Holywell Birding

Sunny Cumbria

2012-05-22T14:25:00.001-07:00

This week Crammy Birder is over in Cumbria to help me with some BTO Tetrads. We woke up this morning to glorious blue skies and 20°C heat, almost too hot! Our first tetrad was little Salkeld where highlights were spotted flycatcher, three grey wagtail, dipper, garden warbler, whitethroat, tree sparrow, and blackcap. After we completed a second tetrad we headed to Powter Howe, wood warbler, pied fly and cuckoo being the highlights Stepping up with technology I recently purchased an iPhone, this post and images have all been taken and published from it, amazing stuff !

Seen a Stunner in Hartlepool

2012-05-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

Last minute decision to head down for the reported Red-Spotted Bluethroat that had been frequenting Cliff Terrace on Hartlepool Headland last night. Picking Phil up at 06:00 we arrived at about 07:00 to the news that it was present but hadn't been seen for a good 20 minutes. Not to worry plenty of bits and pieces around, and bushes to search.

Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Grasshopper Warbler, Wheatear, Whimbrel and a deceased ringed Blackbird, in a hedge with a cat, were all present. The Bluethroat soon joined the cast, showing on and off in the gardens of number 14, 15, and 16 of Cliff Terrace. What a stunner ! It spent the majority of its time feeding on the ground, with the occasional alight of a nearby fence, or wall. Despite the wet weather and poor light I managed to capture the above image.

All done...

2012-05-05T08:04:00.002-07:00

… University that is, the last assignment was handed in yesterday. With the afternoon now completely free, myself and Ciara headed up to RSPB Campfield Marsh, in search of the reported Spoonbill. On arrival, scanning the large salt marsh pool, where it had been present only 20 minutes prior, it couldn't be seen, instead Mute Swan, Shelduck, Mallard, and a couple of Teal. Heading up the track to the main hide the above Willow Warbler happily sat in the open, staring us out at the sound of the shutter.

On reaching the main hide Ciara picked up the Spoonbill almost straight away, right on the far side of the pool, although you could still see that it was a dapper bird. Curlew, Black Headed Gull and Lapwing were also present. Following the track back we picked up a Sedge Warbler singing, my first for the year.

The same evening we headed down to the Badgers, have a look HERE.

Gdale

2012-04-28T06:22:00.000-07:00

Spent this morning with GWW and Danny, covering the area of Geltsdale nearest to Ewan's house We had at least 3 male Pied Flycatchers, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Sparrowhawk pair, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Stonechat, Skylark, Wheatear, 3 Ring Ouzel, 5 Roe Deer and a Badger.

I'll be back down later in the summer to try to capture some images of these beautiful birds.

Almost there...

2012-04-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

I'm back over in Cumbria completing my final University assignments, I don't know where the past three years have gone !

With almost continuous messages with sightings from the East Coast since I arrived in the West, the need to get out was felt more than ever! Handing in my final Media Production at 12:00, I found myself travelling South, to South Walney Nature Reserve. I'd never visited the site before, but had heard plenty about it.

I wasn't disappointed, by the time I arrived the sun was out, with a light easterly breeze. Driving through and past Windermere with its extensive woodlands, and peaks in the background really does make Cumbria a beautiful county. Walney Island is no exception, with its vast marshes, mudflats and grazed sandy ground, coupled with industry and the areas history it provides some stunningly unusual views.

The afternoon held, Linnet, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Turnstone, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Lapwing, Eider, Herring, Lesser Black Backed, Great Black Backed, and Black Headed Gulls, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Starling, some foreign Emperor Geese, Sandwich Tern and a tiercel Peregrine which had just caught a Skylark.

Heading home via Kirkstone Pass I couldn't resist stopping off at last years haunts on the River Eamont. Parking on the Ullswater road opposite the Sockbridge Mill, you head down a old holloway, with overhanging Hawthorns and Blackthorns which leads you to the river. Once you reach the river a small ford breaks the river into two, forming an island, which was today blanketed with Wood Anemones and Wild Garlic. A Willow Warbler song overhead, a Blackcap and a Chiff Chaff fed low in a nearby Willow, with a Dipper flying by once or twice.

Following the river downstream you reach a small steep sided woodland. It doesn't cover a large area of ground, but its definitely one of my favourite spots in Cumbria. I always seem to be drawn to woodland, especially woodland that can hit all your senses as soon as you pass under its canopy. The first thing is the noise, the tree tops are filled with Rooks and Jackdaws, the Rooks form a substantial Rookery and the Jackdaws fill the cracks in the nearby red sandstone outcrops. They protest your approach and trespassing under their tree's by calling harshly, flying on mass now and again. Scent follows, the congregation of birds has filled the air with the smell of their droppings, almost like that of the Farne's but not as fishy, the closed canopy seems to bottle it up, but every now and then the overpowering smell of the Ramsons pushes through, and you notice the brilliant white clustered flowers, sight. Not a patch of ground is bare, Dogs Mercury, Bluebells, Primroses, Wood Anemones, Violets, Ferns and Mosses to name a few, Honeysuckle and Ivy climb the tree's. Through all of this you can eventually feel the wood.

The River Eamont runs gently alongside, I was surprised to find a reasonably confiding Red Breasted Merganser feeding amongst the root systems.

Roe Deer, roading Woodcock, and Tawny Owls drew the day to an end.

Last thing...

2012-04-24T14:13:00.000-07:00

Back at the Beehive in the last rays of sunlight this evening to have another look at the Avocet, which has been around for the past 2 days now.

Avocet at Beehive Flash

2012-04-23T09:17:00.000-07:00

Still present at 16:45 today.

Best viewed in HD.

Hoooooo

2012-04-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

BTO Nest Record Scheme

2012-04-17T07:29:00.000-07:00

This morning my BTO Nest Record Scheme pack arrived, I'd been inspired through the work of Kane and Gillian. Taking a break from my final project I headed over to Red House Farm, mainly to check the bird boxes (courtesy of Wellfield Middle School) I had put up over the winter, in an attempt to hold the visiting Tree Sparrows.

Unfortunately the Tree Sparrows haven't used the boxes, although at least one bird is still present, calling from within the Hawthorns. Thankfully 2 out of 3 boxes are in use, both by Tit species. Both Blue Tit and Great Tit were calling in the vicinity. Box RHF Box 2 contained a half built nest, and RHF Box 3 had just recently begun gaining nesting material.

The area holds a huge number of breeding Wood Pigeons, although most are inaccessible. After searching some of the lower Hawthorns I eventually found this nest with 2 eggs.

And for anyone interested, the post mortem for the Buzzard I found February 2011 in Cliburn Moss (near Penrith) was sent through today. Glad to see it hadn't been poisoned or shot. (double click for larger view)

Unexpected in Salford

2012-04-16T13:07:00.002-07:00

Today I've been down to the University of Salford for an interview. Once I'd finished I had a few hours before my train departed for Penrith, so I wandered off campus and along the River Irwell. The first thing to catch my eye as I headed down was a Kingfisher darting along the bank side ! Something I hadn't expected in pretty much inner city Manchester. Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Moorhen, Canada Geese, and Black Headed Gulls were all on the first bend.

The majority of the stretch I covered had flood defences either side, with large housing estates not far from the water. Adding Chiff Chaff Grey Wagtail, Stock Dove and a few Grey Squirrels I soon began moving out of the man made landscape and into a little wild corner, an area labeled on the map as the 'Irwell Sculpture Trail', it had the vibe of Plessey Woods. Another Kingfisher made it self known, along with a single Grey Heron, but as I made my way round the corner the most unexpected sighting of the day occurred, first the call, then a brief glimpse flying by, a Green Sandpiper ! Using the bank as covered I managed to creep along and watch it feeding along the shoreline.

Its amazing what urban areas can hide.

Bass Lake

2012-04-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

This morning I had my first shift at Center Parcs, teaching Wildlife Photography sessions. The amount and tameness of Red Squirrels there is unbelievable, I'm looking forward to getting some shots!

Later on myself and Roger headed over to Bass Lake, in search of Ospreys. The female had returned a couple of weeks ago, and the male just last week (which is a 2007 youngster). They've set up camp in the flooded basin nest site again this year, so distant scope views from The Dodd's feeding station were had, although apparently there are now nest cams streaming to the Whinlatter Centre.

The feeding station was worth the visit in itself, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Coal Tit, Great Tit, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker fed on the feeders, whilst Stock Doves, Jays, Jackdaws and a single Red Squirrel fed on the ground. On a beautiful afternoon like today, the feeding station view must be one of the best in the country.

2012-04-13T12:38:00.003-07:00

I've been down the Dene today with SW recording some narration for my final project. Picking him up at 11:00 we first headed to the Grey Wagtails, pleased to find them taking food into the nest, although no chicks were to be seen, I presume they've only hatched today or more likely yesterday.

Moving on to a remoter part of the dene, we spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on a fallen tree, writing and recording the narration. Amongst the hail, rain, wind and glorious sunshine we managed to see and here some of the Dene's secrets. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers were active overhead, moving from tree to tree, until we caught sight of them copulating, I'd never witnessed this behaviour before with GSW's. Next some commotion from behind, and then the culprit, a couple of Common Buzzards, interacting, possibly a pair? After the Buzzards had eventually moved on the Blackbirds could be heard 'kicking off' as it were, a characteristic sound which could only mean one thing, a Tawny Owl, first the slightest of calls, then a fly-by out of the Ivy.

Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Jackdaws, Stock Doves, Chiff Chaff, Blue Tits and Wrens were all showing signs of nesting. The Dipper showed well on our walk back to the car.

Little Gull at Holywell Pond

2012-04-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

At about 11:30 this morning I looked at my phone to find a text from BD, informing me of a Little Gull on the pond. Unfortunately I had a few things to do, and it seemed that the bird had moved off, but half an hour later I was heading down. On arrival I received news that it was back! Moving quickly down to the members hide I joined BD, after a scan of the numerous Gulls catching insects over the pond, it wasn't to be seen. Scoping round to the public hide I picked the bird up sitting on one of the fence posts. A dash down and we were enjoying good views on the bird sitting on the posts. (excuse the heavy cropped record shots)

The White-Fronted Goose is still amongst the Greylags and a few Pink-Footed Geese remain. I had my first Sand Martins on the pond last week, and the first Swallow Friday just gone, the Denes alive with Chiff Chaffs, and the majority of the residents are back to breeding.

2012 Wildlife Film Competition

2012-04-06T09:57:00.000-07:00

My short film 'A Quiet Corner' has recently came in third place for Frontier, Wildeye, Wildlife Film and NHU Africa's 2012 Wildlife Film Competition. Watch my entry below, and see what the judges said HERE.

The Windflower

2012-04-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Anemone nemorosa, is known as both the Wood Anemone and the Windflower, the latter derived from its latin name is directly related to Greek Legend. It is said the wind, Anemos, sends his Anemones in the earliest days of spring, to herald his coming.

nemorosa relates to the species habitat, meaning wooded or covered with trees.

Interestingly the flower has no scent as it does not require fertilisation by insects to produce seeds.

The flower has no true petals, instead six modified sepals.

For the majority of today I've been on the ground filming these beautiful little flowers, hopefully the weather may provide an opportunity to revisit them tomorrow.

If there was ever a moment for pictures to transfer scent, this would be that time. A few Blackthorns clustered together in a corner of the Dene, filling the air with their scent.

Out and About

2012-03-28T15:34:00.002-07:00

Last night we headed back down to the Badgers, had great views of 2 of the residents, with the highlight of seeing some new behaviour, mutual grooming.

Today started early, leaving the house at 05:30am and heading into the Pennines. Arriving at our destination the characteristic sound could be heard straight away, the bubbling of 20 male Black Grouse at their lek, 3 females were also present. I always find the atmosphere amazing on moors in the morning, when all its inhabitants make themselves heard, Curlew, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Redshank, Skylark, Red Grouse, and Golden Plover could all be heard in the vicinity of the lek. It was great to see so many Black Grouse, the most I've had at this site.

Had a Booths breakfast in Penrith, and we headed back out, this time heading South to Leighton Moss. The glorious weather saw us sitting a Warton Crag watching the Peregrines, and Ravens (with chicks) for the majority of the afternoon, but we also made a visit to the reserve.

A couple of Pheasants were coming really close, but unfortunately I only had the 100-400 lens.

The day finished with 3 Long-Eared Owls up on the moors again.

A Quiet Corner

2012-03-26T09:28:00.001-07:00

I'm currently stuck inside, grafting on a 3000 word assignment, but here's my 2012 Wildeye Film Competition Entry for now. I've got a full wildlife week planned ahead, watch this space.

Wild-Eye (New and Improved)

2012-03-22T15:11:00.001-07:00

New and improved version of the Wild-Eye, have a look :)

Open publication - Free publishing - More cumbria

Waxwing

2012-03-19T16:17:00.000-07:00

A short clip from this mornings Waxwings at Blyth Asda.

The weekend...

2012-03-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

Just a few images from this weekend, photographing the Great Crested Grebes on Killingworth Lake.

Remain unseen and unheard,

2012-03-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

and diligently use your eyes and ears, and some of the sweetest secrets of the sod are sure to be revealed to you. A quote from the Kearton Brother's, Wild Life at Home.

Setting off at 17:00 myself and Roger headed out. On approaching our destination a Roe Deer and her yearling stood on the road, jumping the dry stone wall as we approached, but not travelling far, happily feeding just the other side. This was to be the first of our close encounters.

Parking up and walking through the forest, along an old wall colonised by heather, mosses and lichens, it was quiet, a Woodpigeon breaking cover here and there, and the sound of Song Thrush singing from the uppermost branches. A short 1/4 mile walk and we were there, sitting down with are backs against a 5ft dry-stone wall, waiting for the light to fade. A Common Buzzard made the first appearance heading to roost, followed by a couple of Grey Herons.Tawny Owls began calling and the distinct bark of a Roe Deer could be heard nearby, very nearby, the sound echoing off the dark wall of conifers, so much so that it sounded like there was a second individual deep within the forest.

As I was scanning the boundary between moor and forest, Roger nudged me, and in an excited whisper he said 'Cain, Roe Deer'. Looking up a head could be seen rising just above the horizon, looking directly towards us, I whispered back 'don't move'. There was little wind, the slightest of breezes was hitting my right cheek, but at the moment we were down wind of the deer. Motionless we sat and watched the deer approaching closer and closer, steadily moving down wind of us, it knew something was there, as it walked it stomped, the sound echoing, it could almost be felt. Still it was getting closer, down to 10-15 metres, standing above us and as we sat in the heather. It let out one bark, so close that I jumped. We watched for another 5 minutes or so before it had walked round, putting us up wind, and it was off, once again below the horizon.

By this time the light had dropped significantly, Red Grouse could be heard in the distance, and an odd Woodcock passed by roading. At 18:45 I heard the faintest of hoo hoo hoo hoo's, then wing clapping, and then a Long-Eared Owl appeared, flying in front of, then above the tree's. At least two birds were present and continued to show on the boundary edge, and above the forest for the entirety of our time there. A second owl also showed, out the corner of my eye I caught movement to my left, just below the top of the wall, following its line, on our side! First thought was Long-Eared Owl, but as it appeared out the darkness it was clear, Barn Owl. Continuing its path, it flew just above our heads, no further away than my arm stretched. It passed, and then returned hovering just above us, slightly higher this time. Engrossed in the Barn Owl, we just caught sight of the Long-Eared Owl approaching, as the Barn Owl moved off the LEO returned to its forest.

Walking back to the car the screeches of the Barn Owl pair could be heard in valley, the Long-Eared Owls wing clapping from the forest boundary, and the Tawny Owl from its interior. A great night.

Wild-Eye

2012-03-12T15:55:00.000-07:00

The first issue of Wild-Eye, a University of Cumbria student magazine, has just went LIVE. You can access it HERE.

(Due to the interactive nature of the magazine it may take a minute or so to load)

An accumulation of photographs, articles and footage from mainly BA(Hons) Wildlife and Media students, but also Animal Conservation students. Paul was the original founder, and he's done a brilliant job putting it together, please give it a look.

Find my article about my time at the Loch of Strathbeg inside.

Today I've mainly been working on an editorial assignment, but once I finished the Tree Sparrows at Red house Farm were on my mind, at least 6 are still present but extremely difficult to photograph. On to the SEO' next, getting some great close encounters with one of the owls. Images can be seen below.

Short-Eared Owl

2012-03-12T10:46:00.001-07:00

I'll be posting again later tonight, but here's some shots from this afternoon. Fully camouflaged up I headed down to a local site, knee deep in water, this is what I encountered.

The North Bay

2012-03-11T13:35:00.003-07:00

Full day of filming again today, starting in the Dene, but finishing at St Mary's North Bay.

Whilst lying flat on the sand a few Rock Pipits began coming closer, as the tide covered most of the rotting seaweed.

This individual caught my eye…

I felt fairly confident that this was a Scandinavian Rock Pipit (littoralis), with its pink tinged underparts, reduced streaking and grey neck and mantle, with not seeing this race before I had a look at Mike's paper, and then sent a quick email to Alan and Mike, and it was confirmed.

Past couple of nights on patch...

2012-03-10T10:16:00.000-08:00

A text through the week from BD and a Facebook message from Jack notified me of an Egyptian Goose amongst the regulars at Holywell, at Uni until Thursday I couldn't get down for a look till Friday evening.

Walking down to the pond at about 16:00, a westerly breeze pushed some low cloud over towards the coast, the West Field held a reasonable amount of geese, although no Egyptian, 97 Greylag, 9 Pink-Footed, 1 European White-Fronted, 7 Canada and 1 CanadaXGreylag were present. Moving on to the pond, past the now common sound of Tree Sparrows, 6 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 3 pair Gadwall, Pochard (2 female, 3 male), Tufted Duck (3 male, 3 female), and 2 Mute Swan were on the water.

Leaving the hide at about 16:20 I had a quick scan of the geese again, straight away I picked out the Egyptian Goose, must of snook in behind me! Good views were had as it ventured closer to the hedge-line, before flying West into the next field with the majority of the Greylags. On towards the Dene I was pleased to find the Kestrels back at their nest site.

Today I've been down St Mary's with Jack, doing some filming for my Uni project. Reasonable numbers of waders were pushed into the North Bay as the tide came in, including 1 Purple Sandpiper. Once we'd finished for the day I headed out to Holywell, the 7 Canada, CanadaXGreylag, and 2 Pink-Footed Geese were present in the West Field, with much the same as yesterday on the pond, but also 6 Wigeon. Last stop was Red House Farm where at least 6 Tree Sparrows are still present, hopefully they may use the boxes I put up. Had great views of Long-Tailed Tits, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, and a Moorhen chasing a Brown Rat whilst I was there.