XA641Dn8R5mIZqzmX1YvAC4jvKDCpfZ7KjBvUY8rC_gLNXPVea1OGAn_W2s_2n0eVN-OdyiEZmfKZEQCLbvlw7WPeVWyZpuU/s1526/red-tippedclearwing_bish_250623.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1526" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwY43OKumvPJ7uBCer1pb3m0x5TSj5u1CspqYRjCfuJnowII-UxHiLVbsmnvECTvVB2Ie3WmORRq715f7hz_qRmhbla6XA641Dn8R5mIZqzmX1YvAC4jvKDCpfZ7KjBvUY8rC_gLNXPVea1OGAn_W2s_2n0eVN-OdyiEZmfKZEQCLbvlw7WPeVWyZpuU/w397-h231/red-tippedclearwing_bish_250623.JPG" width="397" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnYH1O3qFusmdmOo64NTqHPU7N_SzKo4Lzp_VUkCw70TFkvmwv1Yr7ErgazMrne38a2SgZrs3ONWgJMK1dcTe58y__ZFffWpUTOX4Ojc4lwBvTRSjimSm-ikjAjGmUxLwxbBVj0SeOJf7xUEjPt3BJNFxY12kRL7Um0e7WCxuFg4PiqKhdh9T3ImxNIo/s1000/eAlabonia%20geoffrella_Ringland_09-06-23_4Q0A4522-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnYH1O3qFusmdmOo64NTqHPU7N_SzKo4Lzp_VUkCw70TFkvmwv1Yr7ErgazMrne38a2SgZrs3ONWgJMK1dcTe58y__ZFffWpUTOX4Ojc4lwBvTRSjimSm-ikjAjGmUxLwxbBVj0SeOJf7xUEjPt3BJNFxY12kRL7Um0e7WCxuFg4PiqKhdh9T3ImxNIo/w403-h268/eAlabonia%20geoffrella_Ringland_09-06-23_4Q0A4522-CR2_DxO_DeepPRIME.jpg" width="403" /></a></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0RBUqZJ9yDKj7dcWHbJisE1U8huXrD6S33xJJAN20TCNRzLebr3wjRTz-MBsZWUv6s3-7irkpfsijB9KMjwuEwJTaxyt03S1Xni5AJrjN0OgmRaZsLqZJUP3K3vdyc2UiO5dCC1ZI6yPj6PXHgQtnhTEpg4UD8gwh-aOGL7AtXvjnnh-veLfo7j1ziQ/s1600/IMG_20230708_131644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0RBUqZJ9yDKj7dcWHbJisE1U8huXrD6S33xJJAN20TCNRzLebr3wjRTz-MBsZWUv6s3-7irkpfsijB9KMjwuEwJTaxyt03S1Xni5AJrjN0OgmRaZsLqZJUP3K3vdyc2UiO5dCC1ZI6yPj6PXHgQtnhTEpg4UD8gwh-aOGL7AtXvjnnh-veLfo7j1ziQ/w408-h183/IMG_20230708_131644.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><p>Red-tipped Clearwing, 'Geoff' and Lunar Hornet-moth</p><p><br /></p><p>Two clear wildlife highlights this year both involved plants. Firstly, I secured a grant from Natural England to reintroduce Water Germander to Yorkshire. This is a little wetland plant that went extinct in the 1860s and is still incredibly rare in the UK. A successful introduction in Cambridgeshire inspired us to give this a go in Yorkshire and after a couple of years of research and work, we finally did this in September, planting out 150 Water Germander plants to its former haunt of Bolton-on-Swale. About a third we put into fenced exclosures - like the pic below - to prevent them being eaten - the rest we put outside. I am optimistic that the project will be successful! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NIuaNK0FAJXCIu4KF2IKOTx1teMPXkXvSMpdrrWux6TEkZ1rWqhY7Gxq5uN1eIJJHFsIdLhRsSHcAPehD4D_hVheVRsLrGMEPhyphenhyphenhATPol8cpQxw49-BxTOkGVI7sGmk_juSXVzv-4r08XTuW9ijcPDCABytIp9p0waPYtg-miD4BMBxFcMXfvcX9qlw/s1800/wg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="927" data-original-width="1800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NIuaNK0FAJXCIu4KF2IKOTx1teMPXkXvSMpdrrWux6TEkZ1rWqhY7Gxq5uN1eIJJHFsIdLhRsSHcAPehD4D_hVheVRsLrGMEPhyphenhyphenhATPol8cpQxw49-BxTOkGVI7sGmk_juSXVzv-4r08XTuW9ijcPDCABytIp9p0waPYtg-miD4BMBxFcMXfvcX9qlw/w432-h223/wg.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br /> JL together with volunteers from the Lower Ure Conservation Trust and Martin Hammond, ecologist<br /><p></p><p>My involvement with the Lady's Slipper recovery programme grew this year and it has been great working closely with Kew, Natural England, BSBI and Plantlife. In the spring, I headed up a team which successfully secured money to continue the programme for another two years. This will fund the production of a large number of plants ready to be planted out at various site in North Yorkshire and elsewhere. As part of the project, I was delighted to be taken to the only known wild site, where the sole remaining plant grows. This was a little bit like visiting the holy grail - an orchid that has been a closely-guarded secret for almost a century. Thought to be extinct, this plant was chanced upon in this isolated spot by two teenagers in June 1930. It has been looked after ever since and it is pollen from this plant and other wild-sourced individuals that are propagated to produce the plants for reintroduction. The dream is for the species to start to reproduce naturally in the wild. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXArNDKyX5b3l5e5zMOKHdTm6BhXm8S7TWgnbH8SWJsAV0eJx96JxN3wMXEEs1LbSmzOaA3ZOH99QNYrxdJTP0GYaKUQtIlLvYxo8b2Auxvk3dkFQIumW4x_9fBVqMj63gQJHXWv3OlK8are0ttE3bFzbM97wh4GtqMUa64MX3J3CrdZ3Wwz0KChYgAo4/s1800/LSO.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXArNDKyX5b3l5e5zMOKHdTm6BhXm8S7TWgnbH8SWJsAV0eJx96JxN3wMXEEs1LbSmzOaA3ZOH99QNYrxdJTP0GYaKUQtIlLvYxo8b2Auxvk3dkFQIumW4x_9fBVqMj63gQJHXWv3OlK8are0ttE3bFzbM97wh4GtqMUa64MX3J3CrdZ3Wwz0KChYgAo4/w427-h192/LSO.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><p>Lady's Slipper. Sad to see this incredible orchid behind chicken wire, but as Britain's rarest plant, it is a good idea to stop it getting chomped by a passing deer or rabbit!</p><p>......</p><p>Well, I could go on, but I need to crack on! Thanks to everybody who has sent me nice comments about this blog. It is only a repository for my ramblings and photos as a kind of online diary. The fact that people dip-in for a read is a bonus. I hope you all have a cracking, nature-filled 2024 and find peace and happiness with wildlife. Say hi to me if we bump into each other. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPKWrotmF0Hv7iM5u2pMhI92Qmyx2AdtK1USfyhR9J5SMARolmprbu_RwS3LYJLvv2FtPdnrrD0l6VFBRNfdx0at-KOO7a0dI-UHYx-vFnznYU1MS8wyBJb7xxwFXt05S5cP4dbm5GnnkeEUcrWmA4SSPLEPlloMzlUqBHzJ0-k1QflpBKoc4K42e8Wo/s5184/IMG_20231003_130119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="5184" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPKWrotmF0Hv7iM5u2pMhI92Qmyx2AdtK1USfyhR9J5SMARolmprbu_RwS3LYJLvv2FtPdnrrD0l6VFBRNfdx0at-KOO7a0dI-UHYx-vFnznYU1MS8wyBJb7xxwFXt05S5cP4dbm5GnnkeEUcrWmA4SSPLEPlloMzlUqBHzJ0-k1QflpBKoc4K42e8Wo/w467-h210/IMG_20231003_130119.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><br /> JL October 2023, with Old Fall Plantation, Flamborough in the background. <br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-72087536137331295952023-12-28T16:13:00.002+00:002023-12-28T20:04:57.788+00:00Christmas Casp<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGtQeM-iHUf3afWrApDbf0TLg1Mm9zgHGpSiwdJpgW9Jn5qXrA0a7rM1kz5k9YhK85aj4ShqwN3rQ61kHbuQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />At last, the floods ar Wheldrake Ings had abated slightly, so I thought I would give the gull roost a go. Duncan was in Tower Hide, but a lot of birds were roosting on the grassy spits protruding from the water in the main meadow, so I decided to watch from the bridge. This proved successful, when after a few minutes, a striking white head and black bill among the immature Herrings, caught my eye, and after watching it for a while, a fine first-winter Caspian Gull revealed itself. A very handsome bird, with distinctive jizz and plumage, making it stand out from the crowd. I rang Duncan who fortunately could see it from Tower. A little later, I picked up a first-winter Mediterranean Gull in the vicinity of the Caspian, which was a nice end to my first roost in a while. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uXkdZH3_ThlSQLsVSpY2vB6cWvRM-jSxnjMRJ8ITQ9jY0yRxxF-3CdhFJOXZAV5QJOBzB6jsXhfUAEFXv70ZKIRYbBLf48PWmwVrkYz3VoCmBMQFPxT46H-SQgAcPyV40UFnkm2BfRvvoEKWowGe9voRpp6CmIDYn6qyDTA3efNUIOenXktRImbnt8s/s1800/CaspianGull_231223_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1800" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uXkdZH3_ThlSQLsVSpY2vB6cWvRM-jSxnjMRJ8ITQ9jY0yRxxF-3CdhFJOXZAV5QJOBzB6jsXhfUAEFXv70ZKIRYbBLf48PWmwVrkYz3VoCmBMQFPxT46H-SQgAcPyV40UFnkm2BfRvvoEKWowGe9voRpp6CmIDYn6qyDTA3efNUIOenXktRImbnt8s/w438-h197/CaspianGull_231223_4.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdR5X0Rs4pzzmEqvKa_2Qxp7B2WfkntNjGGDNgsK3Syg9ZwKyjcPXOY0Xou4OlcmRPnvkKUMj0BMSwcxaVViwjcmLV4e2QTRcYAavZtWMbHCQ2iuY0_HqCGHTfKv1iiRSF8tqa7mLCk47q7ZccWFVlrlkFKwdviimtvcpDFTMl_qT60KObUK0UcdwoTk/s1800/CaspianGull_231223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1800" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgdR5X0Rs4pzzmEqvKa_2Qxp7B2WfkntNjGGDNgsK3Syg9ZwKyjcPXOY0Xou4OlcmRPnvkKUMj0BMSwcxaVViwjcmLV4e2QTRcYAavZtWMbHCQ2iuY0_HqCGHTfKv1iiRSF8tqa7mLCk47q7ZccWFVlrlkFKwdviimtvcpDFTMl_qT60KObUK0UcdwoTk/w436-h187/CaspianGull_231223.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8fx7mXCothGKQTdAUWso7empyhbKimRfBS44ltVsu6jDjN-RSQLEdhbEAZxFi7jod9spsbsovQj8EYiBTI-T2COyUHI6aHbjfah46lqiZc6bXuKLfSPiJ0F5vQa2LZk8rFUcCQ8DE_KMcazcFjAh7h6bnv2xCHrkFfoPtpy724zWOKkB8LplIcKH7zA/s1800/CaspianGull_231223_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1800" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8fx7mXCothGKQTdAUWso7empyhbKimRfBS44ltVsu6jDjN-RSQLEdhbEAZxFi7jod9spsbsovQj8EYiBTI-T2COyUHI6aHbjfah46lqiZc6bXuKLfSPiJ0F5vQa2LZk8rFUcCQ8DE_KMcazcFjAh7h6bnv2xCHrkFfoPtpy724zWOKkB8LplIcKH7zA/w443-h245/CaspianGull_231223_2.jpg" width="443" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GambE2pAsSlWqoPPo06yWLnUNNRXjY-kCWma8B1xNStLef3XQaP_aQ6NEoNIlGhWcMe-rWjP35pevjOv1mJTgEryW3M5ZV5m5GSplGdUFS_FJdvqb3oHF0GlearnqtPH3SYy-QhxmuLvVQpR38qFJuCGzxMeKcm1CQrnIFofv0pmEjRXVHbVYnEBt4g/s1800/CaspianGull_231223_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GambE2pAsSlWqoPPo06yWLnUNNRXjY-kCWma8B1xNStLef3XQaP_aQ6NEoNIlGhWcMe-rWjP35pevjOv1mJTgEryW3M5ZV5m5GSplGdUFS_FJdvqb3oHF0GlearnqtPH3SYy-QhxmuLvVQpR38qFJuCGzxMeKcm1CQrnIFofv0pmEjRXVHbVYnEBt4g/w455-h223/CaspianGull_231223_3.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>And the Med...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HR1kz3obw11SOhtgcDUOlxSOislxDqF5R1lWfVZuSaLNcfzsdfOBdP6vjXs1LveYAvBIRlFqaIpZ6bL6FNOFQfSsCaMfWRTBte9VBZQ9WAXallrpEgPO77GLIE1fPhaIkiVBEI9hyc3nvX87VyC5qr22d9ucywBN2w9PkyH7Cy54FTeKsqZ0pu8jYJo/s1800/medgull_231223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1800" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HR1kz3obw11SOhtgcDUOlxSOislxDqF5R1lWfVZuSaLNcfzsdfOBdP6vjXs1LveYAvBIRlFqaIpZ6bL6FNOFQfSsCaMfWRTBte9VBZQ9WAXallrpEgPO77GLIE1fPhaIkiVBEI9hyc3nvX87VyC5qr22d9ucywBN2w9PkyH7Cy54FTeKsqZ0pu8jYJo/w451-h189/medgull_231223.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><br /><p>We estimated about 30,000 gulls in the roost: 39 Great Black-backed, 300+ Herrings, 10,000 Common and 20,000 Black-headeds. Also, 500 Golden Plovers and two Goosanders noted.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-79812094559694957562023-12-28T15:50:00.003+00:002023-12-28T15:50:42.142+00:00Mid-December Magic<p>Nipped out after lunchtime to look for a drake Smew that had been reported from Thorganby. On the way, I paused to have a look at a small flock of Waxwings feeding along the main street in Wheldrake. Three first-winters were present, feeding on the berries of a roadside Rowan.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMbtgBgGlTpCiytg83IDkR5VcITf0U7uZghJqoREXcMAgFvV_kpSp6Usq-WdwKTd8GRhhU8_OAsih9IVFvnn69giWYadATJ2VsZQx25v7dEqOclyg4KY0ua0G-Sk6gzrpajZJlOlGIVeKC8v2SzsI3BqcPdDEWzQahgMO4FCOEUiEi-i3yTiss_mNyWI/s1800/waxwing_wheldrake%20161223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1800" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMbtgBgGlTpCiytg83IDkR5VcITf0U7uZghJqoREXcMAgFvV_kpSp6Usq-WdwKTd8GRhhU8_OAsih9IVFvnn69giWYadATJ2VsZQx25v7dEqOclyg4KY0ua0G-Sk6gzrpajZJlOlGIVeKC8v2SzsI3BqcPdDEWzQahgMO4FCOEUiEi-i3yTiss_mNyWI/w429-h272/waxwing_wheldrake%20161223.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyCfa5Clcsn7j97RusHJ7o1HggSanfsE5T9Cq8C2FwXkJdc_Y9fbkLtM73qBenQ8NUhDT8D1YEshpelyklzug' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>On to Thorganby, where I bumped into a few local birding mates. The drake Smew, a tiny snowball of a duck was busy diving on the flood just north of the platform. Not the closest view ever, but always cracking to see. I watched this handsome 'white nun' for a while, then headed down to North Duff to see what was hanging out there. The four Scaup were still present on Bubwith Ings, but with deep flood water, that was about it. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrxcfXyKYzp1MQwI3RhbGidYWI3AXbmOLnFqKg8SGXsjpe5AzVXMDPFKoauf-oA1rcJmX3rspQPUPI8SjpSD3HsoPfmA3sNALGKI2B0i48es4Jm6tpAD38rxBVPU6jrjedX28J3hyNMaPrCtq3nJOSTZv6sxPXeQE2kVhNnPFAB8MAmKBwW7DBHae4qU/s1800/smew_thorganby_161223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1800" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrxcfXyKYzp1MQwI3RhbGidYWI3AXbmOLnFqKg8SGXsjpe5AzVXMDPFKoauf-oA1rcJmX3rspQPUPI8SjpSD3HsoPfmA3sNALGKI2B0i48es4Jm6tpAD38rxBVPU6jrjedX28J3hyNMaPrCtq3nJOSTZv6sxPXeQE2kVhNnPFAB8MAmKBwW7DBHae4qU/w462-h245/smew_thorganby_161223.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /> Smew above, with Scaups in the pic below<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuHO-Flk8a2WJ1flIiYmC6e6xKWk4kepVc-V40lGmc8gH1Q1LtJ6cjgoY5VJIx0mdUltFqHprqNBbSh8xy-VPFNJYKMHmwvb49ZsV7L2GyZ8Xoq-TNCdRTsivMnA8-hGTBM38OxpVaNhxZE0Ndct_R8Z4AlSasqDqN5Gljrdm-5Sr9MGKEb7hNcVf378/s1800/scaups_151223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1800" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuHO-Flk8a2WJ1flIiYmC6e6xKWk4kepVc-V40lGmc8gH1Q1LtJ6cjgoY5VJIx0mdUltFqHprqNBbSh8xy-VPFNJYKMHmwvb49ZsV7L2GyZ8Xoq-TNCdRTsivMnA8-hGTBM38OxpVaNhxZE0Ndct_R8Z4AlSasqDqN5Gljrdm-5Sr9MGKEb7hNcVf378/w466-h204/scaups_151223.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-67753854468321769872023-12-03T20:35:00.001+00:002023-12-03T21:16:36.322+00:00The Colour Purple<p>Two Waxwings in Heworth on the way into York to go Christmas shopping yesterday was a bonus. They were still there on the way home mid-afternoon, but had moved on to Heworth Road.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_P373MWKJ5rYL7Vivz_1l22YErhDLml9uODi5s7Z-VvbXuhhC7_RwM5mMcYybtRGQdQmsjysKLcXV6OOxT7jhKdKVtTei-gezqf2R7X13DZju-zD3_SfLEaL8IuVhyphenhyphen2F7nmBztFuvquSetfj6arGNz0CV6W9C361j-eenglHmiSHSTQr7p3Z71SX8ls/s1950/wax.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1950" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_P373MWKJ5rYL7Vivz_1l22YErhDLml9uODi5s7Z-VvbXuhhC7_RwM5mMcYybtRGQdQmsjysKLcXV6OOxT7jhKdKVtTei-gezqf2R7X13DZju-zD3_SfLEaL8IuVhyphenhyphen2F7nmBztFuvquSetfj6arGNz0CV6W9C361j-eenglHmiSHSTQr7p3Z71SX8ls/w427-h276/wax.jpg" width="427" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I started out despite the foggy, snowy conditions by having a look for yesterday's Waxwings. They weren't there. I then went into the LDV, but only got as far as Bank Island. The fog was too thick, so I decided to head home, possibly coming back out this afternoon when the fog had cleared. As it turned out, Duncan Bye rang me as I was peeling carrots to tell me he had a dark wader on Wheldrake that looked like a Purple Sandpiper! Unexpected to say the least, but there have been a few inland in the last couple of weeks, presumably as birds move south for the winter. The recent foggy days could well have interupted this one's journey, and it had dropped in on the main flood. After a quick dash down to Wheldrake, I met up with Adam Firth and we soon located the Purple Sandpiper feeding distantly with the Dunlins, looking slightly larger and much darker than the other waders. Fantastic, a first for York and therefore a York tick for all of us, taking my York list to 227. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhCjOFrI5o34NZ9F-i81FK_znBkWAObfa9P3lmulACLEeHstmSN7FwolYQ1U3Wlt0rHjYxli8d9UVvJE6KMV-5uREfRVnHBKswvjaomJ_uigTTKVtCDHQoyH2b2sibRpf2KA1bIHa7Xtomnsdvhp8v2sHll3qX3ZmzkoF7sQAu1DamR7C3gQlKln34ek/s1800/purplesandpiper_031223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1800" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhCjOFrI5o34NZ9F-i81FK_znBkWAObfa9P3lmulACLEeHstmSN7FwolYQ1U3Wlt0rHjYxli8d9UVvJE6KMV-5uREfRVnHBKswvjaomJ_uigTTKVtCDHQoyH2b2sibRpf2KA1bIHa7Xtomnsdvhp8v2sHll3qX3ZmzkoF7sQAu1DamR7C3gQlKln34ek/s320/purplesandpiper_031223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULmOKf16d0BARY6wrS8vKdXQtzeAe2i9a4gs2kpLBTYg3B8twskhH3zV135m0qFGu24qD7mBKs3tNhMoN0geNpXxhHs2sbbutmi-Bbe_6_YvXgHtdzKs9KGni1s3CO2_Eq2BGnJoaOlEtJqVoldJE4bOfsOLsOQfbjNYGvW0OsRkwlmKKKVe5Hhdvb4s/s1800/db%20and%20af.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1800" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULmOKf16d0BARY6wrS8vKdXQtzeAe2i9a4gs2kpLBTYg3B8twskhH3zV135m0qFGu24qD7mBKs3tNhMoN0geNpXxhHs2sbbutmi-Bbe_6_YvXgHtdzKs9KGni1s3CO2_Eq2BGnJoaOlEtJqVoldJE4bOfsOLsOQfbjNYGvW0OsRkwlmKKKVe5Hhdvb4s/s320/db%20and%20af.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Duncan very happy with his find, and Adam enjoying the moment.<br /><p></p><p>We walked round to where Duncan was watching it from to congratulate him on a great find. A few other locals joined us over the next half an hour to watch the bird in the murky conditions. Purple Sandpipers are the most coastal of waders, closely associated with rocky shores, where they seek invertebrates among seaweed covered rocks and mussel beds. They are common, but local on the Yorkshire coast, but inland they are always rare, so this is a great bird for the York area. </p><p>The main flood was heaving with birds, with over 100 Dunlin, a dozen Ruff, plus lots of gulls and ducks. Unfortunately, in my haste I was under-dressed and after an hour I was frozen, so decided to head back.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzLmBH7Scgb3pzF5on-OYbBjovmyV0U8NuZHAXdfkPGKLBrBeYgd-C5FGHGOYLAx1kM9D5n56Fv9eiPSS8SoQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbeD6dBobmi8FPVHcZW_XprzEiN2xb-ZxpDcgGkTpKhcSrtmNN3TifLWfPJDKxd9WnlJ-LLQjPqCZ_-EjSvg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p>York's first Purple Sandpiper. Honest!</p><p>Here is one in more usual habitat, on the end of South Gare in September, together with a Turnstone.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxk1IkMYDOSvHqGoPmz-_Bsk6zHO5N3svDJ-72SnpSSc1OB2RDDX9Rj7YQxf0oeO1bieWAhDjRtgcd78Xw0dg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p>....<br /></p><p></p><p>Later, I walked Luna with Vicky down to Acaster and back along the river. Last weekend's flock of 120 Golden Plovers had dwindled to 25. Near Naburn, there was an Otter in the middle of the river. Shortly, it caught a decent-sized fish and swam into the side to eat it. We walked down onto a pontoon and watched the Otter at close range, eating its catch under the shelter of the adjacent pontoon. Once it had finished its meal, it slid down into the water and swam straight underneath where we were sitting! They really are fearless, beautiful animals.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-12268648644365674532023-11-26T15:48:00.000+00:002023-11-26T15:48:03.007+00:00Waxing<p>Sunday morning, and Castle Howard yielded little: 49 Tufted Ducks, 48 Teal and 10 Goldeneye. The two Scaup from earlier in the week had gone.</p><p>Heading for the LDV, news came through from Neil Cooper of the seven Waxwings he'd found yesterday still being present in Melbourne, which was handy as I would be passing through there on the way to Ellerton. Sure enough, the lads were present behind the Melbourne Arms pub in a tree. I showed the landlord and landlady the birds through my scope and shortly a guy came past, who also had a look. He said his name was Tom and that the birds were sitting in a tree in his garden, and if I wanted to go down his drive and have a closer look, that would be fine. Thanking Tom, I headed round there, past the Rowan tree where they were clearly feeding, and into his garden. The Waxwings were very close and unconcerned, happily trilling away and preening. I enjoyed good views for 15 minutes, before carrying on. Thanks Tom!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC-4sPOIjRa5aVLMkSUSwtKcK-j46_feVg5vNbjYGRhyphenhyphensurR73nhyphenhyphenlevE2vLW5yP4WeRlNWZpcP_092CNKmOvElk0DzOhCw5e6aCZBIgVIgmR2T4mwcMmdZCSfKXfl9B0urc4twtZ3RJfGP1YyLnyRkrwudA5pVGGA24xOVPuMnfIQVPOjfKYi_jgHDI/s2823/wax1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1644" data-original-width="2823" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEC-4sPOIjRa5aVLMkSUSwtKcK-j46_feVg5vNbjYGRhyphenhyphensurR73nhyphenhyphenlevE2vLW5yP4WeRlNWZpcP_092CNKmOvElk0DzOhCw5e6aCZBIgVIgmR2T4mwcMmdZCSfKXfl9B0urc4twtZ3RJfGP1YyLnyRkrwudA5pVGGA24xOVPuMnfIQVPOjfKYi_jgHDI/w442-h257/wax1.jpg" width="442" /></a></div> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6qhVHeRn3VGOf902wkzD6I0c68ALmMeJD0w7msvNyCQUW41Db3skFLLsV8WN4S6fNlLaZP8FBLfaR9hQqJg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuf81LYGzqbv51eXxrLqlgtKWfW6_Eiv6pKfPPviDSv2ZejDvNyq8KR-C167VvQ_-AVn9nUrqrkFMmTwyzyLRS_A_TUcOlEfZsnOzR2cPLNXxGvYYhKWtDjT8cvSAYznTtXrMDzYhMKO_Ul4UKwZ5ubMcLFpCTSvreVxsFhUMJnmTerKCNDeN6LPJkAM/s2799/Wax2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="2799" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuf81LYGzqbv51eXxrLqlgtKWfW6_Eiv6pKfPPviDSv2ZejDvNyq8KR-C167VvQ_-AVn9nUrqrkFMmTwyzyLRS_A_TUcOlEfZsnOzR2cPLNXxGvYYhKWtDjT8cvSAYznTtXrMDzYhMKO_Ul4UKwZ5ubMcLFpCTSvreVxsFhUMJnmTerKCNDeN6LPJkAM/w435-h247/Wax2.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><p>Waxwings preening: it takes effort to look this good!</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p>On to Ellerton and a long walk down to the landing and then Hagg Lane, revealed c100 Tufted Ducks and 50 Pochards, plus 30 Pinkfeet, 50 Whooper Swans and not a lot else. c600 Golden Plovers and 30 Dunlins were in the field at Derwent Cottage Farm, Bubwith, with 8 Ruff on South Bubwith Ings. Later on, I walked down to Acaster and was pleased to find 120 Golden Plovers in the field north of Acaster.</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-26168145606570421142023-11-26T15:36:00.001+00:002023-11-26T15:36:04.477+00:00Lingering Cold Northerly<p>Three weeks on since my last post and I am still feeling under the weather with a persistent cold. Talking of cold, a biting northerly roared down the North Sea yesterday and I had visions of it pushing a torrent of Little Auks, Ross's Gulls and Gyr Falcons in front of it, so after a restless night, I was off east to do some seawatching at Flamborough. I was a little perplexed and also dismayed to see virtually nothing in my first hour, save a monstrous grey sea, foaming and snarling offshore. Mid-morning I decided on a change of scenery and headed round the Old Fall Loop. In off the sea, three Siskins bounced, freshly arrived from Scandinavia. A missile rocketed up from below the cliffline to intercept the little finches; a hunting Merlin! It separated one unlucky Siskin off from the group and began a relentless aerial pursuit, with spectacular stoops, twists and dashing speed. The plucky Siskin was not going to give up easily, jinking aside at the last moment to avoid the Merlin's attacks. But after a while the Siskin's energy began to fail and high in the sky, the Merlin came from beneath and with a quick twist, turned on it's back and grasped the Siskin from underneath. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gAgUJ_FF04-JSZIhP1b7hRfTqSUlgX-HuZqtlnbN2AxK738WHXwk5d1nmQ_MY644jwXAUt4jmlniFyozNvqHo6fgCllK-9qOBJOlFAwlr0p3_nBDj2LwCy1_HOCtREmaAwyP6wJyncdO5YMGta0OShgJLx_xoiYSRLQGtho8Kpl3YCcBXENcHcF3MRQ/s4000/IMG_20231125_103134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gAgUJ_FF04-JSZIhP1b7hRfTqSUlgX-HuZqtlnbN2AxK738WHXwk5d1nmQ_MY644jwXAUt4jmlniFyozNvqHo6fgCllK-9qOBJOlFAwlr0p3_nBDj2LwCy1_HOCtREmaAwyP6wJyncdO5YMGta0OShgJLx_xoiYSRLQGtho8Kpl3YCcBXENcHcF3MRQ/w456-h205/IMG_20231125_103134.jpg" width="456" /></a></div> <p></p><p>There was nothing much on the sea off the south cliffs, with a single Eider and a pair of Common Scoters the only birds of note. I reached Old Fall, which despite being at the end of the rainbow held little either. <br /></p><p>Shortly, a message came through that the seawatchers had seen three Little Auks pass by. Well, there was nothing doing in the bushes, so I decided to head back. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5baVEk2T-lzTJ6lNh-vQ5uwwzBh6Pea-CRitMZzULmoWgTaMzVhE-7bUKp2ZoZLlHzO3c7B6-LHYnfC-jiJeSG2F4s-N5Zsrlo9EGR0Au01O06qfveRmrK_JqxLKk7KcptXw23rLhTsUOhHOR5wHZXtS8GC_MZNhsj2DVZkzJjq-qojNSRXjIKvmU9A/s4000/IMG_20231125_105914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5baVEk2T-lzTJ6lNh-vQ5uwwzBh6Pea-CRitMZzULmoWgTaMzVhE-7bUKp2ZoZLlHzO3c7B6-LHYnfC-jiJeSG2F4s-N5Zsrlo9EGR0Au01O06qfveRmrK_JqxLKk7KcptXw23rLhTsUOhHOR5wHZXtS8GC_MZNhsj2DVZkzJjq-qojNSRXjIKvmU9A/w449-h202/IMG_20231125_105914.jpg" width="449" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This proved a good move, and after a few minutes, picked up a Little Gull, shortly followed by a close-in Grey Phalarope! Conveniently, it landed on the sea just offshore and began feeding, allowing all present to pick it up. Five minutes after this and my first Little Auk pelted past, a tiny Arctic-bound pied streak. It seemed that the seabird passage had begun. A little later, Johnny Mac spotted another Grey Phalarope, this one much further out and moving steadily north. Cool. Over the next few hours, we notched up a further 19 Little Auks, including parties of three and two - see video. A Great Northern Diver went past north, among the many Red-throated Divers, with several Eiders, a Long-tailed Duck, two Sanderlings, Dunlin, Turnstone and Grey Plover. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-tl4NfpbAkDF_hvcGX1Ks6xx7xOOnslIQrx0oDLFCFkSz2W02uScl8jckRgwzoZjd_-NDVtf4_Nib-cEZvQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> Not easy to phonescope!<br /><p></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7656646918619451770.post-13913145159646792882023-11-05T20:34:00.002+00:002023-11-07T19:16:57.919+00:00Feeling Rough<p>I was beginning to feel a bit rough towards the end of the week, but rather than sit under a blanket feeling sorry for myself this weekend, I headed out to Stone Creek, just east of Hull, to do some birding and get some fresh air. A series of large set-aside fields lies next to the north bank of the Humber and this is attracting large numbers of finches and small mammals, to feed on the thistle and other ruderal plant seeds. This abundance of food has attracted a range of raptors including a juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard, which has lingered here for a couple of weeks now. </p><p>The Rough-leg was present on arrival, sitting atop a large Hawthorn. A typical frosted-cream bird with large dark belly patch, and small beak. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIaQxbrPt0fWALHfw071jqyKni1OFV28um2UL9StTz2Q1tTLoEntsSzCPQtjst34YaU6Eas5ys11XtjiHctr1jiMVSU7KiEqc2YD_joGtlkcUA4qTVlWnbvkYTdWo7Q6ow3xjJ8-FfMo49NfGeXCK4m-ZCms5ik9_AT_w7B99R7Wd3Yo28PSff8NINs4/s1542/RLB_StoneCreek_041123_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1542" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIaQxbrPt0fWALHfw071jqyKni1OFV28um2UL9StTz2Q1tTLoEntsSzCPQtjst34YaU6Eas5ys11XtjiHctr1jiMVSU7KiEqc2YD_joGtlkcUA4qTVlWnbvkYTdWo7Q6ow3xjJ8-FfMo49NfGeXCK4m-ZCms5ik9_AT_w7B99R7Wd3Yo28PSff8NINs4/w393-h279/RLB_StoneCreek_041123_5.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>After 20 minutes or so, it took off, and flew steadily up river towards Paull. I lost it in to the distance, so switched my attention to two fantastic ringtail Hen Harriers quartering the fields, often coming really close. Further up the fields towards the Humber, three Short-eared Owls were cavorting around, seemingly enjoying the breeze and oblivious to the toggers snapping away with their mammoth lenses. A huge flock of Golden Plovers swirled over the Humber, with smaller flocks of Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits and Curlews mixed in. No doubt a hunting Peregrine was disturbing them, but I didn't see it. After a while, I picked up the Rough-leg flying back towards the fields and obligingly, it landed on a Hawthorn for a while, though at the back of the fields. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7KVmkIbnvHbTXux6EXWpqxTEyh2CRugV0qcIGhjAAn-jwe27yv6dVPqmSbS2qqtHe7w6m3qi-iUoO4gSwbYnj28Qle1MYwEtyOML8MpnqlO5FfsLGm0Qabr40rhb73X_PytVdhW5W4JvUBRfR9SFluJm0sL7IMTWUs3pb-ukq2xs6wqj2wkybRZaLmQ/s1800/RLB_StoneCreek_041123_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="1800" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7KVmkIbnvHbTXux6EXWpqxTEyh2CRugV0qcIGhjAAn-jwe27yv6dVPqmSbS2qqtHe7w6m3qi-iUoO4gSwbYnj28Qle1MYwEtyOML8MpnqlO5FfsLGm0Qabr40rhb73X_PytVdhW5W4JvUBRfR9SFluJm0sL7IMTWUs3pb-ukq2xs6wqj2wkybRZaLmQ/w373-h217/RLB_StoneCreek_041123_4.jpg" width="373" /></a></div><p>Shortly, the buzzard took off and began hunting, hovering into the wind, sometimes hanging into the strengthening breeze motionless, whilst at other times putting quite a lot of effort in, to maintain position. From the rear, the large white primary patches on the upperside of the wings, and the white-tail base were very eye-catching. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgqMksQZLGCivAAEqKlt5lFp72LtEKRWwRfqBbUma0B1Gs4GYF4jC19dpfcAoG-yKXvJCT2GHbtKuq_xQvixUW1odP-QWKpMaVt8I-BfV_J6Rp254FYFmp5Kpv9QYGAUV_efI8fCQAhiheyQ8yGT0gRL39d8JPfCWiiY9wMh5Z4GbtshoJl0mdQ1fgQ4/s1800/RLB_StoneCreek_041123_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1800" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgqMksQZLGCivAAEqKlt5lFp72LtEKRWwRfqBbUma0B1Gs4GYF4jC19dpfcAoG-yKXvJCT2GHbtKuq_xQvixUW1odP-QWKpMaVt8I-BfV_J6Rp254FYFmp5Kpv9QYGAUV_efI8fCQAhiheyQ8yGT0gRL39d8JPfCWiiY9wMh5Z4GbtshoJl0mdQ1fgQ4/w383-h218/RLB_StoneCreek_041123_3.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><p></p><p>Every so often, it would drop vertically, hover again, before dropping like an over-sized Kestrel on to a hapless vole or mouse. It was great to watch and gradually came really close. Unfortunately I didn't have my DSLR with me nor the phonescoping adaptor, so the footage is a bit ropey! The rain arrived on cue late morning and having grilled this cracking bird for a good hour or so, I decided to head back west.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwrPjBMEUOIEDSrz96cHt3_tSMZloVAn9gHHz76dUrOQp2HG0UWs7twFo3J87410YBtbsF57B9plC2hZ6p5xw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyshxkH0x8VYZrEb3PwHa1dNzVpxpCyO9QGb4NOvPJvtDV20vZZehRp7yo2VTXeGx0xDHaYCnvGMeWO9N2C8w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxIUoF50piSciTuYfptOxJQ7vkgKxpay5kLKUthypWVHFK5b0EvpuE8SdTXgSaN9Vp6RCOxP8Diz2Wzo_1Rww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxOpNQrXORfcBOyqcJ4QO-aW2bwmJVsjH1G0bc2-4AffRqWRwL19bWgiYdtIRTL7jYFgpxS01ggnPNjSqKhQA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>At North Duffield Carrs, two Great Egrets were hunting voles on the rapidly submerging river bank, a ringtail Hen Harrier was flying about with several Marsh Harriers. A decent Aythya flock on Bubwith Ings held 30+ Pochards and over 50 Tufted Ducks. Hopefully this flock will increase and pull in something interesting. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0