This morning, I took a drive out to Barmston on the coast to see if the reported Kumlien's Gull was still in the area. I have a previous record of a Kumlien's there and have seen Glaucous Gull on the beach too.
This bird was in the air as soon as I got out of the car, in company with a few Herring and Common Gulls and stayed around for a few minutes before flying South down the beach. There was a force 7 to 8 Westerly wind blowing, the tide was starting to recede and I wasn't sure whether it would return or not. I thought a coffee in the car would be the best idea, as I had a good view down the beach from there. Twenty minutes later, I saw the Kumlien's making its way back up the beach. It passed below me flying very low over some rocks. After a while, I realised none of the gulls were attempting a landing in this wind and they were simply flying up and down the beach, presumably in search of food as the tide went out. With the bird now North of me, I headed down to the beach and tucked myself in the bottom of the cliffs, out of the wind. I watched the Sanderlings being blown along the tideline and a Red-throated Diver went South, being the only interesting sighting on the sea. Eventually, the Kumlien's came back and I was able to get a few photos of its underside, though I would have liked some of the upper wings too. Life in the garden got off to a bad start this morning. A female Sparrowhawk had taken a Greenfinch, a panic followed and two Greenfinches flew into my windows. One died instantly and the other, I brought inside as it was -3C outside, and it remained in a box for half an hour until able to fly off again. Shortly after, a male Blackcap was seen behind the feeders. Although an uncommon sight, I have had wintering Blackcaps for some years now. They are usually male but have once had a female too. Around mid-morning, the calls of Pink-footed Geese overhead alerted me to a long line of around 150 birds, flying North already. Spring must be on the way! Another scarce visitor to my garden was a Goldcrest which worked its way through the bushes, and this Stock Dove, of which two sometimes appear. Two Robins have paired up or, at least are friendly to each other. Two Wrens have taken an interest in the garden, being present most of the time. Other regulars included 4 Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 8 Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Dunnock, 4 House Sparrows, 7 Starlings, 1 Coal Tit and 2 each of Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Woodpigeon. For a garden measuring 18 metres by 12 metres, We don't do too badly really.
As it was a nice bright morning in Hull, we set off for Scarborough with the main aim to give 'Ellie the dog' a good run on the beach, which she enjoys so much. Nearing Scarborough we lost the sunshine and much of the time it was overcast, with brief glimpses of brightness. After a satisfactory run on the North beach, we returned to the harbour (after a quick look for the Short-eared Owl on the cliffs). One of the Black-necked Grebes was still cruising around the harbour but nothing else of note. It was high tide around lunch-time and a good time to see the Purple Sandpipers roosting over the harbour wall. I had just found a small group and, about to take a photo when a Sparrowhawk swooped in, and helped itself to one of the sandpipers. Needless to say, the flock flew away and weren't seen again! After lunch and another walk, a ride up to Holbeck car park would put Mediterranean Gull on the year list once again. These gulls have frequented the car park for years and as we arrived, someone was chucking the bread out and the gulls were swirling around. There were three superb adult winter birds, who seemed to beat the Black-headed Gulls to the bread every time. I noticed there was a second winter bird in flight, with its distinguishing black markings on the wing feathers and, when on the ground, the bill was noticeably orange. This was a cracking bird but it only stayed briefly. I would have liked more photos of this one. And, one of an adult with the second winter bird.
This park on the West side of Hull is only a couple of miles from home and yet I rarely go birding there. For much of the year, it can be busy with fishing on the lake and various sports on the adjacent field.
In winter it is generally quieter and can attract substantial flocks of geese, mainly Canada and Greylag, although I have seen a few Barnacles there too. Today's visit was part of the year-listing, hoping for a Goosander or two which I have seen here, but are usually reported from Hull's East Park across the city. A Goosander was one of the first birds I noticed on the lake and it soon became apparent there were at least 14 birds in all, which I thought was an impressive number given that, apart from Mallards there were only 6 Tufted Duck and a single Pochard. At East Park I find the Goosanders hide behind the islands, or stay in mid-water whereas with a little patience and keeping still, these birds came quite close. Other species around the lake were - 36 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, x Mallard, 8 Coot, x Black-headed Gull, a Great-spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest were calling. With the prospect of yet another dark, dreary and damp day ahead, I decided my best option would be to locate some already well reported birds, in the county. I made my way up to Filey to have a look at the Surf Scoter which has been present in the bay for some time. My only previous surf scoter record was also at Filey a couple of years ago, but I was keen to see another one, especially in Yorkshire. There was an incoming tide all morning, so my viewing was going to be from the clifftops of Carr Naze, rather than walking out on the Brigg. As it turned out, my location was fairly immaterial as, after some searching I found the surf scoter halfway across the bay - a mere dot! Keeping one eye on the scoter, I turned my attention to the seaward side for an hour or so, during which time, little movement occurred apart from small numbers of - Gannets, Fulmars, Wigeon, Shags, Cormorants and a good number of Oystercatchers on the shore. Unfortunately, the surf scoter remained well out in the bay and some rubbish record shots was all that was possible. After a coffee and a warm up in the car, I drove down to Flamborough for the Richard's Pipits. I knew which direction to go in from North Landing but hadn't a clue which field they were in!!
With only a dog walkers' car there, I thought my chances might be extremely slim however, three fields further on, I succeeded in finding them both together in the far corner of a wet field. Again, distance, drizzle and any other excuse I can think of made for poor photos but, having never seen two Richard's Pipits together, this made really interesting viewing. I was pleased I had put in the effort and may have another go, should we get a bright day this month!! The image does show some of the facial markings fairly well. |
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