Went to Blacktoft Sands RSPB with Ricky on Friday morning with the hope of seeing Common Crane [although not officially announced very likely a family that bred across the Trent at Alkborough Flats] however they hadn’t been seen since Wednesday but we headed to Singleton Hide anyway. Had my first “hung up” Migrant Hawker this year, on the way, despite seeing large numbers recently including in KGV Rec, Cottingham when walking the dog. Also several Ruddy Darters.
Migrant Hawker-Blacktoft Sands RSPB
Also a few butterflies.
♂︎.Common Blue Butterfly-Blacktoft Sands RSPB
Not surprisingly with the current drought water levels were low but did mean good edges from Singleton Hide where we has several distant Bearded Tit.
Bearded Tit from Singleton Hide, Blacktoft Sands RSPB
Also saw two Water Rail. The only waders present were a few Greenshank.
Greenshank from Singleton Hide, Blacktoft Sands RSPB
Moving to the next hide we had a few Little Egret as well as Snipe.
Little Egret and Snipe, Blacktoft Sands RSPB
The next few hides were even drier but Marshland was wetter with plenty of waders.
The Marshland Scrape-Blacktoft Sands RSPB
Seemed mainly Black-tailed Godwits but a closer look identified several Spotted Redshank.
All pale types except but one black adult.
Also a few Common Redshank.
A small number of Ruff.
And a few Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Dunlin.
Green Sandpiper Snipe
A Marsh Harrier flew over scattering the waders but bringing some closer to the hide.
Marsh Harrier from marshland Hide-Blacktoft Sands RSPB
After lunch we returned to Singleton Hide where we able to show others the Bearded Tits. Also added Yellow Wagtail. A single Spotted Redshank and Green Sandpiper had moved onto the scrape. Otherwise spent the time catching up with Stav who I hadn’t seen for a good while.
A Spotted Crake had been found at North Cave Wetlands YWT late morning on Island Lake. We had considered going for our third time this week but I had previously seen one there so might have a look next week if it stays around when the hide might be less busy. Did have a look at the stubble fields nearby on the way out as Crane had been seen in the area earlier this year.
8/1/22 Very wet Saturday morning but dried later. Eventually got out with the intention of at least checking Carr Farm pools, Willerby. However I was later than I’d realised but still gave myself time to check the paddock on Priory Road opposite Wood Lane. The usual gulls but also two male Pheasant which were my first this year and a distant Grey Heron which was the first in the village in 2022. Heading down Wood Lane and a few Redwing and a Fieldfare, which although not the first, were the first decent views this year.
Fieldfare-Wood Lane, Cottingham
The going was “soft” but not yet as bad as early last year. Reaching Carr Farm had c30 Teal and 5+ Redshank but maybe because of recent icy weather no Wigeon. Also a flock of c50 Canada Geese came from the flood scheme followed shortly by c100 Greylag Geese from the north. Somehow Wilbur had managed to fall in a ditch having gone the wrong way then presumably misjudging an attempted at a short cut. Light fading so back tracked and apart from a quick look at the fields north of Haltemprice Priory headed back towards the The Garth.
9/1/22 Sunday morning did our regular walk up Park Lane continuing to Burn Park Farm where a Little Owl was on a branch near the nest hole. Continued on to Poplar Farm where I had a few Yellowhammer, new for year, with more south of Creykebeck.
Yellowhammers near Creykebeck
Two pigs were loose at Lawns Farm but fortunately Wilbur was on his lead. Also had my first two Little Egret of the year near Waterworks Cottages.
Little Egrets near Waterworks Cottages, Cottingham
A drake Baikal Teal was found at Hornsea Mere late morning by Dale Middleton. More on the Hornsea Mere blog. As a very rare bird I thought initially it might be the one seen intermittently at Greylake RSPB, Somerset but it that was still present. See my earlier blog on Baikal Teal and other rare wildfowl for more details but a previous Baikal Teal at Hornsea Mere and several other sites was considered an escape.
10/1/22 Monday morning had a two small flocks of Greylag Geese over the garden which were my first in the village this year. Walked up Northmoor Lane to New Ings. Had a female Reed Bunting and three Snipe, which were new for the year, as well as two Grey Heron and Kestrels but again for such a wilderness there was little birdlife.
Reed Bunting-New Ings, Cottingham
Walking back had a Little Egret in the drain from Caukeel Lane.
Little Egret from Caukeel Lane, Cottingham
No sign of the Baikal Teal at Hornsea Mere today.
11/1/22 A good number of finches at KGV Rec Tuesday afternoon but couldn’t find anything better than Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. However also a few Redwing which were the first I’ve seen this side of the village this year ie in my Patchwork Challenge Cottingham patch. Also quite photogenic.
Redwing and Song Thrush-KGV Rec, Cottingham
12/1/22 I am not happy with recent pictures and suspect the UV filter that I fitted before Christmas may be the cause. Arranged to go to Tophill Low NR with Roy early Wednesday afternoon hopefully to find the Baikal Teal but had time for a quick walk round KGV Rec where I hoped I would have much the same subjects as yesterday to make a comparison.
Mistle Thrush and Blackbird-KGV Rec, Cottingham
At Tophill Low NR we started by walking along Barmston Drain to view Watton NR. Partly frozen but plenty of Teal to look through. Had the pair of Pintail and I found a Water Rail on the island. Also a Little Egret in flight which we’d missed last week.
South Marsh East had been iced over last week and as often in winter pretty well deserted but this afternoon there were plenty of Teal to look through. Also several Redshank, two Snipe and a Shelduck, new for my site year list, as well as several Curlew flying off as we approached.
SnipeRedshankShelduckTeal
Spoke to Richard at the wardens centre and seemed we weren’t the only regulars to think about Baikal Teal. This didn’t put us off though and we set up in the “members hide” me checking the left side and Roy the right. It wasn’t look before Roy found it. After a bit of a panic I re-found it then set off to find Richard and inform anyone else in the car park. The hide soon filled up and although I had to keep re-locating it everyone left happy. We went round to Middle Hide with the hope of a closer view [I hadn’t yet got a picture]. However we couldn’t find it. Fortunately when a few who were either on site already or lived nearby arrived John Leason re-located it. Can’t comment on this myself but this bird may be an immature bird due to spatula shape so not the dubious 2019 Hornsea Mere bird.
Baikal Teal with Wigeon on D Res
Anyone intending on twitching it please follow on-site instructions. Richard posted “Our current policy has been masks are advisory within hides. However given the numbers of viewers we expect trying to see the bird in coming days if it remains, we ask that subsequently observers wear masks in the hides unless medically exempt whilst this bird is present. and certainly if hides are busy wear masks and try to distance”. Also be aware that on-site work means O res can’t be viewed and Watton NR only from Barmston Drain with some restricted viewing. Unless informed otherwise don’t arrive before 9am as the gate will be locked.
13/1/22 No sign of the Baikal Teal on D res this morning and later found to the south on Swine Moor viewable from the river bank off Weel Road, Beverley. Be aware there is very limited parking at the entrance to Corporation Farm. Photographs show it isn’t ringed and is fully winged thus not an obvious escape. However the 2019 wasn’t ringed but just “hung around too long”.
14/1/22 The Baikal Teal was back at Tophill Low NR on D res this afternoon.
15/1/22 Foggy day and the Baikal Teal wasn’t seen.
There was no news 16th-19th. On the last date Roy and I searched Tophill Low NR but apart from an indeterminate number of Pintail had nothing noteworthy not even any Red-crested Pochard although two Great Spotted Woodpeckers chasing over O Wood were an addition to the Patchwork Challenge list (T55). Then on the 20th the Baikal Teal was found again on D res late afternoon by Lee Johnson. Reported again on Friday mid morning after initial negative news and still present mid afternoon. Seen again on Saturday and Sunday although not reported until the afternoon. Best to read latest Tophill Blog before visiting for access restrictions.
19/9/21 I was contacted by JH early morning. He was coming out of isolation and wanted to know if I fancied coming with him to Blacktoft Sands RSPB for the White-tailed Lapwing. I hadn’t seen John for nearly a year and there was the bonus of a Bluethroat so said yes. I’ve not seen Bluethroat in the UK since July 2002, a summering White-spotted form also at Blacktoft Sands, although saw Red-spotted form in Finland in 2006. The location and timing made we wonder if the current one had also over summered, if not on site maybe nearby.
Anyway reaching the reserve mid morning went straight to Townshend Hide. The Lapwing wasn’t initially on view but quickly learnt it was only visible from the righthand side of the hide as it was other wise obscured behind an island. Had a quick view and got some pictures but as it was fairly distant and not doing so much got out of the way for anyone who hadn’t seen it.
White-tailed Lapwing-Blacktoft Sand RSPB from Townshend Hide.
Grey HeronShovelerRuff
Next went to Marshland Hide. The Bluethroat was being pretty elusive and the hide was busy with little concern for Covid 19 but eventually got sat down which made trying to locate it less daunting. It was right at the back of the lagoon usually hidden in the reeds. The presence of Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting didn’t help but eventually got a brief view then shortly after saw it enough to fire off a single shot which although small was identifiable.
BluethroatWater Rail
Moved on to Xerox Hide. Unlike my earlier visit [see here] we had so far seen very few waders but did have a good few Ruff here. The weather forecast was for heavy rain and as we walked back to the car it finally arrived.
However at our next site, North Cave Wetlands YWT, the rain held off. Started at Crosslands Hide. The water level was fairly high, the islands were grassed over and no waders were present just mainly Teal, Shoveler and Little Grebe.
Little GrebeBlack-headed Gull
On Main Lake there was more wildfowl including several Wigeon.
Tufted Duck
WigeonPochard
Mute Swan
Finally went to Turret Hide via East Hide were there were several Ruff, three Black-tailed Godwit and a few Snipe. Also picked up a Hobby over Far Lake then flying over Island Lake.
Snipe on Island Lake
Black-tailed Godwit on Island Lake
Teal on Island Lake
Lapwing on Island Lake
Ruff on Island Lake
Green Sandpiper on Island Lake
Getting home took the dog out but quickly the heavy rain caught us up but had a Grey Heron flying over Coop car park as we rushed home. However although both soaked we were out again shortly and it stay dry for the rest of the evening.
Postscript
The White-tailed Lapwing was still present on the 16th December but not on the 19th, however it turned up in Lincolnshire at East Halton Skitter on the 31st and present until 7th March then was relocated at Frampton RSPB on the 9th. After going missing all week the White-winged Lapwing made itself available to Norfolk listers turning up at Ken Hill, Snettisham on the 9th April. Interesting that it seems to be migrating south east so interesting to see where it ends up. I have seen some discussion about its origin but not aware of any in captivity in Europe.. The Bluethroat was last reported on the 20th September.
An adult White-tailed Lapwing was found by the assistant warden at Blacktoft Sands RSPB early morning 26th September. A first for Yorkshire as well as being a ultra rarity in the Uk with only seven previous, the last one a brief sighting on 2nd June in Kent at Stodmarsh NNR, with the last twitch-able one a shade over 10 years ago at various southern sites in 2010 before settling in at Dungeness (Kent) for 11 days in mid-July. I saw the 2007 bird at Caerlaverock WWT then Leighton Moss RSPB. Unfortunately my regular lift was unavailable that morning then failed to pick me up due to some confusion on Friday morning. Saturday afternoon whilst walking Wilbur on Willerby Carrs I was mulling the idea of getting the train to Goole then cycling the rest of the way when a friend who I hadn’t bothered as I didn’t think he was into in major twitching rang and offered to take me on Sunday. Had a quick look at the scrub behind Haltemprice Farm in the hope of Whinchat. No sign but later learnt one had been seen in the area.
Anyway the Lapwing was again reported early Sunday morning and was on the way with RF mid morning. Getting there it was still from Marshland Hide and got straight in and even sat down recalling my last visit nearly 2 years ago for the Little Crake from the same hide but that time because I was one of the first there [rather than a “johnny come lately”. Was pretty close in the near left corner although the light could have been better.
White-tailed Lapwing
Did occasionally get behind a small island when it was replaced by a Water Rail.
Water Rail
Other waders included Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Snipe and Ruff but no sign of any Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint.
Ruff, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit.
I suspect Alkborough Flats is attracting waders that otherwise would be at Blacktoft Sands RSPB although as yet [afternoon 15/9] to attract the W-T.Lapwing. However the long staying Glossy Ibis went the other way on the 13th before leaving mid afternoon 14th, presumably back to Alkborough Flats. Eventually the W-T.Lapwing flew across to roost with the Lapwings which at least gives us a flight view but was then distant and usually asleep so were happy to leave to make room for others.
White-tailed Lapwing with Lapwing
Visited all the hides except Ousefleet and added Green Sandpiper and two distant Spotted Redshank as well as wildfowl including recently arrived Wigeon and a single Pintail.
Surprisingly few Little Egret [seen more just walking the dogs around farmland in Cottingham].
Little Egret
As it was cool only had a few insects.
I’ve posted a video of the White-tailed Lapwing on Twitter
23/8/16 No news from Tophill Low NR on Monday but as I was in needed of a more relaxed day the multiply hides on the reserve seemed a good idea on Tuesday morning. When I’d gone for the Pectoral Sandpiper the previous Tuesday the one man road patching truck had been along the road from Watton. The road to High Eske had been treated the same a few weeks back and there was still a lot of loose gravel about therefore I wasn’t looking forward to my next trip to Tophill Low NR by bike. The road isn’t fun at the best of times being narrow with lots of blind bends. You try to keep well in on the corners to avoid ‘out of control’ oncoming traffic, a large proportion being overconfident Yorkshire Water vans, but this is where many of the patches were so forcing you into the middle of the road. Things weren’t too bad until the last bend before the Cranswick junction where there was so much loose gravel it was like riding on ball bearings.
No surprise there was nothing in the reserve log from yesterday. Started at North Lagoon. Much as on Sunday with all three Curlew Sandpiper, 13 Ruff, two Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover.
Common Sandpiper at Tophill Low NR on North Lagoon.
The terrapin was out on South Lagoon.
Yellow-bellied Slider at Tophill Low NR on South Lagoon
Knowing how elusive the Pectoral Sandpiper could be I put in lot of time in both South Marsh East hides. No sign and only five Ruff, two Green Sandpiper and two Little Ringed Plover. Kingfisher continue to show well below South Marsh East 1st hide.
Added another Greenshank on South Marsh West.
Mouse Moth at Tophill Low NR in L-shaped hide
Watton NR was packed with hundreds of Greylag and Canada Geese but the only waders were c100 Lapwing.
Good numbers of butterflies mainly on fleabane in South Scrub and O reservoir ditch.
Painted Lady at Tophill Low NR in South Scrub
Brimstone butterfly at Tophill Low NR in South Scrub
Small Copper at Tophill Low NR by O reservoir
Common Blue butterfly at Tophill Low NR by O reservoir
Had lunch in the car park hide, while checking D reservoir. Couldn’t see the Scaup. Good numbers of gulls but found nothing unusual. Did the north end for the first time in several weeks. Nothing much on North Marsh or Hempholme Meadow but did give me a chance to look again for the Scaup from the other two hide. Vague claim of the Pectoral Sandpiper again on South Marsh East. I had intended on another circuit of the south end anyway. Gave South Marsh East another good grill but only added Ringed Plover and a few Snipe.
Green Sandpiper and Snipe at Tophill Low NR on South Marsh East.
A Green Sandpiper was on South Marsh West. Ended the trip early evening in North Lagoon. No change but the Curlew Sandpipers were closer and got a few shots before the light started to go.
Curlew Sandpiper at Tophill Low NR on North Lagoon
Ruff at Tophill Low NR on North Lagoon
The trip back wasn’t as bad as traffic seemed to have cleared some of the worst gravel. Always find the trip back along the Watton road less gruelling anyway. Whether this is real or just psychological I’m yet to decide.
Added another Greenshank on South Marsh West.
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