Full-on finch fest in the garden right now, providing welcome colour to the winter scene. A pair of Bullfinches have been dropping in since the New Year and I finally managed some pics. They are super-shy and retreat into cover at the first sign of trouble. Great to see good numbers of Greenfinches too which are starting to bounce-back after their population crash linked to trichomoniasis transmitted through dirty bird feeders.
It was to be an unusual Mike Clegg Memorial Yorkshire Bird Race this year. Due to Covid restrictions, the only way the race could take place was if we avoided the use of cars, to reduce the risk of virus transmission. Therefore, the new rules allowed you to take part on foot, or by bike. This conferred another benefit of course, of being far better for the environment. Teams of one were permitted, so this was what I opted to do.
This year we were/are raising money to buy satellite tags to put on Hen Harriers in order to be able to track this species which is being heavily persecuted by criminals working for shooting estates.
....
With snow and ice in the previous days, I was a little apprehensive as I set foot outside into the dark and cold pre-dawn. Sure enough, the pavements and road outside my door were coated with a veneer of transparent evil: black ice! This was going to make cycling 'interesting'. My plan was to try and nail a few tricky birds which I knew to be in and around Bishopthorpe and then head east along the York to Selby Cycletrack to Riccall and then the Lower Derwent Valley.
First up, Grey Partridge. There is a small population of this much-declined gamebird just south of the village and they frequently call just as the first suggestion of dawn is made in the eastern sky. Sure enough, within a moment or two of arriving at the site, the characteristic creaky sneeze of a Grey Partridge added itself on to my list in third place, behind Robin and Blackbird.
I headed down the cycletrack to the iron bridge over the River Ouse, keeping my ears peeled for Little Owl, or anything else interesting. This is where my plans started to falter. The cycletrack was like a skating rink! I could not walk on it without nearly falling flat on my face. I pushed my bike on to the verge and struggled along the frozen muddy grass. I had five and a half miles of this to do to reach Riccall - no chance! It then began to sleet. Doh! Not to be deterred, I slipped and slid to the bridge. Within moments, a Kingfisher whistled as it hurtled upriver. Class. Not a guaranteed bird on bird race day. Two minutes later and the excited call of a Grey Wagtail drew my attention as it bounded overhead, wingbars flashing. Another really good bird and one that I often miss, despite being widespread round here. Redpolls and Siskins called overhead and Teal peeped from the flooded ings. The wintering Chiffchaff was 'hweeting' by the sewage works, still surviving despite the bitter conditions. As is often the case, wildlife lifted my spirits and I felt ready to take this on.
Next up, the Archbishop of York's palace grounds. I cycled up the road which was mostly ice free as it had been gritted. I arrived to find a tit flock bustling around the woodland edge, which gave me Long-tailed, Coal, Blue and Great. Right on cue, my target, a Nuthatch added its liquid voice to the melee. There was little else I was likely to find here, so I headed home. Apart from Little Owl and Goosander, I had nailed all my early targets, so full of renewed enthusiasm, I picked up my scope and bags and headed east. My wife and kids just looked at me as if I was barmy...
News came through that birding mate Adam had fallen on ice and broken his scope- nightmare! There was no way I could risk the cycletrack. A new plan was hastily made, to bike along the back roads, through Naburn to Stillingfleet and then on to the A19, where I could gun down to Barlby and then turn for North Duffield. This would add a few miles on to my journey, but at least I might arrive in one piece!
The ride was hard but the road was fine and I added Skylark, Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Mistle Thrush and Bullfinch to my tally. All good birds on bird race day. As I went up and over the cycletrack near Escrick I made a snap decision to drop down on to the cycletrack as I just didn't fancy a long ride on the busy and fast A19. Getting on was not easy! The access ramp was like an ice slide, my bike overtook me and I had to drop it. It rapidly slipped down the steep slope and into the brambles at the bottom. I looked away and couldn't help a little giggle. I then traipsed through the brambles - the only safe descent- to retrieve it from the bottom. I was hoping the rain would have thawed some of the ice, but apparently not. I headed slowly east along the ice road towards Riccall on a deserted track: no Sunday morning joggers or bikers today. Near Riccall, I met a lone dog walker who told me to watch out for the ice as she'd already fallen over three times!
By sticking close to the edge of the track I was in a good place to fall on to the grass, or even better get some tyre purchase if I began to slide. This tactic worked well and I limped into Riccall without a disaster. The rain stopped adding to the relief I felt as I finally rolled out on to the grippy surface of the A19. At last! Another mile up the road, I hung a left and then headed up the road to North Duffield ('just' four more miles). Sadly, there were no gulls near the airfield which I was hoping for to give me an excuse for a rest and maybe add a few good birds to my list.
Ticking off Whooper Swans just past North Duffield Carrs, I u-turned and went back to the reserve. A check of my watch showed I'd done 15 miles already, not too bad, but I was feeling shattered. The three birders in the hide hadn't seen much of note but there was still plenty of species I'd not seen yet to be ticked off.
I checked a small flock of Teal resting on the ice a few hundred metres away and was gobsmacked to see the vertical white breast stripe of a Green-winged Teal sitting among them! Kapow! A nice chestnut and green head lacking any yellow borders, uniform dark grey flanks- all spot-on. Ironically, on the bird race list it counted no more than the Wigeon it was sitting next to! You'd think it would be worth two at least...
I put the news out and carried on birding. Pintail, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier, Golden Plover, Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Shelduck and an unexpected Willow Tit on the feeders next to the hide, were all welcome additions to my growing list.
Time was getting on, so having taken on some energy and running out of birds to tick, I took to the saddle again, heading back to North Duff, then up the road to Skipwith. The ride was lucrative, with two different Marsh Tits and Great Spotted Woodpecker being the highlights.
Up the road to Thorganby and I really hit the wall. I don't think I'd eaten enough at the Carrs to replenish my lost calories and I felt pretty shaky. I stopped for a Tunnocks caramel wafer and a quick drink. This gave me a boost on to the village, where I had lunch proper, whilst scoping the ings. Three Pink-footed Geese were on the floodbank, but I couldn't find any White-fronts or Barnacles. I moved on to the Thorganby platform and another 65ish Pinks flew over, heading north.
I was too exhausted to ride the eight miles back to Bishopthorpe so rang Vicky to come and rescue me, for which I was very grateful! I ended the day on 86 species, which equalled my previous solo effort in the York area, but that was done with a car. The Young Upstarts (Chris Gomersall, Tim Jones, Ollie Metcalfe and Jack Ashton-Booth) put in an impressive effort riding 33 miles and recording 96 species - really brilliant!
I missed several 'easy' birds, partly due to the freezing conditions and partly due to a lack of time and energy!! It was great fun nevertheless and collectively we have raised over £5,000 for Hen Harriers - brilliant. Big thanks to all the messages of support I received during the day and to all the people who donated to such a worthy cause.
Same again next year?
It snowed quite heavily mid-morning. The ground was iron-hard following a bitter night and was soon carpeted in soft white. A hush fell over the local birds, as if they were pondering what to do next. I paused midway through undecorating our Christmas tree to gaze in wonder as the flakes drifted down. A little later and out in the suddenly monochrome garden the feeders went crazy. Yesterday's Bullfinch reappeared briefly, but was put off my the melee of over 30 Goldfinches and some rather brash Greenfinches. A Fieldfare dropped in and set about an apple. They only seem to rock up when there is snow on the ground.
A little later, the lure of loafing gulls dragged me out to the LDV. Sadly, besides a rather forlorn-looking adult Herring Gull, there was no sign of the flock, so I made do with searching the distant Whooper Swan herd on the fields behind Derwent Cottage Farm for the equally lonesome Bewick's Swan. After a while I picked out the slightly smaller, shorter-necked Bewick, complete with cute face and mostly-black bill. I walked a little up the road towards the farm to get a slightly closer view. Minutes later, a truck containing a furious farmer hurtled down the track towards me. I braced myself for the bollocking which I received right on cue. I was told in no uncertain terms to leave. Oops.
Tail between my legs, I retreated to the safety of North Duffield Carrs and chat with birding mates. A Little Grebe was on the river, not a common bird in the York area in winter. Small numbers of Dunlins picked hopelessly at the frozen floodwater. A thaw won't come soon enough for these guys.
Tomorrow is the annual Mike Clegg Memorial Bird Race. It will be even more memorable this year, as the race is going ahead though on foot or bike only! I am opting for the latter....eek!
After spending New Year's Eve on Zoom, I hit the hay strategically sober and early, so I could get up and out at dawn, ready to kick off my 2021 birding. The day began milder than the recent trend, so I headed up to Castle Howard to see what was occurring. No sign of any Hawfinches at the arboretum, but a Crossbill flew over chipping excitedly and plenty of other woodland birds got themselves on to my new yearlist. On to the still mostly-frozen lake. A Cetti's Warbler scolded from the reedbed near the gate, which was annoyingly still locked. Nevertheless, a good start. The patch of open water was thronged with birds and as I scanned I suddenly noticed two Otters running along the bank behind the throng! Nuts! I have never expected to see Otters here, so this was a real surprise. Sadly they scampered off into the reeds and disappeared, but left me beaming; a lovely treat to start 2021. Several Mandarins were loafing under the trees, and two handsome drake Goosanders were the star birds among the wildfowl.
I headed into the LDV, to North Duffield Carrs. The ings were mostly frozen too, and water was pouring out of the Derwent on to the flood meadows. Plenty of birds about, including two Marsh Harriers, over 50 Dunlin and three Stonechats.
Happy New Year to you all!
2020, a year unlike any other any of us have ever experienced. A year full of change, tragedy and heroism. Wildlife-wise it has been spectacular, with many of us reconnecting with the nature on our doorsteps, a comforting lifeline that has helped us get through.
I could talk about Humpback Whales, the Bearded Vulture, my Red-rumped Swallow, rescuing sheep out of ditches and planting trees. But as the last few minutes tick by, my mind is on the tough times many people close to me have endured in this troubled year. Let's hope 2021 brings peace to us all and light at the end of this terrible tunnel.
So, as a Grey Partridge creaked unseen in the twilight south of Bishopthorpe last night, I said so long to 2020, a sad goodbye to Europe, and kept my fingers firmly crossed for a happier 2021. Stay safe, folks and thanks for your support.
While all hell is breaking loose with the Covid pandemic, I enjoyed a couple of hours of near-solitude on the east side of the Lower Derwent Valley (LDV) this morning. The flood is rising, assisted by the frequent heavy showers. Out west there was a lot of snow over night, but it didn't reach the LDV, though it felt cold enough. Pretty quiet bird-wise, with a lingering White-fronted Goose at North Duff the best bird, plus three Corn Buntings by Aughton Church. A couple of Marsh Harriers knocking about and 34 Redshanks on the North Duff too.
The scaled plumage of the first-winter. Tricky to phonescope as it was mostly too close!
Compare the darker, plain sooty older bird in the bottom video, with the scaly immature in the upper one.
...
A morning in the LDV with my Dad and sister. Enjoyable birding, with six Barnacle Geese on the riverbank opposite Aughton church the pick, plus two Marsh Harriers, 25 Redshanks (good local winter count) at North Duffield, several Stonechats and an adult female Peregrine at Ellerton.
Six Barnacles - perhaps left over from the 85+ seen last weekend.
Male Stonechat, North Duffield. Plenty of these dudes around the valley currently after what was a great breeding season including a couple of pairs at least in the York area.
Heavy snow at Wheldrake this morning made birding challenging but very Christmassy. 250+ Pintails, c2000 Teal, 9 Pochards, a couple of Stonechats were the highlights.
Nothing says Christmas like two swans a'swimming in a blizzard!
After Sunday's excitement, today saw a return to normal. Two visits to the LDV, with a morning walk at the rapidly-flooding Wheldrake Ings, followed by brief visits to Thorganby and North Duffield Carrs. I then returned mid-afternoon to do the gull roost at Wheldrake. The flood water had risen considerably, but Tower Hide was still accessible; for now!
Highlights. A.M. Wheldrake - Black-tailed Godwit, Golden Plover (400+), Lapwing (400+), Pochard (4), Goldeneye (7), Curlew (7), Stonechat (2). NDC- Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, White-fronted Goose (2), Barnacle Goose (84), Pink-footed Goose (20+).
P.M. Large roost of Common an Black-headed Gulls with just a handful of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. Two leucistic Black-headed Gulls, one (see below) with completely white head, the other with normal winter BHG head pattern.
Saturday 12th December 2020
Just before my Dad turned up for his birthday cake and a cuppa yesterday afternoon, I saw that Ollie Metcalfe had struck York birding gold at North Duffield Carrs: an adult Franklin's Gull! Mega! There has been a Franklin's kicking about in West Yorkshire this autumn, so I was really hoping it would wander our way, but England is a big place for one small gull, so I didn't hold out much hope. Ollie had pulled it out of the bag, but views were only brief and it had disappeared rapidly. I was itching to get out to look for it, but instead had a lovely late afternoon with my family, sitting socially-distanced round a firepit in the back garden, scoffing cake that the Boy Leadley had baked. My plan was to get a day pass for Sunday, and search every field and bit of water in the LDV to try and relocate the gull. I didn't hold out much hope, in fact I didn't think it would ever be seen again in the York area, but you've got to try!
Sunday 13th December 2020
The alarm went at 6.30am and I blearily peered out of the window. into the darkness, but was relieved to see no rain! Great. Gear on, off to Wheldrake. The lane was starting to flood, but I would definitely be able to get on to the Ings to see what gulls were lingering. I paused to gawp transfixed at the eastern fire lighting the dawn sky. If I didn't see anything, this scene was worth the early start.
A Marsh Harrier had also woken early and was terrorising the Teal and Lapwings, looking for breakfast. As the scene brightened, a scan revealed no small dark-backed yank among the regular gulls. I decided it wasn't worth waiting at Wheldrake; there was a lot of valley to check and this Franklin's Gull wasn't going to find itself.
Ollie had said there were a lot of gulls feeding in fields between Riccall and Skipwith so I thought I'd work south down the valley to there and then on to North Duffield. If this didn't work, perhaps it would come into roost at Wheldrake later on. Duncan Bye arrived just as I was leaving - he said he'd stake out Wheldrake.
Thorganby was next, so I parked up in the village hall car park and walked to the viewing platform. There was a fair bit of water on the ings and I could see plenty of gulls on the near flood and over towards Ellerton. I set up the scope and scanned the nearest birds. Nothing. A Little Owl called to the north. Nice.
I scanned over towards Ellerton - there were a lot of gulls over there but really too far to do anything with. The nearest gulls took flight, so I scanned back through them. A glimpse of dark slate and a subliminal flash of contrasty black and white wingtips hit me in the face like a shovel, but then was gone. Was that it, surely!- but where was it - was it just a dark Common Gull and my eager mind tricking me?
The flock settled; I scanned back through, nothing, nothing, more birds on the grass, nothing - and then Kapow! There! A black head, white forehead and black beak behind a metal field gate; the bird turned revealing those dark slate upperparts and big white scaps and tertial crescents - There you are, you little belter!! I couldn't believe it, the Franklin's Gull, right here.
I phoned Duncan, no answer! Then the flock flew and landed on the water. Grabbed a photo, then bunged out the news. Duncan rang me back and headed over.
The rain came in, driven by a bitter southeasterly straight into our faces and the lenses of our 'scopes and soaking us through. The adrenaline was like a heated blanket, but that began to wear off as the cold and wet seeped in. The gull seemed unimpressed with the weather too, and remained asleep. Probably best. More familiar faces arrived so I decided to head off, to create some room on the platform.
What an absolutely mint bird and the icing on the cake for what has been a great year for York birding.
To cool my jets, I headed down to North Duffield where I unwound watching winter waders wading about on the ings, before heading home for tea and high fives from the kids.
Post script. The rain came down hard in the afternoon, but we tried the roost at Wheldrake. c1000 small gulls came in, but no Franklin's.
Into another Coronavirus lockdown, I will stick to the local area for my birding exploits. Hopefully, we will get through this and we will all be able to spread our wings wider, come December.
Whooper Swans graced Bank Island at the weekend, majestic in soft afternoon light, throwing some cool shapes with snaky necks. I wandered through mud to the hides at Wheldrake Ings, the yellowing Willow leaves shimmering like Aspen in the light wind. Pink-footed Geese yelped overhead in straggling skeins; a Cetti's Warbler exploded acoustically from the reedbed at Swantail whilst in the murk, a Marsh Harrier patrolled the browning grass; panicking Teal and Wigeon as he went. Fine scenes, close to home.
Had two sessions at Elvington looking through a flock of Golden Plovers today. Only a third of the flock of 750 was present and I failed to find anything interesting among them, although it was an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. As usual, a few dinky, grey or partially summer-plumaged individuals elevated my pulse briefly, but sadly all proved to be Euro Goldies on a closer look. A brief spell at Bank Island late morning yielded eleven Whooper Swans flying south, a stonking juvenile female Peregrine that came incredibly close to the hide and 52 Pintails, among a couple of hundred Wigeon and Teal. With lockdown #2 starting Thursday, not sure when I will be back.
