Bit of Both

Over to Duff for 9 for my last session before Scilly. On entering the Geoff Smith Hide I immediately heard (yes heard) a Cetti's Warbler! A great start. I'd heard one in April, so no Year Tick but a nice surprise nonetheless. 

Haydn arrived with supplies...thanks pal. He'd had a Crossbill on Skippy plus some PFG amd a male Marsh Harrier. I told him about the Cetti's and fortunately it continued to be heard for quite a while. Eventually we even managed to SEE it!

Courtesy of Haydn

My effort was er...an ID challenge...

It showed briefly a couple of times more, which was unexpected. Elaine arrived with her Dog and also managed a view. Haydn heard then saw the Marsh Tit...

Decent flocks of Wigeon and Teal in flight at the far end of the Reserve...

...and a few Skeins of PFG over...

Then...a significant sighting!!!I'd just picked up a couple of Stonechats to the left of the Hide when Haydn shouted...JAY! (97). The Bird flew directly across the Scrape and landed in a Bush at the far end...

...followed by...another!

Haydn was surprised at my reaction to this sighting, until I told him it was my first sighting of this Species here for...NINETEEN YEARS!!! My 6th and 7th records. Almost certainly Migrants. Quite a morning at this "quiet" time of Year?

A few Skylarks (c8) were apparent out on the grassland and I had my first Lapwings (2) of the Autumn. It was now approaching midday and we weer thinking of having a drive down to Hemingbrough to try for the Slavonian Grebe. Haydn then asked if I'd got Collared Dove on my Year List? I said no but I'd been scoping  the Farm regularly with no joy. I checked again...and there on the Chimney of the house were...2 Collared Doves (98)...I kid you not!

20 minutes later we were watching the Slavonian Grebe. It was right at the far side on arrival but luckily, it eventually made its way round to the nearside to give us much better views despite the dull weather...

Just after we arrived Andy Holden and his Wife Vicky turned up. We had a good chat and I asked them if they were going to Scilly? I knew the answer! Hopefully we'll bump into them during our visit?

Late news this afternoon...

MEGA : Scilly MOURNING DOVE St Agnes at Troy Town Farm Fields

No further sightings after the initial find? Hopefully they'll find it by Friday...and the Wilson's Phalarope will remain? I don't ask for much!

On return I made my way up to Cliff Farm to check the PFG. There was a decent flock present (c300) but Birds were arriving all the time from various directions. By the time I left I was confident around 1,000 Birds were present. Amazing!

A bonus was the passing of a family of Whooper Swans...

Youngsters following Parents

The finishing touch was provided by the continuing presence of Mediterranean Gulls in the nearby plough. I estimated c20 present...

3 more sleeps...

Whooper Swans

After a quick visit to With', I returned home to prepare to meet Louise in Hull for our annual visit to the Bank. Once a Year is more than enough! As I was leaving...a message on the Local WhatsApp...

33 Whooper Swans South over Grimston

I had 10 spare minutes! I drove down to the Cliff and looked North towards Withernsea. No sign...I only had my Camera...but they're Big Birds! 2 minutes left...then...there they were!!!

P.111, H.94

They "snaked" towards me before drifting West over the centre of the Village...

Absolutely Brilliant!

I'd seen reports over the Weekend of various sized Herds being seen along the Coast and through Spurn. I was hoping I hadn't "missed the boat"? After the magnificent Pink-footed Goose passage (c700 still present in stubble at the southern end) this was the "icing on the cake". Lucky with the timing.

After returning from Hull around 3.30 I returned to the Cliff to see if there was any more "movement". I looked North again and picked out a white "line" on the Sea. A breaking wave? No...

I was being spoiled now...but I'll take it!

I drove to the Old Sewage to try and get a closer look but by the time I'd walked to the Cliff they'd drifted South, so I returned to my original vantage point on Seaside and waited for them to drift by...which they eventually did...

I ended up at Cliff Farm and sure enough the Herd floated by. I was hoping for another fly-by but alas it didn't happen. I contented myself with further views of the Swans and the lingering PFG...

A nice bonus was the arrival "in-off" of 11 Mallards (all drakes). No earth shattering moment BUT a personal "record count" for the Village.

A dodgy dusk shot!

An excellent day..and a lovely ending...

Wildfowl

About time!

A flurry of Ducks yesterday...

Wigeon (a pair on the Sea) plus 6 South

Teal c50 South in small flocks

Shoveler 4 over the Cottage!Pink-footed 

Pintail 8 South with Wigeon

All part of the plan! Takes me to a modest 93 for the Year. Still quite a few to go at...although I will be heading SW on Thursday.

Pink-footed Geese (c700) have settled in the stubble to the South of the Village. Hopefully they'll linger. They're giving great views over the Village, especially early morning as they stretch their wings.

Birds turning up at the familiar Hotspots North and South....accompanied by the first real Storm of the Autumn. I'll refrain from my Scilly/Shetland comparison as you've heard it many times before. Let me just say you know where my Heart lies...it's all in the quality of the experience for me...both turn up the Specials. Hopefully there'll be one or two waiting/arriving. The Wilson's Phalarope would be a nice start...and a Scilly Tick to boot?

I have full clearance from the Boss to visit my son Robert in Dubai post Christmas. I've started planning the Trip already and we're going to visit Oman for the first time. Looks like there's some terrific Birding to be had there. I promised myself further travel once my Bud had passed. The thought of sitting here "on my todd" during the dark January days doesn't appeal!

My pal Jonathan Wasse has just returned from Cyprus. Looking at his sightings it's something I might have to consider next September...if I can handle heat?

Duff MEGA!

Continuing my Mantra, I paid another visit to my beloved inland Patch yesterday on my way to see my Mother in Lancs.

Always a pleasure to open the flaps and gaze on the fine view. Granted it's rather dry right now with flocks of Sheep grazing but there's always possibilities. Browsing near and far, nothing of immediate significance was noted, so I just enjoyed being there!

Being tall I try to "utch" as close to the front of the Hide as possible. It gives me a better perspective, both high and low. On this visit low was about to pay off...in spades. I'd already seen Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Wren and Dunnock in the Brambles. I then noticed another movement but I couldn't get a clear view. Then...up it popped...

After the usual fumbling with my camera (which included removing my converter) I managed a decent record shot before it disappeared stage right. The Bird didn't call (or maybe it did I didn't hear it, which is a possibility) but I was pretty confident I was looking at only my second record of Marsh Tit (97)...in THIRTY NINE YEARS!!! (Willow Tit has been present sporadically over recent Years). It looked dainty, small headed and exhibited the diagnostic pale spot at the base of the upper mandible which can be clearly seen on this pic...

Sounds like I know what I'm on about! Hope I'm correct?!

Sighting context has always fascinated me. I could go to Sites and virtually guarantee seeing this Species...with time. Getting a random record like this on my Parch is as BIG a thrill to me as Twitching a MEGA on some far flung Island... and a lot more convenient!!!

It's all about time and patience really. I've got plenty of the former and hopefully enough of the latter...

Out and In

Had a pleasant hour on the Cliff at Lunchtime after the morning rain. Pleased to see that the Pink-footed Geese are still in residence and will hopefully remain so throughout the Winter. Great to have them locally. Fingers crossed?

Plenty of Gulls about and I started noticing the Mediterranean variety. I estimated around 20, which gave great views coming and going along the Cliff edge. Great stuff!

Lastly, whilst watching the Gulls I picked out my first Wigeon (H.90) of the Autumn (and the Year come to that) with a pair close in on the Sea.

Back for the Footy and Golf now...

Holmpton Air Show

 Easterlies got me up early this morning. I started at the Southern end and was greeted by 8 Tree Sparrows showing well in the diffuse early morning light. A good start...

The Linnet (15) flock was also present...so were the Goldfinches (c50) and Reed Buntings (6)...

I gave it an hour but nothing else of note was seen. 

Next it was Snakey. I chose a vantage point giving me a panoramic view North. I wanted some...GEESE!!!

Reports from far and wide over the last few days but apart from a small group along the Cliff nothing for me here. A distant Mallard over the new Sewage plant at Hollym was noteworthy...for here! 

A low 8 flew South...promising...

Then a message from one of the local Birders in With' informing me large numbers were heading this way! Eyes to the Skies.

Then...there they were, making "swirling squiggles" in the distant Sky...

...then the wonderful sound as they fortunately headed straight for me...

Over the next 45 minutes various numbers passed heading SE at close range. Magnificent!!!

I then returned to the Southern fields just in case some had stopped off. They hadn't but I remained and scanned some more...and they kept on coming...and going...

So, I was granted my wish. I'd had my fill. As you know this spectacle is one of my favourite experiences in Birding. Nature in the raw, unchanged for Centuries...long may it continue in this crazy World.

Slowly, Slowly

My Dental check up in York yesterday gave me an excuse to call in at Duff. I arrived at 9.30 and hung around the car park for a while hoping for something while it warmed up (8C).

A message from Haydn informing me of some PFG heading my way was encouraging...but they didn't make it unfortunately.

I headed for the GS Hide.

Stall set up and scanning, I noticed the River for the first time in months! However the Carrs was still bone dry with Sheep grazing. A couple of Red Kites came as close as I've seen and performed brilliantly for a good 5 minutes before drifting South...

Haydn arrived and we shared a juvenile Marsh Harrier. We then had 3 Snipe, which was definitely unexpected. After a chat he headed home and I remained in situ. 

The Scrape is overgrown now but there are still 3 small areas of visible water. I haven't seen anything on them for quite a while. Today that changed at 12.51. I saw a movement amongst the Reeds, then there it was...

Kingfisher (96)

I soon lost it before thankfully it reappeared and fished for a good 5 minutes before departing...

I'm enjoying these "low expectation /out of season" visits,as it makes the Sightings somehow more Special?

Locally, it's still fairly quiet but there's always something to see and enjoy...

Fresh Autumn Meadow Pipit on the Cliff

Drinking partners...with expression...

Greenfinch and Goldfinch

A few from the "Magic Hedge"...

Goldfinches (c100)

(there's another similar sized flock at the bottom of Seaside)

Male Stonechat

Reed Bunting

S'watch

I did it!

On the Cliff at dawn. The wind was gale force through the dark hours but had dropped surprisingly. I still needed the shield of the V70 though on the exposed Clifftop.

A great start in the form of 5 Mediterranean Gulls drifting in the wind. However the Sea was quiet, VERY quiet.

The sky was clearing though...

Looking like I know what I'm doing!?

A passing Whimbrel gave hope. The tide was going out which gave improving beach views...not that anything transpired in that direction.

A few Guillemots were noted and a lone RTD north. Then...my reward...3 Storm Petrels in a loose c20 second pass heading North!!! This was my 199 for the Village and long overdue, partly due to my lack of effort in this particular area of this wonderful past time of ours.

I have it till 10 before heading back for a coffee.

.......................................

PECHORA PIPIT today at South Shields. Mine was light years ago at Filey in 1994! Missed LANCEOLATED WARBLER the next day at the same Site due to work! Still "need" it. Mainland records are rarer than the Birds!!!

Hoping to get a trip in before Scilly...