Brazil; Legado das Aguas; day 2

   We started our morning early in the hopes of seeing a Pavonine Cuckoo that had been reported the previous day. Alas we were not able to see it, although we heard it later in the day, but the early start meant we were already in the forest for when things began to liven up. We had a brilliant mixed flock of commoner Antbirds and Tanagers, including a Fawn-breasted Tanager, only the second one I have ever seen and the first that actually showed well. The flocks continued in fine form throughout the morning, mostly composed of commoner species but with a few nice additions, such as a cracking female Robust Woodpecker, only the second I have ever seen, a pair of Spot-billed Toucanets, a pair of Crescent-chested Puffbirds and at the end of the walk, a Bay-ringed Tyannulet. Frustratingly, the identification did not click until the next day, which is frustrating given how difficult this bird can be.

After a breakfast enjoying the feeders again we took a steady walk down the road where we finally saw the bird that initially brought us to this reserve, the Black-headed Berryeater. We heard one call distantly but after a little playback failed to produce anything we gave up until after 20 minutes it called again in the forest next to us. With some persuasion the bird then came out and showed rather well in the sub-canopy above us, finally laying to rest my demons with this species.

After the catharsis that was finally connecting with this endangered cotinga, we spent a relaxed lunchtime enjoying the feeders and scanning for raptors. A Bat Falcon was a nice surprise, although we were informed that they were breeding nearby, and a very high up White-necked Hawk drifted over. The tanagers at the feeder were very cheeky, with some of the Green-headed Tanagers even stealing food from our lunch and taking fruit from our hands. There was also a troop of Black Capuchin monkeys that visited us, taking food from the feeders, and an enormous Argentine Black-and-white Tegu wandered casually along the road. This reserve really is incredible.

On the way out, it being mid to late afternoon we did not record so many species but I did manage to get my 700^th Brazilian bird! We stopped off at one of the hydroelectric dams on the road in the hope of spotting the White-thighed Swallow. Although common in the Amazon, this species is tricky to come by in the Atlantic Forest and only a few sites regularly have it. Although not common here, it had been seen enough to make me think we had a chance but we had never spotted it, until now when one flew over us calling. Fortunately, it did a couple of flybys so I was able to grab some record shots, confirming the identification, but sadly it never perched or flew particularly close for anything more. Still, a fantastic end to the weekend on the birding front, with 3 new species for me, and a brilliant birthday weekend for Lia.

-Spot-billed Toucanet

-Robust Woodpecker

-Plain Parakeet

-Azure-shouldered Tanager

-Black-headed Berryeater

-White-thighed Swallow

-Turkey Vulture

Species List:
Legado das Aguas: Solitary Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Spot-winged Wood Quail, Plumbeous Pigeon, Grey-rumped Swift, Saw-billed Hermit, Festive Coquette, Violet-capped Woodnymph, Slaty-breasted Wood Rail, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, East Brazilian Pygmy Owl, Rufous-capped Motmot, Crescent-chested Puffbird, Spot-billed Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, Ochre-collared Piculet, White-spotted Woodpecker, Robust Woodpecker, Yellow-throated Woodpecker, Bat Falcon, Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Cobalt-rumped Parrotlet, Spot-backed Antshrike, Star-throated Antwren, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-margined Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, White-shouldered Fire-eye, Squamate Antbird, Spotted Bamboowren, White-breasted Tapaculo, Olivaceous Woodcreeper, Plain-winged Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, Black-capped Foliage-gleaner, Buff-fronted Foliage-gleaner, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Blue Manakin, Pin-tailed Manakin, Black-headed Berryeater, Bare-throated Bellbird, Greenish Schiffornis, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Black-tailed Myiobius, Grey-hooded Flycatcher, Sao Paulo Tyrannulet, Oustalet's Tyrannulet, Bay-ringed Tyrannulet, Yellow-lored Tody-Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Cliff Flycatcher, Planalto Tyrannulet, Euler's Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tyrant, Short-crested Flycatcher, Great Kiskadee, Piratic Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, White-thighed Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, House Wren, Pale-breasted Thrush, Yellow-legged Thrush, White-necked Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Violaceous Euphonia, Chestnut-bellied Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Red-rumped Cacique, Shiny Cowbird, Golden-crowned Warbler, Riverbank Warbler, Olive-green Tanager, Red-crowned Ant Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Fawn-breasted Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper, Double-collared Seedeater,

Brazil; Legado das Aguas; day 1

  It’s been five months since I left Brazil, so it was well overdue that I finally made it back. There were some difficulties due to the pandemic but with some careful planning I managed to arrive with no hiccups. My arrival was to coincide with Lia’s birthday on the 25^th, and we had planned a weekend away with her family at the brilliant Legado das Aguas reserve a couple of hours outside Sao Paulo.

  The journey to the reserve takes a couple of hours along the main rain and then another 90 minutes through a dirt road that runs directly through the forest. Progress along this road is often slow due to the fact that it is not uncommon to encounter interesting species as we travel. And so it was today. First we encountered a South American Snipe in a small marsh on the side of the road, which was a tricky customer but eventually gave itself up! But then we had a real surprise thanks to Lias fantastic call recognition. From our moving car she heard and recognised the call of Buffy-fronted Seedeater, a species that neither of us has ever seen due to its nomadic habits. We jumped out of the car and with a little playback the bird showed remarkably well, allowing us to get some excellent views of this difficult species. A stunning male Temmincks Seedeater also dropped in but due to being short on time we could not linger longer to obtain better views.

  Once we arrived at the lodging we spent the afternoon around the restaurant feeders and the adjacent forest. The feeders here were extremely lively compared to the last time we were here. Now, in addition to the commoner Tanager species present, there was also Olive-green Tanager, which is a species I have seen only twice before and never visiting feeders like this. There were a few Saffron Toucanets in the forest as well, which showed nicely in the gloomy conditions. We also heard a few Tinamous as well as other forest species, and as dusk fell we had a Short-tailed Nighthawk fly low over us.

-Buffy-fronted Seedeater

-Palm Tanager

-Red-necked Tanager

-Olive Green Tanager

-Plumbeous Pigeon

-Saffron Toucanet

Species List:
Legado das Aguas: Solitary Tinamou, Brown Tinamou, Spot-winged Wood Quail, Plumbeous Pigeon, White-tipped Dove, Short-tailed Nighthawk, White-collared Swift, Violet-capped Woodnymph, South American Snipe, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Black-capped Screech Owl, East Brazilian Pygmy Owl, Saffron Toucanet, Channel-billed Toucan, Lineated Woodpecker, Yellow-headed Caracara, Plain Parakeet, Scaly-headed Parrot, Spot-backed Antshrike, Variable Antshrike, Spot-breasted Antvireo, Rufous-margined Antwren, Ferruginous Antbird, White-breasted Tapaculo, White-throated Woodcreeper, Lesser Woodcreeper, Sharp-tailed Streamcreeper, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Spix's Spinetail, Blue Manakin, Bare-throated Bellbird, Greenish Schiffornis, Chestnut-crowned Becard, Sepia-capped Flycatcher, Yellow-olive Flatbill, Cliff Flycatcher, Planalto Tyrannulet, Long-tailed Tyrant, Short-crested Flycatcher, Tropical Kingbird, Chivi Vireo, Blue-and-white Swallow, Southern Rough-winged Swallow, Grey-breasted Martin, House Wren, White-necked Thrush, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Violaceous Euphonia, Rufous-collared Sparrow, Red-rumped Cacique, Tropical Parula, Golden-crowned Warbler, Olive-green Tanager, Ruby-crowned Tanager, Sayaca Tanager, Azure-shouldered Tanager, Golden-chevroned Tanager, Palm Tanager, Green-headed Tanager, Red-necked Tanager, Swallow Tanager, Blue Dacnis, Green Honeycreeper, Saffron Finch, Double-collared Seedeater, Temminck's Seedeater, Buffy-fronted Seedeater, Bananaquit,

Germany; Birding around Husum

 The wonderful thing about living in this part of Germany is that migrant species often can just arrive in suburban estates. So it was that on my walks to and from the office there would be chances to see Spotted Flycatcher and Common Redstart, while Tree Pipit was nearly daily flying overhead. There were a few days where I went out specifically birding, and even managed a world tick.

11 September 2021; Beltringharder Koog

  This was the only day really spent birding, with Balduin taking me north to Beltringharder Koog. Initially we had planned to try to see an Oriental Pratincole that had been further north for some time but alas it disappeared just as I arrived, so we opted to stay closer as well.
  This was useful as there was a Spotted Crake in the area, which would have been a world tick for me, and as such we first went to the small hide where we hoped the bird would be. Frustratingly in the hour that we were there the bird showed only briefly and only I saw it. Fortunately there was a group of feeding Greenshank right in front of us, with a very smart Spotted Redshank in tow, while a pair of Bluethroat fed along the edges of the reeds behind. As we were leaving the hide a Merlin came bombing through and snatched a Barn Swallow from right in front of us, before perching up to disembowel it.
  Afterwards we headed to another area of the Koog which was absolutely rammed with birds. Thousands of geese and ducks, with Spoonbills and herons in good numbers as well as large numbers of wading birds. There were quite a few Little Stints present, while Ruddy Shelducks were a novelty on the wildfowl front. A ringtail Hen Harrier came gracefully over the saltmarsh to round off what had been an exceptional mornings birding.

Species List:
Beltringharder Koog: Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Mute Swan, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Feral Pigeon, Common Wood Pigeon, Spotted Crake, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, European Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin, Little Stint, Common Snipe, Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Great Cormorant, Great Egret, Eurasian Spoonbill, Western Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Western Jackdaw, Northern Raven, Bearded Reedling, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Common Chiffchaff, Common Starling, Bluethroat, Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting,

18 September 2021; Husum Schlosspark

  Although I was not out with the intention of birding, there were quite a few bits on offer today that made the afternoon very enjoyable on a bird front as well. When walking through the park there were three groups of Brent Geese that flew over, in addition to a single group that flew over the previous night at football. In total I guess the three skeins added up to 250 birds.
  There were also a family feeding the ducks in the park, and while there were many Black-headed Gulls in with the mallards there was also a fantastic winter plumage adult Mediterranean Gull. This is a new species for me in Germany where it is not super common.

-Brent Geese

Species List:
Husum Schlosspark: Brent Goose, Mallard, Feral Pigeon, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, European Herring Gull, Common Buzzard, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Barn Swallow, Common Martin, Common Starling,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 30th August - 06th September

Soil Hill

The week started nicely with a typically seasonal scattering of Willow Warblers, Wheatears and the last few Whitethroats still lingering in the scrub. But even on the 31^st there were signs of change as I had my first Chiffchaff of the autumn. By the end of the week I could only manage to find a single Willow Warbler but managed six Chiffchaff. Autumn is already moving on rapidly. Among these commoner migrants there were a few other bits around. Surprisingly on the 1^st, and then subsequently on the 2^nd I flushed a Sedge Warbler at the bottom of the North Slope. There is a good chance this is one of the birds from the end of August, as the two Grasshopper Warblers had also lingered until at the least the 2^nd, but they could all have been new arrivals. On the 2^nd there was also an additional Grasshopper Warbler on the summit, which I flushed from the long grass. In my attempts to refind the bird I spotted its head emerging from the grass right in front of me giving me the eyes before it scuttled off to be left in peace. On the 4^th there were two juvenile Bullfinch on Ned Hill Track, presumably the survivors of the three that were there in August. On the 5^th a Whinchat was travelling along the dry stone walls at the bottom of the North Slope, but was always very distant. And finally on the 6^th I added to the weeks migrant total with a single Blackcap and a very fine Spotted Flycatcher.

At the end of the week the wind finally turned SW and as such there was a little bit of passage to enjoy. I managed 129 Swallows heading south on the 6^th, as well as a single Sand Martin and four House Martins. There were a few Grey Wagtails passing over throughout the week, and Pied Wagtails also began to pick up again. On a couple of days, I spotted Jays flying around as well, although always distant as they pass between fragments of woodland. Snipe numbers increased dramatically with a flock of 8 flying around on the 4^th. Who knows the true number, as many appeared to fly off towards the moors without returning! There was also a juvenile Curlew on the bottom field on the 31^st, with another heard calling on the 6^th. Presumably these are the last few birds heading off to the coast for winter. 

-Common Chiffchaff

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Common Snipe

-Vapourer caterpillar

Whiteholme Reservoir

I did visit Whiteholme a couple of times but there was precious little to report. On the 6^th there were a few birds but 10 Teal and a patch tick of two Goldfinch were the best I could muster. The female Goldeneye also remained in situ throughout the week.  

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Eurasian Teal, Common Goldeneye, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Northern Wheatear, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, European Goldfinch, 

Spurn Bird Observatory

  My intention had been to spend the bank holiday weekend at Spurn as a last goodbye before I return to Brazil, but with work completed I decided to extend my visit, so made the trip across on the Wednesday. This worked out rather nicely in the end, as a Death’s Head Hawkmoth had been trapped in Easington overnight and was set to be shown at lunchtime. After a quick walk around Soil Hill I made my way over in plenty of time to see the moth, the largest in the UK. Sadly due to the number of people present we could not antagonise it and so did not hear its characteristic ‘squeak’, but still awesome to see this rare migrant none the less.

  Once the moth had been seen I made my way to Beacon Lane to catch up with the Greenish Warbler that had been around for a few days. Unfortunately the wind was blowing right into the dell where the bird was, and it had become extremely elusive, but after an hour of looking I finally got some brief glimpses where it perched out nicely before it plunged back into the thicket. The photos I managed to get were very dark but helpfully all the features are on full display. This is a British tick for me, and the first time I have photographed this species. Subsequently I waited an additional half an hour before deciding it was a waste of time and went back for some lunch.

  These were the two highlights of the week, largely in part to the weather, which was a brisk northerly the whole time I was present. Normally this would mean good potential for seabirds but alas the overall passage on the sea was quite muted. There were a few Sooty Shearwaters which are always smart, as well as a couple of Arctic Skuas. Ringing was also hampered by the weather, but a Barred Warbler that we caught certainly livened things up. Tree Sparrows and Willow Warblers made up the bulk of the numbers, with a scattering of Sedge and Reed Warblers completing the migrant contingent. One afternoon we went out to capture Mute Swan chicks, which was a lot of fun although due to complications with the rings we only ringed half of the birds we caught.

  There were a few none birds as well. It was good to see my second ever Spurn Common Seal on the Humber, although it was as difficult to photograph as the last one which was in the surf off the breach. Dragonflies were thin on the ground but a Ruddy Darter in Church Field was nice. Despite the cool weather it was good to see a Barred Grass Snake out on Beacon Lane whilst I was waiting for the Greenish Warbler. 

-Death's Head Hawkmoth

-Greenish Warbler

-Barred Warbler

-Barred Grass Snake

-Common Seal

Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Greylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common  Moorhen, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Ruddy Turnstone, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Arctic Skua, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Sooty Shearwater, Northern Gannet, Little Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Garden Warbler, Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Pied Flycatcher, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Seal, Grey Seal, Brown Hare, Roe Deer, Red Fox, Barred Grass Snake, Common Blue-tailed Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter,

RSPB Blacktoft Sands twitching White-tailed Lapwing

The weather was looking quite unappealing for my second day at Spurn, so it was mighty convenient that Yorkshires first White-tailed Lapwing was found at Blacktoft that morning. Having seen this species in Oman, India and Israel I was not desperate to dash off, but when Toby offered a lift and we assembled a small squad I was more than keen to tag along.

The bird had become more mobile not long before we arrived but thankfully was still in place and we were able to get onto it almost immediately. From the hide we spent about half an hour watching the bird before vacating so that others could come in and see it. Most of the time it was feeding along the back of the small scrape, but it would occasionally take flight, and circle round before dropping back down again.

Compared to others I have seen this one had a noticeably pale head, but otherwise was an adult in pristine plumage. The long yellow legs were absolutely stunning, and the pattern on the wings when the bird took off was brilliant to see again. It was well worth the morning out.

-White-tailed Lapwing

Species List:
RSPB Blacktoft Sands: Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, White-tailed Lapwing, Ruff, Common Snipe, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Western Marsh Harrier, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail,

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 23rd August - 29th August

Soil Hill

The autumn excitement continued to persist this week, despite gloomy and often quite breezy conditions. There continued to be a light scattering of migrants on offer, as well as a few nice oddball species. Visits were only managed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday due to my spending a long weekend at Spurn, but that was time enough to record a few goodies on the old patch.

Willow Warblers peaked with 10 on the 23^rd, but remained present on each visit. Whitethroats were also present, but in much lower numbers, also peaking with 5 on the 23^rd. Although it was a poor start to August for Tree Pipit, they have been fairly regular in the last week and so it continued. Frustratingly all the birds were either heard only or observed flyovers, with just one bird on the 25^th actually spending any time on the deck. Scarcer drift migrants involved a single Whinchat at the bottom of the North Slope on the 24^th, and then a Spotted Flycatcher on Taylor Lane on the 25^th. Given that it is now the end of August, I was beginning to fret that Spotted Flycatcher might give me the slip this year, so it was a great relief to finally get one, although it was extremely elusive at all times. Grasshopper Warblers continued to be present in the long grass at the bottom of the North Slope. Typically elusive, it does appear to be two juveniles present.

There was sudden surge in Red-legged Partridge numbers, with a family at the bottom of the North Slope and another along Taylor Lane. The 23^rd had a few more unusual species, with a Great Spotted Woodpecker flying north over Ned Hill Track, plus six Cormorant flying north over the North Slope and a flock of three Common Snipe blogging, presumably feeding on the wet fields at the bottom of the North Slope. On the 24^th there was a minimum of four Grey Wagtails that flew south, but could have involved more birds blogging. 

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Whinchat

-Common Snipe

Whiteholme Reservoir

Due to the abridged nature of the weeks birding, I again only visited Whiteholme twice. The 23^rd was a bust, although on the drive back I did have a rather smart Red Kite soaring over Baitings Reservoir, so not a complete loss. The 24^th was much improved, with a smart juvenile Sanderling dropping in frustratingly briefly and at the north end of the reservoir where it could not have been much further away. Also on the 24^th were two juvenile Little Ringed Plovers, as well as a juvenile Common Ringed Plover. The female Goldeneye continued to be present on both days, and was joined by three Eurasian Teal on the 24^th. Wheatears were also present on both days.  

-Red Kite

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, Spotted Flycatcher, European Robin, Whinchat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Eurasian Teal, Common Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Sanderling, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, 

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 16th August - 22nd August

Soil Hill

Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time birding on Soil Hill this year, it has never felt like it ever reached the heights of last year. Although there has been some nice birds, nothing has stood out and there have been precious few days when the Hill itself seems to have been alive with birds and potential, as enjoyable as it has been.

This week however, the Hill has really felt alive. Despite a difficult breeze on most days and often foggy and drizzly conditions, the birding has been exceptional, with a good scattering of migrant species almost every day.

To kick start the week I flushed two Grasshopper Warblers out of the long grass at the bottom of the North Slope on the 16^th. These same birds were flushed every other day subsequently and on the 20^th they were even reeling from the brambles. Also on the 16^th were three juvenile Bullfinch along Ned Hill Track, but they did not linger during the week.

On the 18^th while trying to spot a calling Coal Tit in the garden on Taylor Lane, an immature Common Restart jumped out onto one of the conifers, sat for a few seconds and then dived back in. A subsequent search only got me another brief view in half an hour, so I called it a write off and went to check the rest of the site. On my way back I had another look and finally spotted the frequenting a small area of the garden where it would occasionally dive out of cover onto the lawn before returning. The message on the grapevine brought JJL up from Bradshaw and together we watched the bird feeding. Whilst we watched a Red Kite drifted over us heading west, which was a real surprise given the windy conditions. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also calling in the same area but I could not spot it.

The following day on the 19^th, I was stunned to find that not only had the Common Redstart lingered, but it had now been joined by a second bird. When I passed at around 07:00 the two birds were frantically chasing each other round, but when I returned they had clearly drawn their lines in the sand, as each was operating from a separate end of the garden. Willow Warblers peaked for the week today, with nine, as did Wheatears with three. A pair of Collared Doves flew south over Taylor Lane, as did a Grey Wagtail, and a Sparrowhawk took out a Meadow Pipit in the field adjacent to the mast.

On the 20^th just a single Common Redstart remained and it was being rather elusive. But there was a lot of birds to get through. On Ned Hill Track I had a Tree Pipit fly north calling which is only my second here this year. At the bottom of the North Slope the aforementioned Grasshopper Warblers were attempting to reel, and in the same area was a juvenile Sedge Warbler. And then to crown it all off was a cracking juvenile Whinchat on the fence line between the reservoir and the neighboring field. As seems typical with Soil Hill Whinchats, it made rapid progress along the fence-line before flying off down into the valley, but it did spend a short time flycatching, allowing me to get a proper view of it.

In summary, a fantastic week for Soil Hill! 

-Common Redstart

-Red Kite

-Whinchat

Whiteholme Reservoir

I made two visits to Whiteholme this week. The first on the 17^th was a write off due to poor weather conditions but the second on the 19^th was much more productive. As I was arriving AT was leaving and he commented that there was a wader on the centre ‘island’ but it was too difficult without a scope. Since I had my scope with me we has a check and spotted an absolutely stunning adult summer plumage Grey Plover. This is my second here this year, but the vastly improved weather meant that I could actually take time to enjoy this bird, rather than get frustrating glimpses through the fog. In the end it stayed present, feeding away for the hour that I was present. 

-Grey Plover

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, 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, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
Whiteholme Reservoir: Common Goldeneye, Red Grouse, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Common Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Carrion Crow, Barn Swallow, Northern Wheatear, Meadow Pipit,

Soil Hill; Week 09th August - 15th August

Soil Hill

Having spent most of the week at Spurn, there were only a few days when I could visit the old stomping ground before work. Still I managed four visits in often frustratingly windy conditions; not ideal for site where passerines make up the majority of the birds present. Still, I persevered and had a few nice bits to show for it. The best of the week was my first Wheatear of the autumn, which was present on the Thursday upon my return and then stayed in place for the rest of the week. The number of Willow Warblers present varied daily but peaked with 7 on the 12^th. Also on the 12^th I had my first Tree Pipit of the year here. Last year I recorded them many times during August so to have my first as late as the 12^th was a little frustrating but still gratefully received when it finally happened. Otherwise it was only the regular species, but it was still good to record over 30 species every day.

-Northern Wheatear

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Spurn Bird Observatory

  The annual Spurn BBQ gave me an excellent excuse to return to Spurn, primarily to see people before I leave but also to fit in some early autumn birding as the migration season begins to gain momentum. I arrived on Thursday and stayed until the following Tuesday, giving me plenty of time to enjoy the birding between hangovers.

  There was some nice birds during my stay, the undoubted highlight of which was the juvenile Black Stork that was tracked down the coast on the Sunday. A group of us spent our day on the Obs platform, scopes at the ready, awaiting for the bird to appear over the horizon. Rainstorms hindered its progress and it took longer than anticipated to arrive, but once we received news that it had passed over Holmpton we knew that it was a matter of time. Once we picked it up the bird spent most of its time flying over Easington and landing in fields. Most birders drove up to get a better view but a small group of us stayed on the platform where, although distantly, we could watch the bird as the local Peregrine forced it down again and again until it landed in a ditch out of sight. It was not until the next morning that it finally came south, passing low over the platform just above us, but frustratingly the wrong side of the sun. A brilliant Spurn tick for me, making up for missing out on the bird in 2015.

  Other birds were also around. An Osprey flew south on the Tuesday, and there was a constant trickle of waders flying in off the sea as we watched from the Obs platform. Turnstones, Black-tailed Godwits and Whimbrels were all among the highlights. Passerine-wise it was still a little steady but there was a nice scattering of Willow Warblers that helped keep the ringing entertaining in a morning. We also tried Storm-Petrel ringing but we failed to even attract any, never mind catch them. It was not a complete loss though, as, in addition to some incredible shooting star action, we also caught a Sandwich Tern, which was a ringing tick for PC. And that does not happen often!

  The weather was warm so in the afternoons we went out to hunt for Odonata. I had a Spurn tick when JHF pulled a male Brown Hawker out of the Church Field Heligoland trap. This is was the easiest species I still needed at Spurn, so was a welcome addition to my list. There was an influx of Banded Demoiselles over the weekend as well. I caught up with two in the end, one in Kew and another in Sykes Field, but there were double-figures over the weekend, an event only previously documented once at Spurn. There were Small Red-eyed Damselflies to enjoy as well, but the highlight was a female Southern Migrant Hawker that I removed from the end of the Church Field Heligoland. My suspicions were raised so I grabbed some photos on my phone, but then talked myself out of it and let it go, forgetting all about it until the next morning when I opened the book and realized what a fool I had been. Still, the first female for Spurn, and not a mistake I will be likely to make in future…

-Black Stork

-Sandwich Tern

-Osprey

-Southern Migrant Hawker

-Brown Hawker

-Banded Demoiselle

Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Common Shelduck, Mallard, Common Scoter, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, European Golden Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin, Common Snipe, Common Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Common Guillemot, Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Stork, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Little Egret, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Western Osprey, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Barn Owl, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Common Reed Bunting, Roe Deer, Red Fox, Brown Hare, European Rabbit, Common Lizard, Banded Demoiselle, Azure Damselfly, Common Blue-tailed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Migrant Hawker, Southern Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Emperor, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter,