It was great to to get to get back in the field again and do some birding at last!! Recently there has been a good influx of Curlew Sandpiper. Unfortunately I have not seen this species of wader for at least 5 years… In fact the last sightings of this bird was when I was working in Qatar. So it was great to hear of a report of one at Filey Dams just south of Scarborough. So yesterday afternoon (5th September) Alf, my birding companion and I had a ‘twitch’ over to Filey. The target bird was down at the East hide…. so a rapid walk was made there on arrival. We needn’t have worried, as the bird was feeding quite happily with a group of 5 Dunlin. The Curlew Sand’ was picked out quite easily due to its prominent long curved beak and prominent supercilium. Other clinchers were a peachy throat and breast and very prominent white flanks and belly.
In comparison some of the Dunlin were showing no discernible supercilium, also the sides of the throat and flanks were streaked in comparison to the Curlew Sand’. And one or two birds showed their diagnostic black bellies.
Another typical Autumn passage migrant seen were 3 Ruff. All in all it was a very successfull afternoon!!
6th Sept … A Real Red Letter day; the heat of the last few days broke today – with some torrential showers late morning up until mid-afternoon; with some thunder and lightning thrown in for good measure. After the heavy rain passed we had some very warm sunshine from 3:45pm. About 4pm I was sitting in the garden with the Mrs. when suddenly something very fast zipped across my vision and started hovering around one of the hanging baskets… I could not believe my eyes; Hummingbird Hawk Moth – what an absolute stunner!!! It then flew over to the Phlox and buzzed around for about a minute or two then left. Blind panic ensued in those minutes …. I tried vainly to get a picture but no chance, failing miserably !! However, what a garden record !!! The last one we had in the garden was again in early September, however it was back in 2018. A four year wait but well worth it. I have seen Hummingbird Hawkmoth regularly in Portugal and coincidentally I saw one in early August whilst visiting Somerset. But to record one in your own garden – for me that is a bit special!!! What a start to September!!!
Another great couple of days here in North Yorkshire!! On Wednesday 7th September a Speckled Wood visited the garden. Usually a visitor to sheltered woodland glades it really was a thrill to see a Speckled Wood feeding on the Agapanthus and Phlox. Last year, was the first time I recorded Speckled Wood in the garden and hopefully it will be an annual occurrence!!
It was great to get out today Friday 9th September and do some local patch birding …… and again there were surprises in store. At Eden Camp there is a small pond which is used as a part of the flood prevention scheme for the River Derwent and it is the closest stretch of open water we have to Pickering. Unfortunately, even though we have hundreds of acres of farmland around the Pickering area we don’t have any large areas which are marshy and hold permanent water. I am sure if we did have an area like this, then waders, ducks and other water birds would be easily attracted. In winter, when we have high rainfall, the Derwent floods some areas around Low Marishes. These flooded areas then attract large numbers of geese and ducks. However, it would be great to have an area that could hold water all year round. Anyway – back to Eden Camp….. when we checked the area we were surprised to see 2 Common Sandpiper there.
Then as if by magic another wader appeared, a Dunlin – still retaining some of its summer plumage. Two new birds for this site!!
However, a third wader was then seen feeding at the back of the Irises … Common Sandpiper size, but much darker plumage …. A Green Sandpiper!!! To confirm its identity it circled the pond showing its diagnostic white rump and black underwings giving an impression of a huge House Martin.
I know these birds may seem relatively common but these birds are local patch gold!! Just to conclude a great afternoon we also recorded Little Egret and Kingfisher in the pond area too. Some great Local Patch Birding!!
