Unclebirdys Moffs and Stuff

Super Saturday

2011-03-12T20:16:00.001Z

A realy nice way to start the day

With a day off and Lindsay working I decided to try and track down some Bewicks Swans in South Yorkshire and with a bit of a drive round in the area suggested I located th mixed flock of swans which contained 44 Whooper, 14 Mute and 7 Bewicks. A good result.


Photogenic Whoopers

What happened next was one of those events some people would put down to destiny but for some unexplained reason I decided to head back using a different route and what a decision, as feeding totally oblivious to the world at large were thes two beauties.

A pair of Cranes


A single Crane

Short-eared Owl

With the rest of the day ahead I struck out for the Humber Estuary and Sunk Island and was rewarded with this supurb Shortie quartering the salt marsh.

Just like Buses

2011-02-25T18:59:00.000Z

A bad picture of a Redhead Smew

Well you wait all winter for a Smew and then you see two in a day, typical. Started off with a cracking male on Flask Lake Nosterfield and then called at Fairburn and guess what first bird I clapped eyes on was another, this time a Redhead but still a lovely bird. Also scored with Water Rail and Cettis Warbler here as well. Thats 131 in Yorkshire now for the year, come on Norway, in the words of one of your sports commentators "your taking a hell of a beating" !!!!!.

Saturday sunshine, Sunday misery

2011-02-13T16:15:00.000Z

Well for once the weather forecasters got it right, sunshine all day Saturday gave way to a miserable wet and depressing day on Sunday. Nice log fire, rugby on the TV and a nap been the order of the day.

Taking full advantage of the weather I had a trip round over the moors and called in at Nosterfield GP and the Ings at Bishop Monkton on Saturday. The action on the moors was restricted totally to a few Red Grouse, no passerines at all.


Red Grouse

After a break at the Cale household for a coffee and a biscuit it was onto Nosterfield GP to hopefully catch up with the Ring-necked Duck, this however did not show but on show was a fantastic selection of waterfowl including 119 Pochard and a flock of at least 2000 Lapwings which included 37 Curlew.

Pochard


Tufted Duck

The Ings were VERY wet following on from the recent floods and I put in a lot of leg work before finally finding where the Snipe had bunkered down. In the end 17 Snipe and a Jack Snipe were seen. In total five new year ticks bringing me upto 127 and just a hint of spring with the first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the year.

Weekend Update

2011-02-06T14:07:00.000Z

With the Ticker enrolling the help of no other than the Trondelag Tick Master himself (Tore Reinsborg) it his quest to take the Anglo-Norsk year list trophy back to Trondelag, I need to remain ahead of the game and pick up as many "winter" species as I can in this first winter period.


Whoopers near Yedingham

With this in mind I set off to try for the Wykeham GG Shrike and dipped again. Typically it had shown well all week and disappeared at the weekend, my only consolation was that no one saw it. I did manage three new species with Whooper Swan, Mandarin Duck and Grey Partridge taking me upto 121 for year.

With the combined force of the Trondelag Tick Twins scoring a nice "Brucie Bonus" with Ring-billed Gull the Mirfield bird having eluded me for three visits had to be seen. A very welcome text saying it was showing well on the island had Lindsay and the dog bundled in the van and a quick sprint down the M1 followed by a nervous few minutes before our goal revealed its self, result and now upto 122

Walk on the beach brings up the ton

2011-01-24T19:42:00.002Z

With early morning mizzle putting an end to the planned ringing session, it was off to the coast for the three of us and a walk on South Gare beach. The rain followed us so we sat out the squall in the van and enjoyed a brew and watched the ships. It soon cleard and despite the brisk and chilly North West wind we headed out and were soon enjoying the company of a party of Sanderling

Sanderling, one of 23

All along the beach there were small groups of the usual waders, Curlew, Redshank, Knot and Ringed Plover with the odd Dunlin. Typically as we neared the car on our return a nice group of 17 Snow Buntings put in an appearance and treat us to a fine show as they foraged along the tide rack.

Snow Bunting, one of 17 and the ton up for the year in Yorkshire.

Nice male with his hareem

It was nice to bring up the ton after dipping twice already this year missing Ring-billed Gull and Ring-necked Duck. With me handicapped to only Yorkshire species this year by Ticker I need to score as often as possible or its curtains for me. I hate loosing, its going to be an interesting year. Ticker is already on 50 so the odd rare here and there is going to help. Might have to send Marit some chocolates to get him to do more DIY about the house on a weekend.

Big Dip then Harrier Flypast

2011-01-16T20:03:00.000Z

On a day that always looked like rain, Lins and me set off regardless to look for the Ring-billed Gull at Mirfield. On arrival a quick chat with the lone birder gave us the news all birders dread "showing well five mins ago". It transpired that just before our arrival all the gulls had gone up in a big dread and a lot had left and scattered to the four winds. We stayed for about an hour and got soaked in a torrential downpour, net result, wet clothes and optics, no year tick.

We decided to blast down to Blacktoft and watch the harrier roost, as we sat in the hide we were treat to a flypast by a nice ring-tail Hen Harrier and two cream crown Marsh Harriers before the rain caught up with us again and the rest of the afternoon was spent discussing the virtues of eating Pike and wether the Slaty-backed Gull would make it to Yorkshire with the other hardy folk who had hope for the weather to clear up. It never did.

Every good harbour has an Iceland

2011-01-05T19:34:00.000Z

A very pleasurable trip out to Scarborough on Monday with some nice sunshine and a gentle east wind. Main attraction was a fine Iceland Gull which was spotted right out in the middle of the harbour and far to far off for a picture. For once lady luck was on my side and a delinquent juv Cormorant flew into the harbour and nearly landed on it which caused the bird to take wing. I held my breath as it flew up and headed out into south bay where it promptly turned tail and flew back into the harbour and landed right in front of me, Kes and Lindsay......WOW what a view and some half decent pictures, the bird was much appreciated by the assembled birders and members of the public whos interest was aroused by the aray of optical gear pointing towards a "Sea Gull".

Delinquent Cormorant.....many thanks

Nothing much else to report on other than a recommendation, the chip butties are fantastic from the cafe in the northern corner of the harbour, plenty of home made chips (a rarity to rank alongside Whites Thrush) and a decent sized bun, coffee also rated good, nice and strong and hot. Much appreciated by all three of us.

Gold Strike

2011-01-02T21:20:00.000Z

The first netting session of the year produced some quality and Dave Bass scored four ringing ticks. A total of 64 new birds were captured, the main contribors being Yellowhammer with 31. Eight Reed Buntings, five Fieldfares and singles of Brambling and Mistle Thrush (first for site) added some spice.

First bird of the year - Redwing

A first year male Brambling

Adult male Bullfinch

First for the site - Mistle Thrush

Sightings included singles of Merlin and Perigrine with three Pink-feet flying over. Year total now stands at 64, a trip to the coast tomorrow will hopefully see me nearing the 100 mark.

New Years Day

2011-01-01T20:06:00.000Z

A small total of 52 for the day was all I could manage.

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T19:59:00.001Z

To all who read this I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year with many ticks and good days out. A few images to whet your appitites. Not as fanciful as they might seem as several Grosbeaks and Woodpeckers have been seen on the eastern seaboard of Norway and Hawk Owls had a good breeding season.

Pine Grosbeak

Hawk Owl

Three-toed Woodpecker

Ticker

Despite a record year and a valliant effort "Ticker" bit the dust, he managed a score of 210 where I some how managed to score 245.

Better luck next year Ticker when I will be handicapped to Yorkshire birds only.

Christmas Calorie Burn

2010-12-27T15:47:00.000Z

Pied Wagtail

In a desparate effort to use a few of the excess calories consumed over Christmas, Lindsay, Kes and me went for a stroll round the Castleford end of Fairburn Ings. Despite all the water been frozen a few Mallards, Teal and Coot were still hanging on at the edge of the Calder. Twenty eight Cormorants were roosting on the pylons and there was a good scattering of Redwing and Blackbirds in the bushes where there was also a few Bullfinch.

A Grand Day Out

2010-12-13T16:58:00.000Z

After a slow start I from home and a stop off to look at a flock of about 80 Waxwings feeding in a Catoniaster near Kirkbymoorside, I eventually arrived at Scarborough and was treated to some fine winter birding thanks to help from Ian Glaves an Nick Addy. First port of call was the harbour to look for the GN Diver that had taken to fishing there, I was not disappointed as the bird cruised right past Ian and myself allowing some half decent shots in good light.

Great Northern Diver

Next place to visit was Holbeck car park to see if the Med Gulls were about and again thanks to Nick and a loaf of bread there was soon four adults on show. Despite a heavy shower the sun eventually came out and I got a few shots, not as good as I would have liked but as the birds are now settled for the winter, I hope to do better later on.

Med Gull in flight

Med Gull

As I was watching the Med gulls a gentleman who I had spoken to in the harbour ( I am ashamed to admit I recognise him but cannot remember his name) arrived and told me that there was a first year Glausous Gull on the beach just down from the outdoor pool in south bay. That been not too far from where I was parked Kes and me set of in the hope of seeing it. Sure enough exactly as directed the bird was showing well and even allowed close enough approach for a few record shots.

First winter Glaucous Gull

Also on show here was a nice selection of waders among the rocks, amazingly this Redshank allowed some pictures and the Purps were as usual very approachable and I am very pleased with the shots I got of them.

Redshank

Purple Sandpiper

The day was rounded off with a much appreciated cup of coffee and some lunch provided by Penny and Ian which was enjoyed whilst watching the fine selection of sparrows, buntings and finches in their garden.

Thanks to all for a Grand Day Out.

Global Warming my Arse

2010-12-04T07:48:00.000Z

With temperatures dropping as low as minus 19 just up the road at Leeming and about 8" of snow on the ground it felt more like central Siberia than North Yorkshire.

Boroughbridge Road

Reflections

Dont forget to keep feeding the birds and remember that water is just as important as most natural sources are frozen.

Pictures at Last

2010-11-28T19:49:00.001Z

Why is it called Waxwing mummy ??

After much looking and searching with a few flyovers to show for my efforts, I finally managed to catch up with a nice flock of Waxwings. I dashed home for the camera and the trilling was coming from the top of a tree next to the road where 19 birds were settled, these soon flew towards the sports centre and joined the feeding frenzy in a White Rowan which was right next to the centre door. Setting up right next to the tree and despite the apauling light I managed to get a few quite reasonable shots. In all 52 birds were present and very much appreciated by the small crowd I attracted.

A Grey Day

2010-11-21T17:15:00.000Z

With a thick damp mist hanging over Ripon and soon getting fed up with housework, I decided to strike out and try for a year tick or two. Ticker has been scoring with every shot this autumn and has reached the heady heights of 208 with me floundering on 243 having missed everything.

First it was a quick trip to Skipton where a Grey Phalarope put on a great show to the assembled few and posed beautifully for some snaps.

Grey Phalarope

Unfortunately the light having not ever been much better than poor all day deteriorated to crap by the time I arrived at Hollingworth Lake so the pictures of the Grebe only just qualify as record shots, still they are better than the ones I had.

Pied-billed Grebe

Struck out again on sunday looking for Waxwings in Harrogate. Despite a tip from PKB about 100 on Jennyfields I still dipped. Anyway thats 245 now, might manage 250 for first time in years.

Sunday Ringing

2010-11-15T19:26:00.001Z

A very cold dawn welcomed us to our ringing site and nets took a lot longer than usual but we eventually produced some very nice birds. Of the 500 Fieldfares which were in the area we caught one !!

First year male Fieldfare

A grand total of 46 new birds were caught with a respectable species tally of 16 which included a few Redwings and Blackbirds as well as two Siskins and a fine Kingfisher which was caught in a net as far from water as is possible on our site near feeder 1.

First year female Kingfisher

First year male Siskin

Waxwing at last

2010-11-13T17:54:00.001Z

I was definately starting to think it was personal between me and our colourful scandinavian visitors but at long last I finally caught up with a small flock of 12 Waxwings feeding in a tree at the end of my street. A mad dash back home for the camera was to no avail as on my return the tree was been beseiged by a group of kids playing catch, the little darlings had sent the Waxwings flying and despite checking all the usual haunts in the immediate area not another bird was seen.

An update from Ticker this week and despite some very wintery weather he is still pushing hard and with me in the yearlist doldrums he has amassed 208, his latest been Lappmeis (thats Siberian Tit to you and me) which seems to have taken up residence at our photographer friend Terjes feeding station for the winter. If any photographers actually read this trips can be arranged, both for passerine feeding stations (Grey-headed Woodpecker and Sibe Tit) so far this autumn as well as the usual selection of tits, finches and woodpeckers and to a feeding station for eagles which has a comfortable purpose built hide overlooking it.

Well Done Nick

2010-11-01T19:43:00.000Z

News from this weekend is sparse as I have had personal commitments. Birding at most times is more important than life or death to some of us.

But at certain times it must take a back seat and this weekend one of the most dedicated and capable east coast birders, a self confessed beer guzzling, pie eating, unfit and well past his best before date completed the Scarborough 10K in memory of his son William, all proceeds donated to a charity set up to help premature babies through their early days BLISS.

Congratulations to Nick Addey who raised over £500

Milestone reached

2010-10-16T13:08:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to ticker who has just this morning reached his 200 for the year in Nord-trondelag with a Lappfiskand, thats Smew to us illiturate English. News also recieved from our manic Norwegian twitcher friend Dickie Nyburg who now stands on 393 for Norway after picking up a Bairds Sandpiper. I should add that the people in Norway who have 400 on their lists can be counted on one hand, so come on Dickie.

Gold Strike

2010-10-10T20:51:00.000+01:00

With more conducive conditions for ringing Kes and me were joined by Aidan for a mornings ringing at BM. I think we were all hoping for a Yellow-browed, well two of us were the other was hoping someone would throw a stick. (I have tried to get Aidan to seek help with this problem) Alas the wished for bird made landfall a few miles to the north with Nosterfield Nature Reserve near Masham getting this little gem from the east. Even worse two Blue-tails made land within twitching distance but thankfully neither were in Yorkshire, as I had other commitments in the afternoon and very enjoyable they turned out to be, there will be others I hope (thats enjoyable other commitments and Blue-tails).

I digress, the ringing went well with 147 birds of 17 species been ringed and a couple of nice returning old friends for the winter. Top score went to Goldfinch with 104 with amazingly Goldcrest with seven coming in second. Summer was still represented by singles of Chiffchaff and Blackcap and winter got its foot in the door with a Redwing. Aidan also scored a ringing tick with a nice juv male Sparrowhawk.

Its an East Wind

2010-10-09T19:05:00.000+01:00

With persistant drizzle and a sneaky wind, ringing was a non starter this morning, so after a bit of a lie in it was off to South Gare for Kes and me to see if the easterly had delivered, and wow it delivered the whole place was ticking, tweeting and chacking. The main species involved were Robin, Goldcrest and Redwing with a supporting cast of Siskins, Song Thrush, Brambling and Chiffchaff there was also a few Blackcaps and several Dunnocks, Reed Buntings and Wheatears. A little spice was added by a Great Grey Shrike that was doing the rounds and terrorising any small bird it clapped eyes on, there was also a juv Reb-breasted Flycatcher and a Black Redstart on show. Overhead there was an almost constant stream of Redwings as flocks of upto a hundered came in off the sea and alighted in the bushes..

Below is a selection of the birds that were on show............

Goldcrest

Red Breasted Flycatcher

Great Grey Shrike

Robin

Redwing

Ticker on the Brink

2010-10-08T20:09:00.000+01:00

With Scaup finding its way onto Tickers list this week he now stands on the brink of the magic 200. As an aside our birding buddy "Dickie" Nyburg arrived on Utsira a day late and dipped on the Chestnut Bunting.

Evening Stroll

2010-10-05T19:31:00.000+01:00

The nice weather prompted a walk round the patch this evening. There was some evidence of a few grounded migrants with 11 Song Thrushes, five Chiffchaffs and eight Goldcrests seen. Around the feeders there was an impressive number of Goldfinch with at least 90 in the bushes near feeder 1. Overhead there were a couple of House Martins and a single Swallow. Noticing some damp in the lab I looked on the roof and found the offending hole in the felt. Fortunately I had a tin of sealant which I applied liberally to the said hole. Having seen the forcast for tomorrow I am pleased I did as another deluge is predicted.

Autumn Jewels

2010-10-02T20:13:00.000+01:00

After the deluge of biblical proportions yesterday it was a very plesant surprise to wake this morning and find the Tri and her forcasting buddies finally got it right. A still morning with no rain. So it was action stations at our ringing site with three of us erected three nets to see what was about.

Fifty six new birds and five retraps were captured in a little over three hours mainly Goldfinch (33) but also included our first Goldcrest of the autumn and a brace of Blackcaps and a single Chiffchaff. Goldcrest always means the start of autumn for me as these "Woodcock pilots" start to filter onto our shores from the soon to be frozen north where they are affectionately called "Spruce Louse"

Chiffchaff

Autumn Jewels in cobweb

The always sad looking Spruce Louse

There was quite a few birds about with a trickle of Vis.Mig also with 19 Swallows, 27 Meadow Pipits (s) and about 30 Skylarks (w), nine Song Thrushes also dropped in from the east and after a short while, I guess to reorientate spiralled up and headed off west. A Buzzard also showed well and about 1000 Lapwings were in the fields near WHP. In the bushes there was seven Chiffchaffs, three Blackcaps and about a dozen Goldcrests.

Anglo Norsk scores on the doors

2010-09-28T19:31:00.001+01:00

As we enter thr last and sometimes most rewarding last quarter I am still maintaining my lead with 241 but Ticker is putting up a very spirited performance and may well crack the magic 200 for Norway with his current score been 198.

Bishop Monkton "Brucie Bonus"

2010-09-25T20:24:00.000+01:00

I felt like some fresh air this afternoon after spending most of last night puking, so feeling a lot better and after much prompting from Kes we went for a walk round our patch at Bishop Monkton. On the way into the village where Mr Winkups boys were busy ploughing and sowing there was an amazing gathering of Common Gulls with 2352 counted along with 17 Lesser Black-backed and 9 Herring Gulls. There was also 29 Lapwing here but despite a good scan there was no Wheatear.

Onto Wetherhills Pond where there was a sizable flock of Lapwings 1057 counted, mixed in with these were two Golden Plovers and the bonus of a Dotterel which is the second record for the area and a very nice bird, alas with no telescopic lense there is no picture. In the afternoon sunshine it was easy to see why the old name for Lapwing was Green Plover, they looked magnificent.

Holidays Over

2010-09-25T20:13:00.000+01:00

Well thats me back from my autumn migration watch in Norway. Whilst away I have recieved notification that my camera and lense will be replaced so I hope to be able to bring you some more enlightening illustrations soon. Main highlight was a Lesser White-fronted Goose that appeared to a luck few (me been one) which was not only a Norwegian tick but a lifer to boot. Whoopie, I also got three more Norsk ticks Water Rail, Pomerine Skua and Black-tailed Godwit.

I will bring more news when I get my notebook sorted and the pictures sorted.

Morning Ringing

2010-08-28T17:45:00.000+01:00

Light winds at 04:30 prompted an early rise and the opening of nets at our site near Ripon. The wind picked up at about 10 but by then we had caught about 50 birds the bulk of which were Goldfinches but singles of Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler added some interest as did an adult male Whitethroat which gave Aidan a good mental workout and highlighted the finer points of a bird in this plumage. The main harbinger of autumn was also starting to put in an appearance with eight Blackcaps also caught.

Overhead there was a trickle of vis.mig with three Tree Pipits, two Yellow Wagtails, 21 Sand Martins and a Grey Wagtail all flying south. Other birds of interest included a single Buzzard and four Cormorants. The Green Sandpiper was still on show at WHP and a female Sparrow Hawk was a nice sight as it was harrassed by the local Swallows at Ivy House Farm.

A few butterflies showed in sheltered spots with Red Admiral, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small Tortoiseshell all seen.

Disaster at Scarborough

2010-08-26T20:47:00.000+01:00

Hi and sorry for the lack of news lately, I have been working away but the main reason for my lack of post is that I am in mourning over the death of my trusty D90. Excellent camera it may be but it and the 300mm that were attached at the time did not survive the fall over the cliff at Long Nab, Burniston. I am gutted, even more so by the fact that my Fruit and Nut was pulverised and impregnated with glass. Typically for me a mishap has occured just before I go on holiday.

Pre roost Hirundines

A quick stroll round Wetherhills Pond tonight revealed a nice Green Sandpiper and a couple of Sedge Warblers whilst over head about 400 Swallows were performing their pre roost flypast.

Butterflies and a nice surprise

2010-08-10T07:38:00.000+01:00

The sunny weather on Sunday prompted me to take a stroll round looking for Butterflies. There were lots of Peacocks, Large White and Green-veined Whites on the wing. I also managed Comma, Small Copper, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell and a few Gatekeepers.

Peacock

Small Tortoiseshell

Gatekeeper

The nice surprise was waiting at WHP when I got back to the van with three Green Sandpipers feeding on the expose mud, this is the largest number I have seen grounded in the BM area. There was also a nice selection of Sedge, Reed and Willow Warblers here and the Coot and Moorhen families have turned into rowdy teenagers causing havoc scrapping and chasing each other about.

Juv Moorhen

Green Sandpiper

BONJOUR

2010-08-09T18:08:00.000+01:00

A fine morning with overcast skies and no wind were conducive to some ringing at Bishop Monkton. On the first net round a very pleasant surprise was a Sedge Warbler wearing a french ring. Hopefully if I live to be 117 I might find out when and where it was ringed.

The Ring

The bird

Mid week Moffing and the odd Bird

2010-08-05T18:18:00.000+01:00

A day off today allowed for some mid week Moff action, to be honest I wished I had stayed in bed. There was a few nice ones, but numbers and species were disappointing. Best were Old Lady and the fist Sallow of the Autumn.

Sallow

Old Lady

Only 41 moth species as the temperature dropped away quite a lot with clear skies. Very few new birds in the nets undoubtedly the best was the first Grasshopper Warbler of the Autumn.

Grasshopper Warbler

The most interesting thing today in my mind was an invasion of hoverflies, there was 100s if not 1000s about. They were on every flower, I have no idea as to identity so if anyone actually reads this and knows, please let me know.

Just a few of the Hoverflies

Thankyou

2010-07-30T20:13:00.001+01:00

Its pouring down and theres no chance of any Swallows or Martins at Wetherhills pond tonight, I must thank Dave Watkins for the super picture of the pond he sent through tonight, it now my banner picture.

Lapwings over the pond

Salthome Double Whammy

2010-07-28T21:30:00.000+01:00

A page mid morning alerted me to a Juvenile Whiskered Tern at Salthome on TeesSide so after work a quick trip home for the camera and bins and off northwards. About 10 mins out the pager went again and a bonus bird had shown up in the guise of a White-rumped Sandpiper which rather conveniently was stood right next to the Whiskered Tern when I arrived, two year ticks in the same scope view, what an evening.

As Kes had tollerated sitting in the car for quite some time we went onto the North Gare where one of us chased a stick and had a swim, whilst the other did some tern watching, which paid off as mixed in with several Common, Sandwich and a few Arctic was a nice adult Roseate. Unfortunately the Terns and the Sandpiper were too far off to get a picture but happily a fine Merlin sat on the fence near the car when we returned to it was more obliging.

Thats me upto 234 for the year now, waiting for an update from ticker.

Better late than never

2010-07-25T17:49:00.001+01:00

In early july I was lucky enough to be invited to join a trip round the Western Isles surveying and ringing White-tailed Eagles, what a fantastic experience, I can report without giving too much away that the birds are doing quite well and there are a good number of birds breeding this year.

Mother

The Kids

I took along my moth trap and ran it from the cottage where we were staying, several "Northern Specialities" were, the most impressive in my book was the Saxon which was a new species for me.

The Hedge

2010-07-25T10:13:00.000+01:00

Hi, upto a couple of weeks ago I was getting some friendly joshing from my neighbours as to when I was going to cut my rather unkempt privet hedge at the front of my house. My answer to them was that I was waiting for it to put on a show. Well its now in full bloom and is litteraly buzzing, its covered in a wonderfull array of insects from the huge bumble bees to the tinyist beetles and butterflies. Those same neighbours are now commenting how wonderfull it looks, sounds and smells, I personally think its a valuable lesson for us today in this world of obsessive tidyness.

Anglo Norsk scores update

2010-07-18T17:30:00.000+01:00

Ticker has been busy over the early summer, but so have I. Ticker is now on 179 but I have managed to push on to 231.

Update

2010-07-18T12:02:00.000+01:00

If there is anyone who actually reads this I am sorry for the lack of news. Its down to my incompetence/bad memory and been away with work far too much.

There is a lot of Moffing and Birding to catch up on but I will start with last night at Burniston where a small group of Scarborough locals and myself tried our luck with Stormies and really hit the mother load when at 12:30 not only did we catch two Stormies but also a Leach's Petrel. A fantastic bird and much appreciated by those present. The moth trap run at Dr Glaves house in Sawdon was very much a let down after that with very few moths caught, probably the best of which were a Dotted Clay and a Northern Spinach.

Shimmering Plover and Skulking Loco

2010-05-29T10:28:00.000+01:00

An early finish for the bank holiday weekend gave time for a trip out to try for the White-tailed Plover at Seaforth and despite restricted viewing and a terrible heat haze the bird duely obliged, the lucky few with access to the reserve hide must have got some crippling views as from time to time it wandered to within 20ft of it. Thankfully Ticker got a shot of one in Oman, shown here.

The Savis Warbler at Old Moor near Barnsley was a different challenge, frustratingly singing its head off about 30ft right in front of us it allowed just fleeting glimpses and then not of all the bird, after about an hour and a half and in rapidly failing light I decided to head for the chip shop and home, thanks to the RSPB for arranging special out of hours access to the site. I think this will need the BVD (better view desired) suffix on my list.

Scores Update

2010-05-25T20:07:00.000+01:00

Uncle Birdy 209, Trondelag Ticker 153

Just Like the Med

2010-05-25T19:25:00.000+01:00

What a scorcher and good birds to boot. I had a delivery to Leicester on Friday morning so an early start saw me nearing Ilkeston where the Great Reed Warbler was in fine voice and put on a great show from the reeds in its adopted home. Sorry about the crap picture but I was meant to be working.

The delivery made I turned for home and accidently found myself at Potteric Carr where another southern stray had made home this time Iberian Chiffchaff, all I can say about it is it was an addition to my life list but like a lot of others I am really glad it was singing. I had arranged to visit an old friend over near Scarborough on Friday evening so after a shower and a bite to eat Kes and me set off, the good Dr was on fine form and after setting the moth trap and watching the last Ashes to Ashes we headed out into the forest where we were rewarded with a fine male Nightjar which performed brilliantly.

An early start on Saturday to empty the moth trap produced a few nice moffs the best of which was undoubtedly a Broad Barred White, which unfortunately would not sit for its picture so an Elephant Hawk Moth will have to do.

We decided to have a quick trip round the local site where we were lucky to bump into one of the local sages who put us onto a site for Dingy Skipper, Mother Shipton and Burnet Companion so without any further delay we struck out for the site with high hopes, what a brilliant site all three species of Lepidoptera as promised and some stunning views of Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser and Great Crested Newt, not to forget Speckled Wood and a Cuckoo with larynjitis.

After these exploits ringing on Sunday was probably not going to have much to offer but 35 species of moff and only our second ever Turtle Dove caught, with the added bonus of a fly over Great White Egret which headed north west at 11:00 and an Osprey which flew south at 11:40 rounded off a fantastic couple of days, a snooze in the afternoon sunshine, followed by a dinner at the Smiths Arms with Colin and Ali was well earned and much needed.

A taste of the Orient

2010-05-10T19:30:00.000+01:00

After seeing a fine picture of the Dotterel on Pendle Hill I decided that I would try and get a picture of my own, so on a glorious sunny morning Kes and me were off and heading in the direction of Lancashire. After a chat with one of the locals we started our assent and were soon rewarded with some cracking Green Hairstreak butterflies, I counted at least nine, one even allowing a close-up picture.

On arrival at the summit, somewhat out of breath I soon spotted a couple of guys watching something very close in front of them and I was amazed to see the two Dotterel walking about just 10 feet away. I rapidly put on my telephoto lense and leaving Kes in charge of my bag and coffee I inched forward to join the "crowd" and soon had some more than respectable pictures, 80 shots and an hour later I was well pleased and retreated back to Kes and we started our decent pausing in a sheltered spot for a coffee and a share of a biscuit and more Green Hairstreaks.

As I was already out and it was still relitively early and flush with success I decided to call round by Rother Country Park to pick up the Red Rumped Swallow. This proved to be a bridge too far and despite covering a lot of ground and spending 3 hours looking I "Dipped" and the onset of a rain shower persuaded me to head for home.

On arriving home a page came through of a Collared Pratincole at Frampton Marsh a bird which I managed to see at Swillington last year so I settled down to watch the end of the GP and some late lunch, then out of the airwaves the Collared turned into an Oriental Pratincole and my thoughts of what I would have off the chinees menue for dinner turned to a mad dash southward towards Boston. I am glad to report my luck held and a stunning bird put on a fantastic show strutting about right in front of its appreciative crowd, in good light I managed to get some pictures as well though a little distant.

This gem coupled with a first summer Little Gull and two Curlew Sandpipers put me onto 202 equal already with last year, ticker had a better weekend as well but is still floundering on 127.

Too late home for a chinky but still had the best taste of the Orient I have ever had and the first lifer in the UK for some time.

Global Warming my Arse !!

2010-05-08T19:36:00.000+01:00

What a bloody cold wind, cuts right through to the bone, however its the weekend so a birding trip was on the cards. Having seen a report on a walk round Tunstall Reservoir in Weardale on the web I decided to go out and stretch my legs.

What a fantastic place, still had the cold wind to contend with but the walk took me round the sheltered side of the res. There was a nice mixture of old Oaks, Birches and Beech,s which proved to be ideal for Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers and a real bonus was a fine singing male Wood Warbler. Willow Warblers were also very common singing from almost every bush. Siskins overhead and Common Sandpipers on the rocks made for a very enjoyable morning.

I came home via Teeside which proved to be very hard work, I walked right round South Gare beach and bushes and only managed to find four Wheatears and a White Wagtail. On the rocks there was a small selection of waders made up mainly of Sanderling, but two Knot and 33 "tundre" Ringed Plovers were all nice to see as were the 30 Sandwich Tern and five Little Terns.

Strange grey thing update

2010-05-07T17:43:00.000+01:00

Hi, the Moff Dr has made his diagnosis and the moth is a May Highflyer.

Mid week Moffing

2010-05-06T16:56:00.000+01:00

With the weather looking like cooling down even more at the weekend I decided to run the trap last night firsts for the year were Buff Ermine and Shuttle-shaped Dart and a strange looking Grey thing that will have to go to the Moff Dr for his consideration. Feeders at the Ings were checked and filled last night, bird numbers were as expected down but the Grasshopper Warbler and the Turtle Doves were again singing away happily.

White arse

2010-05-04T21:03:00.001+01:00

A walk round the Ings this evening produced the usual list of suspects and no sign of any of the Cranes that seem to be everywhere but where I am. I was however rewarded with a fine Wheatear which is the first for the site this spring.

A Blue Sunday

2010-05-02T18:56:00.000+01:00

The balmy temperatures that brought about some half decent Moffing on Tuesday night have faded fast leaving a damn cold and breezy bank holiday weekend. The Herald and Purple Thorn were in the trap on Wednesday morning and a welcome addition to the dawn chorus was the Turtle Dove pictured.

Sunday morning saw Kes and me on the Long Nab headland at Scarborough along with four other members of Scarborough birders trying our best to keep warm and find hidden reserves of

enthusiasum for sea watching, as it turned out all our enthusiasum was miss placed and after a couple of hours it was off for some bush bashing, three Lesser Whitethroats a Garden Warbler and a Chiffchaff were just enough to keep me interested but alas they were all that showed.

Whilst sat in the van enjoying a much needed warm coffee the pager alerted me to a Blue Winged Teal near Northallerton, which with some creative driving I could hopefully collect on the way home. After a frustrating 20 mins when I could see the lake the bird had been reported from but not the way in, a friendly local pointed me in the right direction and there it was in its full glory a male Blue Winged Teal. A blue end to a day most brass monkies will be glad is over.

A Damp Squib

2010-04-25T17:29:00.001+01:00

A day that started with such promise soon spiralled into a wet dull morning. We managed two net rounds before rain stopped play. 23 new birds were caght including the first Garden and Grasshopper Warblers. We also had a Turtle Dove singing from the wood behind the ringing lab. I called into the Army Camp on the way home and was rewarded with two Common Sandpipers making four year ticks for the day and me upto 184 for the year.

Moths were also a bit of a let down with only Streamer new for the year. The Comma pictured was taken yesterday in the sunshine.

Scores on the Doors

2010-04-22T17:55:00.001+01:00

The weather in Trondelag allowed Ticker to get out on his usual thursday morning birding trip before work and he was rewarded with another six ticks including Coot, bringing him upto 103, I was lucky this morning to be working outside the workshop when a Lesser Whitethroat struck up bringing my total to 179. I think that ticker will pull back some more this weekend as the weather looks set fair and migrants are arriving enmass in central Norway.

A Hectic Weekend

2010-04-22T17:29:00.000+01:00

The fine weather and sunshine encouraged me to take a walk round Bishop Monkton on friday evening and after locating two drumming male Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers and fresh tracks of Otter as I headed back to the van I was in good spirits. Alas this did not last long as lying at the side of the road I found a freshly dead Otter, what a blow for a small population trying to establish its self.

Saturday saw me up before the larks and heading out into the Yorkshire Dales looking for Black Grouse. Despite the highways agencys best efforts to thwart my intentions I arrived on site at 06:30 and was rewarded with 12 fantastic birds bubbling away and putting on a fine show, with Lapwing, Curlew, Snipe, Redshank and Golden Plover in the same area and Skylarks and Meadow Pipits singing overhead I had a wonderful 2 hours in a bright sunlit but cold morning. Unfortunately the pub was not open for breakfast so I wandered home over the tops and picked up another three Blackcock and at least five Ringouzels. Afternoon spent gardening and housework, well its got to be done.

Sunday brought anothere early start this time ringing at BMI where a total of 48 birds were caught, I considered this a little slow but Natasha and David my keen trainees enjoyed it. A big bonus here was a male Goshawk which put on a good display over the bottom wood. There was also several butterflys on the wing which added some colour and insect interest, it had been far too cold overnight to run the moth traps. Despite wandering round several spots in the afternoon nothing new materialised, both Kes and me were well knackered by dinner time.

Back to work in the morning for a rest !!!

Score update

2010-04-13T20:02:00.000+01:00

With Ticker now back in Norway and back scoring points a quick update on the score so far. Ticker is on 84, Uncle Birdy 176.

Spring "its official"

2010-04-10T16:59:00.000+01:00

Ringing group "salad"

Moth traps and mistnets this morning. The moth traps produced a good quantity of moths but only 19 species, the undoubted highlight was two Grey-shoulder Knots which were new for the BM Ings site, the supporting cast included six Pine Beautys, four Shoulder Stripes, Five Water Carpets, a Satellite and four Early Tooth-striped. 184 Hebrew Characters provided the bulk.

Despite the most welcome warm bright sunshine we caught 53 birds, 38 new and 15 retraps. This total included the first Willow Warbler and Chiffchaffs of the year as well as eight Yellowhammers and five Tree Sparrows. A year tick also flew over in the guise of a Yellow Wagtail.

The first flush of butterflys also appeared with Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Brimstone all showing well.

Easter in Suffolk. Birds, Moths and Adnams Ale

2010-04-07T16:57:00.000+01:00

A long weekend in Suffolk visiting an old birding pal proved very productive for the year list with nine species added and with ticker on a family holiday in Sardinia I have moved further ahead. Scores on the doors are now Trondelag Ticker 80, Uncle Birdy 177.

The usual Suffolk candidates were added with Cettis Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, Wood Lark and Bearded Tit along with Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Swallow and the very confiding Pallid Swift at Kessingland adding a little bonus. All told I managed 112 species for the weekend, which I considered a fair result.

We ran the moth trap on two nights which produced a few moths with three very nice ones in Oak Beauty, Brindled Beauty and Shoulder-stripe. Other new for the year for me included Red Chestnut, Small Quaker, Twin-spot Quaker and Powdered Quaker.

All thawed out

2010-03-30T21:03:00.000+01:00

The recent inclement weather in Trondelag has passed and the Ticker has tunnelled his way out and is back in the field scoring a very respectable 4 today with Tengmalms and Long-eared Owl, Wigeon and Canada Goose bringing his total upto 78. I am still on 162 but am travelling south to visit an old birding pal over easter so I hope to pick up some of the goodies recently on offer down there.

View from Trondelag

2010-03-29T20:02:00.000+01:00

Not much ringing activity on sunday due to a stiff wind and as usual work interupted list quest today. However a picture from a wintery Trondelag to refresh our memories of winter.

Frampton Marsh RSPB

2010-03-27T20:20:00.000Z

What a good place, needs to mature a bit but has potential to be a cracking place. Lots of birds about which included at least 3000 Brent Geese, 6 Little Egrets, a Wheatear, 2 White Wagtails, 27 Avocets, 30+ Twite and 2 White-fronts. With an accompanying cast of lots of wildfowl and Black-tailed Godwits. I did miss my first Swallow of the year though.

With the Trondelag Ticker snowed in, yes I said snowed in and unable to get out, I pulled the 3 species back that he scored on thursday. Uncle Birdy now 161 for year in UK. A Great White Egret on Tee,s Side will be a target if it stays into tomorrow.

Trondelag Ticker starts to move out of first gear

2010-03-26T11:05:00.000Z

Two days now without a year tick for me, either bird or moth so the focus was on Verdal where Ticker scored with Shellduck, Lapwing and a Gyr Falcon which I hope hangs around for my visit in a few weeks. Trip to Frampton Marsh planned for tomorrow so should pick up one or two there.

A good start to the day

2010-03-24T13:47:00.000Z

Not as many moths in the trap as I had hoped for but a very welcome lifer in the form of a Grey Shoulder-knot. A cracking moth of which I hope to get some pictures later this afternoon. Other moths last night were four Hebrew Characters and singles of Clouded Drab, Common Quaker and another new for the garden Acleris Hyemana which brings the garden list to 450.

Another bonus today was the arrival back of the Little-ringed Plovers onto some waste ground near my workshop, the male has been displaying all morning. This combined with three more singing Chiffchaffs could mean that spring is finally arriving, though its Easter next week so it will probably snow.

Late news from the Trondelag Ticker, he scored three today Green Woodpecker, Woodpigeon and Pygmy Owl, I only scored one with the LRP.

Anglo Norsk Year List Challenge

2010-03-23T17:20:00.000Z

News just in from the Trondelag Ticker, he is now on 68 species for the year. Still lagging a long way behind my 157, but as the first migrant Starlings only reached Verdal on Thursday last week he has a lot of easy ticking to come.

Disappointing night

2010-03-22T16:17:00.000Z

Despite temperatures in the garden staying at five degrees very few moths were caught. Three Common Quakers, four Clouded Drabs and five Hebrew Characters. There were also three titchy micros that will be visiting Dr Moff for identification later this evening.

Update on titchy moths, one Caloptillia Stigmatella and two Agonopterix Heraclianas. I am investing in a macro lens for my Nikon so will hopefully be able to post some moff piccies by the weekend.

First Spring Migrants

2010-03-21T19:51:00.000Z

First spring migrants today with Sand Martin and Chiffchaffs putting in welcome appearences at Bishop Monkton. Also had a fly over Waxwing here first thing, Lesser pecker and five Buzzards also sighted, along with 49 birds ringed an enjoyable time was had by all.

After lunch a drive out over the moors towards Pately Bridge and a half hour stop at Skell Gill provided more raptor excitement with four more Buzzards a female Perigrine and a fantastic Red Kite. The local Red Grouse were also very active and several males were doing their best to attract some female interest.

After some much needed refreshment at Well House I decided to travel back via Leighton Res and was rewarded with a Short-eared Owl quartering the moors above Lofthouse.

All in all a good day and my first ever blog