4/3/24 Wykeham Forest, Forge Valley and Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Originally planned to go up to Wykeham Forest with Ricky, for Goshawk and Crossbill, on Saturday but the forecast was bad so decided on Monday. Started cold and frosty but bright and although some fog over the Wolds it was clear at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint. The Goshawk accompanied by several Buzzard were aways distant [I’ve had closer views later in the year when looking for Honey Buzzard] but having already heard them in the car park Crossbill gave good perched views at the viewpoint.

I am local so known my way about but beware entering the postcode YO13 9EB on a satnav as you could be dumped in the middle of no where, instead use the map ref SE 935887 to get an exact position of the parking area.

Male Crossbill at Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint

Had a flock of Pink-footed Geese flying over, surprisingly my 1st since New Years Day despite in the past having regular flocks throughout the winter commuting between the Wolds and the Humber or on migration.

Pink-footed Geese from Wykeham Raptor Viewpoint

Went to Forge Valley late morning. The main target was Nuthatch, a difficult bird in East Yorkshire although they do seem to be spreading with recent sightings at Burton Bushes, Beverley, which I’ve yet to check out, and at a private site near Welton.

Nuthatch-Forge Valley

Also a good site for Marsh Tit which is scarce elsewhere.

Marsh Tit-Forge Valley

Nice to get close views of common bird anyway.

Coal Tit, Coal Tit & Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit-Forge Valley

Finally went to Bempton Cliffs. All the usual suspects were in with only Kittiwake still in small numbers.

Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin, Gannet on the arch, Gannet in flight, Fulmar in flight-Bempton Cliffs

No sign of any Short-eared Owls while we were there although one had been seen early morning. Finished at the feeders to see Tree Sparrow which has seriously declined in the areas I walked the dog. They kept to the distant feeders then walking back to the car had a very approachable bird in a puddle.

Tree Sparrow-Bempton Cliffs

I have noticed a serious decline in Collared Dove locally which from a recent BTO email is also a national issue so now make a “causal” report to Birdtrack of all I see including today two on the way home in Dunswell. West of the the village I saw the pair of Ruddy Shelduck that I have seen at various site around Cottingham the last couple of years. Don’t consider these have much credibility as wild birds but are of interest to some birders. Also as a potential breeding pair they need keeping an eye on.

Ruddy Shelduck recently on Priory Fields, Cottingham. Not safe to stop at the Dunswell flash.

Ross’s Goose added to Cat A [8/10/23 update]

“An adult at Plex Moss, Lancashire, from 5 December 1970 to 17 January 1971 becomes the first record for Britain. The same bird spent consecutive winters at the site until January 1974.

Ross’s Goose had been placed in Category D of the British List for many years, as there have been uncertainties about the origins of birds found in Britain because the species is kept widely in captivity and escapes are known to occur.

However, the species is a long-distance migrant in North America and there is much precedent for Nearctic wildfowl, including geese, to cross the Atlantic naturally and be found in Europe. Furthermore, the very significant growth and expansion of the population of Ross’s Goose since the 1950s has increased the probability of such trans-Atlantic vagrancy.

Part of the BOURC remit and procedure is to periodically re-examine species in Category D. Following published BOURC guidelines created to judge the status of wildfowl (British Birds 113: 46-53), BOURC considered a number of records of Ross’s Geese. Following these criteria, this 1970 Plex Moss record was found by the majority of BOURC (7:1) to be eligible for Category A. This record occurred during a period of rapid population growth of the species, and in circumstances highly suggestive of wild origin. Another important part of the process was to confirm the identification of this 50-year old record on the basis of the original field notes along with photographs. These documents were located and BOURC decided unanimously that the identification was secure. Hence the 1970 Plex Moss was accepted as the first British record and the species accepted to Category A.

Ross’s Goose breeds in northern Canada and migrates to winter in southern and western USA and northern Mexico. A significant and dramatic increase in the population has occurred since the 1950s, an estimated 8900% over the past 40 years, with the species now classified as Least Concern by IUCN.

Upon publication of these changes, the British List stands at 628 species (Category A = 610; Category B = 8; Category C = 10).”

Following the above BOURC statement that puts my British List on 499. Pre-Covid 19 I was realistically expecting to reach 500 for Britain by the end of 2020. However a combination of legal restrictions and a current lack of personal transport and lack of desire to use public transport or get a lift has seriously limited my twitching as well as avoiding crowds with only Long-toed Stint added since early 2020. My first Ross’s Goose was at South Ferriby Lincolnshire 10/11/02. This is assumed to be the same bird I saw in Norfolk at Wighton on 5/1/03 which had moved north because of bad weather in Norfolk. As far as I’m aware this is as close to Yorkshire as this species has got although there was a feral bird seen at several sites including Paull on 29/7/07 [the date doesn’t help!]. Also i’ve seen a Ross’s Goose hybrid on a later date at Tophill Low NR. Prior to my first record I attempted to twitch one at Caerlaverock WWT with RL [can’t remember the date!!] which was identified as a known escapee before we got there. I don’t remember whether we actually saw it but do remember fortunately taking the Brough/Scotch Corner route back despite a weather warning and avoiding major snow related delays on the M62. Yorkshire doesn’t have a good record for rare geese with the only good Lesser White-fronted Goose in early 1996 at High Eske NR then Hempholme as well as visiting Tophill Low NR, initially accepted by BBRC then removed in a later report, although still accepted by the YNU. A similar thing happened to a Red-breasted Goose seen at Tophill Low NR which was initially accepted in Cleveland but not at Tophill Low NR before BBRC realised the ambiguity and deleted the record. However a Red-breasted Goose in north Lincolnshire did do a fly past for the lucky few at Spurn Point. With the annual movement of Pink-footed Geese between Scotland and Norfolk there has to be the possibility of Ross’s Goose being picked up over flying the county and with large numbers commuting between the Wolds and the Humber maybe one will make it onto the Yorkshire List some time.

A full article on “The Ross’s Goose in Britain’ was published in British Birds Vol,116 p12-25. My sighting in Lincolnshire and Norfolk was included under “Potential wild birds in Britain” and presumably will appear in a future BBRC annual report.

Ross’s Goose near Paull Holme Strays

BOURC does seem to have taken a more favourable attitude to wildfowl in recent years. Hooded Merganser is given a sympathetic consideration although most records still are dismissed fortunately not mine at Barr Loch, Renfrewshire with GD on 21.1.17 which got through.

Hooded Merganser-Bar Loch, Renfrewshire

However still not made onto the Yorkshire List including a bird seen early this year at Hornsea Mere and Tophill Low NR which despite being considered the ringed bird seen at the first site in early 2019 gave many a false hope before it was confirmed to be the same bird at the latter site. Hornsea Mere is a plastic magnet not helped by the collection at nearby Strawberry Gardens with a earlier Bufflehead which, not helped by it being distance, was pencilled in before relocating to Bransholme sewage works where it’s ring was seen. This leads me to Baikal Teal which I twitched, more for the day out, at Minsmere RSPB on 25.11.01. This remained in Cat D until isotope analysis of a Baikal Teal shot in Norway made wild origin likely, led to BOURC upgrading it to Cat A with the more cautious not waiting long for one at Flamborough Head on 15.4.13. However this species has spoilt itself with one seen at various site including again Hornsea Mere in spring/summer 2019 deemed “uncertain or not to be wild”. I missed this bird as it clashed with a trip to Romania where my serious concern was it following the pattern of several previous rare ducks and moving Tophill Low NR. Another one turned up at Hornsea Mere [found by Dale Middleton] on 9/1/22 then relocated at Tophill Low NR by Roy Lyon at 12/1/22. It was seen on Swine Moor, Beverley on 13/1/22 where it was seen to be un-ringed and fully winged, then back at Tophill Low NR on 14/1/22. 15/1/22 was foggy and it wasn’t reported. For further updates check here.

Baikal Teal-Tophill Low NR

Falcated Duck has also been upgraded to Cat A but I’ve not seen this species with no good examples being seen in my active twitching time. The next will be popular.

Continuing with the more lenient attitude to wildfowl, BOURC are assessing records of White-headed Duck and Ruddy Shelduck. No Yorkshire records of the former and the BOURC review came out rather ambiguous with the likelihood of a wild birds not dismissed but none of the current records accepted [see here]. The latter has a habit of turning up with post moulting Shelduck, with several personal records on the Humber at Brough Haven. Also one seen at Tophill Low NR in 1995 at least. Whether this gets on the site list is questionable although as the current “keeper of the list” I may have to make the final decision. Two mobile birds have been around East Yorkshire since 2021 spending some time at North Cave Wetlands YWT as well as Pickering Park in Hull. I finally saw them in March 2023, initially on the 7th on Priory Road, Cottingham, but don’t have good credentials for me unless from a self sustaining Continental population [if such a thing exists!]

Ruddy Shelduck-Tophill Low NR by John Harriman [copied from Tophill Low Wildlife Group Annual report 1995]

However a lot of dubious records as well as other pure and hybrid Shelduck species about including Cape and Australian, but even if none pass the test in Yorkshire I still hold out for some I saw in Cornwall.

The Flamborough/Easington twitch

13/10/16 Like the Eastern Crowned Warbler last week news of the Flamborough Paddyfield Warbler broke too late to get there. Tuesday morning the Paddyfield Warbler still along the permissive footpath by the gorse field but it was raining heavily. Forecast looked better for later in the day so decide not to get soaked for no reason. On schedule late morning the sky brightened and I made a quick get away. Didn’t even bother to wear my over-trousers.  Did start raining fairly heavily in Beverley but this didn’t last long. Strangely although most of the roads were drenched there were a dry section around Beeford. Arriving at Flamborough Head the Paddyfield was reported to still be showing but on arriving on site it was hidden in long grass and hadn’t been seen for a good while. A push was organised shortly but nothing resulted initially but it was seen a little later to fly into the hedgerow. However although been called regularly it wasn’t showing itself. Tried the other side of the hedge where the situation was much the same but on going back round we all had very good views but too briefly for photographs.

My only previous Paddyfield Warbler was the above in Cornwall on the Lizard in October 2012.

The Flamborough Paddyfield Warbler-Richard Willison

Give it a bit longer then went to look for the nearby Shore Larks, getting  involve with the flushing of a Olive-backed Pipit on the way. Having seen one well at Easington on Sunday wasn’t too interested in mere flight views. The Shore Lark proved difficult with the lark flock staying in the long stubble. Finally the flock all got up and flew toward the lighthouse and I was able to follow one Shore Lark. Started walking back as my ticket was running out. Try to avoid paying to park but the walk from a suitable place along the road in wasn’t worthwhile. Doesn’t help though that the ticket isn’t the sticky type but fortunately I had a elastic band to hold it on the handlebar. The Paddyfield had just shown well but was now hidden in the grass and with the weather going off again I continued  walking back with TD. He had  just come back from dipping the Siberian Accentor, taking the cheaper ferry route rather than a one way flight that had paid off for the those with bigger budgets. There had been much discussion during the wait for the warbler, with me among others expressing the view that with the influx on the Continent a mainland bird was likely if not this year then in the near future. Getting back to the car park TD showed me a text from AW that a Siberian Accentor had been found in Easington. I initially took this as a wipe up but TD remained serious and I must admit he drove off fairly rapidly. Shortly the confirmation came on the pager and phone. Although I didn’t share his faith I could image a great “BOOOM” from Martin Garner in Heaven. The big twitch was one with most birders heading out including TC who hadn’t yet connected with the Paddyfield. Made a quick call to RL then was on the road. This time I did put on my over-trousers. Which way to go? Going via Hornsea was probably shorter but the A165 then Bilton/Preston/Hedon was a more familiar route and with the roads sodden I would feel safer trying to get a move on. Had some heavy rain and by Hedon was feeling quite chilled but fortunately with dryer weather later I warmed up again. The problem with twitching on a bike is with out stopping you get no news so on arriving in Easington I hadn’t the directions and headed the wrong but immediately saw 2 birders heading away and was sent back towards Vicar’s Lane and even got parked almost opposite and as assured the Accentor was showing very well feeding like it’s commoner relations on a moss pack near a skip on a tarmac pad.

The skip with a Dunnock feeding on the moss pack.

Got a few shots but the light wasn’t good.

Siberian Accentor below the skip.

Most of the crowd from Flamborough were there along with Spurn regulars and a few Hull area birder. RL at least had even managed to tick and run.

Some of the crowd watching the Siberian Accentor

Also had a Brambling. A Goldcrest feeding above my head got a quick look incase. Although showing well the viewing was restricted and even with the relative small number present it could be difficult to get a unrestricted view so with no chance of getting better views or picture set off home. That it was a different bird from Shetland was confirm by SW and AW who had seen it.

My best shot of the Siberian Accentor in fading light.

The Siberian Accentor flew out of view, probably to roost not long after. Didn’t recognise anyone but hope no one coming the other way could see the big smile through my visor. Thanks to Lance Degnan for finding this beauty. Pity you missed a first by a few days.

All in all a great day. If I’d set off earlier I’d have been leaving Flamborough before the news broke and would then have got home to read the pager and then had had to cope with the start of the rush hour through Hull. Any later and I’d have been conflicted if I’d not yet seen the Paddyfield Warbler.

Update

No sign of the Paddyfield Warbler since the mass exodus on Thursday.

The Siberian Accentor is still around Monday morning. Check the Spurn website for parking and access details. Expect a big crowd but if it shows as on Thursday everyone will get to see it. The discovery of a second bird at Saltburn-by-the-sea in Cleveland [historic Yorkshire] on Saturday could of suck in a few birders but was an elusive one day bird but another one was found in Sunderland Docks on Sunday and continued to show for a 2nd day.

Even made the Hull Daily Mail [see here] and the nation press including the Express and Telegraph and the Sun. Having clicked on these though they seem pretty lazy jobs as appear to have the same agency pictures and the Sun even uses a library shot rather than of the actual bird. Better account on Birdguides.

20/1/16 Richard’s Pipits and Surf Scoter

Year list rising slowly still reaching 84 on Monday afternoon with a drake Pintail at Tophill Low NR  when doing the gull roost, but like other recent nights the gulls were poor. We’d hoped for the Kumlien’s Gull seen at Hornsea Mere on Sunday evening. Annoyingly had been at Hornsea Mere that day but decided to head for Tophill Low NR instead of Kirkholme Point early afternoon.

Tuesday though RL decided to head up the coast for some better birds. Started at Flamborough North Landing. The field was easily found, being just beyond the car park but was bigger and the grass longer than I’d been led to believe. Checked the west side where the mud showed there’d been “heavy traffic” in recent days. Glad I had my new wellies on! No sign of any pipits so moved to the opposite side of the field. Going easier here as there is plastic webbing on the path. Eventually picked up some pipits. There were three and they looked bigger than the Meadow Pipits but were dark and just didn’t look right. Just couldn’t turn them into anything but Rock Pipits. A few other birders arrived but no-one declared them Richard’s and nothing better could be found so headed back to the car park. The others gave up shortly and headed our way. Back on the other side we stopped for another look. The rest caught up and not long after one Richard’s Pipit was picked up in the corner where we’d first looked. Whether it had dropped in or just been very elusive I can’t say but it’s two friends were soon located nearby. Took some record shots and were just waiting for the usual “Is everyone happy to move a bit closer” when they flew to the other side. Year list now 91.

Richard’s Pipit wintering at North Landing,Flamborough

Next to Filey NCCP. A few birders on the end of Carr Naze but no-one had seen the Surf Scoter recently. Had a Great Northern Diver close in.

Great Northern Diver off Filey Brigg

Had a duck fairly close in but my initial thought was female Eider. However when I got a better view I saw the white back of the head. It was the Surf Scoter, but unfortunately the guy we’d just spoken to had gone thinking he’d dipped.

First winter ♂ Surf Scoter off Filey Brigg

Climbed down to the Brigg to get closer. Not an easy climb and expressly forbidden! A few waders about to add to my year list including a Purple Sandpiper.

Cormorants on Filey Brigg

Black-headed Gull off Filey Brigg

Also a nice summer plumaged Shag off shore but too distant to photograph.

Cormorant fighting with a good fish off Filey Brigg 

A Common Seal gave us a cursory glance.

Looking for more waders was surprised to flush a Woodcock which landed out of site on Carr Naze. Year list up to 101.