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?

Baikal Teal on Swine Moor and the aftermath of Storm Eunice

17/2/22 A late walk around Willerby Carr on Thursday saw a good number of Teal and Wigeon at Carr Farm as well as three Shoveler. Also a Little Egret near Haltemprice Farm.

18/2/22 After all the talk up and footage elsewhere in the country on the news locally we seemed to have get off lightly locally with Storm Eunice. Took the dog out after the winds had dropped for a walk around KGV Rec but the only tree down was one by the BMX circuit.

19/2/22 Saturday morning had a walk round Northmoor Lane Flood Scheme which was living up to its title although you could have easily have walked across in wellies.

Northmoor Lane Flood Prevention Scheme proving its worth.

Plenty of gulls but no ducks except for the Mallard from the Danepark “fishing pond”. A large tree had toppled at the pond and was now resting on the metal fence. Walked back through the Oppy Wood and again had a few Siskin.

Siskin in Oppy Wood.

Continuing with the current wild weather we had snow in the afternoon but had gone by Sunday morning.

Snow starting to cover in my back garden.

22/2/22 Went out with Roy on Tuesday afternoon. Went out via Harland Way but the [almost permanent] temporary traffic lights were only letting a few cars through at a time so we did a U-turn, passing a very long queue that had already built up behind us, and went to Beverley via Dunswell. Parked in the lay by on Weel Road to view Swine Moor from the River Hull bank.

Swine Moor from Weel Road.

We already knew the Baikal Teal was present but not easy with many hundreds of Teal and Wigeon present, not helped by a strong wind. Saw a few birders walking the opposite bank but didn’t get any feedback. Managed to picked out a few Dunlin and Golden Plover among the ducks to add to my year list. We were close to giving up but something repeatedly put all the birds up and after they settled again Roy picked out the Baikal Teal.

Distant Baikal Teal with Wigeon on Swine Moor

The planned had been to park outside Tophill Low NR [closed until April] and walk along Barmston Drain to view Watton NR but found the traffic on Hull Bridge Road stationary so turned right and headed to Hornsea seafront for a sea watch. Added Red-throated Diver, Guillemot, Gannet and Kittiwake to my year list.

23/2/22 Friday morning I walked Willerby Carr, again starting from The Garth. Had my first Linnet for the patch this year not long after starting. The Springhead Flood Prevention Scheme had some standing water.

Springhead Flood Prevention Scheme

Originally apart from gulls could only find four Canada Geese and a few Mallard but in the south east west corner I found was a drake Tufted Duck.

Canada Geese-Springhead Flood Prevention Scheme

Drake Tufted Duck-Springhead Flood Prevention Scheme

As a diving duck an unexpected species here with my only previous record been after the very heavy rain in October 2019 [see here for what happened at Tophill Low NR] .

Goldfinch-Swine Bank,Willerby

Much the same Teal, Wigeon and Shoveler at Carr Farm with a flock of Greylag Geese in the fields opposite.

Greylag Geese-Wood Lane,Willerby

Winter-plumage Black-headed Gull-Wood Lane,Willerby

Now after nearly a week being down I was going to get up to date with Birdtrack but Wilbur has just come down for his second walk.

7/4/22 The Baikal Teal was still on Swine Moor on Tuesday late afternoon. Roy Lyon didn’t see it Wednesday late morning and no news so far on Thursday. If it’s gone at least it will help its credibility. Either park at Hull Bridge near The Crown and Anchor cTA057412 , although space is limited, then walk south along the river bank [not a canal!}. Alternatively for a quick more distant view park in the lay-by on Weel Road cTA055417 or at the entrance to Corporation Farm and view across the river.