November at Alkborough Flats

A forecast of showers coming from the East made me decide to visit Alkborough Flats, a place where I can happily spend some time entertained in a hide. Not long after parking a skein of Pink-footed Geese flew overhead and a Bearded tit 'pinged' as it flew into reeds. As I approached the main hide, large flocks of Lapwing rose over the flats. A crescent of Lapwing were roosting in front of the hide, sprinkled with Teal and Shoveler and a few distant Golden Plover. A group of Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank were resting near the hide. A shower started and the birds appeared even more hunkered down. There were at least two Marsh Harriers about, which regularly sent frenzied flocks of Lapwing into the sky as they quarterer the wetlands.

A large boat, being watched by a Marsh Harrier.

There were only two Avocets today, one of them fitted with plastic rings, which looked a bit worn. I couldn't read the letters on them if they had any.

Spotted Redshank.

More Lapwing.

The Marsh Harrier resting on a dead tree.

More Lapwing commotion.

Drake Shoveler.

A few Ruff amongst the Lapwing.

 A movement in the corner of my eye: a Water Rail in a gap between the reeds. I manage just one focused photo before it dives into the reeds again.

Water Rail.

 The shower passed and a few sunny spells on the go, I leave the hide, and I take a walk toward the trent hide. Eight Whooper Swans fly over, quite low. I follow them expecting them to land in the fields but they appear to carry on.

 Sheep are still grazing the pasture, and this time there is no Barnacle Geese to be seen.

 I'm pleasantly surprised to spot a pair of Brent Geese grazing amongst the sheep.

As I return towards Alkborough I see the Whooper Swans feeding on a distant field.

Whooper Swans.

 I climb to the village via the path to Julian's Bower and then return to the car park. At Low Wells I check for Water Crickets, Velia caprai. Not the best light conditions, but I managed some shots.

 On a field next to the pond, 20 Curlew are feeding with Woodpigeons, and by the car park a Chiffchaff calls, putting an end to the trip.

Curlew.

Wintry Flamborough

A cold, cloudy day with intermittent drizzle and a relentless easterly wind, it felt like the first day of winter. We head to Flamborough, first to the headland, for a spot of sea watching. The Flamborough Bird Observatory seawatching hide is almost complete, and it's looking great, the materials waiting to go on its green roof. It's so windy it's very uncomfortable atop the cliffs so we walk down to Selwicks Bay for some shelter. The tide is flowing and some Oystercatchers, a few Turnstones and a Curlew feed on the beach. Off shore, we spot Brent Geese, a flock of Eider north (my first this year), many Gannets and Fulmar and a few Red-throated Divers and auks. A Shag feeds close to the shore and a Grey Seal approaches and watches curiously.

Seawatching hide.

Red-throated diver.

Eider.

Shag.

Grey Seal.

Grey Seal.

Mid morning we move to South Landing, where the birds of note were two Common Scoter, a drake Eider north and a few Red-throated divers and a Shag.

Common Scoter.

South Landing.

Eider.

Redwing.

For lunch we move to Bempton Cliffs. There is little about offshore, a few Gannets is the only thing we pick up. The wind is picking up and in the viewing platforms I need to hang on to my glasses! We set off before a long shower starts. 

Tree Sparrow.

Tree Sparrow.

Filey Brigg from Bempton Cliffs.

Houghton Woods

A bright, mild autumn day, with a southerly breeze, I head to Houghton Woods, my first visit to the site. I park at North Cliffe village, and take a 4 mile circular route including the woods. There is a steep climb just off North Cliffe, the 'cliff', the path lined with hawthorns. Woodpigeons and Fieldfares feed on them. 

Fieldfare feeding on haws.

Looking back towards North Cliffe.

North Cliffe village and wood in the distance.

Once on top of the cliff, there is a plateau with agricultural land and pastures before the wood. The pillowy nests of meadow ants obvious on some slopes. At some point Rooks, Gulls and Woodpigeons spook and fly over the wood, but I see no raptor.

Yellowhammer.

I get close to Houghton Wood, a plantation with a lot of birch, some oak and conifers mainly on flat land. There is a strong presence of rhododendron. Patches of the wood are sandy and the soil is peaty and acidic, with a small patch of heather by a ditch. 

I walk most of the right of way bridleways and paths. There are pheasants everywhere. On a pheasant feeder, a Marsh Tit takes advantage of the spilled seed.

Marsh Tit.

Common haircap moss, Polytrichum commune.

The golden larches and reddish bracken add a note of colour to the woods.

Rhododendron and oak.

I find the typical assortment of woodland birds, including Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and even a calling Tawny Owl. A flock of Common Redpolls flies over the trees. A mixed flock of Long tailed tits, Goldcrest and Coal tit moves through the pine trees.

 At about noon, I get to a clearing where the trees have been recently felled. I spot a Comma stopping to bask on a trunk by the path and take some shots. The perfect place for a picnic! As I'm eating my lunch a Common Darter lands next to my feet! I wasn't expecting any active butterflies and dragonflies so having both makes my trip.

Sunbathing Comma butterfly.

Common Darter.

Looking towards a pool in the clearing I can see the silhouettes of flying darters, including a pair in tandem. As I approach I watch them ovipositing.

Ovipositing Common Darters.

The pool in the clearing.

Fungi.

I come out of the woods. A Buzzard meows over. The land is now pastures with cows.

  Some of the public right of way is through the pastures, with this inviting sign warning you.

 Houghton Hall in the distance, surrounded by parkland.

A parasol?

A wooden plank bridge over the beck at Witch Gill

Witch Gill beck.

After a short walk on the road I get to North Cliffe. I would definitely return to Houghton Woods in the spring.