Birdsong and Solitude

Kirkby on Bain 5th December 2009

2009-12-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Well, the weather started off nicely. I wasn’t going to do any birding this weekend, but I took an hour out to Kirkby on Bain, 2pm – 3pm.

There wasn’t a lot going on. The reserve has been tidied up for the winter, with much of the crap cleared away and the water level was higher than usual.

There were about 20 shoveler, a few coots and moorhens, 5 little grebe, about 30 teal and about a dozen widgeon. A mixture of gulls included about 10 lesser black backed, three common gulls and 30 black headed.

A nice group of 5 redshank flew in but by then the light was starting to fade as the weather closed in. Across the road, from the entrance to the car park, there was a flock of about 15 long-tailed tits performing in the trees.

Hagnaby Lock 22 November 2009

2009-11-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

The weather started off fine, loads of sunshine and hardly any wind. So off I set. Got into the hide, not much there but a lot of promise especially when the Sunday walkers had left the far edge of the reserve.

Once the lagoon had settled down there were 120 greylag geese, with some difficult varieties mixed in. Some might have been pinkfoot geese, but they would not oblige by going ashore for leg inspections. So any identification had to be by bill and head colours. Was one of them an immature whitefront?

There were also 4 Canada geese.

There were 10 - 12 wigeon and loads of mallard and teal. A grey heron wandered around the lagoon but didn't seem to find much. Two tufted duck and the usual smattering of coots and moorhens. About 20 black headed gulls turned up.

Then the wind got up and the rain started. Time to go, I thought.

Kirkby on Bain15th November 2009

2009-11-15T11:19:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to do any birding today, I thought I just had too much to do. At about 2pm I thought sod it, I've got a bit of time to spare, so off I went. Traffic was awful, road works on the main road, but I got about 45 minutes in.

There was not alot going on. Very bright sunlight, quiet, peaceful, this beats washing up! There were two egrets, just visiting. Honestly, these birds are becoming more and more frequent. One solitary redshank, about 50 teal, and a scattering of the usual suspects. I thought I saw a strange raptor over the pine trees, but lost it. Then saw it again for quite good views. It was a marsh harrier,we decided, haven't seen many of those around lately.

Main point of interest were shovellers. There were a total of 32 today, I've not seen that many together for a long time. Many of them (about 20 at one stage) were in a raft swimming round and round as if they were stirring up food. I think the water is about 2 feet deep there. I managed to make a small movie clip. I'll put a picture up as well. Next time I must put up anything that's not a shoveller!

Kirkby on Bain 8th November 20009

2009-11-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

Thought I’d see if the ring-necked duck was still at Kirkby on Bain, but it seems to have left. Not a lot going on today, but I did see the following: a buzzard in the pine trees off the reserve. Very long way away, so no photos. I could only really tell it was a buzzard when it flew off. Three whooper swans few across the reserve and I suspect found the gravel pits further down. There were the usual teal, mallard, coots, moorhens and little grebes. One water rail showed itself for about 30 seconds then went back into cover. Also, about 50 assorted gulls, mainly black headed, but included two herring gulls and four common gulls. A flock of about 40 lapwings appeared briefly.

Just before it was time to leave, a pair of shovellers appeared - chance of a quick photo!

Hagnaby Lock 1st November 2009

2009-11-01T06:55:00.000-08:00

This morning it was raining heavily and quite windy. Just the job for an hour or so of birdwatching. Hagnaby seemed inviting. So 10.30 - 11.45am found me in the hide. Well, the wind was a bit stronger than I expected and the rain a lot heavier. But there was some birdlife about. Definitely good weather for ducks. About 50 teal and about 70 mallard. Three cormorants in the dead trees on the island. The occasional moorhen and backward flying gulls. But, sheltering on the island was a really handsome sparrowhawk. I tried to get a decent photo, but the wind was too strong to avoid camera shake. So what you see is the best of over 100 shots.

Freiston Shore 26th October 2009

2009-10-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Took myself to Freiston Shore for an hour or so, 2pm - 3pm ish. Very quiet from birding point of view, but lots of people around walking themselves and their dogs.

I really wanted to get a picture of a tree sparrow, but although there is a little colony, they weren't going to pose for me today! Another day perhaps, because they're always there.

The hide was very quiet, but for me the highlight was this whooper swan

Also around were about 20 redshank, 10 lapwings, 2 oystercatchers, 8-10 little grebes, mallard and blackheaded gulls about 20 each. 5-6 pied wagtails, 2 herring gulls and one lesser blackbacked gull. One shoveller. Overfly about 30 brent geese. One shelduck.

Frampton Marsh 24th October 2009

2009-10-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

I keep saying I'm going to visit Frampton Marsh now that it's been re-vamped, so today I took the plunge. After all, it's the nearest reserve to where I live! Before the RSPB developed the site, I used to cycle to the mouth of the Haven, which is alongside the reserve, and that really was a good site. I sort of expected today's trip to be similar, but really the weather was against me. There was a stiff breeze with a low drizzley cloud and I just wasn't dressed for it. Also, I didn't want to take the camera out of it's bag in the rain. My glasses kept misting over - I think I needed spectacle windscreen wipers. On the plus side, it was near high tide and there was a lot going on. Just couldn't see it!

So what did I see? I didn't go into the hides, mainly because I wanted a view of the marsh rather than the lagoons - which seemed pretty empty. I went onto the sea wall. There were six little egrets, three of which flew over the sea wall accompanied by two curlew. About 20 goldfinches, feeding on a teazle patch. Redshank and blackheaded gulls all over. I could hear masses of curlew and other waders, but saw about 5 curlew, about 20 redshank and several skylarks, meadow pipits and reed buntings. A flock of about 20 linnets.

There were about 50 brent geese grazing, see photo, but the mist was so bad they were just on the edge of visibility. One hen harrier, and a lagoon with about 50 teal, but also hiding 5 redshank, 6 dunlin, one black tailed godwit.

Apparently I missed some lapland buntings. Oh well! But I'll definitley go back again.

Kirkby on Bain 17th October 2009

2009-10-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Not a lot around today. The usual suspects, but although there was a stiff northerly wind blowing, it wasn't carrying any interesting birds my way! Some other birders at the reserve agreed - the birds just aren't around today.

The usual birds included about 20 mallard, and along with most of the other wildfowl these had more or less finished their moult and were looking quite stunning. Definitely dressed to impress!

There were also the following: about 200 teal, 1 shoveler, about a dozen gadwall - photo below. Several skeins of greylags flying around. Moorhens, coots, two pied wagtails, four widgeon, about 6 little grebes and three great crested grebes looked like late juveniles. Buzzard over the woods, jay, kingfisher, 2 magpies.

So, not much going on but still some to watch.

Sunday 11th October 2009 - no birding this weekend

2009-10-11T08:58:00.000-07:00

Too much on this weekend, so no birdwatching trips. Instead, a couple of pictures from earlier this year. I was presented with the camera in the middle of August, and these two pictures were taken as I tried to work out how to use it. The first is a juvenile blackbird, the second a collared dove.

The garden is quite a useful place from time to time. Usual species at home include blackbird and collared dove (obviously), robin, wren, songthrush, mistlethrush, house sparrow, dunnock, magpie, jackdaw, starling, greenfinch, chaffinch, goldfinch, bluetit, coaltit, great tit, longtailed tit, woodpigeon, stockdove. Have also had sparrowhawk, moorhen, pied wagtail, willow warbler, waxwing.

Saturday 3rd October 2009 Gibraltar Point

2009-10-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

It was seriously windy today, about force 5 and it whips across the reserve. There was not a lot of birdlife to see, but even so, there were some highlights.

About 10.45am from the Mere Hide - loads of jackdaws flocking around, suddenly put up by a peregrine. Although it was only around for about 15 seconds, there were some stunning views as it tore into the flock of jackdaws. I don’t know if it actually took one of the jackdaws, but it twisted and turned so that we could see most angles – good views of the underside and under the wings. Apparently it turned up again a few minutes later but I didn’t see that.

Also on the mere were about 20 teal, two moorhens and 2 shelduck.

Next to the west lagoon hide. There’s rarely much there, but patience can bring some good sights. Two reed buntings in the bushes, I think they’re always there. Total of two moorhens and a coot, two redshank and a curlew. Photo of curlew and redshank obligingly posing together, but when I had put the camera away the curlew then fished out a frog and ate it to the delight of the watchers in the hide.

Finally to the Jackson Farm Hide. 7 little egret, 8 avocet, 12 black headed gulls, 1 grey heron, 4 shoveller, about 15 black tailed godwit, about 50 teal, 1 greenshank, 2 little grebe, 10 pheasant, plus woodpigeons, stock doves, starlings, the usual suspects. I am surprised at the continued presence of avocets and little egrets so late in the year, is it global warming perhaps, or are they just returning because there are less human predators?

Saltholme 27th September 2009

2009-09-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

I had a meeting followed by an overnight stay in the North East this weekend. Saturday travelling to Newcastle, doing the meeting then travelling down to Tees Side to a Premier Inn. This was chosen carefully by the wife (and me) to be near to Saltholme, between Stockton and Hartlepool, and I guess it’s one of the RSPB’s new flagship reserves. They certainly go out of their way to welcome people and the whole operation seems to focus around the visitor centre. If I were new to birding or more importantly a child, then I would be deeply appreciative of the lengths to which RSPB have gone to make this a welcoming educational experience. The facilities are very good, with a large retail outlet to suit most birdwatching tastes and needs and excellent indoor viewing, teaching, catering and family support services

We arrived early (the reserve opens at 10am). The wife went off to do her thing (walking rather than watching – she’s interested but not fanatically so) and I started the tour of the hides. I found the first one – actually called an observation point, but all the hides are modelled like this – see photo. The landscape is also the view from this hide. Large, spacious, chairs and stools for various heights of watcher and tripod, and excellent inclusivity features. I would take some getting used to the chairs.

From this hide I spotted greenshank, redshank, gadwall, coots, moorhens, little grebe, crows, and three grey partridges at the back in the grass. I pointed this out to another obvious enthusiast and he was over the moon. It seems the partridges were a first for him at the reserve and he is one of the recorders. We had quite a chat as we walked round the reserve together.

We missed the Paddy’s Pool hide basically because Paddy’s Pool was devoid of birds. But the Saltholme Hide, overlooking some really good pools, was ace. Trouble was, it was so crowded that I couldn’t really do much.

Did see the following: approx 150 lapwing in a flock that stayed together. No shortage of waders, including 200 golden plovers; two ruff; spotted redshank; widgeon; pintail; tufted duck; 4 little egrets (not very common that far north, it seemed); several mute swans; cormorant; several gadwall; 30-50 greylags with three or four pink footed geese among them; Canada geese; mallard; 3 snipe; buzzard. Plus all the usual suspects. There were reports of a buff breasted sandpiper but I didn’t see it.

Overall, my feelings about Saltholme? Could be great fun were there not so many people. A bit of a paradox this, because the whole idea is that people should be watching. If I find myself back there I hope it is perhaps midweek, inclement weather and perhaps later in the year. But the RSPB have done a good job, I think.

Kirkby on Bain 20 September 09

2009-09-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Had a couple of hours spare so went to Kirkby on Bain reserve 1430 - 1600.

Two egrets at the back of the reserve. They are becoming a bit common now, I usually see an egret wherever I go lately. I took a photo of one for posterity, as also for the Egyptian geese.

Also noticed 2 Wigeon, only about 10 black headed gulls, 10 little grebe, 20 or more coots and about 10 moorhen. A flock of about 100 lapwing were flying off as I approached, but there were still a good 20 left.There wered 6 Egyptian geese.

Ducks included 50plus mallard, same for teal. About 20 gadwall and a few tufted duck.

2 cormorants.

There were about 20 hirundines flying around but they were associated with the neighbourhood rather than the reserve.

A jay flew across into the woods, and a kingfisher flew across the front of the hide twice.

Finally there was a rather plump chicken wandering around the reserve... must have crossed the road!

Saturday 19th September Gibraltar Point

2009-09-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Did Gibraltar Point this morning, from about 10am to 1pm. Slightly overcast but cleared during the morning. Light wind and quite warm. Not high tide.
I only did 2 hides, the west lagoon and Jackson’s Farm. Plus some of the scrub was interesting.

West Lagoon Hide
I usually expect this lagoon to be quiet and today it was. Main attraction was a greenshank within reasonable digi range.

Also on the lagoon were two black headed gulls and eight crows. 7 magpies were busying around the islands. Clump of bushes on the south bank had lots of activity. Mainly the 7 magpies, but also 3 reed buntings (1M 2F) and a linnet.

Nearby scrub
15 – 20 long tailed tits with about 4 blue tits and a greenish warbler. (This ties in with the view board at the visitor centre) Yellowhammer. Wren.

Jackson Farm Hide
Main attraction right in front of hide was one (of three) little egret.

Further back, two more little egrets and three avocets (getting a bit late for these?) About 30 blacktailed godwits landed. Also present heron, mallard, teal, shoveller, greylags. Usual smattering of moorhens and coots, crows, magpies, blackheaded gulls.

Quite a good day.

Rutland Water 13th September 2009

2009-09-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

This is the second time I've been to Rutland Water. The Environment Agency have really done well here.

Last time I came at the end of August, I took some photos, but this one of two ospreys is pretty good for me.

Today, I tried to avoid ospreys (didn't see any in fact) and instead explored some of the reserve. In fact I barely scratched the surface.

Weather mainly overcast and dry, about 15 C. Wind slight.

Wigeon Hide

Great Crested Grebe – about 20, some with juveniles. Little Grebe about 10. Black Headed Gull several hundred. These and many others put up by a boat with two men fishing – thanks guys!

Pintail – 2 seen, may have been more. About 20 pied wagtails. Heron about 10. Shoveller – Teal – Mallard all present in numbers. Tufted duck, some in full plumage now. Egyptian Goose – two, with approx 8 goslings.

Walking to Lax Hill – lots of activity in the hedgerows. Mainly tits –various blue, coal and longtailed. Must spend more time at Lax Hill another time.

Robin Hide

What a little gem this is! Small rotten pool, bulrushes around the edges, all overlooked by sloes, hawthorns and other wild berries. A couple of nut feeding stations. While the whole view is a bit claustrophobic, you can get really close to the birds. Tried to take some digiscope pictures, but difficult in the circumstances. Did manage to get a nuthatch although spoiled by out of focus foliage in foreground.

Blue tits, coal tits, great tits, greenfinches, chaffinches, all visiting bushes and feeders. Also noted spotted flycatcher (may be two or the same one twice) who was feeding but never in the same place long enough for a photo. Heard chiffchaff but this was in the wood behind and above the hide. Also present bullfinch, lesser whitethroat, wren. Moorhen skulking in the margin.

Will definitely come back to this hide.

Kirkby on Bain 6th September 2009

2009-09-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Kirkby on Bain Pits is a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve.

Pleasant sunny afternoon with some cloud cover. 2.30pm to 4pm

Spoilt by cyclists and walkers on the north bank of the reserve. One woman was in a bright purple jumpsuit – frightened off about 300 lapwings, dozens of gull and such like, in fact the purple jumpsuit would have frightened me!!

Seen approx 300 lapwing

Green sandpiper – has been here a while now.

Gadwall approx 20

Mallard approx 50. One in particular has finished his moult and was in particularly good nick – see photo.

Loads of coots – about 20 swimming.

Teal approx 50; Moorhen – loads; Ring plover – 2;

Wigeon 2; Cormorant 8;

Little grebe 8; Great crested grebe 4

Tufted duck about 6

Loads of black headed gulls, mostly in winter plumage now, and about 20 juveniles

Swallows/house martins about 20 at any one time.

Shoveller 2 still in eclipse

Hagnaby Lock 5th September 2009

2009-09-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hagnaby Lock is a small nature reserve in Lincolnshire. There is a hide overlooking a flooded and managed wetland area. Managed by the Environment Agency.

Here's a picture of a heron taken in July at Hagnaby, before I even thought about blogging.

So anyway, about this visit to Hagnaby:

11am to about 1pm. Bright sunny intervals, with fresh S wind

In bushes on approach 6 – 8 goldfinches. Saw these later on thistles from the hide. Also, willow warbler in bushes.

On lagoon, 10-15 coots

3 moorhen, 4 woodpigeon, lost count of stock doves, could be about 20. Jackdaw on dead tree on the spit. Kestrel over lock. Swallows and martins usually about 4 – 6 at any one time.

About 120 mallard, some males in full plumage after moult. About 150 canada geese, 40 greylag, 40 teal.

That First Post

2009-09-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

OK. So it's toes in the blogging water time for my birdwatching hobby. I've noticed some other blogs like this, where details of a birding trip are posted. But I'm not going to advertise this. If you found it, the welcome. Add some comments if you want. So let's go!