Halifax birding; updates from the week 26th - 31st July

Our time in Ecuador ended prematurely and with a more significant financial cost than we had anticipated thanks to all our equipment being stolen on a coach journey between cities. Consequently, we decided to return home to the UK and as such have spent the past week birding around local sites using older optics and the scope.

Whiteholme provided some birds this week, which was nice. A dapper adult Turnstone appeared on the 26^th July, and on the 28^th another flew over calling but unseen. Frustratingly, or perhaps not given my lack of camera, the bird on the 26^th July stayed probably only a minute in total before it left, the same as the bird the previous year.

Due to my optics not being up to scratch I avoided Soil Hill, as I did not want to be left frustrated by the birding. Once new bins arrived we started visiting again and found a juvenile Sedge Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler still lurking at the bottom of the North Slope on the 31^st July. There were also a few Willow Warbler around and 3 Grey Partridge on the same date.

We also visited a few other birds in the local area as they were new for Lia. A Black Redstart found near the Withens Head by DJS was a nice treat, and it showed well on the walls there on the 28^th July. And then on the 29^th BS had a Greenshank on Fly Flatts, which was a Halifax tick for me, long overdue but still nice to see, despite being very distant. 

-Turnstone

-Black Redstart

-Greenshank

Whiteholme Reservoir: Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Eurasian Teal, Common Swift, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet,
Fly Flatts: Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Ringed Plover, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Kestrel, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 26th July - 01st August

Soil Hill

Unfortunately, due to the weather I did not visit Soil Hill too many times this week, but on the days that I did visit there were quite a few bits to keep me entertained. For starters on the 26^th I managed a whopping 45 species, which I think is my best count this year, but I can’t be certain about that. Willow Warblers were the stand outs of the week, with small numbers of juveniles present daily giving the place a very lively feel. A Grasshopper Warbler was also nice on the 26^th, as were two Grey Wagtail that flew south and 2 Common Buzzard that circled low overhead. Once the storm had passed, I returned to the hill but there was not the fall of passerines I dreamt about, the highlight on the 1^st being a Green Woodpecker that was calling from down in Bradshaw.

-Common Buzzard

Whiteholme Reservoir

Where Soil Hill was more tranquilo this week, Whiteholme was exceptional. With the storm in the offing I made a visit during the afternoon of the 27^th to sus out the habitat and see which birds were already present. I was stunned to spot a Red Knot still in its summer finery on the centre ‘island’. I then flew to the near shore and became unbelievably confiding, allowing me to gather some nice shots. It was carrying a limp but this did not seem to hamper it behaviour at all.

The 28^th was unexceptional despite the weather, but the storm continued and on the 29^th it delivered. Fog greatly hampered visibility but in the glimpses I was able to obtain of the ‘island’ I managed to spot 6 Arctic Terns all sitting out the storm, which then turned into 7 when they got up and had short fly around before presumably deciding against it. When the fog lifted again there was a summer plumage plover sitting on the island. Frustratingly, because of the wind direction, it kept facing me the whole time, and then the fog descended again. It was another 10 minutes before the fog lifted again, but the bird continued to face me. Consequently I moved along the shore to hopefully get an angle that would confirm my suspicions that the bird was a Grey Plover. I managed a better angle, but it was not needed, as the bird decided to leave the reservoir, flying low over my head revealing its stunning black axillaries.

And then to wrap it all up on the 31^st a stunning adult Turnstone arrived mid-morning and after flying around calling landed in the top NW corner of the reservoir. It lingered here for all of about 30 seconds before it took off again. Frustratingly I was trying to digiscope the bird at the time and as such lost it as it flew off, so I have no idea which direction it went. I did however scour the whole reservoir, and it was certainly not present on Whiteholme, nor on Blackstone Edge. Turnstone is my 150th species in Calderdale and the 15th species of wader on Whiteholme so far in 2021.

-Red Knot

-Arctic Tern

-Grey Plover

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Red-legged Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Goosander, Common Swift, Red Grouse, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Red Knot, Dunlin, Ruddy Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Arctic Tern, Great Cormorant, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Northern Wheatear, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, 

Filey

With the day looking rather quiet at Spurn, and options for birding seeming limited I decided to take Lia to Filey to look at seabirds and Purple Sandpipers. And whilst the seabirds did not produce in absolutely shocking conditions, the Purple Sandpipers put on quite the performance with one particular individual approaching so close that we could almost touch it. Other birds were a bit few and far between, but Purple Sandpipers are always a winner.

-Purple Sandpiper

-Turnstone

Species List:

Filey: Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Tufted Duck, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Northern Gannet, Cormorant, Kestrel, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Rock Pipit, Goldfinch,

September at Spurn

September started slowly, with very few grounded migrants, a product of the persistent westerly winds. A few Willow Warblers, plus a couple of Garden Warblers were the best that the nets had to offer. A few Ortolan Buntings were around the area, but I failed to connect with them and the tapes I produced were insufficient for bringing them into a net. A Kingfisher on the fourth was a bonus, still only the second I have ever ringed.

On the 2^nd September I had the surprise of my life when, on the way back from work, I had a Badger feeding on the lawn at Cliff Farm. I was so startled I nearly fell off my bike, but managed to compose myself to watch it scuttle under the hedge and into the bushes at Kew.

Sadly over the Migfest weekend I was extremely busy so had very little time for any birding or bird related activities. However, the day after I began trying to target waders around the Humber shore. Turnstone was my first target as they are bold, predictable and lovely birds. It took some work but I managed to catch two different birds, an adult and juvenile, both stunning. After those I really wanted to catch Sanderling, but found it difficult to find any individuals behaving in a way such that we could move them into a trap. However, at Beacon Ponds we found a very reluctant to fly Bar-tailed Godwit, which after some amount of work, we were finally able to manoeuvre into the trip trap, only the 34^th ever to be ringed at Spurn.

-Turnstone

-Bar-tailed Godwit

The following days produced very high numbers of birds in the nets. Most of the birds were Tree Sparrow, and we did over 150 in two days. Meadow Pipit numbers also increased dramatically, although they were initially more reluctant to drop near any traps. Two Redstarts were nice, and after many individuals bounced, it was nice to finally catch a Sparrowhawk.

On the 20^th I was treated to a great flyby Great White Egret that passed nearly overhead whilst I was ringing Meadow Pipits in Churchfield. Had I my camera I would have been able to get some great photos, but sadly not on this occasion.

Species List:

Spurn Bird Observatory: Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Pheasant, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Gannet, Cormorant, Peregrine, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Water Rail, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing, Grey Plover, Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Ruff, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collard Dove, Short-eared Owl, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Robin, Redstart, Wheatear, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting,

Skinningrove twitching Eastern Black Redstart

Working during the week has now reduced me to a weekend twitcher. Having been for the White-billed Diver yesterday I decided to have a look north for the Eastern Black Redstart thats been wintering on the south side of Tees. Its not a species, and is something I have seen before but that previous time the light had faded badly, and its just something I wanted to see.

Once I arrived on site it took a few minutes before the bird appeared, but once it had come out from the rocks it started showing obscenely well at incredibly close quarters on the rocks less than two meters in front of me. There were only a few other birders there so we were able to really get to grips with the bird and for me, try to learn as much about it as possible.

Its a cracking bird to say the least, one of the best I have ever seen and the way it behaved was fantastic. It gave me the chance to experiment with my photography, allowing me to test all my camera set ups;

Phonescoping...

-Eastern Black Redstart

Digiscoping...

-Eastern Black Redstart

and DSLR set up...

-Eastern Black Redstart

I have learnt not to trust my DSLR as it struggles to get things in focus. However it performed much better today, probably as a result of the bird being so close to us. The light was a big problem as the bird was always in shade, but as the afternoon drew on it did improve a little.

As for the supporting cast, it was very good. With the Redstart on the beach was a pair of very bold Stonechats and a flock of Turnstones that were equally confiding. On the cliffs behind us was a small colony of Fulmar and a Peregrine flew through. It was a really pleasant afternoon out birding. 

-Turnstone

-Stonechat

On the way back I got off the bus in Redcar and went to have a look at the Velvet Scoter flock off the cinema. In total I counted eleven birds diving around among the roost gulls. Its the first time I have properly seen these birds on the sea through my new scope, and not through my old scope. A nice way to wrap up the day, a fantastic days birding out in the north east.

-Velvet Scoter

Species List:

Skinningrove: Grey Heron, Eider, Red-throated Diver, Eastern Black Redstart, Robin, Rock Pipit, Stonechat, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Fulmar, Jackdaw, Peregrine, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 

Redcar: Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull,

Norfolk Day 4

Continuing on the theme of trying to avoid popular sites in Norfolk for birding I decided to go to Holkham for a visit today. A GWE had turned up yesterday and though it had dissapeared after half an hour with no further news it remained a possibility despite not really thinking I would see it. The dunes are also great places for migrants so I figured my chances of finding something were pretty good.

And so it turned out. Scanning the hedgerows near the car-park as I arrived I picked up a blackbird with a white crescent on its chest. Ring Ouzel. I couldn't believe it and quickly tried to get my camera out of my bag. However, when I looked again it had gone, and despite half an hour scanning I was unable to relocate it. I was gutted to say the least, my first decent find in my week visit and it goes after five seconds. Still, there were plenty of other good birds in the car park area, including Marsh Harrier and Egyptian Geese.

-Egyptian Geese

I decided to walk along to the hides first and then explore the dunes after. I was treated to obscene views of Jay and especially Muntjac Deer, which seemed to be very abundant and tame despite the number of dog walkers.

Just before I reached the main hide I scanned across and to my disbelief picked up the Great White Egret fishing in a ditch. I was so please. Buzzing even. What a striking bird, the best view I have ever had of one and certainly the best photos I have ever managed to get of one. Sadly it was very mobile and after around 10mins it took off and flew to the far side of the freshmarsh well out of view. It did do a massive poo though on the way, which was something of a novelty. I can now add GWE to me species seen pooing list. And on the subject of lists I should mention that Ring Ouzel was my 150th species this year, GWE being the 150th for public transport.

-Great White Egret

Walking on I arrived at the main hide and decided to pop in and have lunch there. Looking over I picked up Pheasant and Grey Partridge in abundance, as well as a smart Peregrine. Then a couple of other birders came in, saying to look out for the resident Spoonbills, they were hoping to see from the hide. It was not long after that we had Spoonbills flying, followed by views of one actually feeding. Not sleeping, actually feeding. Granted it was rather distant but to get views like this is something of a novelty with this species.

-Spoonbill

After lunch I decided to move on. A hooded crow seemed to have set up at Blakeney having being moving West along the coast all morning. As a result I decided to make a move there. It turned out to be a waste of time as the bird had clearly flown off about two hours before I arrived and nobody had bothered to put news out yet. Anyway, I was at least given some consolation with my first Yellow Wagtail of the year, although it was nothing more than a distant yellow spec.

Following a breif stint there then I moved on and ended up with time to kill in Sheringham on the way back. I wandered down to the seafront to kill time but instead found that there were some seriously tame Turnstones feeding around the area near my feet so spent the time photographing those instead.

-Turnstone

Thats the account of my last full day in Norfolk, and I pretty much had the best of it. A real nice way to finish off an excellent week.

Species List:

Holkham NNR: Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Pied Wagtail, Shelduck, Teal, Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Starling, Black-headed Gull, Greylag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Meadow Pipit, Shoveler, Redshank, Ring Ouzel, Moorhen, Chaffinch, Jay, Robin, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Pheasant, Great-white Egret, Peregrine, Goldcrest, Canada Goose, Avocet, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Grey Partridge, Spoonbill, Common Buzzard, Magpie, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Brent Goose, Red Kite,

Blakeney Freshmarsh: Yellow Wagtail, Rook, Jackdaw, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Greylag Goose, Willow Warbler, Robin, Greenfinch, Peregrine, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Redshank, Pied Wagtail, Oystercatcher, Marsh Harrier, Egyptian Goose, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Chaffinch, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Goldfinch, Pheasant,