2018 continues to be cold and wet and I am still struggling to do anything more than walk the dog but the last few days were forecast, at least, to be a bit milder. Wasted Sunday morning on a reported Siberian Rubythroat in South Yorkshire at Bramwith Lock. A bird of my dreams having chickened out on a twitch to Shetland a few years back. As I would struggle to get there on my own so I took up the offer to go early morning with SM and SE. This would have paid off if it had been seen anyway as the parking was limited and I must admit the navigation would have been difficult with out a satnav. Wasn’t a total waste of time as I added Jay to the year list and the regular Goosander fly overs were nice. The authenticity of the bird has been well debated. My thinking is although a hoax is never out the question [proved by a fictional American Robin in London the same day] the report of several sightings over a few days does make me wonder what actually was seen. No photo doesn’t help as a female Siberian Rubythroat isn’t a straight forward bird. Anyway it’s not been seen since so no point wasting anymore thoughts on it.
Monday was a wash out and Tuesday, with the strong cold wind, kept me to our regular walk to Lawns Farm.
21/2/18 Wednesday, the wind at least had gone but heavy rain mid morning wasn’t promising. However set off with the dog expecting an early return. Walked through the The Lawns Centre then round the playing field behind. The weather didn’t seem to want to make it’s mind up. It was quite warm when the sun got out but black clouds kept building. Head to the Millbeck Wildlife area where I made up my mind to head home and get out early afternoon. The choice was North Cave Wetlands, to add to my small list from the the Green-winged Teal twitch, or make my first visit of the year to High Eske NR. The first would at least give me shelter but it was the cowards choice so headed to the second. A rainbow over the area wasn’t a good sign but it was dry when I pulled up at High Eske Farm. Little in the orchard so didn’t waste any time and quickly headed down the track to the reserve. With DH now on twitter I knew what was about. Quickly picked up two of the Russian White-fronted Geese with the Greylags then the other fifteen in a separate flock of their own.
Russian White-fronted Geese-High Eske NR
Otherwise there was the usual few hundred Wigeon, a few tens of Goldeneye but only a few Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe. No Coot reflecting the situation last year when numbers were very low throughout. One of Oystercatcher pair had returned. No confidence in the weather so headed north to check the fields to the north for the Whooper Swans. Added Kingfisher to my year list over the north end of the pit. Saw two distant swans just after I left the reserve behind. Got the scope on them and confirmed they were the yellow billed birds I was looking for. Continued towards Leven Carrs but the rain started again becoming heavy as I hurried back to the farm for shelter. Added a few common species as I waited for the shower to pass. Went home via Weel Road to do Swine Moor. As expected there was plenty of water, holding a few hundred Teal and Wigeon and a pair of Shoveler but none of geese from last year. Also the only waders were a few tens of Lapwing. A fairly poor start to the year list but the amount of water should make spring at least interesting.
Swine Moor from Weel Road, Beverley
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