It’s been a while since I’ve blogged due to some degree to lack of enthusiasm as well as maybe the good weather limiting time but today’s dull weather has given me the prompt to give it a go again.
Went to Brough Haven and Welton Waters on the 5th. On arrival, a Spoonbill was showing well in the haven. Not my first in the area, having seen one on 27 July off BAE Systems, but much more distant.
Spoonbill-Brough Haven
The tide was low and there were four more on the mudflats with another to the east off BAE Systems.
The haven used to be great for waders, but in recent years it has become overgrown.
Brough Haven
Again, there were over 1,000 Avocets on the mudflats, but no sign of the large flocks of Golden Plover that were once seen in the early 2000s, which produced both Pacific and American Golden Plover.
I walked east but the reeds obscured the view of the river so I walked on the floodwall. A Marsh Harrier over airfield Marsh but otherwise little else. Reaching Welton Waters there was little on either Brough Angling Complex but I wouldn’t expect much in summer, not helped by the dye in both waters.
Speckled Wood-Welton Waters
Cottingham
Gatekeeper-Middledyke Fields
Straw Underwing was new for the year in the trap on the 7th.
Also, an Orange Ladybird.
Went to Tophill Low NR on Friday morning, the 8th. As usual, started by viewing D res, but nothing of note. Headed to North Marsh, where I had my 1st photogenic Kingfisher of the year.
Also, a Hobby over which seemed to follow me around.
A Little Grebe was showing well on North Lagoon.
A few waders on South Marsh East.
“The last living Common Tern on South Marsh East”
A juvenile Marsh Harrier appeared to catch a young Water Rail at the back of the marsh.
Juvenile Marsh Harrier-South Marsh East, Tophill Low NR
Had a few butterflies on the way back to the carpark.
Peacock, Painted Lady and Red Admiral-Butterfly Garden, Tophill Low NR
Also a Southern Hawker
Copper Underwing and Single-dotted Wave were new for the year in the trap on the 10th.
Also, a Cream-spot Ladybird.
Went to Alkborough Flats in the afternoon. No sign of any Spotted Redshank from Prospect Hide, but a few Greenshank, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit and a single Little Ringed Plover, as well as many distant Water Rail, but although I heard a few, I didn’t see a Bearded Tit. Walked to the Trent Fall hide, but the view was restricted. Back at Prospect hide a Spotted Redshank had appeared.
Went to the Tower Hide, but it was dry and fairly overgrown.
Common Blue-Alkborough Flats
14th
Volucella zonaria-a hornet mimic hoverfly-Priory Road, Cottingham
Back to Alkborough Flats on the 15th for Pectoral Sandpiper. Otherwise, much the same waders as last time, but did see seventeen Spoonbill dropping into the reedbed.
Pectoral Sandpiper-Alkborough Flats from Prospect Hide.
Dropped in at Far Ings on the way back, where I had two fly over views of Bittern, my 1st this year.
Back home in the afternoon I found a Willow Emerald Damselfly in Millbeck Wildlife Area.
On the 16th, Canary-shouldered Thorn, Setaceous Hebrew Character and Rusty Dot Pearl were new for the year in the trap, the latter only my 3rd, previously two at Atwick in October 2014.
Went to Tophill Low NR on the afternoon of the 17th. Again, waders on South Marsh East were the highlight but I had my first two Goldeneye of the autumn on D res.
Snipe, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit with Ruff-Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East
A sign of autumn was a Red underwing in the trap on the 19th. A moth more often seen roosting or attracted to sugar.
The North Cave Wetlands YWT Night Heron
I was planning to go to Brough Haven again in the afternoon, but as I was leaving, news of Night Heron at North Cave Wetlands YWT broke. Likely the bird from last year, which I missed due to bad health. Unfortunately, having been flushed from Far Lake, it had gone missing. Hung around until mid-evening when I’d had enough, but did manage to visit all of the reserve.
Black-tailed Godwit-North Cave Wetlands YWT on Island Lake
The following morning, the Night Heron was seen again early morning, but decided to go to Raywell to be closer, but not spend hours in a likely hopeless search.
Common Buzzard-Raywell
The next morning, the 21st, having not been able to manage an early start, I failed again to see the heron, but at least did see two Little Owls.
Little Owls-Dryham Farm
As well as waders on Island Lake.
Greenshank-North Cave Wetlands YWT on Island Lake
Yellow Wagtails at North Cave Wetlands YWT on East Holm
Finally, on the morning of the 22nd, the Night Heron was reported roosting in sight. Getting there it was visible from the path by Far Lake but obscured.
Adult Night Heron-North Cave Wetlands YWT by Far Lake
Again, a few waders on Island Lake.
Juvenile Spotted Redshank-North Cave Wetlands YWT on Island Lake
Again walked the whole reserve as well as repeatedly returning for a hoped-for better view of the heron, but called it a day at lunchtime.
Common Darter near Dryham Farm
A better morning for moths on the 25th with Flame Carpet, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Six-striped Rustic, and Old Lady, new for the year.
Flame Carpet with Mother of Pearl, Chequered Fruit-tree Tortrix, Six-striped Rustic, Old Lady.
Went to Tophill Low NR on the afternoon of the 26th. A good number of waders on South Marsh East, including ten Ruff, but nothing new. The highlight was my 1st Cuckoo for a few weeks near East Pond.
Juvenile Cuckoo-Tophill Low NR near East Pond
Ruddy Darter-Tophill Low NR
Worth mentioning that the road from Watton is currently closed for repair. The road has deteriorated seriously recently, so repairs are welcome, but it does mean a longer route via Cranswick. Hopefully close to completion [still closed 2nd September]. The replacement for L-shaped hide will be officially opened on Friday 3rd September and open to public on Saturday.
On the 30th, I had Palpita vitrealis in the trap. A migrant, but increasing and new for me.
Palpita vitrealis
Also, Flounced Rustic was new for the year.
And Blood-vein, although seen earlier this year in Cottingham, was the 1st this year in the trap.
Erich's birding and biking blog 
