Sunday 24 March 2024

Winter 2023/24 Birding Highlights

As 2023 closed out I was back home in Yorkshire for the first day of winter, and forget blue skies with crisp days and an easterly breeze bringing the promise of snow. As with recent years, wet and windy weather dominated. This time high pressure had slowly drifted west into the North Atlantic Ocean such that it became stuck with the jet stream then rolling around the top of it. This resulted in low pressure systems "barelling" into the middle of the British Isles one after another throughout the festive period, seemingly centred on Yorkshire.

On December 21st the up to 45mph winds put me off either twitching the Black-throated Thrush in East Yorkshire or birding the moorland edge, so it was off to Old Moor RSPB. Nice to shelter and see wintering Goosander and Goldeneye, a cream crown Marsh Harrier and a Caspian Gull. Several more visits over the period produced a variety of wintering wildfowl plus Pink-footed Geese moving west late one afternoon and one more look at the Caspian Gull allowing for photos and video to be taken. A group of Lesser Redpolls (4) moved around the scrub at the top of Green Lane were nice to see, but the star attractions were a pair of adult Peregrines present on most visits. They took to resting on one of the islands rather than from a lofty perch, no doubt due to the relentless wind which in fairness did moderate from apocalyptic to only a raging gale as the year came to an end. They gave one large gull a scare and spent the rest of the time upsetting the Greylag Geese.

Caspian Gull (1st w)

Peregrine

Connected with the Black-throated Thrush before Christmas, it showed reasonably well at the excellent Tophill Low Nature Reserve that yielded Red-crested Pochards amongst a variety of duck on 'O' reservoir. A flooded field along the seemingly never ending entrance road to the north west held 500 Pink-footed Geese and similar number of Greylag Geese, plus the majestic Whooper Swan (30). On the way back a Red Kite flew over the M62/A1 junction.

Black-throated Thrush

Spent some time birding the moorland edge but the weather didn't allow for any wandering. Buzzards and Kestrels showed with the occasional Raven sighting. The miserable conditions forced a Barn Owl to hunt early in the afternoon and nearby a Merlin spotted on two visits was my first winter sightings of this species in the uplands. Non avian highlight being of 2 Moles walking/swimming across the road as driving rain forced them out of cover. When the miserable weather relented Fieldfares and Redwings moved from bush to bush on most visits but no big or varied finch presence. That said, one site held a very noteworthy single flock of 200 Linnets. The absence of Crossbills continue to worry. Back in the lowlands I didn't time it well for Waxwings, most had dispersed by the festive period, but a bit of luck with a Barn Owl seen flying against the street lamps on the edge of suburbia early one evening.

The New Year and birding in London, which usually would be focussed on Rainham Marshes RSPB, was punctuated early in the year by twitching the Northern Waterthrush further out in Essex near Maldon, a smart drake and brief visiting Ferruginous Duck in London at Snaresbrook's Eagle Pond, plus looking for winter gulls elsewhere on the Thames.

First up, the Northern Waterthrush, took a couple of attempts and grateful for the opportunity to connect with this rarity from North America. Why Northern and not Louisiana? I'm not expert enough to go into the minutiae, but from experience of Louisiana Waterthrush in Spring in New Jersey, USA which is a stronger bulkier looking bird than Northern Waterthrush with stand out whiter underparts that hold the front streaking, and possess a larger white supercilium. Only seen Northern Waterthrush a few times in Spring across the pond and more regularly encountered in the autumn at Cape May, New Jersey, USA. I know Louisiana Waterthrush is an early Spring migrant and I assume would therefore move south early in the autumn, making Northern Waterthrush more likely a vagrant to these shores of the two.

Northern Waterthrush

On returning from the twitch the small group of local Waxwings (up to 14) were present for their 2nd and last day. Waxwings don't fly, they float in the air.

Waxwing

Come on give the Ferruginous Duck a chance! Why not wild? Present briefly around a cold snap, in immaculate plumage and whilst it came close it did so with the feeding masses of Mute Swans and other wild wintering ducks before retreating to slumber beneath the cover of overhanging trees at Snaresbrook's Eagle Pond. Sadly, this site so often the wintering haunt of a cracking Caspian Gull, has drawn a blank so far this winter for this much admired gull. More details here.


Ferruginous Duck

Looking for scarce winter gulls on the Thames. It looks like there's no tipping at the landfill by Rainham Marshes RSPB, or at least none on a Saturday. Struggling to find the commoner larger gulls in the area, in any number, let alone hoping to pick out an Iceland or Glauc. Best hope is for Caspian Gulls, any wintering Yellow-legged Gulls or the occasional Mediterranean Gull, the latter is scarce in these parts at this time of year. A first visit to the gull watching site on the south of the Thames by Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead a couple of miles upriver from Rainham Marshes RSPB. Excellent opportunity for photography and a few hours visit one Sunday late in January saw 5 Yellow-legged Gulls in the area and a brief visit of a 1st winter Caspian Gull. The Yellow-legged Gulls comprised 2x 1st winters, 2x 2nd winters and 1x adult approaching summer plumage. One of the 2nd winters had a green colour ring and was presumably the one noted as being ringed in France in 2022.


Yellow-legged Gulls

Into February the lure of both Mediterranean Gull (1st winter) and Caspian Gull (1st winter) at Wanstead, London was tempting. Got the impression they were easy to see, but they gave me the run around. The Mediterranean Gull wasn't on Jubilee Pond but on the football pitches with what seemed to be the entire world's population of Common Gulls. Nice to see this plumage. Nearby at Alexandra Lake the Caspian Gull eventually flew in, and what a stunner. It didn't have the best of relationships with Herring Gulls, but allowed for excellent study and comparison of this species alongside the commoner Herring Gulls, of which there seemed to be far more of them on this small pond compared to the whole of the Thames by Rainham Marshes RSPB during this period.




Caspian Gull

Mediterranean Gull

Not forgetting Rainham Marshes RSPB, water levels good on the reserve for wildfowl and a nice variety of wintering ducks with well into double figures of Pintail looking smart especially when lit up by the scarce winter sun. Marsh Harriers everywhere, at least 6 probably more seen throughout. A Peregrine wandered over the landfill as did a Raven on one visit that had a big dislike of a Carrion Crow. Cetti's Warblers getting into song, the occasional pinging Bearded Reedling from the reedbeds and Stonechats scattered throughout the area. Finally the wintering Short-eared Owls showed on a couple of visits, with all 3 in the air on one occasion. Nearby an impressive group of about 80 Avocets swam out the rising tide. Looks like tipping at the landfill has stopped or at least stopped on a Saturday morning, gulls thin in numbers. That being said an adult Mediterranean Gull along the shore at Coldharbour Point was nice to see amongst the Black-headed Gulls.

Mediterranean Gull



Short-eared Owl

Another 'local' twitch, this time for the White-billed Diver off Southend Pier at the end of the Thames estuary. Knew a bit of good luck was needed but gave it a go on the second Saturday in February. Easy train ride from London and, via Greggs, arrived by the Pier for opening to the news it had been seen earlier heading west towards the Pier.  A couple of Mediterranean Gulls on the way down were boosted by a group of about 20 on posts at the end, one sported a White colour ring. During the day they gently chuckled to each other and gave their distinctive mewing call as if reminding birders what to listen out for when they move around in Spring. A female type Long-tailed Duck was nice to see drifting west close inshore on the way down. Turnstones scolded the visitors at the end of the Pier whose numbers were boosted by other twitchers arriving and awaiting the giant from the Arctic.

Long-tailed Duck

Mediterranean Gulls

Scanning east and the Mulberry Harbour and various yellow buoys were serving as markers, the latter attracted a regular then another Great Northern Diver as the tide came in. Red-throated Divers seen and a female type Eider added to birders' day lists. A few Brent Geese noted though not as many as seen from the train on the mudflats on approaching Southend (50+).

Great Northern Diver

Before 1pm I picked up a large "brown and white" Diver at distance. Got others on to it and soon a crowd of birders from the upper deck were studying this bird. A bit of 'birding' pressure, but IMHO could only be a large Diver sp. at such range. To be honest the Hubble space telescope would have struggled to id this bird, but it was worth a look. At worst a very pale Great Northern Diver but studying the actual GNDs and they were essentially and consistently "black and white" when sighted throughout the day. This had to be the rare visitor, Essex's 2nd record, got to be? The bird seemingly edged closer then as drizzly rain came it disappeared into the mist. On clearing it was picked up again, slightly closer and seemingly drifting towards the Pier, or was that wishful thinking. Similar murky weather and another disappearing act. Thankfully, clearing allowed for 3rd time lucky, by which time it had made strong progress in. Whilst I couldn't make out the bill's fine details, noted a feature being its posture in that it held its head pointing upwards when swimming, a trait of this species. Also, the bump on the forehead appeared to be very pronounced. Others with better optics were happy with the bill to already call it out as the White-billed Diver. It came closer from 3pm to allow good scope views of the bill and even to see the characteristic wing scalloping indicating an immature. There was one point when it turned showing the white tip to the bill that was the "that's it" moment. How distant? Best described as good scope views but just in the bridge camera dodgy record photo zone as shown below. It was certainly enjoying the flat fish and crabs on offer on the now ebbing tide.

White-billed Diver

The following day another trip to Greenhaven Drive at Thamesmead and with thanks for the help of other birders on site connected with a couple of 1st Winter Caspian Gulls on the rising tide. Both were nice to see as was a fleeting visit from a similarly aged Yellow-legged Gull.


Caspian Gull


Back home in early February and the Shorelark in the Sheffield area was tricky to see, a hunting adult Peregrine in the area spooked the Skylarks flock, but at least this helped birders locate this elusive flock holding the rare inland visitor. Showed briefly after several hours of fog prevented viewing on this Saturday morning. Deliberately not cropped or enhanced the photo below, want to emphasise the viewing conditions on that day.

Shorelark and Skylark


On the moorland edge the apparently wintering female/immature Merlin showed well mid afternoon on the Sunday before zooming off over a moorland reservoir. Nice views of it perched on a stone wall for a few minutes, after it flew in at warp speed. Size suggested a female. Curlews returning to the moors, staging in the area (ca. 40) and noisy Oystercatchers also back and typically flight at this time of the year.

At the end of the period another visit to Greenhaven Drive, Thamesmead saw a few more Yellow-legged Gulls remaining in the area and a presumed passage Red Kite over headed towards the City.



Yellow-legged Gulls


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Sunday 17 December 2023

2023 - Rainham Marshes RSPB Oct to Dec and a visit to the west

Birded Rainham Marshes RSPB on the eastern edge of Greater London several times during October through to December.

The seasons changed quickly on the river whose muddy shore hosted up to 200 Black-tailed Godwits, only seen in such numbers as they flew to roost on the reserve's winter pools. A colour-ringed bird evaded confirmation of the exact combination, which would more than likely have revealed its Icelandic origins. In excess of 1,000 and probably around 2,000 Dunlin used this area of the Thames in the main to find high tide roosts and Redshanks and Lapwings fed along the exposed shore. A Common Sandpiper present in late October may have been the one continued to be seen into December. Ruff noted on one visit and the small group of wintering Avocets (40+) defied the tide. 3 Grey Plovers roosting with Lapwings one morning in early December were nice to see, in the past would have expected to pick out Golden Plovers amongst the Lapwings, but sadly Goldies are scarce to rare now in these parts. Curlew present, one in two in Aveley Bay, became 10+ on the reserve at high tide. Wigeon and Teal commonplace in Aveley Bay, over 500 Teal noted along a few hundred yards if shoreline in early November. The wildfowl shared this area with wintering (Scandinavian) Rock Pipits whereas Water Pipit could be heard 'wisting' over the reserve, the usual view being of a 'brown and white' Pipit disappearing towards the middle.

On the reserve the duck list grew with many Pintail showing well from the visitor centre. Grey Herons present, Little Egrets scarce and up to 3 Cattle Egrets seen in November. A presumed family party of Whooper Swans was a nice sight in late November, one adult eventually resting on the Target Pools, a rare winter visitor to this area. The reedbeds remained quite apart from the burst of Cetti's Warblers and one or two 'squealing' Water Rails.




Gulls represented by the expected five, supplemented by a couple of cracking adult winter Yellow-legged Gulls in late October, the same visit saw an adult winter Mediterranean Gull fly onto the river. A week earlier a late juv to 1st winter Common Tern drew attention.

Marsh Harriers showed well, usually 4 in the area, but at least 7 seen in mid December, be interesting to see how they compete or work as a team when hunting during the coming winter months. Buzzard and Kestrel regular and Sparrowhawk appeared out of nowhere. Peregrine noted, on one visit one screamed at another that entered the area and then followed it when it flew off to the north. Barn Owls were showy but I did not come close to seeing the world's most elusive Short-eared Owl present in the later months.

Other sightings included both Grey and Harbour Seals on the river and cracking views of Stoat on one visit, shown below. Dragonflies- Migrant Hawkers and presumed Ruddy Darters continued into November. Butterflies- seemed to be a movement of Red Admirals earlier in the period.


Elsewhere, in early December I twitched by bus, tube and train the Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver present on Staines Reservoir North Basin, London. Expecting dots on the horizon, but amazingly they swam close by. You could even hear them diving. The Black-throated Diver was underwater for about 45 seconds on most dives, similarly for the Great Northern Diver, which did just over a minute on one plunge. The following photos give an idea of the views.




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Sunday 29 October 2023

2023 - Late September Cyprus Raptors

Cyprus birding late September with a heavy focus on studying raptor migration, but made time for a few visits as well to the marshes and pools at Akrotiri and Larnaca.

There's a very amiable birding community of locals and regularly returning visitors and it was good to catch up with all, many thanks for your help both online and in the field.

Please find a summary of repeat visits throughout to Akrotiri for raptor migration and one watch from Cape Greco. A full trip report being worked upon with many Honey Buzzard photos plus birding video compilations coming soon.

Sometimes raptor watching (migration) can be seeing a sky full of raptors, perhaps at distance when it can be like studying a deep field image of galaxies from the Hubble or James Webb telescopes. Whilst this can be good, it can also be confusing or overwhelming at first. I've seen this at Cape May, New Jersey, USA in autumn when the winds are pushing the raptors towards the point, but they remain to thermal to the north rather than passing overhead. Watching raptors on the move will always be exciting, and the experience at Akrotiri was seeing the raptors either lift off locally or move into the area from a northern component, some of which were off heading out over the Mediterranean Sea. Others coming into the area in the afternoons to roost before continuing their journey either the following day or soon after. Raptor watching at the three locations mentioned below had a nice anticipation in waiting to see what was coming through next. For the bigger raptors it was more often than not another Honey Buzzard. But not always so, what friends were tagging along?

Akrotiri Water Tower - essentially the high point to the west of Akrotiri village with a view overlooking the gravel pits and salt lake to the north. Excellent viewing to watch raptors leave Akrotiri from their morning roost as they continue south, and others heading into the area from further west. A light wind from the south or south east allowed to study raptors on the move overhead or out to sea off the west coast of Akrotiri. A westerly component ok when light, but when strong they were distant moving off south out to the east over Lady's Mile. 

Personal totals over the week shown below in which Honey
Buzzards
dominated but a nice variety of raptors seen. This included a wandering Bonelli's Eagle, shown opposite, that had 'issues' with the HBs, and Black Kites plus Marsh and Montagu's Harriers through. A good variety of falcons included local Eleanora's Falcons, passage Red-footed Falcons and Falco friends. 'Steppe' Buzzard new for me as was a male Levant Sparrowhawk on a day with several 'Sprawks' clearly on the move. But, not just about the raptors. Bee-eater and hirundine passage was spectacular, always something to see.




Akrotiri Beehives - peaceful roadside birding in the afternoons east of Akrotiri Marsh overlooking Phassouri Forest, good for continuing raptor migration and spotting those coming into roost. Again Honey Buzzards the welcome default raptor followed by Marsh Harriers and then the Falcons. But, lots of different raptors as shown in the following table. As with the earlier site non raptors delighted, such as the constant acrobatics of Bee-eaters and many Barn and Red-rumped Swallows plus Pallid Swifts overhead with Alpine Swifts noted towards the end of the trip. Little Swifts, one shown here, were seen throughout, where do they come from? 

                


          

Cape Greco - one visit on my last day of the trip to the south eastern tip of the island, more usually noted for passerine migration especially in spring, but ok for raptors in autumn. A few raptors through early on then a noticeable push of them south along the coast from midday - a precession of Marsh Harriers through (18) and a few Honey Buzzards (11) with Red-footed Falcons (4) moving in, then out. A smart juvenile Montagu's Harrier flew past the point. Barn Swallows and Bee-eaters got going mid-morning with totals of 595 and 127 respectively as well.




Saturday 14 October 2023

2023 - Late Summer Birding

Towards the end of August completed the Scoter set for GB, successfully twitching the adult drake Stejneger's Scoter in the 200 or so Velvet Scoter flock off the wonderful birding site of the sea wall at Musselburgh just to the east of Edinburgh. It was more elusive than it's American counterpart that I saw here back in March 2018. The Siberian version was also distinctive, in its head profile including knob and the eye-tick appeared broader than shown by its Velvet comparators. Over a few hours in fine weather that still warranted two fleeces, with good light and a gentle onshore breeze, this (returning) first? for GB showed 5x from its slumber/diving allowing most birders present to get onto it. Supporting cast included an Eider flock with singles of Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser in view when scanning the Firth duck flocks, and a dozen or so red-headed Goosanders at several points along the rocky shore. The tide influenced wader antics and nice to see many different ones with a flyby of Bar-tailed Godwits proving a worthy distraction to scanning the Scoter slick. Carrion Crows noted, despite being in Scotland this site being well below the Hoodie/Carrion cut off. 

The next day gave way to a brisk, yet bird-able and comfortable, northerly wind down the South Yorkshire moorland edge. Shortly before 11am an Osprey shifted on through from north to south stopping briefly to circle close to an inquisitive Buzzard, then back into getting out of here mode. Nearly missed a record photo, here's the best I could do. Slow birding on the moors but Spotted Flycatchers at a stopover site alongside an autumn male Redstart brightened up a quiet day. Passage later in the week included the first shift of Meadow Pipits, a lone calling Tree Pipit and a couple of Yellow Wagtails southward bound.


The South Yorkshire lowlands home to the world famous (IMHO) Wath Area saw part of the family from the nearby breeding Edderthorpe RSPB Black-winged Stilts now a couple of miles down the shallow valley on Wombwell Ings RSPB. Left it late and lucky to have seen them on their last day. Always good to catch up with this birding location and birders of the area, most helped me and my dad when we first started birding here in the late 80s. The 3 Great White Egrets in the area on this visit, lots of Little Egrets and Marsh Harriers, that would have been a description day in the 80s and 90s, and maybe receipt of a few challenging thoughts, but now not unexpected. A fair selection of waders and a Whinchat on a grass bund noteworthy.


Before more birding back home in Yorkshire in mid September I twitched the Lee Valley CP Osprey in South Hertfordshire in the same month. Train in to London (30mins), 20 mins walk to Liverpool Street and a similar length train journey back out to Cheshunt, the same type of approach in connecting with Solitary Sandpiper (Sep. 2022) and Grey-cheeked Thrush (Nov. 2005) both not a million miles away from this site. Took a good few hours for the lingering Osprey, thought to be juvenile Blue 256 ringed in Aberdeenshire this year to show. It showed briefly before taking its catch away to feed out of sight. Whilst waiting for the star attraction a distant Peregrine and Sparrowhawk were up high to the north and away from the birds a pair of Willow Emerald damselflies were present at one look out on the lake side. Perhaps no longer the scarcity/rarity associated with the SE only, nevertheless always nice to study.



People of a certain age may remember where they were at the time on the date of President J F Kennedy's assassination, but not many would be interested if I asked, "Where were you on Saturday 16 September 2023 at about 10:15?" For me it was the time I saw the Brown Booby sat on Pilot's Pier, south Gare, Redcar, Yorkshire. Unblocked a blocker, a fantastic view of a stunning rare and beautiful Gannet. Twitched by train from home to Redcar with a change in Leeds. With thanks to Stuart J who joined the train, and apologies for omitting the name of another birder from Leeds who also shared the cab at Redcar kindly covered by SJ. Now, my moan about the Kynance Cove twitch can be closed.


Overcast, grey with a brisk constant N wind, 2 fleeces and a cagoule for a wind cheater, far different to the 30C or so waiting for the Osprey and praying for a breeze the previous weekend. The Tees estuary was alive! A constant turnaround of birds, be it Sandwich Terns following a feeding line only to be disturbed by 3 or 4 Arctic Skuas, Auks bobbing up and down then off into the wind, a task seemingly made easier by several Red-throated Divers, and the occasional (Northern) Gannet remanding all that there was the common Sula not to be missed! Gulls represented by Black-headed, Common, Herring and Great Black-backed varieties plus a moulting adult Kittiwake whose lack of dipped-in-ink wing tips was there to trap the unwary!

The nearby scrub and dunes were quiet with a few Meadow Pipits and southerly bound Swallows seen. A walk back to Redcar along the beach brought memories of last year's (seems longer!) Greater Sandplover sharing the sand with Ringed Plovers. No GSP this time and single numbers of Ringed Plovers only. Sanderlings strewn along the tide all way along the walk, every busy, more relaxed were 2 groups of roosting Oystercatchers (250+150). Curlews flew over and a group of Knot went by and 2 or 3  flybys of Bar-tailed Godwits, a very smart wader, a record breaking species that we may not appreciate that much as the record involved a flight from Asia to Australia and not more local.

Not to forget moorland magic the next day. The swing of the wind to the East not being productive to hear some of the first "wink-winks" of the season but it was nice for my dad to pick out what we believe to be the area's first Marsh Harrier of the year, a cream crown that flew over a moor all in peace. That was until it strayed to an area holding a female/immature Merlin who quickly encouraged it to go elsewhere. Why have Marsh Harriers been scarce here in both passage seasons? This is unknown to us at the moment, only time will tell. Adult type Hobby seen, at least 2 different birds, getting late for them (17 Sep). Also getting late for the 2 Spotted Flycatchers present in the area. Grey Wagtail over added to an autumnal feel.


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