Birding with Flowers: August 2010

Thursday, 19 August 2010

2011 Wildlife Calendar Ready!

Now available for £7.50 (incl p & p) UK only

[£7 if no postage involved!]

Below - June picure

Discover where & when to see specific species

27 colour photographs

Nearly 300 lines of information & suggestions

Now revamped to include sites from all over Yorkshire

To order, please either post next to this message or email me on: mflowers81@live.co.uk

Wednesday, 18 August 2010

Spurn's Autumn Migration

Whimbrel

Kestrel (juv)

Kestrel (Juv)

White-winged Black Tern

White-winged Black Tern (bathing) with Black-headed Gull (foreground) & Little Gulls (right)

White-winged Black Tern & Little Gulls

Little Egrets

Little Egret

Grey (or, as I prefer Silver) Plovers

Pied Flycatchers

Roe Deer (doe)

ditto

Mute Swan

Common Frog

Painted Lady

Wall Brown

Silver-Y Moth

Common Blue

It may seem depressing to say it but the Autumn migration at Spurn is in full swing. On Saturday 17 Pied Flycatchers were seen, as well as a much scarcer Citringe Wagtail and others. This blog post contains phots taken on Saturday, Monday & today. On Monday most of the exciting birds of the weekend had either cleared off, or were hunkered down in the strong westerly winds. We (Vince & I) did see some Willow Warblers and Whitethroats, and this was the case today. However, one of the biggest surprises today was a Treecreeper half-way down the point. Those of you who know Spurn will understand why this is so unusual. It is the first of this species I've seen there in the 3 decades I've been visiting, but they are occasionally seen in small numbers at this time of year and in October. There were about 60+ Grey Plovers at Chalk Bank at high tide, plus breeding plumaged Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot & Dunlin. There were also 2 Peregrines around, and we found a large female in a field in Sammy's Point keeping her beady eye on 30+ Golden Plovers. We (Jim, Graham & I) also saw a juvenile Cuckoo, but the best bird in the area was the long-staying White-winged Black Tern at Hornsea Mere. Unfortunately, the very confiding Whimbrel at the top of this blog post has a broken leg. It can fly OK, but its right leg was facing backwards instead of forwards! All we need it are a few north-easterly winds in the next few weeks and there should be lots of interesting species seen at Spurn.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Worcestershire Wildlife

Long-tailed Tit

Juvenile Heron

Confiding Moorhen - taken with an ordinary lens!

Beautiful Demoiselle

Red Underwing (moth)

Comfrey

Monday, 16 August 2010

Scottish Wildlife Holiday

Red Squirrel

Red Deer

Black Guillemot

White-tailed Eagle

Lesser-Black Backed Gull

Osprey

Hooded Crow

Otter

Fritillary

David Ware, one of my students, has just returned from a wildlife holiday to Scotland. The best photographic results are given above, whilst what follows below is a report of the trip in his own words: I had a really good trip to Scotland with 12 lifers seen - Raven, Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Manx Shearwater, Black Guillemot, Crested Tit, Hooded Crow, Osprey, Twite, and Hen Harrier! Overall, I saw 103 species in the 2 weeks - first week in and around Inverness, and the second week on Mull.

The weather was quite gloomy at times, which made some of the photography difficult, and other attempts all but impossible.

Photographing the eagles was brilliant. We came across a local skipper who had worked out that they would take mackerel from the sea loch surface if they came across them. The chap has an agreement with the RSPB that he should catch no more than 4 fish per trip, and only if the eagles are in the area, which they aren't very often. On the day we were there they were teaching their youngster how to "fish", so we had a visit from all three. The youngster didn't actually attempt a pass, but both mum and dad did. There is quite a size difference between them!

The Osprey was taken at Loch Garten with just a digital camera held up to one of the RSPB scopes. Not quite digiscoping, but on the same lines.

The fritillary was shot in Strathconan. Other butterflies included the Scotch Argus.

Mammals included: Red Squirrel, Red Deer (Stag, hind & fawn), Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Harbour Porpoise (both at Chananory Point near Inverness), and Otters. The latter were always a bit distant, but on one occasion we saw a dog Otter hunting, and then in 2 other locations we saw a mum with a single kit.

I didn't thnink I would get to see a Hen Harrier because the vole population had crashed. Apparently, they had 19 inches of ice on the freshwater lochs on Mull, but hardly any snow cover. Hence, there had only been one Short-eared Owl seen on the whole island, and the Hen Harriers were also in lower numbers than normal. It was not until our final evening that I eventually saw one.

I can't wait to go back!

If you like David's pictures, and would like to take pictures of your own in the area, I can heartily recommend the photography workshops run in the same area by Marcus Conway. You can read more about his Mull workshop here: www.ebirder.net/MullBirdPhotographyTour.aspx

Friday, 6 August 2010

12 Lifers

Marsh Harrier (male) - archive picture

Marsh Harrier - female - archive

Ruff - adult male

Ruff with Redshank (left)

Ruff (juvenile)

Wood Sandpiper

Spotted Redshank - left how we saw them today - archive picture

Black-tailed Godwit - archive picture

Snipe - archive picture

Lapwing

Little Egret - archive

Stock Dove squab

Today I met up with 2 new young clients from Sheffield for their first ever visit to RSPB Blacktoft Sands. Our journeys didn't take as long as any of us had anticipated, so we were able to start 15 mins before the actual opening time. Our first port of call was Marshland, which is often the best hide for waders at this time of year. High tide is best for higher numbers of most species, and we arrived at low tide, so we weren't overly optimistic, but we were rewarded with good sightings of Snipe, Ruff (juvenile), Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Lapwing, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and bog-standard Redshank. There were also a few Teal in eclipse. Daniel hadn't brought his binoculars so he was able to look through some state-of-the-art Leicas. He kindly agreed to carry the scope, so we got better views of many of the waders and the feet & thighs of 2 Barn Owls in the next box opposite to us, than we would have had if he hadn't offered to carry it. A female Marsh Harrier flew past us just above the reeds a lifer for David & Daniel. The most frustrating things here (apart from the shy Barn Owls) were the calls of the Bearded Tits, all around the reeds here, but they refused to come into the open, although we did manage to see a Reed Warbler.

We went on to Ousefllet hide, but this had dried out, and we didn't add many new species here, although a Yellow Wagtail and a Linnet flew over. Outside the hide David dissected a Barn Owl pellet to reveal the skull, bones and fur of a vole or mouse. The ID of this is to be checked!

On the return journey to Xerox David spotted a Marsh Harrier flying low over the fields, and this time it was a stunning male.

Xerox was fairly quiet with a few waders, plenty of Teal and an elusive passerine feeding among the Lapwings. First Hide seemed deserted, but we did see our first Green Sandpiper here. At Townend we saw a pair of Shoveler (in eclipse), and a much better view of a Greenshank. 2 young Magpies were outside the window and a young Marsh Harrier flew very close to the hide, which flushed all the Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits, but a white adult Ruff had flown off earlier. The best thing here though, was a beautifully dappled and elegant Wood Sandpiper, which eventually walked right in front of the hide, but it's only possible to take record shots at this location, as the hides are set too far back from the water!

At Singleton, the final hide, we identified at least 5 Little Egrets, and plenty of Ruff and Black-tailed Godwits and single Green Sandpipers & Greenshanks. We had to watch our footing as many of the paths had tiny frogs hopping around. On a sad note David spotted what seemed to be an injured Stock Dove in the car park. Overall it was a very fruitful visit with David observing 12 lifers today, taking his year list to 83, which is close to a personal best. David & Daniel were pleased with their visit to the reserve, and intend to revisit it at different times of the year to appreciate the full range of species which utilise Blacktoft throughout the seasons.

Autumn Course Details

Bookings for the 10-week Autumn term have started. At the time of writing there are most vacancies on Tuesday & Friday mornings with a couple of spaces on most other sessions. If you are interested in another session, please ask. For at least 2 hours a week encounter the natural world as a completely new sensual experience. You'll be amazed what you'll find just by listening, and not only by looking! In the Autumn we'll be paying special attention to finding and identifying birds on migration. Autumn visitors we are hoping to track down include: Redstarts, Flycatchers, Warblers, Rough-legged Buzzards, Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owls & various wading birds. We will be visiting venues in East Yorkshire with a couple of ventures into North Lincolnshire and West Yorkshire. So, if you are interested in learning more about your local wildlife in beautiful and secluded venues for less than £12 a week, contact me for more details! We visit a different local hotspot each week and identify all the birds and as much other wildlife as we can. This also includes mammals, and fungi with butterflies, and dragonflies in the warmer months. The course runs twice daily Tuesday to Friday. Please note it is not appropriate to bring your dogs with you. If you are interested in more details of the course, or wish to be placed on a waiting list, please leave a comment next to one of my posts or email me on mflowers81@live.co.uk

Terms and Conditions

Birding with Flowers

Terms and Conditions

1.0 General

1.1. Birding with Flowers organises birdwatching and wildlife walks and events to enable participants to learn bird identification, to gain knowledge of habitats and wildlife in general to enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside. These terms and conditions must be agreed by anyone joining a 10-week birding course or a special one-off event.

1.2 Birding with Flowers reserves the right to revise these Terms and Conditions at any time by updating these pages. It is your responsibility to review and understand the Terms and Conditions. If you are booking a course or event you will be asked to return a signed slip stating that you agree to these legally binding Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to the Terms and Conditions please do not ask to participate in Birding with Flowers courses or events.

1.3 The Birding with Flowers blog HYPERLINK "http://www.eybirdwatching.blogspot.com" www.eybirdwatching.blogspot.com, the weekly East Yorkshire Birdwatching Walks and one-off special events are managed and operated by Birding with Flowers. The Terms and Conditions set out below constitute the agreement between you (the client) and us (Birding with Flowers or BWF).

1.4 Whilst we make every effort to provide you with up to date details for courses and events, it is ultimately your responsibility to check whether they have been cancelled or rescheduled by checking emails or, where applicable, text messages the evening before a session. We take all reasonable steps to ensure the information on the blog, in the course itineraries and for one-off events is accurate at the time of publishing and continues to be accurate. Liability for any loss or damage arising from inaccuracies, omissions or interpretation of contents is limited to the cost of the session. If you believe any content to be inaccurate please contact us on 07946 625677, or email us at mflowers81@live.co.uk and we will take all reasonable steps to correct it as soon as possible.

2.0 Payments and Bookings

2.1 For the complete 10-week course we require full payment in advance. If payment is not made before the date specified in the course particulars, your place may be given to another client.

2.2 One-off short (2-3 hours) walks may be paid for on the day in cash, but preference will always be made to those who pay in advance.

2.3 Except for payments for short walks (see 2.2 above), payments made by BACS are preferred by us as this is a safe, quick and easy method of payment. You will require the Birding with Flowers account number and bank sorting code. You will need to include your surname and the day you attend as a reference. If you require our bank details this will be sent in two separate emails, please do not reply to those emails for security reasons.

2.4 If you do not want to make a BACS payment you may still pay by cheque. Payment by cheque requires your contact details written on the reverse. If you pay by cheque, you should be aware that your cheque will take a few days to arrive in the post, and your payment will not be recognised as completed until the cheque has cleared, which will take several more working days. Please take this into consideration when sending your cheque. For details on how to pay by cheque please email us at mflowers81@live.co.uk

2.5 No cash payments should be sent to us in the post.

2.6 You are required to ensure, when booking a course or event, that there are sufficient funds to cover the cost of the service. Payment will be taken in advance for the services offered and if payment fails, bookings will not be made until an alternative payment has been made. If there are any changes to your details that may affect your booking it is your responsibility to inform Birding with Flowers by contacting us on 07946 625677, or email us at mflowers81@live.co.uk

2.7 It is important that you print the email of the confirmation of your booking for your own reference.

3.0 Data Protection

3.1 Birding with Flowers takes your contact details as part of the booking process. Your details will not be shared with any third party or organisation. If you request another member’s email or phone number for whatever purpose, your message will be forwarded to that client, but any reply will remain between yourself and that client.

4.0 Intellectual Property

4.1 As a member of the Birding with Flowers course you may be sent detailed itineraries, birdsong calendars, species location spreadsheets, bird identification flowcharts and other original items. Any items marked with copyright should not be shared with any third party, including previous members of the course. Once a person has left the course they are no longer entitled to receive further publications.

5.0 Changes and Cancellation: by Birding with Flowers

5.1 Birding with Flowers begins planning courses and events many months in advance. On occasions we have to make changes to details both before and after bookings have been confirmed. With outdoor classes and events, local weather, transport or a host of other uncontrollable factors can mean a change in the itinerary. Although we always take all reasonable steps to avoid changes, we must reserve the right to do so.

5.2 If we have to make a minor alteration to your itinerary or travel arrangements before departure, we will, if practicable, advise you before departure but we are not obliged to do so or to pay you compensation.

5.3 In the event of poor weather conditions which we consider will seriously affect the quality of a class or one-off event, we reserve the right to postpone or cancel the class or one-off event. In this case you will usually be offered alternative dates for the same or similar event from our programme of events.

5.4 If we have to cancel an individual class, or one-off event, completely due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness of the course leader, extreme weather events or major travel disruption, where possible we will offer an alternative date. If we have no alternative dates to offer, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid for that class or event.

5.5 If a major change is made (e.g. cancellation of all or more than 2 classes of your course or a one-off event e.g. because of the illness of the course leader), we will inform you as soon as possible. In this circumstance we will offer you the choice of the following options:

a) accepting an alternative course, part-course or one-off event arranged by Birding with Flowers and beginning on an arranged day; or

b) transferring your payment to a future course or one-off event run by Birding with Flowers of a similar standard to that originally booked, if available. We will endeavour to offer you at least one alternative course or one-off event of equivalent or higher standard.

In the event of no alternatives being available, or if you are unable to attend a future course or one-off event, a refund for the cancelled proportion of the course or for the one-off event will be offered.

5.6 The decision as to whether a change is minor or major lies with Birding with Flowers, who will act fairly in all circumstances.

5.7 No liability beyond offering the above-mentioned options can be accepted where we are forced to make a change or cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care. No compensation will be payable and the above options will not be available if we cancel as a result of your failure to comply with any requirement of our Terms and Conditions entitling us to cancel (e.g. not paying on time) or if the change made is a minor one.

5.8 In the event that a course or event is cancelled by Birding with Flowers because of insufficient numbers signing up for it, a full refund of monies paid by you will be made. However, no further liability will be accepted by Birding with Flowers. Usually an alternative course will be arranged.

6.0 Changes and cancellation by the client

6.1 You may cancel your booking for a course or one-off event at any stage; however, a full refund will not be issued if cancellation is notified to Birding with Flowers less than 7 days before the course commences or the event is due to take place. In the event of serious illness or a major change in your personal circumstance notified by you, any refund of some or all of the course fee or event fee would be at the discretion of Birding with Flowers.

6.2. You may request a change to a booking by contacting us by email or telephone. If possible, a request to change the day/and or time of a course or an individual class will be permitted, providing there is a vacancy for the replacement day and/or time.

6.3 Please note that failure to attend a course, a single class or one-off event without first informing Birding with Flowers cannot be regarded as a cancellation. Unless otherwise agreed, clients who fail to attend a class or event without prior notice will not receive a refund for the course, missed class or one-off event.

7.0 What is Included on BWF Courses or One-Off events

7.1 See the course itineraries or details of one-off events for what you can expect to be provided by Birding with Flowers.

8.0 What is Not Included on BWF Courses, or One-Off Events

8.1 Birding with Flowers does not organise or pay for clients’ travel expenses to and from events, such as public transport or car hire. We do not pay for telephone calls, snacks or any items of a personal nature.

9.0 Insurance

9.1 Birding with Flowers has taken out full indemnity insurance for events held in the UK.

10.0 Special Requests

10.1 If you have any special requests, you should inform us of such requests at the time of booking. We will try our best to accommodate your requirements but we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met. Furthermore, we have no liability to you if such requests are not met.

10.2 Confirmation that a special request has been noted or the inclusion of the special request on your confirmation or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met.

10.3 If you have any medical problem or disability which may affect your course or one-off event, (e.g. heart condition, asthma, epilepsy, mobility problems, mental condition etc.) please tell us when making your booking so that we can advise as to the suitability of the chosen arrangements. In any event, you must give us full details in writing at the time of booking. If we reasonably feel unable to properly accommodate your particular needs, we must reserve the right to decline your reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, cancel when we become aware of these details.

11.0 Behaviour

11.1 When you book with us, you accept responsibility for any damage or loss caused by your negligence.

11.2 You are respectfully requested to switch off your mobile phone, or switch it to silent mode, for the duration of the birdwatching session. If you are expecting an urgent call during any particular session, please let the course leader know before the commencement of the class. Otherwise if your phone rings without arrangement during a session, do not be offended if you are asked to switch it off.

11.3 You are respectfully requested to wear muted colours for birdwatching sessions. Dark colours allow us to get a little closer to the birds and may prolong our observation of the wildlife. If you arrive wearing bright red, white, yellow or pink you must expect to be asked to cover up.

11.4 Birding with Flowers requests participants to observe the basics of fieldcraft. This means when we are approaching wildlife unnecessary noise should be kept to a minimum. If clients are talking loudly they may be asked to be quiet.

11.5 We expect all clients to have consideration for other people. The majority of Birding with Flowers clients are non-smokers. In order that they can enjoy their course or one-off event in comfort, we insist that smokers refrain from smoking or vaping in the proximity of all other group members, and while watching wildlife, at all times. Smoking indoors in any public space – e.g. bird hide – is illegal, while smoking in any confined space – e.g. at any other group gathering or in a vehicle – cannot be permitted. Additionally, Birding with Flowers implements a policy of eco-tourism and requests that smokers dispose of used cigarette ends, which contain non-biodegradable material, responsibly. In booking a course or one-off event you agree to accept these guidelines, and it is the right of our course leader to dismiss from a class, event or course any participant failing to respect them.

11.6 If, in the reasonable opinion of the course leader, you behave in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, upset or distress to any third party (including the course leader) or damage to property or fauna (including the collecting of any specimen from the natural world, for example any plants or insects), we are entitled, without prior notice, to terminate your attendance on the course or one-off event of the person(s) concerned. In this situation, you will be required to leave the course or event immediately. We will have no further responsibility toward you including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

11.7 If, in the reasonable opinion of the tour leader you are asked to modify your behaviour in any way, that modification, once agreed, must be adhered to. Any failure to modify your behaviour as previously agreed will result in the immediate expulsion of that person(s) from the course. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

11.8 The course leader reserves the right to bar any person that he/she considers is behaving in any manner detrimental to the smooth running of the course from attendance on any future courses or one-off events. In the first instance this will involve the lack of a renewal information for a future course or one-off event to the individual(s) concerned. Renewal emails/renewals will only automatically be sent to those whose behaviour has caused no problems to either the course leader or to other members attending the course or one-off event.

11.9 If any course member has a problem with the behaviour of any other course member this must be brought to the attention of the course leader, preferably in writing. The person(s) concerned will be questioned and the opinion of other course members sought. If the case appears weak the individual will be informed of his/her alleged behaviour, and warned that any future recurrence will result in immediate explusion. If the case against the individual appears strong then that person(s) will be required to leave the course or event immediately. We will have no further responsibility toward such person(s) including any return travel arrangements. No refunds will be made and we will not pay any expenses or costs incurred as a result of the termination.

12.0 The course leader’s decision on any dispute is final.