"Women's Knitting Circle"

Kingfisher (c) 2009 Howie Speight

Kingfisher (c) 2009 Howie Speight
Kingfisher (c) 2009 Howie Speight

Kingfisher (c) 2009 Howie Speight

Long-tailed Tit (c) 2009 Howie Speight

Treecreeper (c) 2009 Howie Speight

Pied Wagtail (c) 2009 David Ware

No offence meant to any knitters, or women, or those who like circles, but the above title refers to what a miserable old goat said today – sorry, may have used 2 incorrect vowels, when I should really substitute them with quite another vowel. Before today’s session’s started a lump under the hedge may, or may not have been a Woodcock. I decided to leave it until it showed better when we came back at lunchtime. The first bird after this was a hidden, but noisy Treecreeper, then a dazzling Grey Wagtail flew up from the car park and landed on a nearby wall. We tried the Kingfisher thing again, and sure enough it appeared. It was distant in the morning, but gave prolonged views; whilst in the afternoon it showed for a briefer time, but was closer to the observers. A flock of 20+ Siskins flew south, but there wasn’t as much movement as on Tuesday. There wasn’t too much of interest on the large expanses of water, apart from one lone Pink-footed Goose being dwarfed by the Greylags. The woodland held Bullfinches, Goldcrests, Long-tailed Tits, Treecreepers and plenty of fungi, but nothing out of the ordinary. We retraced our way back to the main hide where an old bloke had now taken up residence with what was presumably his spouse. He remained silent, but his wife did return my greeting. I quietly pointed out each species to the group, but was sat at the furthest side of the hide from the bloke, so wasn’t aware he was continually swearing under his breath. Elizabeth, who was nearest, wasn’t sure, but she thought he was cursing because he couldn’t find the Black-necked Grebe or Smew he was looking for. We went back to the visitor centre to try & link up with the Woodcock, but it had moved even further back into the gloom. The session dispersed and I enjoyed my packed-lunch in the warmth & comfort of the visitor centre in the affable company of the warden – thanks for the warm mug of tea! Later, the curser came in, and during the course of his conversation he let slip that he was glad that the “Women’s Knitting Circle” had gone! If only all those macho men, and the others from the morning group could have heard this bigot speak – of course, we were at fault for invading his private hide! The same birds were around in the afternoon with nothing really outstanding apart from the Kingfisher. Unfortunately, the light became trickier as the rain clouds loomed ever closer, but we managed to escape before it started raining! Will be there again on Wednesday, so I hope the bigot stays away!

Spurned

Snow Bunting

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

Squealing like a pig!

Redshank with fish

Stonechat (female)

Fieldfare - just after being ringed

Record shot of Siskin

Didn’t have to change today’s meeting place because of the weather or the intrusion of the 21st-century’s progress, which was a bonus. Even before the am class officially started there was a burst of Skylark song. I looked up and there was a Merlin trying to catch it. It spun round in circles, fanning its tail, and lunged for its prey several times, but the Skylark appeared to get away. We walked along the road and turned left & walked along a tiny hedge, which masquerades under the overblown soubriquet of “Big Hedge” – don’t ask! I turned left as Tony Robinson instructed from yesterday, but it was very disappointing. Only a Great Black-backed Gull fled from us in terror from the shoreline. We turned round & ventured south along the cliff & then came across 4 very confiding Snow Buntings. They were much less accommodating in the afternoon, but were still much friendlier than the female Bullfinch we saw at lunch time – a local rarity here. After the Snow Buntings we walked to the Warren & saw a male Stonechat, and had a very brief glimpse of an eastern race Lesser Whitethroat. We were in time to see an underweight Fieldfare being released – hope it makes it! Then we walked to Canal Scrape & had fairly good views of a Water Rail, although there was little else around. On the foreshore there were masses of Knot, and Golden Plover, and we heard Grey Plover, and in the afternoon Black-tailed Godwits. In the Crown & Anchor car park were at least 2 Chiffchaffs, and a flock of about 8 Siskins. Again there was a good sighting before the pm session began – a flock of 50+ Pink-footed Geese heading south in a perfect V-formation. The Snow Buntings showed well again, but were disturbed by 4 morons on the beach. The Water Rail showed even better from the Canal Scrape hide, and a Redshank had a real tussle with a tiny fish. Some Fieldfare also dropped into the bushes. The light made viewing difficult on the mudflats, but the sounds of the estuary were evocative. A pair of Stonechats on the Canal Zone were new since the morning and a couple of Reed Buntings gave good views. On the return journey we enjoyed several excellent views of Redwings. It was actually a pleasant afternoon at Spurn, as the am wind had died right down. May be foggy tomorrow if the wind doesn’t pick up!

Explosive!

Brambling - bit like the one at today's site

Golden Plovers (c) 2009 Jackie Dawson
Skylark (c) 2009 Aileen Urquhart
Skylark (c) 2009 Tony Robinson
Skylark (c) 2009 Tony Robinson
Wren (c) 2009 Aileen Urquhart

Mute Swan - Acting oddly (c) 2009 Aileen Urquhart

Common Gull (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Today’s planned rendezvous had to be changed because the reserve car park was sealed off, as a gas pipeline was being laid. We met in a car park about a mile further west. One participant went for a stroll round the bushes before the session started and flushed a Woodcock. We walked along the side of the Humber, but there wasn’t a great deal to see apart from the odd Redshank, Mallard and Curlew. The police had a significant presence with a large van with 2 blokes early doors; this was changed to a car with one female officer later on. There didn’t appear to be any evidence of criminal activity, and surely they weren’t keeping an eye on the forlorn young Mute Swan we wondered. There were some Golden Plovers on the mudflats, and later a flock of 200+ Lapwings were seen north of the site. There were 11 Black-tailed Godwits on the mud – the most interesting wader seen. We were serenaded by a close-flying Skylark in the morning, but in the afternoon no Skylarks were even seen – their place was taken over by Meadow Pipits. The afternoon was mainly a re-run of the morning, but we were held up for 15 minutes by the police whilst aa couple from army bomb disposal exploded a device found on the riverside. We were allowed through several minutes after the loud bang, which sent all the waders and wildfowl into the air. A Sparrowhawk flew low over the mudflats, whilst this morning a different individual was harassing birds in the village. The bird of the afternoon was seen as we were almost back at the car park. Some finches flew into the top of the trees, and with 2 Chaffinches was a single male Brambling – the 1st I’ve actually had a decent view of this winter. It actually stayed posing longer than the Chaffinches, allowing everyone to get good views before disappearing - a nice end to a cold and windswept day. Brian reports 25 species this morning, so with the Brambling and Little Egret that makes 27. It would have been higher if we’d been allowed to get into the usual reserve!

Queen Fisher

Kingfisher (c) 2009 Mike Williamson

Kingfisher Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Treecreeper (c) 2009 Mike Williamson

Long-tailed Tit (c) 2009 Mike Williamson

We were due to go to Potteric today, but the forecast was for too much rain for such a long journey, so we went to somewhere local with hides instead. The morning started well with plenty of Goldcrests, and then a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper near an old wasps’ nest. Just after this a Woodcock flew up in front of us, but not everyone had a decent view. We went to a newish hide and had great views of a fishing Kingfisher in both morning and afternoon. 8 Siskins flew south over here, and c.80 Golden Plovers also flew south following the river. We carried on through the woodland, and as it petered out there was a flock of almost 20 Long-tailed Tits and with them was a silent, tail-dipping, black-legged Chiffchaff. On the return journey a Lesser Redpoll flew over the woodland heading north. We went to another hide near the car park, and got there just before a colossal downpour. Most people had never seen a Great Crested Grebe in flight before, but one after another flew from the right-side of the lake to the left to try & avoid the worst of the weather. We had great views of the bold white wing bars. There was a good selection of wildfowl with: Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, Gadwall, Ruddy Duck and Little Grebes. In the afternoons these birds were joined by a single drake Goldeneye. There were reports of a Redhead Smew there, but we didn’t see it, & yesterday a Black-necked Grebe was seen. In the afternoon we had a similar experience, but there were some good views of Bullfinches, and better sightings of the Treecreeper. Someone who spent all day at the site, ventured into the southern area, and had the best view of a Barn owl he’d ever enjoyed.

Return of the Woodcock

Woodcock - one taken earlier this year

Shaggy Ink Caps
aka Lawyers' Wigs

Common Ink Cap

Member of Milk Cap family?

Fairy Caps

Fairy Caps

Sulphur Tuft

Mushroom

Great that the Woodcocks are back. It's a subtly marked enigmatic bird to have so close to home every Autumn. 3 flew up from under the same Lime tree; whilst a 4th was under a nearby tree, which was in a completely different direction from that which the others flew off from. Shame that instead of taking a photo of the longest-sitting bird, I tried to ensure 10-year-old Ben saw it too. Of course, it flew off before he could catch sight of it on the ground, and before I even attempted to take its picture. While looking for more there was plenty of different fungi species to divert the eye. Also present, a flock of 200 Starlings - quite unusual round here these days. There were at least 27 Carrion Crows, 3 Magpies, a Song Thrush, a pair of Great Tits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Splash of Colour

Kingfisher

Even a King has to Poop!
Great Black-backed Gulls
Orange-Peel Fungus

Parasol

Common Toad

Went to a reserve to which I'll be taking the classes in the next few weeks. The Kingfisher was very obliging, but didn't stay long, and of course Ben didn't want to wait for it to come back. Are all ten-year-old this patient? There were many more sorts of fungi than a few weeks ago, and the Parasols in the car park should look excellent in a few days time. The Orange-Peel Fungs probably won't survive, as it is growing on the path to one of the most popular hides at the moment! The Common Toad was crossing the main road to the reserve, and should survive this time, as I picked it up & moved it to the side of the road it was heading for. As I was leaving there were plenty of Great Black-Backed Gulls, some Red-legged Partridges, a pair of Yellowhammers and a Buzzard.

Jack's All Right!

Jack Snipe (c) 2009 Vince Cowell

Jack Snipe (c) 2009 Mick Sharpe
Jack Snipe (c) 2009 Mick Sharpe

Snow Bunting (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Redwing (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Redwing (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Redshank (c) 2009 Aileen Urquhart

Stonechat (c) 2009 Aileen Urquhart

Stonechat [female] (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Water Rail (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Water Rail (c) 2009 Tony Robinson

Turnstone (c) 2009 Maurice Gordon

Turnstones & Dunlin [front] (c) 2009 Maurice Gordon

Turnstones & Redshank [behind] (c) 2009 Maurice Gordon

Knot under Rigg (c) 2009 Maurice Gordon

Brent Geese (c) 2009 Aileen Urquhart

Last Wednesday’s classes were washed-out, so they were re-arranged for today. It was an amazingly warm day for late October with the morning being especially fine. Some Siskins flew past before the class started, and there was a report of Twite among some Linnets. A late ordinary Swallow (sigh) was near the car park! However, the bird of the morning was definitely the Jack Snipe, which was a new bird for 66.6% of the class. I’m pretty sure it’s also the 1st Jack Snipe we’ve ever had in 6 years of these courses! Thanks to David Constantine & the other bloke for helping us get on to the static bird. It was great to see the size contrast, as it was stood next to a Common Snipe! 2 Water Rails were also present, which showed fairly well. We went elsewhere on the site, and noted plenty of Stonechats, several Redwing, Blackbirds and Fieldfare. We sneaked past the film crew, which were interviewing the Lifeboat staff. Travelling back we had good views of c50 Brent Geese. We popped back in to see if the Jack Snipe was showing any better – it was performing its classic bobbing up and down feeding action – the 1st time I’ve had a good view of that, and a Redshank came very close to the hide. The afternoon session started with reports of both Snow Buntings and Richards Pipit being in the area – we went for the Snow Bunting, but just missed it! 2 Water Rails were on show again, but the Snipe had disappeared. As the tide was coming in we tried for the waders, and although the light was tricky, and the tide not particularly high we saw: Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Golden, Grey & Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, Knot, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Cormorant and several Stonechats again. Brian wasn’t here today, but there must have been at least 40 species on show.