What a day in North Cave Wetlands!

Despite the cold breeze and overcast conditions, there was a number of people on the reserve today. The background noise today was whistling Lapwings and screeching sounds of Black Headed Gulls, with the added novelty of the laughing Little Grebes. Of the latter I saw two pairs, one at Village lake and another in Main Lake.
There were Curlews calling on the fields and singing Skylarks. It would be hard to decide on what is the highlight of the trip, the Stoat encounter and the Smew came close to the top, but there were many others. Like the pair of Shelducks close by Turret Hide (above), aren't they the most elegant ducks?

A Green Spotted Woodpecker landed on an Alder just in front of me. 

A large Lapwing flock took to the air in a few occasions.

Noisy, Black Headed gulls with their fresh, silky breeding plumage displaying... 

fighting and generally having the place to themselves

A Stoat running towards me on the path to Turret hide. I stopped much earlier than the Stoat, but it eventually stopped and froze for long enough for me to take its photo. It immediately then disappeared through one of the draining tubes at the side of the path. I love the white gloves!

Two Mute Swans fighting. There was lake wide commotion with chases, water running and flying (is there a name for the flying while running that swans do?), and fast swimming. The one on the right is busking, an agressive posture of swans. The scene was almost comical as there was a group of mobbing Black Headed gulls, that seemed to have taken sides, attacking the agressive swan.

A Teal pair by Turret Hide.

Brown Rat feeding under the bird feeders. I guess this is an unintended effect of having bird feeders in nature reserves. Rats are also not good news for ground nesting birds.

An approachable male Reed Bunting.

Redhead Smew, a lifer, I flushed her in Far Lake. And she settled on the far end, but little by little she settled in the middle of the lake.

A raft reunion of Oystercatchers.

Full breeding plumage Great Crested Grebe.

Little Grebe.

Feeding coot, the Main Lake water was so transparent and still that you could see them underwater.

Hovering Kestrel

I failed to find a map of the reserve on the web with all the lake's names, so here is one from the information panel at the entrance. It shows the initial stage of the reserve, which has now greatly expanded on the south and west. At least I can come back here if I forget the lake names.

This was one of the most memorable trips I have made to NCW.

Today's Bird List

1. Black-headed gull        
2.  Blackbird        
3.  Blue Tit        
4.  Carrion Crow        
5.  Chaffinch        
6.  Common Gull        
7.  Coot        
8.  Curlew        
9.  Dunnock        
10.  Feral Pigeon        
11.  Gadwall        
12.  Goldfinch        
13.  Great Crested Grebe        
14.  Great Tit        
15.  Green Woodpecker        
16.  Greenfinch        
17.  Greylag Goose        
18.  Herring Gull        
19.  House Sparrow        
20.  Kestrel        
21.  Lapwing        
22.  Little Grebe        
23.  Long-tailed Tit        
24.  Magpie        
25.  Mallard        
26.  Moorhen        
27.  Mute Swan        
28.  Oystercatcher        
29.  Pheasant        
30.  Pied Wagtail (yarrellii)        
31.  Pochard        
32.  Redshank        
33.  Reed Bunting        
34.  Robin        
35.  Rook       
36.  Shelduck        
37.  Shoveler        
38.  Skylark        
39.  Smew        
40.  Snipe        
41.  Starling        
42.  Teal        
43.  Tree Sparrow        
44.  Tufted Duck
45. Wigeon 
46. Woodpigeon 
47. Wren

Tophill Low half term ticks

The last day of the school holidays, and a wonderful sunny day with an uplifting spring feel, I drive the kids to Tophill Low. Never underestimate the fuss, noise, and squabbling that three kids between four and ten years old can make at a hide - note to self, must buy more binoculars! After not even 20 min there, and with more and more twitchers arriving to tick the Great Northern Diver in the D-reservoir the hide was full to capacity (sorry guys!). When another birder arrived with a large telescope and positioned himself behind us trying to find a gap in between the kids I thought, enough, time to move on, no chance for the GND. We had a quick snack by the car - it is amazing how quickly snack time arrives when you are out and about with children - and started to walk toward the woods. More squabbling ensued on the way.
We climbed to East Hide, overlooking D res, only two people there, who left promptly. There were so many birds this morning in D res. The ever whistling Wigeon formed displaying circles (top shot), there was also Goldeneye, Coot, Gadwall, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Ducks and Pochard. A duck arrived just opposite us: a drake Pintail!

Drake pintail

In my next turn with the binoculars I scan the reservoir and in the distance, amongst a group of Coots I distinguish the Great Northern Diver clearly. That was luck when we were not expecting it!


The ducks then appeared to get nervous and large flocks started taking to the air, only the coots staying put. At least it wasn't our noise, a small plane started flying over the reservoirs.
A lull of a few minutes while we watched the birds coming to the feeding station in the wood, and a pair of Roe Deer walking by not 10 m away a magic moment.
We see a group of three Roe Deer by the road as we leave the reserve. One of them starts galloping closer to us.

Just a record shot for the Great Northern Diver

Goldeneye pair

Roe Deer

A galloping roe deer runs toward tree cover

Bird list

1. Blackbird        
2.  Blue Tit        
3.  Chaffinch        
4.  Coal Tit       
5.  Common Gull        
6.  Coot        
7.  Dunnock        
8.  Gadwall        
9.  Goldeneye        
10.  Goldfinch        
11.  Great Northern Diver        
12.  Great Spotted Woodpecker        
13.  Great Tit        
14.  Long-tailed Tit        
15.  Mallard        
16.  Moorhen        
17.  Pheasant        
18.  Pintail        
19.  Pochard        
20.  Redwing        
21.  Robin        
22.  Rook        
23.  Shoveler        
24.  Tufted Duck        
25.  Wigeon        
26.  Woodpigeon        
27.  Wren

Plus three more on the approach road: Yellowhammer, Red-Legged partridge and Mute Swan.

Pearson Park birdwatching

Sometimes, birdwatching on your local patch can be amazingly rewarding. Today the day started with sun and a hard frost. I set off early towards the park, hoping to avoid the bulk of visitors and dog walkers. The ground is covered on hoar frost.
I walk around the park. There is lots of different species singing: Blue, Great and Coal Tits, Dunnock, Robin, Stock Doves, Collared Doves, Mistle Thrush and the first, tentative singing of two Chaffinches, which seem unable to finish their repetitive phrase. A small Greylag flock feeds on the grass. A couple of individuals watchful for dogs, while the rest feed or rest. I was appalled when a few days ago I watched a woman encouraging her dog to chase the geese.
 After the perimeter walk, I decided to stay for another five minutes and explore the area at back of the conservatory. This was rewarded by a Golcrest, Long Tailed Tits and a Wren feeding on and under the leaf litter, giving a very mouse-like impression. I also managed to watch the courtship of the Stock Dove, very similar to that of the Woodpigeon, with bowing and tail fanning.
As I was watching a Long Tailed Tits, I heard the distant calls of geese, and looked up to see a large flock of Pink-Footed geese, flying high in a V shape towards the north. I have never seen them migrating so early, but it was probably a small movement toward Scotland, in anticipation to their migration to Iceland. I counted (on the photos I took), a flock of 104 and another of 138.

This first year male Blackbird was feeding on the frosty ground. It sprinted and then raised its tail almost to the vertical, and repeated it again. I tried to get a shot when the tail was at its highest, but failed, as I had to follow it as it run, and it had started to lower its tailed by the time I focused it.

Mallard pair on ice

This Common Gull kept a close eye on the ground as it paced on the frosty grass

Frost on the wildlife garden

I noticed a pair of Woodpigeons on a roof. The female had adopted a horizontal position and I just had time to get this poor shot of them mating.

Stock Doves were very obvious today. This one sang from a high tree.

Migrating Pink-footed geese

A short video of the migrating geese

A watchful Greylag, while its partner feeds.

The frost steams with the morning sun

This Robin had a reason to look up worriedly. A thin whistling alarm call announced a male Sparrowhawk flying past, and setting off a mixed flock of tits into frenzy. 

This is my only shot of the Sparrowhawk, settled on the tree, with white undertail feathers fluffled up. The the little birds continued calling making quite a kerfuffle nearby and they didn't stop until the raptor flew away.

I don't think I have seen so many species on a trip to the park before!

Bird list

1. Black-headed Gull        
2.  Blackbird        
3.  Blue Tit        
4.  Canada Goose        
5.  Carrion Crow        
6.  Chaffinch        
7.  Coal Tit        
8.  Collared Dove        
9.  Common Gull        
10.  Dunnock        
11.  Feral Pigeon        
12.  Goldcrest        
13.  Goldfinch        
14.  Great Spotted Woodpecker        
15.  Great Tit        
16.  Greenfinch        
17.  Greylag Goose        
18.  Herring Gull        
19.  House Sparrow        
20.  Long-tailed Tit        
21.  Magpie        
22.  Mallard        
23.  Mistle Thrush        
24.  Moorhen        
25.  Pink-footed Goose        
26.  Robin        
27.  Song Thrush        
28.  Sparrowhawk        
29.  Starling        
30.  Stock Dove        
31.  Woodpigeon        
32.  Wren     

A topsy turvy day at North Cave Wetlands

This is one of the windiest days I can remember, gales with sudden, violent gusts blew over the reserve. The hides whistled, creaked and howled. Moorhens rode waves, Redshanks flew backwards, a Kestrel failed to hover, despite trying hard, passerines kept a low profile. Only the Jackdaws seem to enjoy riding on the wind like kites. And there were lots of people about for a change - monday mornings have been very quiet so far.

  There were quite a number of Shelducks in the reserve today: a few on the grassy areas south of Dryham Lane, and large flock on a mudflat on Reedbed Lake. A variety of other ducks about as well: Wigeon, Teal, Pochard (top shot) and Tufted ducks.

  On the main lake, a motley crew of Cormorants, an Oystercatcher and Lapwings sat on the raft facing the raging wind.

Pair of Shelduck

View of Main lake

Flock of Shelduck on Reedbed Lake

Goldfinch

Bird List

1. Black-headed Gull        
2.  Blackbird        
3.  Blue Tit        
4.  Canada Goose        
5.  Carrion Crow        
6.  Common Gull        
7.  Coot        
8.  Cormorant        
9.  Feral Pigeon        
10.  Fieldfare        
11.  Gadwall        
12.  Goldfinch        
13.  Greylag Goose        
14.  House Sparrow        
15.  Jackdaw        
16.  Kestrel        
17.  Lapwing        
18.  Long-tailed Tit        
19.  Magpie        
20.  Mallard        
21.  Moorhen        
22.  Mute Swan        
23.  Oystercatcher        
24.  Pochard        
25.  Redshank        
26.  Reed Bunting        
27.  Robin        
28.  Rook        
29.  Shelduck        
30.  Shoveler        
31.  Skylark        
32.  Snipe        
33.  Starling        
34.  Teal        
35.  Tree Sparrow        
36.  Tufted Duck        
37.  Wigeon        
38.  Woodpigeon        
39.  Wren     

Tophill Low after the snow

An early morning visit to Tophill Low yesterday. The access roads were clear, although the access road was a bit icy at times. There was still some snow on the south side of the D reservoir. My first stop was the car park. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew right over me, making a drumming noise (with beak?). Then I heard it drumming repeatedly from the trees.
 I spent some time in the south D reservoir hide. There were many Wigeon, Gadwall and a few scattered Shovelers. Further up I could see Coots, an immature Great Black Backed Gull and some groups of Mute Swans. Goldeneyes were very active, flying up and down. I watched a pair interacting near the hide. The female was clearly soliciting mating, staying parallel to the male, low on the water and head low, but the male did his neck stretch, bill pointing up displays a few time before actually mounting her. Afterwards, the male dismounted, although he kept hold of the female's neck feathers and they remained attached like that for a few moments. Quite cool to see the whole sequence from close range.
 I move onto the woods, heading to the north of the reserve. The woodland is quite wet and flooded in parts, but the clearing by the feeders is buzzing with Blue Tits, Great tits, Coal Tits, Goldfinches and Chaffinches. A small tit joins in to feed a few times, a Marsh or Willow tit. I watch intently trying to see the features that allow to discriminate between these very similar species. I can't see any white wing panel, but the bird looks fluffy, with a rich buff colour and a matt black top. Unfortunately, it kept quiet and I didn't take any photos, but Tophill Low warden confirms that Marsh tits haven't been seen feeding in the feeders in this area so it is more likely to be a Willow Tit.
I watch a Treecreeper and a Wren by the feeding area on my way to North Marsh hide. North Marsh is mainly frozen. Other than a small bird diving into the reeds and that doesn't surface again, nothing to report.
 But on my way to the Hempholme hide, I flushed a Barn Owl from the pollarded poplar area, I watch it with the binoculars while it flies away from me into the Hempholme lock area, but I don't get to see where it settles. A beautiful, rich colour individual, what a great sight. A Kestrel is also disturbed. At home I make a sketch of a flying Barn Owl. I have seen far to many roadkill Barn Owls and it is nice to see a live one.
 On the long walk by the straight side of D res I find a barn owl pellet by a post. I can see the rodent teeth sticking out of it. I will update the post with what I find inside. Then, in the middle of the path, the impressive head of a Great Black Backed Gull, the bill has the adult colour save for a thin black ring near the tip. It looks fresh and has still all feathers, but I carry it to the car, and leave it in the boot while I pop in to see if there is anything of interest in the lagoons. As I get into the car on my way back, I realise that the head stinks. Fortunately I have a plastic bag to put it in.
A brilliant day in Tophill Low, must come back more often.

Pair of Goldeneyes after mating

View of D res

Wren near the feeders in the wet D woods

A squirrel was actually inside this squirrel proofing before it got out and almost completely tore it apart. The feeders were truly buzzing with Tits (three sp. on the photo), and Chaffinches were feeding on the ground.

A frozen pond by D res

Two Mute Swans were actually feeding in the frozen Lagoons though some holes in the ice:

A Grey Heron stopped briefly on the lagoon shore, but promptly left toward the river Hull, probably deterred by the ice.

UPDATE: Contents of the Barn Owl pellet: 3 field voles, 1 common shrew, 1 pygmy shrew. Keyed out using this RSPB resource

Bird List

1. Barn Owl
2. Black-headed Gull    
3. Blackbird    
4. Blue Tit    
5. Bullfinch   
6. Carrion Crow    
7. Chaffinch    
8. Coal Tit    
9. Common Gull    
10. Coot    
11. Dunnock    
12. Gadwall    
13. Goldeneye
14. Goldfinch    
15. Great Black-backed Gull    
16. Great Spotted Woodpecker    
17. Great Tit    
18. Grey Heron   
19. Greylag Goose    
20. Jackdaw    
21. Kestrel   
22. Lapwing    
23. Long-tailed Tit    
24. Mallard
25. Mistle Thrush 
26. Moorhen    
27. Mute Swan    
28. Pheasant    
29. Pochard    
30. Robin    
31. Shoveler    
32. Tree Sparrow    
33. Treecreeper
34. Tufted Duck    
35. Wigeon    
36. Willow Tit   
37. Woodpigeon    
38. Wren

Big Garden Birdwatch 2013

I wasn't prepared for the Big Garden Birdwatch at all this morning. I hadn't filled the feeders, I hadn't cleaned the window panes to see clearly, I hadn't locked the cat in, I hadn't even decided I was going to do it. Yes, the hanging feeder happened to be quite full as our regular flock of sparrows appears to have deserted us, but the roof of the feeder on the bird table had collapsed in the night under the weight of the snow, and it was blocking access to the seeds, and the windows, lit by the low winter sun, looked filthy. At least the cat was dozing by the radiator. I had just finished my morning coffee and distractedly glanced at the garden. There was an odd bird on the bird table... a female blackcap! could that be? I hadn't seen a blackcap in the garden for years. I dashed for the camera. When I returned the bird was gone. Was I hallucinating? No, the Blackcap was sitting on the apple tree (above) and promptly moved back to the bird table. I was able to take a few shots, when a robin dashed in, both birds had a quick squabble and the Blackcap flew away. Well, this was the start of my hour bird watching. I stood there by the conservatory window and watched our average assortment of garden birds come and go for an hour. Fun!

The star of the show, female Blackcap

Robin

Blackbird

Dunnock hiding under the garden table

and the appearance of a cat put an end to the Big Garden Birdwatch 2013

Snowy Wetlands

I went for my monthly visit to North cave Wetlands. If was very cold and gloomy, but at least it wasn't snowing. There was a dusting of snow on the ground. I seemed to be the only person in the reserve - other than the Wild Bird Cafe lady - but there were birds aplenty, as usual, and the wardens had been busy before me topping the feeders.

 The feeders were attracting large numbers of  Long-Tailed tits. Blue and Great Tits, Goldfinches Greenfinches and Tree and House Sparrows also feasted on them. 

Long Tailed Tit

The water was very high at Village lake and Island lake, and there are no islands to be seen, the birds congregating in the shallows. While in East Hide, a Green Woodpecker caught the corner of my eye as it flied away to settle on a tree by south hide, and then laughed in the distance.

 I go on to Turret Hide, where, other than a few Shelducks and Teal there is little else, and then move onto the north side of the reserve.

Magpies

Three of a group of five Reed Buntings

The water level is quite low on Reedbed Lake, and a flock of Redshank and Lapwing feed on the muddy shores.

I spot a Bullfinch, a male, the first I see in the reserve, on alders by Carp Lake.
As I arrive at South Hide, I am ready for a hot cup of coffee. A lone Cormorant on the raft with a few lapwings. Coots, Gadwalls, Pochards and Tufted ducks feed. A large flock of Teal in the distance and a pair of Greylags. Suddenly, I hear the rattling alarm call of a Carrion Crow. I quickly scan the horizon and at first only see a Kestrel hovering in the distance, undisturbed by the crow, but then I see a larger raptor with dark brown, long wings a flash of white on the tail, flying fast close to the ground alongside the lake shore, flushing a large flock of Lapwings into the air. The raptor, possibly a Hen Harrier or Buzzard, settles on a bush in the north hedge, too far for me to ID.

There are Large Siskin flocks on the alders by Main Lake and the main entrance, but I cannot spot any Redpolls amongst them.

The lone Cormorant on Main Lake raft

The Hen Harrier settled on the top of the bush to the right of the centre of the photo.

As I leave, the snow starts falling over the reserve.

UPDATE 15/1/13: I have left the raptor without identity, as it does not fit Hen Harrier or Buzzard.

Bird list

1. Black-headed Gull 
2. Blackbird 
3. Blue Tit 
4. Bullfinch 
5. Carrion Crow 
6. Chaffinch 
7. Common Gull 
8. Coot 
9. Cormorant 
10. Dunnock 
11. Gadwall 
12. Goldfinch 
13. Great Tit 
14. Green Woodpecker 
15. Greenfinch 
16. Greylag Goose 
17. House Sparrow 
18. Jackdaw 
19. Kestrel 
20. Lapwing 
21. Long-tailed Tit 
22. Magpie 
23. Mallard 
24. Moorhen 
25. Pochard 
26. Redshank 
27. Reed Bunting 
28. Robin 
29. Rook 
30. Shelduck 
31. Shoveler 
32. Siskin 
33. Song Thrush 
34. Teal
35. Tree Sparrow 
36. Tufted Duck 
37. Wigeon 
38. Woodpigeon 
39. Wren