It was shortly after 7-00 a.m this morning when I was alerted to the arrival of two Black Terns at nearby North Cave Wetlands Reserve. A check on Twitter showed that in excess of 500 Arctic Terns and 7 Black Terns had already passed through Spurn and out to sea. Good numbers were being seen at other locations along the Humber, together with sightings throughout Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire. By the time I arrived, Black Terns had increased to 8, Arctic Terns were passing through and Common Terns were settling on the lake sides. The Black Terns were constantly in the air, faced with a stiff breeze and feeding on the water surface. The agility of these small marsh terns was amazing and made photography a real challenge. Here are some of the better ones, from 566 shots taken!!! The following two images show a ringed bird. It's always great to see these small terns making their onward journey and gives a real feeling of spring migration.
With a fairly bright start and little wind, I took a walk on the North bank of the Humber in search of Grasshopper Warbler. I find this particular warbler fascinating with its long reeling song, roughly giving away its position and yet being extremely secretive at the same time. On the other hand, every now and then, one will show really well and can be observed turning its head, as it lets out its prolonged song. At my starting point this morning, I was lucky to hear a Grasshopper Warbler straightaway but realised it was singing from the depths of an extensive reedbed. Despite spending some time listening to its frequent song, it was clearly moving within the reedbed, but failed to show at all. I decided to move on and found Sedge Warblers were much more showy and saw five, in a short space of time. Also calling well and good to see on the North bank, were Bearded Tits. Strangely, these birds were happy to be in the company of Reed Buntings, feeding together in the reeds. 3 male and a female Marsh Harrier made appearances, gliding over the reedbeds and a Sparrowhawk quietened the Sedge Warblers down for a while. An unusual appearance came in the form of 6 Barnacle Geese, coming off the estuary from the South. No more Grasshopper Warblers unfortunately, but a Reed Warbler showed and Cetti's Warblers were calling in two locations.
Only a brief visit, my next stop was to be London Camera Exchange in Lincoln - yesss!! The temperature was hovering around 5C when I arrived at Spurn this morning. The light wind was off the sea and had a cold feel to it, not ideal for the arrival of Spring migrants. Despite that, a Chiffchaff was singing in the canal bushes and a Wheatear was in Well field. The Canal Scrape was quiet, until a Sedge Warbler sang briefly from the car park bushes - my first this year. The usual Linnets and Goldfinches were about and only the Wrens seemed to have something to shout about. Over at Sammy's Point, it seemed equally quiet. A noticeable Easterly movement of Curlews took place throughout the morning, flying out to sea. On the ground there wasn't a single Wheatear, Ring Ouzel or Yellow Wagtail in what is a good area for them. Fortunately, a nice encounter with a Short-eared Owl (one of two present) passed the time, as it hunted the area repeatedly. Whilst watching the owl, a cream crowned Marsh Harrier flew East towards Kilnsea. I walked the clifftop around Sandybeaches in case a Black Redstart had shown up, but only found this pair of Swallows. One of them is ringed and I wonder if it is a returning Spurn bird. A further pair of Swallows was on Canal Scrape, joined by this Sand Martin for a while. A Whitethroat and two Lesser Whitethroats were seen by others, I found a male Blackcap and two Willow Warblers along the canal. We need some warmer weather!
Without question, Tophill Low reserve in East Yorkshire has a wonderful range of habitats with two reservoirs, marshes, areas of scrub, woodland walks and a river through adjacent farmland. Consequently, a visit in early Spring will reveal the remaining over-wintering birds along with the newly arriving migrants, giving a substantial number of species to be found. The sound of bird song in the car park alone had to be believed this morning. High in the conifers, Goldcrests were calling with Mistle Thrush, Tree Sparrow, Great and Blue Tit, Robin, Blackcap and Chiffchaffs all in the vicinity. A Brambling wheezed and Great-spotted Woodpeckers were drumming alternately. Walking in the direction of South Marsh, I saw another Brambling and my 'first of the year' Willow Warbler, one of three this morning. The marsh was already busy with numerous Black-headed Gulls settling in to the colony and a drake with two female Pintails, was a pleasant surprise. A familiar call alerted me to two Little Ringed Plovers - early migrant waders. Little Grebe close to the hide. A Redshank was present and among the wildfowl were a handful of Shelduck, a pair of remaining Wigeon and small numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. No sign of Sedge Warblers yet but, a Whitethroat was singing at the back of the marsh as was a Cetti's Warbler. Moving on to Watton NR lake, the Garganey didn't seem to be about (seen yesterday morning) but a Snipe showed well and several Grey Herons and Cormorants arrived. A Willow Warbler was singing here and a male Bullfinch was in trees by the hide. The walk through D Woods started with a look from the South Hide over the reservoir. Winter wildfowl numbers have decreased though a good number of Goldeneye were still here - the drakes displaying and looking splendid. D Woods was also full of bird song - another Brambling was high in a conifer, more Chiffies and a further Willow Warbler. Two Treecreepers were busy high up and Blackcaps were very obliging in full song! On North Marsh, I struggled with the Kingfishers this morning, A couple of Greylag Geese were messing about in the channels and the Kingfishers wouldn't come to the perches. They kept at a distance, flying about the reeds and being very mobile. The biggest photographic challenge by far this morning was at the new hide where, a female Long-tailed Duck which has been around for a while, was in the opposite corner of the reservoir. It would surface for around five seconds before diving again, repeatedly. You can see from the very varying images, what a great day or year list can be had at this Reserve. When you include the four Common Buzzards and Sparrowhawk overhead, the Geese, Crow and Pigeon families, the species number is an admirable one.
I arrived home at 1330, in time to witness the Red Kite passing through again, the second time in four days. I hope it becomes a regular visitor here. It was pursued by one of the locals! Half of the rear garden. I commented a few days ago that, at the new bungalow, I'm struggling to get birds in the garden. The 'list' has gone up three last week with a brief appearance from a Chaffinch, Greenfinch and two Goldcrests shot through, which was a surprise. Fortunately, the raptors are still turning up. Yesterday, a Red Kite flew low over the Close but I didn't have the camera with me. This morning, a Kestrel was the first seen over head and this afternoon, no less than nine Common Buzzards were in the air together. The male Sparrowhawk seen a couple of days ago. Three of today's Buzzards, all high up but I might get to tell them apart if they live around here.
Looking forward to a day out on Monday..... |
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