This morning work sent me over to the west of Barnsley, south of Huddersfield to do a breeding bird survey/scoping survey of an interesting looking area of upland edge. It was immediately evident that there was lots of migrants about when I left home in York at daybreak with over a dozen Barn Swallow recorded around the York ring road. I arrived at my survey area to find several Willow Warbler singing and a few Barn Swallow flying north. A little look around a reservoir resulted in a couple of Twite, 5 Wheatear, Pied Wagtail and several Meadow Pipit. Another small reservoir in the area was heaving with Barn Swallow (c100+) and the flock also contained 2 House Martin (year-ticks) and a single Sand Martin. A surprise awaited me on the dam wall where a Scandinavian Rock Pipit was sat silently. At a nearby heavily grazed field at least 20 Wheatear were foraging which was also a cool sight.
Back on the local patch this evening 2x Species X were present, the first time I've seen two birds together, which is promising. Overflying the site were 5x Barn Swallow (2 of which were hanging around Patch Pond). A single Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were still present around Patch Pond, but again there was no sign of the ducklings.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Monday, 19 April 2010
A change in the weather
Last night was the first in a couple of weeks that it had rained overnight, nothing too heavy but just enough. A quick romp round the local patch in the morning with the dogs immediately revealed at least 3 Willow Warblers had dropped in overnight, whether they will stay or are just on passage is another matter. Little else was recorded bar the regulars (regular residents and Chiffchaff and Blackcap).
A rushed walk in the evening was fairly unproductive, mainly due to the large amount of disturbance that was going on, no sign of Species X, but that was probably due to the heard of pikies and pack of 20+ dogs they were 'walking'. 4 Canada Geese roaming across the fields was a little unusual. One of this mornings Willow Warbler was still singing next to the Patch Pond. The pair of Hybrid Mallards were still present but a combination of two pulling dogs and the duck family hanging out in the marginal vegetation made making a count of the ducklings was impossible. Two singing Reed Buntings were recorded, as were several Goldfinch, Bullfinch and at least 12 Linnet, however everything went quiet as the male Sparrowhawk made a fleeting appearance.
A rushed walk in the evening was fairly unproductive, mainly due to the large amount of disturbance that was going on, no sign of Species X, but that was probably due to the heard of pikies and pack of 20+ dogs they were 'walking'. 4 Canada Geese roaming across the fields was a little unusual. One of this mornings Willow Warbler was still singing next to the Patch Pond. The pair of Hybrid Mallards were still present but a combination of two pulling dogs and the duck family hanging out in the marginal vegetation made making a count of the ducklings was impossible. Two singing Reed Buntings were recorded, as were several Goldfinch, Bullfinch and at least 12 Linnet, however everything went quiet as the male Sparrowhawk made a fleeting appearance.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Staveley YWT and Species X
A morning visit to Staveley YWT Nature Reserve didn't produce the target Sedge Warbler, apparently the two birds present yesterday had departed overnight (or had finished singing for the day). This is a really nice little reserve and is ideally located for me as my wife's horse is located a few miles away, meaning I can drop her off for a ride while I have a stroll through the reserve for an hour or so. The place was crawling with Reed Bunting with lots of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap all showing really well. I also found a Chiffchaff building a nest which was cool. A flock of at least 120 Linnet was being harassed by a Sparrowhawk. A few Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrows were also seen. At least 5 Sand Martin were inspecting the nesting wall with Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Greylag Goose all noted on the water. Butterflies recorded included singles of Comma and Peacock.
An hour round the local patch this evening produced brilliant views of Species X which I watched for about an hour, other 'bits and pieces' included Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail, 2 singing Song Thrush, Blackbird (and nest), with the regular residents all recorded too. A pair of Sand Martin were recorded flying north, my first on the patch this year.
A walk past the patch pond produced excellent views of a pair of hybrid Mallard complete with 12 tiny ducklings, it will be interesting to see how many of these make it through the night/next couple of weeks.
An hour round the local patch this evening produced brilliant views of Species X which I watched for about an hour, other 'bits and pieces' included Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail, 2 singing Song Thrush, Blackbird (and nest), with the regular residents all recorded too. A pair of Sand Martin were recorded flying north, my first on the patch this year.
A walk past the patch pond produced excellent views of a pair of hybrid Mallard complete with 12 tiny ducklings, it will be interesting to see how many of these make it through the night/next couple of weeks.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Walk along the River Ouse at Overton and local patch mega!
A beautiful sunny day meant that I thought the River Ouse at Overton, a few miles from my house might be a nice location for a dog walk this morning, and it was, after dodging the fields of cows (and bull - thanks for the warning!), horses (and foal) and sheep, a pleasant walk ensued. We walked from Overton towards Beningborough. Straightaway Willow Warblers were evident in the plantation willow crop on the opposite site of the river to where I was walking, with birds singing all along the stretch of river I covered, my first locally, but still not 100% satisfying as they are not on my patch! Several Sand Martin were showing fairly well, hunting the plentiful insects and several looked to prospecting the sand cliffs of the river for nesting. A large swathe of Gorse was full of Linnet, Chaffinch and Goldfinch and Long-tailed Tit was seen carrying nesting material into a willow over-hanging the river. A male Reed Bunting showed very nicely singing away on a fence post.
Insects were very noticeable today, lots of Bees and a few Wasps but numerous butterflies too, commonest was Small Tortoiseshell (c30+) with a few Peacock (c5) and a single Comma, my first of the year.
An early evening walk around the local patch produced a somewhat unexpected Schedule 1 species. Due to the sensitivity of this species, it will hereafter be referred to as 'Species X'. Needless to say this was a new site bird for me so a very exciting find and makes plodding round the local patch feel rewarding, alas still no Willow Warbler but several Chiffchaff and Blackcap still singing with Sparrowhawk noted again with a pair of Small Tortoiseshell getting it on.
Midnight update! Just finished catching up with the IPL, let the dogs out for a final wee of the day and an Early Thorn moth flew up to my light, a nice garden tick!
Insects were very noticeable today, lots of Bees and a few Wasps but numerous butterflies too, commonest was Small Tortoiseshell (c30+) with a few Peacock (c5) and a single Comma, my first of the year.
An early evening walk around the local patch produced a somewhat unexpected Schedule 1 species. Due to the sensitivity of this species, it will hereafter be referred to as 'Species X'. Needless to say this was a new site bird for me so a very exciting find and makes plodding round the local patch feel rewarding, alas still no Willow Warbler but several Chiffchaff and Blackcap still singing with Sparrowhawk noted again with a pair of Small Tortoiseshell getting it on.
Midnight update! Just finished catching up with the IPL, let the dogs out for a final wee of the day and an Early Thorn moth flew up to my light, a nice garden tick!
Friday, 16 April 2010
More local patch
News of the possible/probable Harlequin didn't amount to anything this morning so I though I'd have another wander round the local patch this morning, which was much more pleasant than yesterdays walk, with quite a bit more heat and less wind. Clifton Backies has a basic website and further information on the site, and site images can be found here.
Plenty of Chiffchaff and Blackcap were again evident and very showy, a single Swallow heading north was a new year bird at the site for me, as was a single Yellow Wagtail that flew north. Several Meadow Pipit were also noted heading north.
A Jay was probably the other highlight, only the 3rd/4th time I've had it on the site, and the first time since early last winter, it got chased off by the hundreds of Magpies so not sure when/if it will be back! A pair of Sparrowhawk were again in evidence over the woodland. Smaller fare included 3 singing Reed Bunting, several pairs of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird with several Starlings and House Sparrow collecting nesting material before flying off into the adjacent housing.
The small pond contained a couple of pairs of Mallard x Hybrid Ducks with a pair of Moorhen noted. A couple of Greylag and Canada Geese were observed flying around, presumably part of the local feral goose population.
A smallish white butterfly sp was noted but views were too brief to get a firm ID.
This evening a Grey Heron flew over the garden, a garden first, bringing the garden list to 27 species. The Yellow Wagtail brings my Backies list up to 40 species! Good times!!!
Plenty of Chiffchaff and Blackcap were again evident and very showy, a single Swallow heading north was a new year bird at the site for me, as was a single Yellow Wagtail that flew north. Several Meadow Pipit were also noted heading north.
A Jay was probably the other highlight, only the 3rd/4th time I've had it on the site, and the first time since early last winter, it got chased off by the hundreds of Magpies so not sure when/if it will be back! A pair of Sparrowhawk were again in evidence over the woodland. Smaller fare included 3 singing Reed Bunting, several pairs of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbird with several Starlings and House Sparrow collecting nesting material before flying off into the adjacent housing.
The small pond contained a couple of pairs of Mallard x Hybrid Ducks with a pair of Moorhen noted. A couple of Greylag and Canada Geese were observed flying around, presumably part of the local feral goose population.
A smallish white butterfly sp was noted but views were too brief to get a firm ID.
This evening a Grey Heron flew over the garden, a garden first, bringing the garden list to 27 species. The Yellow Wagtail brings my Backies list up to 40 species! Good times!!!
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Cold and dreary
The last few days have been cold and dreary and fairly windy up here and not much fun birding wise, and therefore I've only been out to walk the dogs.
The local patch is still very quiet with the only migrants evident being Chiffchaff and Blackcap, with a couple of female Blackcaps noted in the presence of the showy males. Several pairs of Bullfinch and a single pair of Reed Bunting were also showing breeding behaviour and showing very well.
A trip over to the Wolds this afternoon resulted in 2 Swallows and yet more Chiffchaff with several Buzzards noted.
News of a possible/probable Harlequin Duck came through a bit too late for me today, but since I'm off tomorrow I imagine I might be making a trip east in the morning, probably with several hundred other people! Fingers crossed...
The local patch is still very quiet with the only migrants evident being Chiffchaff and Blackcap, with a couple of female Blackcaps noted in the presence of the showy males. Several pairs of Bullfinch and a single pair of Reed Bunting were also showing breeding behaviour and showing very well.
A trip over to the Wolds this afternoon resulted in 2 Swallows and yet more Chiffchaff with several Buzzards noted.
News of a possible/probable Harlequin Duck came through a bit too late for me today, but since I'm off tomorrow I imagine I might be making a trip east in the morning, probably with several hundred other people! Fingers crossed...
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Eagle Owl at Bosworth Battlefield
I finally got my first Willow Warbler of the year, however I had driven 120 miles south of York to Bosworth Battlefield where I met my parents for some lunch. It showed beautifully sat preening and calling occasionally, it looked quite a big bird, but maybe its just that its been about 6 months since I last saw one!?! Other migrants observed included a single Swallow, several Blackcap and many Chiffchaff. Other bits and pieces noted included a female Sparrowhawk, lots of Buzzard, Kestrel and Skylark. A calling Eagle Owl was interesting, until I realised it was a falconers bird (and set next to a couple of Sakers and Harris' Hawks!)
Back at home nothing new, save a garden tick in the form of a singing male Blackcap with many Blackcap and Chiffchaff noted within the local patch. A couple of male Sparrowhawk were very vocal as they flew around in the early morning sun. But still no local Willow Warblers for me!
I think I'll keep my eyes skyward tomorrow and hope for a Common Crane, White Stork or White-tailed Eagle going over the garden!
Back at home nothing new, save a garden tick in the form of a singing male Blackcap with many Blackcap and Chiffchaff noted within the local patch. A couple of male Sparrowhawk were very vocal as they flew around in the early morning sun. But still no local Willow Warblers for me!
I think I'll keep my eyes skyward tomorrow and hope for a Common Crane, White Stork or White-tailed Eagle going over the garden!
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Tit Tastic
Today I didn't see the White-tailed Eagle, however it was reported in the morning from about 10 miles south of my location. I spent six hours on my vantage point but had no sign of it, the closest I came was a light aircraft that came up over the hill I was watching!
I did however get a nice look at a hunting male Peregrine, a shed load of Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite. Several migrants were noted, including 5 Sand Martin, 5 Barn Swallow, 6 Pied/White Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 male Stonechat, c.50 Meadow Pipit and about 35 Linnet. One of the Yellow Wagtails, a very sexy male came and sat in the field next to me, however the camera phone zoom wouldn't work so I didn't get a great picture unfortunately, however I will still put it on here if I can work out how to do so! (edit: done)
I did however get a nice look at a hunting male Peregrine, a shed load of Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Red Kite. Several migrants were noted, including 5 Sand Martin, 5 Barn Swallow, 6 Pied/White Wagtails, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 male Stonechat, c.50 Meadow Pipit and about 35 Linnet. One of the Yellow Wagtails, a very sexy male came and sat in the field next to me, however the camera phone zoom wouldn't work so I didn't get a great picture unfortunately, however I will still put it on here if I can work out how to do so! (edit: done)
Migrants on the local patch included 3 male Blackcaps and 6 Chiffchaff, with hopefully more to come tomorrow.
I remembered why I called this tit tastic, it was because I had a really nice look at some Blue Tits this morning - nest building they were.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Damn Rich - both of them!
While two of my friends were enjoying awesome views of White Stork (in Norway) and White-tailed Eagle at 50ft at Tophill Low I was sat in my office in Headingley twiddling my thumbs (working extremely hard) watching news that the White-tailed Eagle was flying about where I spent the whole of yesterday sat looking at very little save a Goshawk, hopefully tomorrow it will still be in the area? But I'm not holding my breath, especially after it went missing for for 3 days previously.
Back on the local patch a cold wet morning - that meant that I didn't go back to the Beverley area - resulted in no new migrants, but by the evening, by which time the temperature was about 10 degrees hotter more migrants were noticeable, including 4 male Blackcap and 10+ male Chiffchaff. A flock of 10 hirundines over the river in York could well have been House Martin but they were too high and there were too many cyclists for me to get a firm ID. Still no Willow Warbler from my patch - which incidentally is the Clifton Backies in York but I know from local reports that they are in surrounding habitat already. I moved here in August last year so this is my first spring here so I'm waiting for the migrants to arrive and hoping for something a little interesting to turn up too!
Breeding behaviour noted in Magpie, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Reed Bunting, Robin, Wren, Dunncok, Carrion Crow and Bullfinch.
The only benefit of a day in the office was Red Kite seen along the A64 near the A1 junction.
Back on the local patch a cold wet morning - that meant that I didn't go back to the Beverley area - resulted in no new migrants, but by the evening, by which time the temperature was about 10 degrees hotter more migrants were noticeable, including 4 male Blackcap and 10+ male Chiffchaff. A flock of 10 hirundines over the river in York could well have been House Martin but they were too high and there were too many cyclists for me to get a firm ID. Still no Willow Warbler from my patch - which incidentally is the Clifton Backies in York but I know from local reports that they are in surrounding habitat already. I moved here in August last year so this is my first spring here so I'm waiting for the migrants to arrive and hoping for something a little interesting to turn up too!
Breeding behaviour noted in Magpie, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Reed Bunting, Robin, Wren, Dunncok, Carrion Crow and Bullfinch.
The only benefit of a day in the office was Red Kite seen along the A64 near the A1 junction.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
More Migrants
A windy day surveying near Beverley, East Yorkshire produced a hunting Goshawk and displaying Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard, all over the same patch of wood! Migrants observed included 9 Barn Swallow (all flying northeast) and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Other interesting passerines included Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Skylark and Linnet. Small flocks of Golden Plover were noted with breeding Lapwing very evident. Two very quick flyover butterflies were noted - probably Peacock/Small Tortoiseshell but they were too high and gone too quickly to get an ID.
The local patch walk this morning produced 2 singing male Blackcap, 6 singing Chiffchaff with nest building noted in Magpie and House Sparrow but no hoped-for Willow Warblers, yet.
The local patch walk this morning produced 2 singing male Blackcap, 6 singing Chiffchaff with nest building noted in Magpie and House Sparrow but no hoped-for Willow Warblers, yet.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Back By Popular Demand
Well, ok it has been a while but I thought it was about time I started to update my blog a bit more regularly and what with the coming of spring now seems like the ideal time to do so. This year has got off to a slow start with Black-throated Thrush and Bonaparte's Gull being the highlights so far, however a White-tailed Eagle a few weeks back was also a nice find.
Last week saw a big twitch down to Suffolk for the Lesser Kestrel, definitely my birding highlight of the year so far, the bird was distant, however showed well perched up and in flight, even feeding on the wing at a bit closer range. In addition to the Lesser Kestrel, Great Grey Shrike and Alpine Swift made nice additional species to the trip list, with a few migrants also noted (Wheatear, Swallow and Chiffchaff).
Back at home the migrants have started to arrive, with plenty of Chiffchaff present for over a week now, with a few Blackcap, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow also noted, including a Barn Swallow noted over the garden this pm.
Last week saw a big twitch down to Suffolk for the Lesser Kestrel, definitely my birding highlight of the year so far, the bird was distant, however showed well perched up and in flight, even feeding on the wing at a bit closer range. In addition to the Lesser Kestrel, Great Grey Shrike and Alpine Swift made nice additional species to the trip list, with a few migrants also noted (Wheatear, Swallow and Chiffchaff).
Back at home the migrants have started to arrive, with plenty of Chiffchaff present for over a week now, with a few Blackcap, Sand Martin and Barn Swallow also noted, including a Barn Swallow noted over the garden this pm.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
Barn Owl/Nightjar Surveying
I've been conducting some really interesting Barn Owl and Nightjar surveys at various locations in the UK this year, the Nightjar surveys were very interesting and were great fun getting to play around with a 35K thermal imaging camera and several Ks worth of image intensifying cameras.
A set of Barn Owl surveys in Beverley were particularly interesting providing some really good results and a hunting Hobby at just gone 4.30 in the am was a nice surprise! Not as nice as the lady police officer that pulled me at 3 in the am wondering what i was doing wandering round country lanes at that time in the morning!!! Got your number!!
A set of Barn Owl surveys in Beverley were particularly interesting providing some really good results and a hunting Hobby at just gone 4.30 in the am was a nice surprise! Not as nice as the lady police officer that pulled me at 3 in the am wondering what i was doing wandering round country lanes at that time in the morning!!! Got your number!!
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Twitching ups and downs and run arounds!
Had some ups and downs twitching over the last couple of months (main,y downs), not bothering to go for the Collared Flycatcher(s) and Crested Lark - big mistake, gutted, the Great Not which was a load of balls (but lots of exciting year ticks, Curlew Sand, Greenshank, Little Tern - what joy!!) and dipping the Pallid Swift too, but the fun and games revolved around Pratincoles, the Black-winged vanishing the day before i could get down to try for it and the Collared giving me the run around the country - literally, as described below from my Bank Holiday birding log!...
Had a good weekend, in the end! Started with an early morning trip to Norfolk on Saturday that almost resulted in no birds, however a pair of breeding Montys Harriers (the best kept secret pair in the country!!) was well worth the 400 miles! Spoonbill, Hobby and several warblers (Cettis, lesser white etc) new year birds.
I heard a rumour of a Collared Praticole down there but the little F$%^er decided to bugger off before i could get it!! Nevermind, its only a bird!!
Managed the adult male Woodchat on the edge of sunny Wakefield on Sunday afternoon, showed really well catching bees!
On Bank Holiday Monday a 5am wake up bark by the dog (thanks Daisy) made me decide to go to Swilly, 45 mins later I was watching the Collared Pratincole and a Whiskered Tern - result. Back in bed with a bacon Sandwich and my beautiful wife by 7.30 am!!!! Jobs a goodun!!
After a fairly stressful weekend the Collared Pratincole finally gave itself up, before vanishing never to be seen again! Its quite amusing that I drove all the way from Yorkshire to see it in Norfolk for it to vanish and turn up just down the road from where i'd come from! Briliant!
Had a good weekend, in the end! Started with an early morning trip to Norfolk on Saturday that almost resulted in no birds, however a pair of breeding Montys Harriers (the best kept secret pair in the country!!) was well worth the 400 miles! Spoonbill, Hobby and several warblers (Cettis, lesser white etc) new year birds.
I heard a rumour of a Collared Praticole down there but the little F$%^er decided to bugger off before i could get it!! Nevermind, its only a bird!!
Managed the adult male Woodchat on the edge of sunny Wakefield on Sunday afternoon, showed really well catching bees!
On Bank Holiday Monday a 5am wake up bark by the dog (thanks Daisy) made me decide to go to Swilly, 45 mins later I was watching the Collared Pratincole and a Whiskered Tern - result. Back in bed with a bacon Sandwich and my beautiful wife by 7.30 am!!!! Jobs a goodun!!
After a fairly stressful weekend the Collared Pratincole finally gave itself up, before vanishing never to be seen again! Its quite amusing that I drove all the way from Yorkshire to see it in Norfolk for it to vanish and turn up just down the road from where i'd come from! Briliant!
Devonshire Wedding then back to work
I'm just back from a week down on the south coast of Devon, we stayed in some beautiful log cabins in the middle of some really nice woodland, with bird boxes and bird tables around all cabins and due to the great habitat birds were super-abundant, with lots of fledglings, being evident Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Chiffchaff and lots of Tits. A pair of Spotted Flycatcher were also present around the cabin for most of our stay which was nice. Highlight however was a nice male Cirl Bunting that showed really well on the cliff top footpath. Didn't really do a great deal of birding but it was nice just having lots of birds around the cabins - and the weather was awesome too. (The Wedding was good too!)
On Monday back at work a nice suprise was that my two pairs of nesting Little Ringed Plover had hatched their young, with one pair having 4 chicks, the other 3. Hopefully some/all will fledge in the coming weeks!
On Monday back at work a nice suprise was that my two pairs of nesting Little Ringed Plover had hatched their young, with one pair having 4 chicks, the other 3. Hopefully some/all will fledge in the coming weeks!
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Longtime no news - sorry!
Its not that I haven't been out birding recently, pretty much the opposite, it's just that I've also been really busy report writing in one form or another, however I'm going to try and update the blog over the coming days with my recent goings on, highlights including my Goa Trip Report from April and a few interesting twitches (Great Not, Collared Pratincole etc etc...). Keep your eyes peeled!
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