First Visit To Local Patch, MSQ for 2016

  Already a quarter of the year gone as we finally got back to checking out our local patch, Messingham Sand Quarry, North Lincolnshire.

  We arrived as the only other person there was leaving the reserve so we had the place to ourselves :) The feeders at the car park were mostly empty so we topped them up with a mixture of seed and suet pellets while placing more on the fallen trees near the feeders.It was instantly appreciated by the Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Chaffinches and Great Tits who all quickly descended from the nearby trees to take advantage of the food.

  The rafts in Grebe Lake were still empty as the Common Terns were yet to arrive but a Sparrowhawk zipped across the tree tops in front of us and out of sight.Chiffchaffs could be heard in various locations and we eventually ended the visit with 8 Chiffchaff sightings.

Chiffchaff

  6 Treecreepers were dotted about the Pine and Birch trees along with the acrobatic Long-tailed Tits and a pair of Goldcrests.

  Treecreepers

  Long-tailed Tit

  The second lake at MSQ (photo by Majella Fox)

  Most of the action was on the main lake, Goldeneye, Pochards, Shelducks and Tufted Ducks passed close to the hide.

  Goldeneye

  The clouds closed in and the weather turned for the worse.We were happy to stay in the hide away from the downpour while watching 40+ Sand Martins that had completed their journeys back from Africa and were now happily feeding over the water on the early insects.

 The rains coming in over the main lake.(photo by Majella Fox)

  Sand Martins feeding over main lake.

  During a break in the rain, we made our way around to the next hide.The Black-headed Gull colony,currently around 160-180 strong were their usual rambunctious selves.A Redshank and a pair of Oystercatchers were caught among the hive of activity.

  Oystercatchers among the Gull colony.

  The Gulls searched for nesting materials, fought and displayed, real life drama(much better than watching Eastenders ;))

  A Gulp of Cormorants kept to the far edge of the island along with some juvenile Gulls.

  The call of a Buzzard could just be heard as it circled the lake , inadvertently becoming mobbed by a couple of Crows.

Common Buzzard

  A walk through the woods brought more Chiffchaff and Long-tailed Tit sightings as well as Great Tits, Blue Tits and Wrens.

  Wren(photo by Majella Fox)

  On returning to the car another Buzzard appeared from behind the tree line, followed by a 2nd, then a 3rd, 4th and 5th. 5 Buzzards all drifting on the wind together over the adjacent field, a spectacular sight to end the 3 hour visit to Messingham Sand Quarry :)

  We will return again soon.Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.I thank all 6 of you ;)

http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/Messingham-Sand-Quarry

  

Spring Returns to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

  Well you wait for ages for one and then two turn up straight after each other.My blogs I mean , not buses ;)

  I think this is going to be more of a quick photo blog rather than a lot of text as most of you know about RSPB Bempton Cliffs anyway on the coast of East Yorkshire, just North of Bridlington.

  So anyway I had my second visit of March to Bempton Cliffs this week.The weather couldn't have been more different than my last visit 3 weeks ago.

  Blizzards at Bempton Cliffs 3 weeks ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxlJQnUo_Go

  Yesterdays weather was a bit better :) (photo by Majella Fox)

  Three weeks ago I saw Gannets and Fulmars through the snow along with Tree Sparrows at the feeders.

Gannet battling the wind and snow.

  Now there are an increased number of Gannets plus the arrival of Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins on the cliffs and sea as well as Meadow Pipits in the fields.Also this week, the first Gannet eggs were laid :)

Razorbills.

Guillemots

Puffins were among the Gannets, Guillemots and Razorbills on the cliffs.

Gannets

  During our walk around I also bumped into award winning photographer Steve Race running one of his photography workshops :)

  I really do urge you to visit Bempton Cliffs within the next few months to witness one of the UK's most spectacular Wildlife experiences, especially if the Government do the unthinkable and do allow Fracking there in the future :( (Read about it below)

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Fracking-threat-RSPB-Bempton-Cliffs-nature/story-27825583-detail/story.html

Please check out the BAWC website and sign the petition below against Driven grouse Shooting :)

Help save our wildlife

Thank you

http://birdersagainst.org/

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/125003

  

  

Spurn Bird Observatory March 27th 2016 - A New Chapter

 So March 27th 2016 became an important date in the history of Yorkshire Birding and in UK Migration.It's an exciting new chapter for SBO , 70 years since its beginnings in 1946 by John Lord, Ralph Chislett, George Ainsworth & RM Garnett. A lot of time and hard work has gone into the new building by the SBO Committee and volunteers, and it shows.

  Bookings are already being taken to stay at the new Observatory, just check the website below for details.

http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/staying-at-spurn/

  SBO Patron and TV Naturalist Mike Dilger made the journey up from Bristol to officially open the new observatory. SBO Chairman Rob Adams addressed the good sized crowd that had arrived for this important occasion, thanking volunteers and Friends Of Spurn Members for enabling this to be possible.

Rob Adams with Mike Dilger

  Rob then introduced Mike who gave a fantastic speech including a fitting tribute to the late, great Martin Garner who tragically passed away earlier this year and also mentioned the amazing new book coming out soon on The Birds Of Spurn by Andy Roadhouse(details also on the SBO website)

  Mike then proceeded to lift the curtain on this new chapter in SBO history despite the struggles against the strong winds.

 Mike struggling with the curtain and.....

  ...reacting to shouts of "Should've got Chris Packham!"

  Free drinks and food were available as everyone congregated in the Observatory to chat about birding, wildlife and the future of Spurn.In here we also got to see Findlay and Heather Wilde again :)

 With Mike.

  We had arrived 5 hours previously to the opening so had plenty of time to walk around the wild beauty of Spurn Nature Reserve. Skylarks were trying their best to be heard over the North Sea winds while Snipe probed in the long grass for food.

  Oystercatchers, Shelducks, Curlews, Redshanks and Ringed Plover were all seen along the Humber Estuary.

  Spurn Lighthouse with Oystercatchers in the foreground.

  Dozens of Brent Geese arrived jostling for position to feed on the succulent grasses now exposed by the receding tide.

  Inland to the more sheltered Church Field we watched Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and numerous Goldcrests while hoping to get a view of the Firecrest that was in the area.We didn't see the Firecrest but we did meet some new friends Linda & Ron Lowndes with whom we had a good chat about all things wild.If you are reading this Linda & Ron, it was great to meet you both :)

  Goldcrests

  We also had a close encounter of the furry kind with a curious Weasel that checked us out a few times before deciding we were harmless enough and just continued its exploration of the field edge.

  All in all it was a fantastic day in an amazing place.It was great to meet new friends and old and be there for the beginning of this new chapter for Spurn Bird Observatory.

  Cannot wait til September and the next Spurn MigFest :)

See you all there.

For all the recent sightings, booking accommodation, ordering Andy's Birds Of Spurn book or to help and become a Friends Of Spurn member please go to the SBO website below.

Thank you

http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/

Birding at Yorkshire Wildlife Park

  I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about wildlife parks and zoos as no one really wants to see animals in captivity.If the Human Race wasn't a diabolical killing machine and could live in harmony with our planet and its inhabitants then maybe we wouldn't have to.

  Parks and Zoos are a necessity though with their endangered animals breeding programs and conservation projects around the globe and the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster is one of the UK's best.They have fantastic animal management and some of the largest enclosures in the world which is why they have had recent success with breeding rare Amur Tigers and Amur Leopards.
  It is a great place to take your kids to educate them and to get them enthused about our Global wildlife.Not only that, it is a fantastic place to do a bit of birding too, so I'm proud to say I renew my annual membership each year:)

  During my numerous visits to the YWP I have now logged over 40 wild bird species in the park.The man made pools in the Baboon enclosure and waterfall in the Tiger enclosure are great for Grey Wagtails.

  Depending on the Season the hedgerows and bushes are alive with Robins, Long-tailed Tits, Goldcrests, Redwings, Goldfinches & Linnets.
  Goldfinch near the Polar Bear enclosures.

  Linnet in the Lion Territory

 Fieldfares, Pied Wagtails, Song Thrushes can be found in the African Plains field along with an array of Corvids.
  Fieldfare on African Plains

  Tree Creepers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Jays occupy the wooded areas around the children's playground and in the Oak woodland nature reserve adjacent to the Lemur Walkthrough.

  Jay in Oak woodland

  Having protected wetlands at the rear of the park also helps.As well as numerous Black-headed Gulls, Teal, Moorhens & Greylag Geese you can also find waders along the banks.Black-tailed Godwits, Snipe, Redshank & Common Sandpipers have all been observed there by us.

  Greylag Geese on the Wetlands.

 Part of the protected wetlands behind YWP

 Snipe in the wetlands.

Add to these great views of Raptors such as Common Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks and Little Owls and you have a pretty good birding patch.

  Little Owl near Lion Territory

 Fly over by Common Buzzard

 Kestrel at the Polar Bear enclosure.

  So if you fancy a trip to Doncaster and Yorkshire Wildlife Park to see the Amur Tigers, Lions and Giant Otters just remember to bring your binoculars too:)