Eleonora’s Falcon in Kent

Late morning on Thursday 26th May a pale morph Eleonora’s Falcon was identified from photographs in Kent flying over Sandwich Bay mid morning. Early afternoon it was seen over nearby Worth Marsh. As has been the pattern in the UK however it wasn’t seen again that day. For more details check RBA round up [my only be available to subscribers}.

However on Friday it was seen again mid morning again over Worth Marsh. This time however it lingered. I was out with the dog in Cottingham walking up Northmoor Lane to view New Ings. Found a Clouded Silver moth, only my fourth record, in my garden trap 20.5.11, Tophill Low NR 8.6.14 and at Millbeck Wildlife, Cottingham 12.6.17. Otherwise nothing unusual bird wise. The falcon was still lingering and I was thinking about contacting Tony but couldn’t believe it would linger much longer.

Clouded Silver moth-Nortmoor Lane, Cottingham

It was still hanging on when I went out with Roy. Mentioned it but he showed no real interest. Started off doing a seawatch off Hornsea but as expected in late spring we had little of interest then moved to the 1st field of Hornsea Mere late afternoon. Three birders from Suffolk were looking for Little Gull. Eight had flown through early morning and John returning from the west end had seen one near Decoy Bay. I picked up what I was sure was a Little Gull distantly on a “dirty” buoy. Went the edge of 2nd field and eventually it flew showing the characteristic W on the wings of a first winter. It slowly drifted east where it was joined by another six that presumably had in come off the sea. Didn’t see any Hobbies this time though.

Little Gull-Hornsea Mere

Little Gull-Hornsea Mere

Little Gulls-Hornsea Mere

Mallard with one surviving chick-Hornsea Mere

On the way home Tony texted to say he would go overnight for the Eleonora’s Falcon. After a worrying wait for dark incase it flew off high we set off, after picking up Richard, just before midnight confident it would be around on Saturday. Arriving at the car park in Worth early morning we took the track to the marsh to join an increasing number of twitchers but never excessive as presumably many will have made it yesterday. Just before seven it was located in a distant hedge and after walking a bit further and some frustration getting on it I was watching a very distant falcon shaped blob. It was darker than a Hobby and the closed wing tips were level with the tail tip which was good for Eleonora’s but it was almost motionless even when attacked by Magpies and kept it back to us. Walked further to cross the railway line where you got another angle and although not much closer it was head on showing the characteristic orange breast, another good feature. Also had a short flight. Walking back saw the female Red-footed Falcon although too distant to be worth photographing. Went back to our earlier position where I photographed Scarce Chaser, a new species for me as it lives up to its name but like most dragonflies is expanding its range with climate change. Also had several Banded Demoiselles.

Scarce Chaser-Worth, Kent

I had started to think the falcon was moribund but if it was going to fly would do mid morning when insects became active on what was a cool day for late May and almost on cue it got up and flew across to Great Wood giving close over head views. It had a longer wings and tail making it obviously different from a Hobby. Although distant it regularly flew over the wood occasionally perching in view.

Second summer female Eleonora’s Falcon-Worth, Kent

Great Wood, Worth, Kent

Also had my first Cuckoo for two years with Avocet and a very distant fly past Spoonbill year ticks.

Early afternoon we decided to move on but it performed [possibly better?] for all comers until dusk.

I’ve seen Eleonora’s Falcon before in May 2000 on Cyprus so maybe it wasn’t as exciting for me as for Tony and Richard and anyone else for whom Eleonora’s Falcon was a totally new bird but I felt a bit underwhelmed wishing I’d had the sort of views had on Friday. Not the first time admittedly in recent years I’ve felt this way when a twitch has been less about enjoying great views of an unfamiliar bird rather than just enough to say I can put on a list.

Twitchers watching the Eleonora’s Falcon over Great Wood, Worth, Kent

The Eleonora’s Falcon was late seen mid morning Saturday 4th June. With the Platinum Jubilee holiday hopefully everyone who wanted got a chance to see it.

Somehow seem to have forgotten this was my 500th for Britain & Ireland. Need one more for Uk only. Maybe that will mean more?

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.

23/11/19 Smew and Long-tailed Duck at Hornsea Mere

Saved from a boring day rained in, with even the dog not interested in a walk, by RL with a trip to Hornsea Mere early afternoon. Started in Seaton Road hide where immediately on opening the flaps saw the redhead Smew close in. Went for our cameras, and ignoring a close fly over by a Marsh Harrier, got a few shots before it swam off.

Juvenile Smew at Hornsea Mere from Seaton Road Hide

Nothing else of note and having learned from MJ that the track to Wassand Hide was flooded we headed to Kirkholme Point where a Long-tailed Duck was usually seen around the jetties. No sign there so looked further afield, still with no luck, but on walking back towards the jetties RL picked it up flying in from the west then landing and showing well again at the jetties.

Juvenile Long-tailed Duck with Tufted Duck at Kirkholme Point, Hornsea Mere

No sign of any of the recent Scaup.

Went to look for wild geese in the Skipsea area with out luck then ended the day looking for gulls around Catwick but also no sign not helped by a jet ski on FosseHill.

Great White Egret at North Cave Wetlands

Last year at this time there were enough birds. particularly waders, locally to keep life interesting. So far this month it’s been hard going at my sites. Choose High Eske/Pulfin NR as my Patchwork Challenge site but so far it’s not pay off with many previously tied on birds not yet recorded. Added nothing this week despite visiting every other day. Nearby at Swine Moor it’s been slightly better finding a Garganey on the 21st.

Garganey-Hornsea Mere

 

However the waders have been disappointing with just Ruff, peaking at 13, and the occasional Dunlin or Redshank.

Did Hornsea Mere on the 21st where a few Little Gulls were still around the jetties and my first returning Pintail off Swan Island.

Little Gull at Kirkholme Point-Hornsea Mere

Also had two Bearded Tit briefly under Wassand Hide and a late Hobby nearby.

At Tophill Low NR on the 22nd only managed 2-3 Green Sandpiper with a Barnacle Goose [of unknown origin] on Watton NR.

On walk to Creykebeck substation with Wilbur on the 23rd was bit of a raptor-fest, the highlights being a Hobby hitting finches at Lawns Farm and Peregrine near Millhouse Woods Lane pumping station, although the latter may have had jesses.

Sunday morning I had planned to do Welton Waters in hope of seeing a few Bearded Tit. However got a text from SG about a Great White Egret at North Cave Wetlands. Not even a year tick but although there are a few previous records it would be a site tick for me. Didn’t panic though waiting for The Andrew Marr Show to end. Getting there the Egret had gone over the bank to the back of Main Lake. As distant as it was possible to be but did my best with the camera.

Great White Egret on Main Lake-North Cave Wetlands

Some debate about whether it was the bird recently seen at Tophill Low NR [see here] but I remember the one I’d seen having pale legs when the current birds are almost black. There have been several records recently anyway including one at Hornsea Mere the same day I was last there. Moved on to Crosslands Hide, usually the best chance for waders, but was very quiet. In fact apart from Lapwing the only waders on site were the large number of Snipe on Island Lake and a brief Dunlin.

Snipe on Island Lake-North Cave Wetlands

Had earlier seen a falcon, more likely Peregrine than Hobby, spooking everything off the north fields.

Geese at Hornsea Mere

4/2/17 Went out with RL and ML early Saturday afternoon. Started at Swine Moor where were still 1400 Wigeon and 260 Teal but again the only waders were a few Redshank. Next checked Fossehill Pond and nearby roofs but couldn’t find any white-winged gulls. Spent the rest of the day at Hornsea Mere. Started with Wassand Hide where on entering RL called out a Bittern, which we all managed to see before it dropped into the reeds. Had at least five Marsh Harrier, often giving close views.

♀.Marsh Harrier from Wassand Hide at Hornsea Mere

I checked the distant ducks in Decoy channel and found two Long-tailed Ducks. While watching them a second Bittern flew in from the east and again lost it close to where the first had gone in. A second year tick was added when ML called out a Jay flying over. Next round to Kirkholme Point. Found nothing new but on leaving I saw some geese just past the gate.

‘Goose stepping” Greylag with a Tundra Bean Goose and several Russian White-fronted Geese at  Hornsea Mere

On a closer inspection  we found, among the Greylags, 34 Russian White-fronts, then a Tundra Bean Goose with two Pink-footed Geese.

Russian White-fronted Geese at Hornsea Mere

Tundra Bean Goose with Russian White-fronted Goose at Hornsea Mere

Went round to Seaton Road Hide where ML found a close Long-tailed Duck followed by a second less well marked bird.

Long-tailed Duck at Hornsea Mere from Seaton Road Hide.

Although the original birds were distant it seemed likely these were different birds. Maybe because of the calm conditions the gull roost was very small.

11/1/17 Hornsea gulls

11/1/17 Went to Hornsea Mere with RL on Wednesday morning. Although windy viewing wasn’t too bad but couldn’t find the Great Northern Diver or Long-tailed Duck [see here]. Best of it was Peregrine lingering around Swan island and occasionally half-heartedly stooping at Black-headed Gulls. Moved round to Kirkholme Point where I found a Norwegian ringed Black-headed Gull.

Norwegian ringed Black-headed Gull-Hornsea Mere

Moved to the sea-front where recently a few white-winged gulls had been seen. Picked out a Glaucous Gull on the sea off the Leisure Centre car park. Flew towards us then headed north. Went in hot pursuit and eventually, after been regularly flushed by dogs, it settled on the beach below the northern car park, remembered by long time local birders as previous site of the sea-watching shelter. Seemed happy and got close enough for some decent pictures.

Juvenile Glaucous Gull-Hornsea sea-front

Sanderling-Hornsea sea-front

Turnstone-Hornsea sea-front

We headed north, checking the sea at a few sites, as far as Barmston but found nothing else. On the way up again failed to find any geese in the Low Skirlington area. Headed back south to Fosse Hill Pond where we added a first winter Mediterranean Gull as well as Kingfisher.

Year List: 93

1w Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gull-Fosse Hill Pond

Finished the day back at Hornsea Mere hoping for another white-winged gull.

Great Northern Diver at Hornsea Mere

7/1/17 A Great Northern Diver was found on Hornsea Mere by JC mid morning. RL and I were planning to do the gulls there anyway and it was a site tick for ML so headed for Kirkholme Point early afternoon. A birder there had seen it recently but had lost track of it. We started looking with out luck and were about to give up and when I noticed an sudden disturbance among the ducks and Coot with no obvious cause. Thought it would be the diver so called the other two back and ML picked it up,close to where the birds had moved from. Came fairly close although the mist didn’t help but we all got satisfactory shots.

Great Northern Diver at Hornsea Mere

Moved round to Seaton Road Hide to try and get the diver from there but failed. Had tried with out success to see the Long-tailed Ducks from Kirkholme Point and there was even less chance from the hide with the mist getting worse.

Year List: 77

Mist over Hornsea Mere

No point doing the gull roost so left early but had time for our first look at Swine Moor in 2017. As in recent winters there was plenty of water. Counted 1600 Wigeon and 500 Teal.

Wigeon on Swine Moor-RL

Also a large number of Lapwing with smaller sums of Redshank and single figures of Dunlin and Snipe; the latter a year tick.

Year List: 80

Glaucous Gull at Tophill Low NR

4/1/17 On Wednesday had a walk round Willerby Carrs with the dog. A few minor year ticks but the highlight was a Stonechat by Haltemprice Farm. Unfortunately mobile and difficult to get close to.

Year List: 66

Stonechat at Haltemprice Farm near Hull

5/1/17 Went to Hornsea Mere with ML and RL on Thursday morning. Managed to pick up the two Long-tailed Ducks but distance nearer the south shore. Moved on to Fossehill Pond where there were plenty of gulls but nothing of note. Headed to Tophill Low NR picking up a flock of Grey Partridge near Hutton Cranswick.

Grey Partridge near Little Common Farm, Cranswick

At Tophill Low NR we headed to the feeders where I got Coal Tit for the year. Next North Marsh where we had the regular experience of been told how well the Otters had shown well earlier. Didn’t give it too long but manage a Water Rail at least. Could hear geese on D reservoir so went to check them from Middle Hide. Only could find a Pink-footed Goose among the Greylags. We were intending to do the gulls anyway so decide to stay put. While waiting for the gulls had two Peregrine over Decoy Fields, hitting the large number of Woodpigeon. The Long-tailed Duck hadn’t been seen for a few days and it was on surprise to find it again under where car park used to be.

The now gone car park hide with new centre [for more on latter see here].

Although not in great numbers gulls started dropping in. With several white-winged gulls seen in Yorkshire last night they were on our minds and it wasn’t too unexpected when RL said he had got a Glaucous Gull. The juvenile gull was fortunately quite close and although light wasn’t great we all managed to fire off several shots. My first since almost exactly five years ago, again on D reservoir on 15th January 2012.

Juvenile Glaucous Gull with Common Gull and Greylag Goose on D reservoir-Tophill Low NR

Year List: 74

Red-throated Diver in Bridlington Harbour

3/1/17 Went to Hornsea Mere with RL and ML on Tuesday morning. Added most of the common wildfowl to the year list and Female Marsh Harrier hunting over the reedbed wasn’t a surprise but had none of the rarer birds seen late last year. The Barnacle Geese flock flew north over the hide and we went off to try to track them down with the hope of finding some rarer geese. Didn’t locate the flock so headed to Kirkholme Point where we saw the Barnacles flying back in. Had a Swedish ringed Black-headed Gull.

Swedish ringed Black-headed Gull

Checked the fields in the Low Skirlington area. Had seen a few Russian White-fronts and Pinkfeet with a large Greylag Goose flock on New Years Eve but couldn’t find them today. Next had a quick look from Skipsea Beach Club where I added Sanderling and Ringed Plover on the beach and Red-throated Diver on the sea. Then went to Bridlington where a Black-necked Grebe had recently been seen in the harbour. Saw a couple of photographer leaving who had recently seen it. No sign of the Black-necked Grebe for us but had a Red-throated Diver, sometimes just below us.

Red-throated Diver in Bridlington Harbour

Added Turnstone, which were feeding around our feet, and several Redshank and Dunlin feeding on the exposed mud in the harbour.

Turnstone-Bridlington Harbour

Year List: 62

Waxwings at last

26/12/16 Haven’t seen a Waxwing since the big influx of 2012/13 during which I stumbled on several flocks. My last been in Cottingham on Southwood Road on April 6th. There have been small numbers in the intervening years but no long stayers locally in East Yorkshire. This autumn there has been a big influx but none so far locally. Early Boxing Day afternoon I got a report from RL of one found in Hull on Boothferry Road by EC. Unfortunately it was that time of year when family gets in the way of birding. Fortunately had had a good walk round Cottingham with the dog earlier, the highlight being a Woodcock flushed by Wilbur in fields off Dunswell Road.

27/12/16 A larger flock of Waxwing had been found at the regular site at Hessle Sainsbury’s later on Monday afternoon. Headed there Tuesday morning with ML and RL. The flock was immediately visible in trees by the car park, although perversely most photographers at least were standing under a empty berry tree in the hope of the classic berry eating shot.

Waiting for the Waxwings on berries at Hessle Sainsbury’s

Anyway we got several shots with out any competition before trying for the berry shot but although I did get a few the birds were very nervous there.

Waxwings at Hessle Sainsbury’s

And finally on berries

Next back tracked to Costello playing fields where we’d seen several Goosander from the road earlier.

Goosander in Hull on Costello Playing fields lake.

Good a few shots then headed to Hornsea Mere Seaton Road Hide. Had a Long-tailed Duck although again distant being nearer the southern shore. Also had a cream-crowned Marsh Harrier over.

A flock of Snow Bunting had been regular at Barmston last week so went there next. Walked nearly as far as Fraisthorpe wind-farm but saw no Snow Bunting but did have good numbers of Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Skylark, as well two Stonechat.

One of two Stonechat at Barmston

Also had one of the two Hooded Crow in the area although only in flight at a distance. Had had better views of Hooded Crow there earlier this month.

Sanderling on Barmston beach.