Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 15th - 21st August

  At the close of this week we have managed to see no less than 72 different species on Soil Hill during August. To make that fact even more bonkers is that 66 of those have been seen in just the last week with some excellent local species turning up with ample common migrants. Once the heatwave had moved on the birding became more vulnerable to windy conditions but fortunately this only really affected us on one day so we were still able to make the most out of our time on the Hill. 

  It was also a huge bonus that my replacement camera arrived on the 18^th, which means I can now hopefully get more photos of any potential rarities that turn up during the autumn. It has been a success so far, although I am already finding a few limitations that will need some getting used to. 

• The last day of the heatwave was the 15^th, and it was also the day with the best bird of the week. At the bottom of the North Slope, Lia was recording a ‘tacking’ Grasshopper Warbler when I heard a distinct but distant call that was almost certainly a Green Sandpiper. I gestured to Lia to move her microphone to record this new call. The bird was clearly approaching but it took us some time to pick it up as it was flying at some height and moving fast. Once we did though we could clearly see the contrasting upper and lower halves of the bird, as well as the white rump. It quickly made its way down the valley and was soon lost behind the Hill, on its way towards Halifax. This is only my second record here after the bird on the 1^st August 2020! 

• On the 16^th the good birding continued. At 08:45 from the bottom of the North Slope, we spotted a raptor circling distantly over Denholme which gave the impression of soaring with its wings at a distinct angle, indicating Marsh Harrier. As the bird flew south, coming closer, it became clear that we were right, and the bird was a juvenile Marsh Harrier. It eventually circled over us a couple of times before flying off towards Bradford. This is only my fourth observation of this species here on Soil Hill, and more than two years since the last!

• The final standout of the week was on the morning of the 21^st as Lia and I were walking up Taylor Lane. At around 06:35 there was the distinctive call of Dunlin overhead, and we looked up to see four flying SW towards Halifax. Lia tried to audio-record them and I tried to photograph them, but we both failed; Lia because they didn’t call again, and me because I had butchered my settings the previous day. Needless to say, frustrated wouldn’t quite cut it, but sometimes these things happen. Of course, it is difficult to confirm that all four birds were Dunlin based on just the single call, but they appeared uniform in size and structure.

  Once again there was a healthy number of migrants passing through during the week. The weather was more hit and miss than during the previous week once the heatwave had subsided, but there was still ample activity and already you can see the demographic of the migrants beginning to change as the autumn draws on.

• This week the Whinchats finally started to appear! The first was found by HC in the evening of the 17^th, sat on the Stone Circle in the company of three Wheatears (the only Wheatears of the week). Two days later on the 19^th Lia and I came across three at the bottom of the North Slope, showing very well. In windier conditions, only one was still present on the 20^th, but on the 21^st there were two. All these birds were on the dry-stone walls at the bottom of the North Slope. In total, I would say that there had been at least five birds during the week, but it could be up to as many as seven. 

• The only Spotted Flycatchers of the week were on the 15^th, but the three we managed to find across the site on this date are the most I have ever recorded here in one day. Surprisingly, we could not find any more for the rest of the week. 

• There were four additional Tree Pipits this week, bringing the autumn total so far to 12. There were singles on the 15^th and the 21^st, and then two flew south on the 19^th. The wind made it difficult to audio record them this week, but still good to know that they are migrating south over the Hill.

• Just the one Sedge Warbler this week, on the 19^th. It seemed to be following round the small group of Whinchats, which was odd to observe. Grasshopper Warbler was seen on three dates during the week, all appearing to refer to the same juvenile bird at the bottom of the North Slope. The state of the bird, including its apparent gape, suggests it is a juvenile and would seem to suggest that the birds did produce a second brood. A male and a brown-headed Blackcap have also been around the bottom of the North Slope throughout the week.

• After a peak count of 15 on the 15^th, Willow Warblers really dropped off during the week, with no other counts in double figures, although they were seen every day. The first Chiffchaff of the autumn started to appear this week, with singles on the 16^th, 18^th and then on the 21^st. Soon they will replace the Willow Warblers as we draw later in autumn.

• Just the one House Martin this week, a distant individual on the 16^th. And Swift was also only seen on one date, although that did involve three individuals during the evening of the 17^th.

  There was also a handy selection of other species on offer, including Curlews seen (or heard) on two dates during the week. The first was feeding in the bottom fields on the 16^th and then a heard only on the 18^th. There was just one Common Snipe during the week with one flying over the bottom Cattle Fields on the 21^st.  

  We saw the Barn Owl twice this week, with singles on the 17^th and again on the 19^th. On the 15^th a Peregrine was hunting distantly over Denholme. And once again there have been a couple of sightings of Grey Partridge, with six seen on the 18^th and two on the 21^st.

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Whinchat

-Marsh Harrier

-Green Sandpiper

-Green Sandpiper recording

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill; Isolation week 19

I'm gonna revert to my spring style of weekly update because this has been an excellent weeks birding with quite a few highlights, notably two Patch Ticks and a good number of August migrants to make up the supporting cast. After whats felt like a long summer on the Hill the winds of Autumn seem to finally be blowing in...

01st August

Visit from 06.30. Total 39 species observed.

Was a pretty dull and uneventful day, but with one outstanding highlight to really kick August off in style. Whilst birding on Ned Hill Track I heard a distinct call distantly; Green Sandpiper. As I coudn't hear the bird getting closer I began to wonder if it was going to pass me by but then it appeared over the brow of the hill allowing me to grab a few shots before it passed behind the trees on its way south. An excellent patch tick and one of the highlights of the year for me here so far. 

Other notable birds included both Sedge Warblers, a smart juv Stonechat and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler

-Green Sandpiper

02nd August

Visit from 07.00. Total 40 species observed. 

August continued on the strong streak on which it had begun. A cracking Marsh Harrier flew south over Soil Hill, initially strongly but then slowly soaring offering much better views. This is only my third here, though all this year, and first this Autumn. Otherwise there was little else to report. 

-Marsh Harrier

03rd August

Visit from 06.45. Total 40 species observed

There was a small arrival of migrants this morning, notably of Willow Warblers with eleven in the various bushes dotted around the Hill. A Tree Pipit flew over calling, the Grasshopper Warbler was still singing and there were three Stonechat at the bottom of the North Slope, including a spanking adult male. The standout bird was a flyby Great Spotted Woodpecker, capping off a very pleasant morning. 

04th August

Visit from 07.15. Total 36 species observed.

Another steady day with the days Willow Warbler total peaking at 7, with other migrants thin on the ground. A Green Woodpecker was calling from down in Bradshaw and I counted 14 Mistle Thrush in the recently mowed fields, but otherwise little change. 

05th August

Visit from 18.30. Total 33 species observed.

The wind and rain absolutely battered the pennines today, so I waited until the evening for my visit so that I could at least check out the sheltered areas at the bottom of the North Slope. As expected activity was very low, but there were the three Stonechat still present there, as well as a smart male Blackcap feasting on the abundant brambles. 

07th August

Visit from 07.00. Total 46 species observed. 

This will go down as one of the best days birding I have ever enjoyed on Soil Hill. After the wind and rain of the previous day I was unsure what sort of birding I would get, but when the first bird I clapped eyes on was a brilliant patch tick I sensed it could be an awesome morning. 

When I spotted the Pied Flycatcher on the wires next to Taylor Lane my initial thoughts were something along the lines of 'what a weird looking Chaffinch' but I swiftly realised what I was looking, a seriously good grounded migrant. Although it was against the light and generally spent its time atop the Sycamore it had chosen for the day, a few people saw it during the day and I was able to grab a few nice record shots. A fantastic start to the day.

Next I worked my way up to the top, with Willow Warblers clearly having arrived overnight. By the end of my walk I counted 19 individuals (6 Taylor Lane, 8 Summit Bushes, 3 North Slope, 2 Ned Hill Track). The best location was the bushes at the top of the North Slope which had most of the Willow Warblers, plus two grounded Tree Pipits, a Sedge Warbler, Whitethroats and Reed Buntings. Blackcap, Stonechat and the usual Grasshopper Warbler were fine migrant additions on the North Slope. A Great Spotted Woodpecker also took off from the trees at the top of the North Slope, presumably the same bird from a couple of days previous. 

And to cap it all off a Cormorant flew over as I was walking back home. 

-Pied Flycatcher

-Tree Pipit

-Willow Warbler

07th August

Visit from 06.45. Total 43 species observed

Although a comedown from yesterday it was another brilliant mornings birding by Soil Hill standards. Willow Warblers were reduced to 11 today (2 Taylor Lane, 2 Summit, 5 North Slope, 2 Ned Hill Track) with most of the other migrants gone. A Tree Pipit flew south and then U-turned back north, calling loudly, and my first Wheatear of August also arrived today. In addition I saw two Sedge Warblers, which seem to have now set up in the brambles at the top of the North Slope. Three House Martins that flew south were also my first here for a while.

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Marsh Harrier, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Western House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, European Pied Flycatcher, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer, European Rabbit, Eastern Grey Squirrel,

Orgreave Lakes

Another chilled out day with glorious sunshine all morning. I had planned to continue working on the dissertation until I saw Mark Reeder had a Black-necked Grebe down at Orgreave. Without hesitation I set off to go and get it seen. Being a Grebe I had little doubt that it would still be present when I arrived, which was around half 10, and I was not disappointed.

The Grebe showed incredibly well, swimming fairly close to the bank without much fear at all. I managed to get some fairly reasonable record shots, which I'm happy with. The bird even called at times, which is not a call I'm familiar with, but it was pretty awesome to hear. 

-Black-necked Grebe

The grebe was my 162 species of the year, arriving shortly after my 161st; Common Sandpiper. Sadly the sandpiper was not approachable in any way, flying to the other side of the lake when I was nowhere even remotely close to it. No record shot there then.

Of course, as is often the case with most birds, whenever Wheatears are present they upstage ever other bird on site, and today was no exception. There were Wheatears everywhere, including some birds standing off against each other by spreading their tails. They are just simply such awesome birds.

-Wheatear

There were hosts of other goodies too, including White Wagtails, Redshank, 5 Common Buzzard all in the air at the same time with 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 solitary Yellow Wagtail, Goosanders and two really smart Lesser Redpoll, although sadly they were badly obscured by the trees they were feeding on.

-Lesser Redpoll

Black-necked Grebe was not my only patch tick today though. Whilst on my way back round the small lake, in the hope of getting a shot of Common Sandpiper, I flushed a much rare prize. I missed it until I had already flush it, Green Sandpiper, but fortunately it landed on the island. Distant but still able to get a record shot. They are not common birds here, with only a couple of records per year, so to have stumbled across this one was really nice.

-Green Sandpiper

It was certainly a pleasant morning, and now I have the afternoon to write up some more on the dissertation.

Species List:

Orgreave Lakes: Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Skylark, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Wren, Lapwing, Common Buzzard, Feral Pigeon, Chaffinch, Magpie, Linnet, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gull, Coot, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Gadwall, Redshank, Tufted Duck, Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, Great-crested Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Goosander, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Starling, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Tit, Blackcap, Dunnock, Sand Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear, Swallow, Common Teal, Green Sandpiper, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen

Old Moor RSPB

Yep, I went back for the little bittern. It showed so well on the Sunday that I figured it may be worth another go. I figured wrong! The bird was only seen at around 7 in the morning and not after until early evening. This was some consolation, as it means I did not miss it as I had done before. I waited 3 hours at the watchpoint before deciding enough was enough and going to look at something else. Namely this was due to the weather, which had deteriorated somewhat.

There was a bonus species however, in that an American Wigeon was also on site, so after I had given up on the bittern I went to go and have a look at that, which was on Wath Ings. Sadly it was right at the back, but no matter, as it was possibly the most awful looking bird I have ever seen. It was obviously still in eclipse somewhat and it meant it was rather drab and all its colours had merged together. It was not the most inspring bird to look at. Because of the distance I could only grab record shots of what is only my second ever of this species, but I think they say enough.

-American Wigeon

The real star and consolation of the day was a superb Green Sandpiper feeding just outside the hide. Granted the sun was not out so it was not spangling, but it was so close with pristine plumage, it looked the bomb. I digiscoped a few shots of it, and they are some of the best shots I have ever managed of this species. It really did make up for the lack of little bittern and rather uninspiring wigeon.

-Green Sandpiper

In the end I stayed until half 2 in the afternoon when I finally called it a day. I spent the rest of the time in the Wader Scrape Hide, where there were a few nice juvenile Avocets and a Common Sandpiper. A nice days birding, if not lacking a little bittern.

Species List:

Old Moor RSPB: Kingfisher, Reed Warbler, Magpie, Coot, Great-Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting, Canada Goose, Swift, Sand Martin, Black-Headed Gull, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Kestrel, Mallard, Carrion Crow, Little Grebe, Bittern, Stock Dove, Grey Heron, Common Tern, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, American Wigeon, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Graylag Goose, Feral Pigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Jackdaw, Avocet, Wigeon, Shoveler, Starling, Common Sandpiper, Bullfinch, Collard Dove, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch,

RSPB Middleton Lakes

As mentioned previously, whilst at Orgreave it had come to my attention that a couple of Black-Winged Stilts had turned up at RSPB Middleton Lakes in Staffordshire. This was a realistic twitch for the afternoon as it would only take an hour to get there by train, and then another hour walking. On the bus back I exploited the free WiFi and concluded it was possible, but could not decide if I was really going to pull it off. Both trains meant I had time to go home first, and whilst at home I continued my research and found, to my joy, that it would only cost £20 by train, not the £40 that I had seen on the app. With that in mind I bought the ticket and set off...

I arrived at the site 2 and a half hours later. The trains had been very organised and true to the schedule. I had then power walked the 2 and a half miles from the station to the reserve. My face must have been one of fierce determination. I heard a cettis warbler as I entered the reserve, but marched on, a small crowd were watching something (Garganey as it happened) but I kept going and made it to the Stilts in fine time.

As I approached the stilts I came round from the trees obscuring the path so I could see the small mob of twitchers. At the back of the pack I could see one of the twitchers checking me out with his bins, but even without bins I could see who it was; Matt Bruce, the now ex-chairman of the NGBs. Its crazy that of my 4 major twitches this year we have met up at half of them completely by chance. Haha, what were the odds.

Anyway, back to the stilts. I set up the scope and picked them out straight away with Matt's help. They were rather distant unfortunately but I did manage some record shots both with the SLR and with digiscoping. None of them are exceptional but they are clear enough and show exactly what you want them to. Despite their distance, the two stilts were fantastic. They were feeding regularly, as well as preening and even washing, as well as sleeping. But since there were two, when one was sleeping the other was usually doing something. They were so leggy, the way they strutted round. At one point one was even chased by a black-headed gull which allowed me to see it in flight. Sadly we were looking straight into the sun, and as the afternoon drew on the glare became very strong, until the stilts could not be made out in it, and hence many of my photos have been tortured by photoshop to try and bring the stilts out more. At one point they were joined by a pair of avocets, which were a yeartick, so I also got some photos of these two closely related birds together.

-Black-Winged Stilts

-Black-Winged Stilt and Avocet

After watching the stilts for about 2 and a half hours, with a brief intermission to the hide for a look, I decided to head off to pick up some of the other things on the reserve, Matt had already left with his girlfriend, and my train was not until 8.00 so I had about an hour to run round and see some of the other stuff.

On the yeartick front I got a bumper crop. Whilst watching the Stilts a distant Marsh Harrier had flown over, and a Common Tern dropped in briefly onto the marsh before flying off to the scrape overlooked by the hide. The yeartick of the moment from this spot was a Green Sandpiper feeding along the edge of the scrape, but it was very distant. Once I left though I stumbled across 2 more which were a little closer and allowed me to get a record shot for the year. They were an unexpected addition to the yearlist make no mistake. Also notice the Little Ringed Plover photobombing the record shot in the bottom right corner!

-Green Sandpipers

I mentioned the Garganey earlier and that's where I headed. It did not take me long to pick it out but it was distant and was keeping very close to the reeds, often drifting in and remaining hidden for long periods of time. But when it was showing it showed well, dabbling along the edge of the reeds before getting out and having a preen. I tried to take a few shots but they were no more than record standard so I only included one. 

-Gargany

Thats how I finished off the day. I got a very enjoyable and relaxed walk back to the train station along the canal in lovely evening sunshine whilst being assaulted by midges. Along the way I had views of Blackcap and Chiffchaff as well as a host of commoner species.

In the end I made it back to Sheffield for just after 9.00, so what had started as a fairly relaxed day out at Orgreave had turned into a mad one and ended up with a lovely rarity, my first lifer since Lady A and my 249th species. And the fact that they were such lovely birds.

BOOM! What a days birding!!

Species List:

RSPB Middleton Lakes: Black-Winged Stilt, Avocet, Green Sandpiper, Shoveler, Little Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Marsh Harrier, Common Tern, Gargany, Lapwing, Long-Tailed Tit, Oystercatcher, Black-Headed Gull, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Common Teal, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Kestrel, Dunnock, Robin, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Feral Pigeon, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Grey Heron, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Gadwall, Common Buzzard,

Spurn Day 49

Today was a bit of a come down from yesterday, but it was still pretty incredible. There were fewer scarce migrants, though the icky was ringed at 06.05 and a wryneck was seen in the afternoon, but I saw neither.

I started up at Seawatching but it was dead, and I decided to go for a walk round the canal instead. I was due up a Kierons to finish the report at 10.00 so could not do a long walk, but headed off to see what I could find. Along the canal I found a Sedge Warbler, Willow Warblers, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. And finally, finally, I managed to get a proper record shot of Lesser Whitethroat. It was a little distant but given my previous attempt was no more than a brown smudge I will honestly take absolutely anything, and it’s pretty clear despite the distance. It’s also the first time I have clearly seen one in the full rather than flying away or skulking through the bushes.

-Lesser Whitethroat

I then had a quick look in Kew but the icky was not there, so I headed along to see Kieron and finish the report. That finished off my morning but the report was all but done. After that I headed back for lunch and to rest before the afternoon.

First thing in the afternoon I headed up to Clubleys to have a look. There were a few Emperor Dragonflies and Common Darters around, but the most surprising thing was when 2 Green Sandpipers were flushed from over the hill and flew over the scrape making a right din. I tried to grab a few record shots of the encounter but they did not come out to well.

-Green Sandpiper

I then headed down to ‘bush bash’ canal hedge, and in doing so found a few Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler. It was then that I received a message about a wryneck at Sammies, and as such I speeded straight there without further ado. I did pick up a few Whinchat and Wheatear along the way; they were both sat along the fence posts.

I arrived at the spot to hear that the wryneck had been lost, but it had been photographed while sunbathing. I’m not a cynic by nature but if it was sunbathing why did it feel the need to move? I am wondering if the photographer may have flushed it getting to close, but who is to say, and I am not. It did not show again but during my time at Sammies I found some good birds; Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and a Redstart, which was a Spurn tick for me. It was a young bird flycatching from the edge of the bush, but it was ample compensation for the wryneck dip. I also had a very nice Ruff on the estuary which was quite close to the bank.

-Ruff

I returned to a more central position in case anything turned up. I had a look in the car park of the pub, where I got great views of Pied Flycatcher and another Garden Warbler. The Pied Flycatcher showed very well even on the floor.

I returned to the warren to have some dinner before the seawatch. Seawatching was dead, with only 238 terns flying south, with a few Oystercatchers and one Arctic Skua. The highlight of the evening session was when I went down to make coffees and Paul collard me saying he had a Pied Flycatcher to ring. I finished off the coffees and then went to watch him ringing it. I asked for a few photos but they were too flighty to hold properly, so I could only get a headshot. It certainly gives a different perspective on the birds I have been seeing for the last few days.

-Pied Flycatcher

Species List:

Mooching about: Collard Dove, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Snipe, Coot, Mallard, Wren, Dunnock, Little Egret, Redshank, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Pied Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Garden Warbler, Whinchat,

Sammies: Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Ruff, Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Wheatear, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler

Seawatching: Gannet, Arctic Skua, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Oystercatcher, 

Old Moor

Its taken some time to make it, but today I finally made it to Old Moor for the barn owl. I set off with the intention of spending all day there, staying until the owls showed. Upon arrival I was informed that the day before they had even been seen during the day, with the chicks sat on the edge of the box. This then seemed a pretty bulletproof tick. I may as well tell you now that the owls were not seen all day, and it seems likely that they fledged during the night, one day too late. I guess that's what I get for not going sooner.

Not knowing this I made my way straight over to the Wader Scrape Hide, no messing about, to see if they were there. I wandered in to quite crowd, but there were no owls on the box. In fairness it was the height of the day, already 12.00 and a clear, very warm day. With that in mind I settled down to await upon the owls arrival. I spent a lot of time watching the box to see if any chicks would pop out, but none did. 

The scrape was much busier than it had been last time I was here. There were, of course, masses of Black-Headed Gulls, with the occasional Lapwing thrown in. And on the water there were Tufted Duck, Mallard and Gadwall, as well as a few Teal that spent most of the day sleeping. I got out the scope for a closer look, since Green Sandpiper had been seen a lot recently. I did not find any green sands, but I did find a Greenshank, that was feeding near the back, my first since I year-ticked them at Potteric Carr.

From my tactical eavesdropping I overheard a birder talk frequently about a pair of Godwits on the mud. I spent so long trying to find these birds, before eavesdropping again while he explained their location to another birder while he explained where the Greenshank was. The Godwits, Black-Tailed, were right next to the Greenshank, so I only needed to get 1 record shot for both species.

-Black-Tailed Godwit and Greenshank

I spent a good couple of hours waiting here for the 'barn owls' to show. There was not much change in the scenery either, the only real additions being that of Avocet, with one feeding at the back, and Common Sandpiper near the front. It moved onto the near shore too eventually so I got some decent photos of it. There were also the Lesser Black-Backed Gulls on the prowl, though they attacked many Black-Headed Gulls I did not see them actually finish one off, they all seemed to get away.

-Common Sandpiper

Of course it was not just 'barn owl' that I had wanted to get, since hobby was still well and truly on the agenda, but I figured it was much much less certain than the owl, but it meant I was reluctant to leave the Wader Scrape Hide, should I miss one.

I was tempted though as apparently the Green Sandpipers had been seen on Wath Ings Hide, so I decided to take a short break over that way to see if they were there. They did not disappoint, I picked up 3 birds all showing really well, though not close. This was great to see having only picked it up as a lifer on Monday. The birds did move gradually closer, and were soon pretty close, landing on a small patch of mud in front of the hide, but not as close as they were at Potteric.

I got to watch the bird Preen, which was interesting as I saw that it wet its beak or foot every time before scratching or preening. Its probably well observed and studied but it interested me. I also got to watch one of the birds try to bring up a pellet, I assume, though I did not see it actually expel it.

I got to see so much of the bird, and this time I even heard them calling, leaving me overall much more confident with identification should I come across one at a less expected site, like back home...

-Green Sandpiper

I did not stay long, as soon as the Green Sands had moved back to their distant location I withdrew back to Wader Scrape in the hope of Hobby or Barn Owl. I awaited patiently in the hide for another substantial length of time without much happening.

After about half an hour another birder in the hide said the word I had been begging to hear for so long: 'hobby'. As soon as he said it I found the bird drifting above the tree line but coming towards us. It eventually came right up to the hide and then round, giving great views. But sadly they were also brief views. I got some shots but they came out very dark, either way they serve as record shots for the year-list of this species that I have hunted for so long. I waited to see if it would come back but no joy, I thought it had at one point, but then that bird banked with broad wings, revealing itself as a Kestrel.

-Hobby

Having finally seen Hobby, so feeling very good, I decided to head off to try and find some other stuff while I waited for evening to come on and the owls to come out. I went to the garden to see if I could find any speckled bush crickets, but could not. I did find a Nursery Web Spider though, a species I have only previously seen in Suffolk. This one was perched with web atop a nettle, showing off its large size and gold streaks.

-Nursery Web Spider

I decided to head to the Bittern Hide to see if there was anything there. but it also gave views over the reedbed in case the owl decided to show itself. I ended up spending longer in there than I had expected as I got talking a couple who asked me on their chances of seeing the bittern (Very Small). As a result I probably spent over half and hour in there, allowing me to pick up Little Egret which flew over the reeds and then over the trees, and also one of the highlights when a Kingfisher flew past the hide, brief but clear, even catching the orange underneath.

After a little while and the couple had moved on, I decided to return to Wader Scrape to see if the owls were around. The advantage of Wader Scrape is that you can see the entrance to the box in case the young decided to show. Of course they did not, and after half an hours wait, it being only half 5 I decided enough was enough and that they were not going to show. Another late birder was there too, and he also suggested that the birds had moved off, 8 at Edderthorpe apparently...

I decided to leave the reserve and head back, not wanting to mess up my public transport. But on the way out I was given another treat when I flushed from the bank the unmistakable form of a Green Woodpecker. It did not fly far, and even landed in one of the trees along the road. Because it had stuck around I could get a decent view, identifying it as a young bird, which probably explained its boldness when I was clearly out in the open. I managed to get some decent shots of the bird, certainly an improvement on the green smudge from Padleys. 

-Green Woodpecker

I had expected to walk, but too a trip to the bus stop to find out times just in case. Turns out I timed it perfectly and got one of the later buses. In the grass there were still a few Bee Orchids, but many had gone. Those that were still there were quite clear individuals too, suggesting that if the others had been picked then these may be on borrowed time.

So it had been a mixed day, dipping the owls not good, but that aside it had been a pretty incredible day. Hobby was a massive plus, my 170th species this year. And the woodpecker was a real treat at the end. I picked up a decent day species list too, see below...

Species List:

Old Moor RSPB: Starling, Dunnock, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Black-Headed Gull, Wren, Mallard, Jackdaw, Mute Swan, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Common Teal, Shoveler, Kingfisher, Gadwall, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Oystercatcher, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Little Egret, Avocet, Black-Tailed Godwit, Common Tern, Reed Warbler, Swift, Greenshank, Green Woodpecker, Green Sandpiper, Hobby, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Small Skipper, Common Blue, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Blue-Tailed Damselfly, Common Darter, Nursery Web Spider, Zebra Spider,