Please Help York Swifts!

One consequence of heatwaves is that young Swifts often become unbearably hot in their nests and are forced to jump out before they can fly, to seek cooler air. In recent weeks, many have been found on the ground in the York area. It is nigh on impossible to get these back into their nests - often householders don't know where they have come from, or the nest is inaccessible.

 

  

The lucky ones get picked up before the local cats etc get them and are taken to a local person who can look after them until fledging. In York, we are lucky to have Hannah Tate (a local vet) and her husband Adam in Fulford, who have been doing this job voluntarily for a few years now. I went to visit them last night - she currently is looking after 18 young Swifts! This is an unenviable task, requiring hourly feeding from dawn til dusk. The cost of food - crickets and waxworms is quite a lot for those hungry mouths so I made a donation from the York Swifts project to help cover some of their costs.

 

 

So, why am I telling you this? Well, firstly to be aware that if you come across a grounded adult or young Swift in the York area, they can be helped, so please rescue, put in a box and drop me a line and I can then arrange for it to be collected and taken to Hannah. Hannah is not in a position to take fledglings of other species - and they are usually best left alone anyway.

Secondly, if you want to support her efforts with a small donation to help cover the costs of the food etc, I am sure she would be delighted - click link:  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/yorkswifts2025

Lastly, if you are in the York area and would like to consider becoming a Swift rehabber, I am sure Hannah would be pleased to train you up. There is a lot of info and support available, but be aware it is a big commitment of time.

Please drop me a line directly - jonoleadley@gmail.com - if you have any thoughts or wish to help.

 

Encounter with Antarctic Type B2 Orcas - January 2025

 Our time at South Georgia had come to an end - or so we thought. Our last afternoon was spent cruising the spectacular Drygalski fjord in the island's southeastern corner, enjoying Snow Petrels, Weddell Seals and Humpback Whales. As we headed back towards the ocean, news came through that another vessel had seen Orcas not far from the mouth of the fjord, so we increased our focus forward as we neared the area. We didn't hold out much hope as we assumed the pod was just passing by. Shortly, Philip and me picked up the Orca pod distantly as we left the fjord. They were purposefully moving north at about a mile range, and appeared to be a large pod of 15-20 animals, but then, to our astonishment, they turned towards us, and came straight in!  

The next hour was incredible. The captain stopped the engine and we drifted with this inquisitive group of Orcas, which stayed with us, checking every inch of the hull, spyhopping to look directly at us, whilst the juveniles messed about, breaching and tail slapping. Eventually, the captain decided to move off, proceeding very slowly at first. We thought the Orcas would depart, but instead they decided to follow, surfing our wake, close behind the stern. This gave us unbelievably close views, looking straight down their blowholes at times. The adults were spectacularly impressive animals up close and I could look into their eyes as they tilted sideways - a really humbling and moving experience. We got snotted on a few times, when they exhaled very close under the stern too - something I never thought I'd experience! As the captain picked up speed, the Orcas increased speed too and it became a full on chase, with these mighty animals porpoising along behind us, white water spraying out as they crashed through the swell. We were all astonished and awestruck by this incredibly moving encounter. I feel my emotions welling up as I type this, as the memories of it flood back. I hope you enjoy some of the footage and pics I managed to get, enduring frozen hands whilst trying not to drop my phone in the sea!

 

 

Remarkably, I put this photo on to HappyWhale and it was identified as a male B2, number BC-SGB026, and was first photographed south of South Georgia on 26/02/2018, almost seven years ago!

We knew these Orcas were Antarctic Type Bs, with diatom staining on their backs, and a clear black dorsal cape contrasting with paler sides. They were big, but not that big and in a large pod, hundreds of miles north of the pack ice, so I am pretty sure these are the smaller Type B2s, which have been seen up here before and feed on seals and penguins. A few days later, we encountered the much bigger Antarctic Type As, hunting a Fin Whale near Elephant Island, which were much bigger and very black and white, followed by a small pod of Antarctic B1s amongst pack ice in the Weddell Sea. They were busy checking out penguins on ice floes, presumably looking for seals, but they didn't come as close as these B2s. Together with the Type D south of South Georgia, we did incredibly well for Orcas - I don't even know what ecotype the pod in the Beagle Channel from Ushuaia were! 

 

Not Dipping a Dipper

Dippers are really rare in the York area, having been lost from their few breeding areas in the north of the recording area years ago, presumably as water quality declined. It was therefore quite a surprise to find myself dashing up to the River Foss at New Earswick a couple of miles from home to see a gorgeous juvenile that had been found by Ian Andrews this evening. I picked up James Byatt, parked at the Link Road and hit the riverside path. James went upstream and I went downstream; our gen was vague, so spreading out felt like the best option. I got lucky, and a few minutes later, noticed the little dude chilling on a lump of wood on the far side of the tiny Foss, although I almost walked past it without noticing!

 

It was totally unconcerned by my presence so I immediately phoned James, who came running. Fortunately the Dipper stayed in place for several minutes giving us great views. After a bit it flew off downstream, though didn't appear to be going very far. 

 

This was a very unexpected York tick and something I wasn't really expecting today! The last York bird I can recall was one at Newburgh Priory several years ago which I dipped - although I did see its droppings on a rock! The prolonged drought may well have forced this bird to leave its natal area and head into the lowlands looking for food. The Foss here seemed pretty good, so hopefully this little guy will do ok and return upstream once river levels improve. 

 

Valezina

Popped down the cycletrack to ogle the gorgeous Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring on trackside brambles and a large Buddleia. I first saw them here last year, so it was great to see them again and in good numbers too. We counted at least ten, including a stunning pinky-brown Valezina form female, something I had not seen before. Also, stacks of other butterflies nectaring and a bonus Hummingbird Hawkmoth!