Have I Got Smews For You

Having waited for the best part of five years for a Red-necked Grebe or drake Smew to turn up somewhere reasonably local, my patience finally evaporated yesterday and 007 and I motored over to east Nottinghamshire to try and net both these elusive species.

First port of call was Hoveringham Gravel Pits where after some searching the resident Red-necked Grebe was located at the far corner of the water. Busily fishing for sticklebacks it all but ignored us as it moved to about forty yards from us - stood on the shore - affording cracking views in the ‘scope.

Not the best name for a bird really ‘Red-necked.’ Hick Grebe, Deliverance Grebe, Dungarees Grebe, or my personal choice ‘Cajun Swamp Grebe’, are all far less sinister.

With the bird drifting away from us as it slept off its fish breakfast, there was just enough time for a quick scan of the lake that netted both Kingfisher and Goldeneye, before setting course for Attenborough NR near Nottingham to try and catch up with the drake Smews.

The most handsome of ducks was an absolute nightmare to find and it took two laps and three hours of the area before we eventually found a pair of drakes skulking in an inaccessible corner. They were fairly distant, but with the scope trained on them, we enjoyed excellent views. A genuinely stunning bird and well worth the wait!

Attenborough unquestionably possesses some excellent habitat, but the massive area of flooded gravel pits serve more as a park for local people, than an actual nature reserve, with no attempt by the wildlife trust to delineate between the two.

Most of the ‘wild’ birds seek refuge in the quieter regions of the site (of which there are few) whilst the ‘domesticated’ birds (including worryingly tame Tufted Ducks, Ruddy Shelduck, Egyptian Goose and Red-crested Pochard) besiege the area near the cafeteria.

The result is an unholy mess if I am honest. Conservation organisations only need to look at the WWT reserve at Martin Mere to recognise that it is fairly straight forward to keep the wild and captive parts separate and cater for birders, casual observers and day-trippers alike.

That aside, there were still many excellent birds to enjoy including well over fifty Goosander, Goldeneye, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Tree Sparrow and even a handful of Ruddy Duck that have managed to evade the guns of the Environment Agency.

Until later.

Surf's Up

Tantalising reports of a pair of drake Surf Scoters at Pensarn on Friday had 007 and I powering down the A55 yet again, whilst Batman and Robin were in absentia - spending the Sabbath confined to the Batcave.

Upon arrival we received news that at least one birder had found a Surf Scoter, which was remarkable considering the vast majority of the birds were bobbing up and down like a pneumatic prostitute, in poor light and a fair distant offshore.

Needless to say a two hour session failed to turn up any Surfs, but there were at least three Velvet Scoters about, with two picked up in flight - plus a drake on the drink that was just about discernable from the Commons.

Good numbers of divers slaloming around the wind turbines today too, with all but one cast iron Red-throats. The other bird displayed all the telltale signs of a Great Northern, but truth be told it was a good distance from the shore – albeit during a spell of good light.

When shower number three piled in we decided to up sticks and take a punt at Llanddulas. Not many scoters knocking about, but at least four Fulmars arched gracefully into the wind and a showy Red-throated Diver loafed reasonably close in.

With the weather finally beginning to improve and the sea starting to flatten out, we opted to return to Pensarn and this time our luck was in: two drake Surf Scoters had been found amongst a large raft of ducks just to the left of the wind turbines.

After ten frustrating minutes I eventually got on to both birds – so close together they could have been Siamese twins. Once on them it was advisable to stay on them, because they were surprisingly elusive, as they either sunk into the swell, dived down to feed, or swan quickly off with frustrating regularity.

Conversely - and somewhat surprisingly - the few Velvet Scoters in the flotilla were much easier to locate, with their large size and more upright stance(?) making them stand out markedly from the Commons.

After bagging my first Gannet of the year, we headed over to the Afon Clwyd to try and sniff out the Bar-headed Goose that has been hanging around with a small number of Canadas. Sure enough it was not too far from its usual haunt and regardless of being as plastic as they come (no tick 007 – it didn’t take a wrong turn at K2!!) it is hard to deny that it is one handsome looking bird…

Pensarn & Llanddulas 31.10.09

2 Surf Scoter (drake)
5+ Velvet Scoter
2500+ Common Scoter
1 Great Northern Diver
40+ Red-throated Diver
4 Fulmar
1 Gannet
5 GC Grebe

Afon Clwyd

1 Merlin (1st winter male)
4 Goosander

Until later.

Creeping Woodlark, Hidden Bonaparte's Gull

The Lark hat-trick was duly completed at Glanwyddan on Friday, with very close views of around fourteen Woodlarks creeping their way through a stubble field

Great to see good numbers of these birds - fairly locally too - and if they continue to increase in population and range then winter visits of these subtly attractive birds will hopefully become a more regular occurrence in the future.

The Woodlarks were only part of the story though, as myself, J-Bo and 007 (clearly suffering after a week of swinging the lead on nights at Vauxhall) decided to try for the Bonaparte’s Gull reported from Traeth Lligwy the day previously.

As is often the case, a fairly reasonable day took a turn for the worse once we had crossed the Britannia bridge – nowhere does cold, grey and windswept quite like Anglesey – and following some dodgy navigation from my co-passengers we eventually rocked-up at Traeth Lligwy.

The scene that greeted us was hardly encouraging – the beach was devoid of birds and after a quick scan we moved over to the adjacent Traeth Dulas that disappointingly was similarly very quiet.

With a few hours of light remaining, we decided to head over to Llanbedr to try and connect with the Hawfinches that had been logged in good numbers recently. After passing the Black Bull – that looks to be suffering the economic consequences of J-Bo’s less frequent patronage - we pulled in the village and started to scrutinise the treetops.

There were a few birds about, but they were typically shy and it wasn’t for a good thirty minutes until I got decent views of a female bird perched atop of an oak tree.

With 007 now flagging badly there was just time for a brief visit to Caerhun. No Hawfinches, but with the mountains cloaked in snow, the Conwy valley looked a picture…

Until later.

Up With The Larks

Following a report of five Woodlarks from a stubble field at Glanwyddan in North Wales, 007, SS, Jo-Bo (a male and much, much uglier version of Su-Bo) & I decided to head over the border and take a punt.

It was potentially a landmark bird too; Woodlark is a new bird for 007 & me, but I had the added incentive of it being potentially the 1,000th species for me worldwide.

After receiving the obligatory chiding from the local farmer for daring to pull-up near one of his gates we set off along the footpath and into the stubble field where they had last been observed.

A few birders were already present and we were soon joined by a couple more, in assiduously working our way through an impressive flock of circa four hundred Skylarks.

They were extremely flighty – especially when they were the subject of the attention of a local Sparrowhawk – but also extremely confiding with some birds feeding no more than ten yards away.

A couple of fellow birders were satisfied that they had had fleeting glimpses of Woodlark and headed off, but despite searching through the group again and again none of us were satisfied that we had found one.

Ninety minutes later we opted for a time out and when we returned to the car we bumped into the chap whom had located the birds yesterday. He put us on to a spot in the opposite corner of the field where he had photographed them yesterday – separate from the main flock of larks.

Encouraged we traipsed over for a look, but again no joy. For a last roll of the dice we changed tack completely and ambled over to the opposite side of the road to another area of stubble.

The number of birds present was phenomenal with approximately four hundred Skylarks, about the same number of Linnet and around one hundred Chaffinches – all being closely watched and periodically attacked by yet another Sparrowhawk.

Again, no sign of any Woodlarks but by now we had pretty much given up the ghost…

Glanwyddan 10.01.10

Skylark c800
Linnet c400
Chaffinch c100
Redwing 50+
Sparrowhawk 3+
Curlew c25
Snipe 7

Until later.

Beachcombing

What is Etemophila alpestris’ common name? Is it Shorelark, Shore Lark or even Horned Lark – somebody make a decision!

No matter, it was great to see two of them at the Point of Ayr this afternoon -accompanied too by a handful of lovely Snow Bunting. For a family of birds not exactly renowned for producing the most dazzling of species, the Shore Lark is the exception that proves the rule.

It has been a few years I believe since they last graced the Dee Estuary and being a new bird for me, I think it was well worth the wait – the colouration around the head is exquisite making for a very handsome little passerine.

Finally getting to see the birds feeding on the spit was a quite a relief as I had already spent two frustratingly wet hours trying to locate them. I had initially searched the section of beech west of the red flag towards and including Gronant and seen absolutely bugger all.

When I had practically given up the ghost, I noticed a few birders assembled on the spit just east of the car park – an area I had avoided when I arrived as birds were roosting – and headed over to explore.

Both the Snow Buntings and the Shore Larks were extremely confiding, although predictably not confiding enough for one photographer (minus binoculars) who decided to indulge in a game of ‘grandma’s footsteps’ with the birds. Fortunately they didn’t seem to mind too much and I watched them fastidiously probing around the strand line for around an hour.

The Snow Buntings probably appreciated their presence even more. Usually very much the focus of attention, I imagine they would probably be enjoying their time out of the spotlight for a change…

Until later.

P.S - I have just received an e-mail from Keith Duckers detailing a day's birding around the Wirral side of the Dee Estuary on Sunday, including the Parkgate Raptor Watch. I have added it into the comments section below - apparently there were 200 people at Parkgate in the evening! Thanks Keith.

They Seek Him Here, They Seek Him There

I’m back from a failed mission this evening. The Baird’s Sandpiper at Traeth Dulas failed to put in an appearance today, although there were a couple of sketchy reports from early this morning and a later one of a reported sighting in flight after noon.

There was compensation though in the form of up to seven juvenile Curlew Sandpipers and a winter-plumaged Med Gull. The bijou estuary also held good numbers of commoner waders such as Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Curlew and other birds of note included a handful of Little Egret and a few flyover Ravens.

It’s a cracking, picturesque little bay really, and I confess that had this wader not been found then I would never have given the place a second glance on the map. There seem to be so many excellent birding areas in Anglesey – one can only imagine the number of rarities that pass through undetected at this chronically under-watched island.

One bird that didn’t go unnoticed was a cracking Bonxie I watched lumbering past Point Lynas this afternoon after I had given up on the elusive yankee shorebird and gone seawatching. To be truthful, passage was very light, but a spectacular feeding frenzy just off shore included hundreds of Auks, Gannets, Terns and Manxies.

It was a little surprising that no more Skuas were attracted to the melee, or indeed Porpoise. Just as I was about to pack up, I caught a gull flying in front of a massive oil tanker anchored offshore. It looked distinctly like a Sabine’s gull, but irritatingly the bird flew away from me at an angle that meant I could not get a good look at the wings. It will just have to go down in that increasingly long list of probables…

Until later.

Purple Haze

I popped over to Rednal today to try and winkle-out the Purple Heron that has been seen on and off over the last few days. I was parched when I arrived as none of the roadside cafes on the A483 and A5 had come up with a good enough pun to lure me in. Where is ‘Everything under the Bun’ when you need it?

The bird had been observed feeding along the fringes of the canal, but despite a couple of hours of searching I could not locate it. Perhaps the heron has now moved on, or more likely the bird was skulking in a marshy area on the opposite side of the waterway; certainly the birds I have seen in India tend to stick to cover more then other herons.

If the locals are to believe, the area is a hotspot for large water birds. One chap claimed that in the last two years he had seen a White Stork and a pair of Common Cranes in local fields. Certainly, given the numerous sightings of cranes in the Shropshire area over the last two summers the latter report must be reasonably credible. Rednal: wetland par excellence.

Despite the no show the morning was by no means a disappointment. There were tons of butterflies and dragonflies along the toe path including numerous Migrant Hawkers and Speckled Woods.

Off to Anglesey tomorrow to belatedly try and connect with the Baird’s Sandpiper at Traeth Dulas. Then I’ll probably hit the north coast for a spot of sea watching now that my sight has recovered its acuity following last week’s mammoth sessions!

Until later.

Crake Expectations

Well, they say timing is everything. If I had opted to venture into North Wales today rather then yesterday then I would not have found myself driving along the A55 twice in two days!

Browsing the web this morning, I was drawn to a report of a Spotted Crake at Conwy, so after wolfing down my cornflakes I was back in the motor.

I arrived at just after eleven, to be ‘greeted’ by the news that the bird had not showed since ten past nine and the increasingly heavy rain seemed to add to the despondency of the assembled birders.

Thankfully, some interesting birds helped passed the time: a Goosander fishing in the lagoon and a brief glimpse of yet another Green Sandpiper were pleasant distractions.

Finally, at quarter to two the moment arrived. I caught a bird skulking at the edge of the reeds and as it emerged from the vegetation it revealed itself as our quarry – a cracking Spotted Crake!

The bird showed on and off for ten minutes before it disappeared back into the ether like one of the ghostly baseball stars in ‘Field of Dreams.’

Build a reserve, and they will come.

In a totally unrelated thread – has anybody else noticed the current trend for naming small businesses with a pun? An excellent example is a mobile caterer called ‘Everything under the Bun’ that I sometimes see parked up on the A55. Shocking

Until later.

Lost

In the most shameless piece of corporate placement ever, Tom Hanks' companion in the dreadful Robinson Crusoe inspired 'Cast Away' was an american football called Wilson, the name of the manufacturer.

Equally lost and probably also the victim of inclement weather was another marooned North American of the same name - a Wilson's Phalarope that pitched-up at Martin Mere in Lancashire yesterday afternoon.

Fortunately the birds was still present this morning, so it was straight to the bat mobile for my first twitch of the year.

When I rocked-up at 10:30 the bird was visible from the Ron Barker hide, albeit at a fair distance. Inexplicably, some birders were digiscoping it – must be for one of those ‘record shots’ that they are always banging on about.

Still, it was near enough to identify all the salient features, including that wonderfully delicate needle-thin bill. I was also treated to the fabulous Lancastrian dialect – there is no word better then ‘Phalarope’ to bring out the richness of those wonderful northern vowels!

After twenty minutes or so, the wader flew over to the mere pool with a juvenile Ruff in tow. Here it stayed skulking in the vegetation for an hour, before returning to one of the jheels in front of the Ron Barker hide.

On this occasion, the bird gave excellent views as it fed on insects plucked from the surface of the water.

Although I am clearly no expert, the bird looked like a juvenile moulting into winter plumage. The best person to confirm this would probably be the man himself: Alexander Wilson, the naturalist who the bird was named after. He is long dead though – drowned in a river when trying to track a bird!

Until later.

Can’t See The Wood For The Teas

Perhaps mid July is the time for rare sandpipers at Conwy – almost three years ago to the day I was standing in exactly the same spot looking at a Stilt Sandpiper. Today’s Wood Sandpiper would probably fall into the uncommon category rather than mega, but what it lacks in scarcity it more than makes up for in its subtly attractive plumage.

Conwy is not my favourite reserve by a long stretch – a reserve where the RSPB has almost provocatively set out to alienate ‘serious’ birders in its quest to gain a broader appeal. Why else would you build a coffee shop on a prime hide location?

But I am not a churlish man – most of the time anyway – so as I was en route from Anglesey I decided to pay a visit.

The bird was a little difficult to locate at first, but finally revealed itself feeding with Redshanks in front of Starbucks.

Plenty of other waders too: a handful of Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Blackwit, plus large flocks of Oystercatcher, Redshank and a roost of Curlew containing a couple of Whimbrel.

I also had time to nip into Morfa Madyrn over a fairly low high tide. The hides here seem to be suffering from a rather chronic form of vandalism that will probably render them unusable in about 2043.

A few hundred Sandwich Terns were the highlight – with good numbers of juveniles too. Out on the water, twenty or so Red-breasted Merganser were taking it easy and a few Great Crested Grebes provided some company.

Now for the Terek's Sandpiper!

Until later.

Foiled Again

I hit the road early this morning as I had decided to pay my first visit to the RSPB’s Leighton Moss reserve near Carnforth.

After an hour and a half of the M6 during morning rush hour I was in serious need of some valium, but I soon began to unwind after I had plonked myself down in the Griesdale hide and clocked a male Marsh Harrier gracefully quartering over the reed bed. It was soon joined by a larger adult female and the duo seemed to delight in spooking the over-summering Black-tailed Godwits.

Bearded Tit is a bird I am yet to see and is a specialty of this reserve. They are, however, notoriously difficult to observe and today was no exception, although I did see every Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting at Leighton Moss in the process of trying to find one!

Early in the afternoon I headed over to the Eric Morecambe and Allen pools where the previous day both Pectoral Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint has been logged. The Allen pool was very quiet with an Avocet and a few of the commoner waders.

There was a little more activity at the EM pool. A couple of birders pointed me in the direction of the Pectoral Sandpiper, but the bird in question was suspiciously similar to a Knot, in that it was actually, a Knot. No sign of the Temminck’s Stint either, although three Little Gulls were decent compensation.

What was required was a raptor to stir things up a little and right on cue an immature male Marsh Harrier appeared on the scene. The resultant pandemonium sent all the waders into the air in panic, including two belligerent Avocets that mobbed the bird remorselessly. Once they had all settled, a few more Redshanks has been flushed out, but if there were any Sandpipers and Stints around, then they remained hidden.

Until later.

American Idle

I had it all planned. A short drive to Moore Nature Reserve for my first Laughing Gull, then on to Martin Mere for the drake American Wigeon, before the piece de resistance: a Temminck's Stint at Marshside. What could go wrong?

Well, quite a lot as it happens. Before I had finished my breakfast the first-summer Laughing Gull had been re-identified as a second-summer Black-headed Gull. D’Oh!

Still, the wildfowl and wader (good name for a pub?) were still enough to tempt me to Lancashire. Martin Mere was rammed when I arrived, although most people were busy walking around the ‘Zoo.’

Enquiries as to its whereabouts led me to the Ron Barker hide. Gauche is not generally a trait of anything American, so I was surprised to find the bird a considerable distance from the hide and skulking in the vegetation. With the added handicap of heat haze, any views of the bird were generally unsatisfactory. In fact, the shimmering air made anything viewed through the ‘scope look like a French Impressionist painting!

Other goodies at Martin Mere included a similarly shy, drake Garganey and three Avocet chicks – a paltry return considering the number of birds that had nested.

By the time I had arrived at Marshside – a little over an hour later – a stiff easterly wind had developed and the visibility was much improved. When I arrived at Nel’s hide it was completely empty – surely not a good sign if a Temminck’s Stint was present.

As I was busy working my way through the waders a few more people arrived. Smaller waders included a handful of Dunlin and a single Ringed Plover aside the more statuesque Avocets and Black-tailed Godwit. Another glorious drake Garganey was the pick of the other birds, but still no Stint.

I conceded defeat and asked the chap next to me if he had any news.

“Oh, it turned out to be a Dunlin.” D’OH!!

Not a good day for Birdguides.

Until later.