tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67168937390815031782024-03-13T12:27:59.252+00:00Steve's Birding And Wildlife Blog.Welcome to my blog!..This will be used as a diary of my many days out chasing rare birds,local birding and my experiences in the fantastic natural world of the UK,with a scattering of photos thrown in as well.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-41619545653355552402014-05-21T17:30:00.001+01:002014-05-21T17:30:05.979+01:00The Big Count....MSQ,Sunday 18.05.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the title suggests i was hoping for a big count of Odonata on my visit to the Sand Quarries today and didn't fair too badly with the most Hairy's recorded this year with 20 individuals being seen.It is hard to gauge how many are on the reserve on some occasions due to weather and the fact that they are using so many parts of the reserve now which are not accessible,but it is good news they are still sustaining their population at this inland site.Other numbers and species encountered today included the ever growing population of Azure's with a respectable count of 710 and 402 Common-blue Damselfly,225 Blue-tailed Damselfly,4 Red-eyed Damselfly,a single Large-red and last but not least 2 Four-spot Chaser.The latter were my 'First' records for the year of this common,but lovely dragonfly.Todays sightings also included several 'Syrph's' with a new species for myself in the form of Cheilosia illustrata and 'First' sightings of the year for 2 Volucella species,Bombylans and Pellucens and a single Myathropa florea.Other species seen of this large family of diptera included Parhelophilus fruitetorum/versicolor,Helophilus pendulus,Leucozona leucorum,Eristalis nemorum and Epistrophe elegans.Lepidoptera also put on a good showing with the highlights being two cracking moths,the lovely Pyrausta aurata and a Campion which was found roosting on a bench next to where we were photographing a male Common Lizard.Bird wise,nothing out of the unusual was seen apart from 2 Crossbill in the plantation.After visiting this reserve for the best part of 27 years,today i recorded my first deer species,with a single Muntjac being flushed from thick vegetation near the car park.I have seen this species in many different habitats from Coastal Buckthorn scrub to Mature Woodland,what a widespread and adaptable species it is.Another fine visit to this cracking little reserve.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZp45fmKfuQ/U3zRirQcIcI/AAAAAAAAEvs/rXa2AfmzC4o/s1600/Cheilosa+illustrata,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZp45fmKfuQ/U3zRirQcIcI/AAAAAAAAEvs/rXa2AfmzC4o/s1600/Cheilosa+illustrata,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoverfly sp. Cheilosia illustrata</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1ISAPgEqg/U3zRssvqgtI/AAAAAAAAEv0/sOLFLthdbzA/s1600/Clytus+arietus,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dN1ISAPgEqg/U3zRssvqgtI/AAAAAAAAEv0/sOLFLthdbzA/s1600/Clytus+arietus,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasp Beetle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUcpbOcVbpw/U3zR57vdHgI/AAAAAAAAEv8/dmiJdG3PLVM/s1600/Immature+Male+Red-eyed+Damselfly,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iUcpbOcVbpw/U3zR57vdHgI/AAAAAAAAEv8/dmiJdG3PLVM/s1600/Immature+Male+Red-eyed+Damselfly,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature male Red-eyed Damselfly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTqjH3DoA6Y/U3zSH6AxpwI/AAAAAAAAEwE/6VLnbRIKXL0/s1600/Campion,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTqjH3DoA6Y/U3zSH6AxpwI/AAAAAAAAEwE/6VLnbRIKXL0/s1600/Campion,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tA3qzfr1QaQ/U3zSYrJHViI/AAAAAAAAEwM/l2SJXDrPHdQ/s1600/Pyrausta+aurata,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tA3qzfr1QaQ/U3zSYrJHViI/AAAAAAAAEwM/l2SJXDrPHdQ/s1600/Pyrausta+aurata,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro Moth sp. Pyrausta aurata.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ9iSpmR_Bw/U3zSoZG-1iI/AAAAAAAAEwU/zlqap7vvh0E/s1600/Male+Common+Lizard,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ9iSpmR_Bw/U3zSoZG-1iI/AAAAAAAAEwU/zlqap7vvh0E/s1600/Male+Common+Lizard,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Common Lizard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNy6hyWj2BE/U3zS9Q5NsrI/AAAAAAAAEwc/LWZWf3UeYWk/s1600/Larval+case+of+Psyche+casta,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RNy6hyWj2BE/U3zS9Q5NsrI/AAAAAAAAEwc/LWZWf3UeYWk/s1600/Larval+case+of+Psyche+casta,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larval case of Micro Moth sp. Psyche casta.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4fcJTinT93c/U3zTVo8U1RI/AAAAAAAAEwk/KgWI0uHWnGE/s1600/Male+Brimstone,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4fcJTinT93c/U3zTVo8U1RI/AAAAAAAAEwk/KgWI0uHWnGE/s1600/Male+Brimstone,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Brimstone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49-7IHd26y0/U3zTr_pyHFI/AAAAAAAAEws/26c6A5-866M/s1600/Four-spot+Chaser,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-49-7IHd26y0/U3zTr_pyHFI/AAAAAAAAEws/26c6A5-866M/s1600/Four-spot+Chaser,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four-spot Chaser.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-76517327026656184192014-05-20T19:20:00.002+01:002014-05-20T19:20:51.317+01:00North York's Lepidoptera etc.....Saturday 17th May 2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An organised meet today with Allan,Colin and Jackie,saw me heading bright and early to North York's in the hope of seeing two of this country's rarest butterfly species..Duke of Burgundy and Pearl-bordered Fritillary.I planned to visit Forge Valley first,so it was here i started proceedings.I parked at the 'Old Mans Mouth' car park,got the gear together and began my walk along the extensive board walk here to the sound of the rushing water of the River Derwent and close by a pair of Grey Wagtail feeding an expectant brood.The riverine woodland here was brimming with wild flowers and the smell of Ramsons filled the air and other species included the beautiful Early-purple Orchid,Herb Robert and Bennet,Greater Stichwort,Wood Sorrel and Butterbur.I know from previous visits to this area that it is usually good for the declining Spotted Flycatcher,with it being a stronghold for them and it wasn't long before i was enjoying stunning close views of a prospecting pair.The male came incredibly close and i gained the best views of the species i have ever had the privilege of enjoying,little beauties.Other bird sightings included a foraging Marsh Tit and Warblers which included Garden,Willow,Blackcap and Chiffchaff.As i walked the riverside a few fleeting glimpses of Brown Trout in the river added another spectacle to this fantastic start to the day.Time was getting on and i made the short journey into Ayton to meet up with Allan,Jackie and Col.Before long we were on the road again heading for site number 2 for the day.Thankfully the sun was out in full force now,ideal butterfly weather and as we walked along the moorland path our first Green Hairstreaks of the day were encountered.It wasn't long before we were watching and enjoying our first of 26 Duke of Burgundy as they flitted and chased about the bracken.This diminutive little member of the metalmark family is not an easy species to photograph and it was hard work to get a shot without vegetation in the way,but i eventually did with a little patience.Other species of Lepidoptera included Peacock,Red Admiral,Small Tort and Green-veined White.A few birds were also seen on the journey to and from this site and included a Tawny Owl sat on a hillside rock,before disappearing,2 singing male Tree Pipit and a superb encounter with a female Red Grouse and her brood of chicks.Back in the car again and off to site number 3 through the stunning countryside we went,I'm glad Allan knew were he was going.The target species at this third site was the beautiful Pearl-bordered Fritillary,a sadly declining species which seem to be doing well here and we managed some cracking views of this rare butterfly as they nectared and searched for a mate.These are my first ones since a visit to the Wyre Forest some years ago and refreshed my memory nicely as to what a beautiful insect they are.Other interesting sights here included more Early-purple Orchids,our second sightings of Dingy Skipper for the day and a lovely Common Buzzard mewed over head.The final site of the Day was Allans baby,Forden Bank or Fodden as i kept getting told to pronounce it.This is basically a chalk grassland site that has been managed by the North Yorkshire branch of butterfly conservation and was pretty impressive with its array of insects,wildflowers and bird species for a relatively small pocket of managed habitat.Insect highlights here included several Wall,Common-blue and Brown Argus from the butterfly world and the stunning metallic Leaf Beetle Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis.These little Leaf Beetles belong to the colour full Chrysomelidae family which includes the Potatoe pest,Colorado Beetle.Several lovely chalk grassland flowers here included my 'First' Green-winged Orchids,with a few of the Var.alba form,Nettle-leaved Bellflower,Dog Violet,Black Medick and Basil Thyme.So after a pretty hectic day visiting several sites,i made the journey home,back to Lincolnshire after enjoying another brilliant visit to this cracking part of the world.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgaxrCZawYI/U3uYP6xnDsI/AAAAAAAAEuE/vIIJXWirMwg/s1600/Forge+Valley,North+Yorkshire...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgaxrCZawYI/U3uYP6xnDsI/AAAAAAAAEuE/vIIJXWirMwg/s1600/Forge+Valley,North+Yorkshire...._edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forge Valley SSSI.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjwXzhmaFYc/U3uYbiQDIoI/AAAAAAAAEuM/fyS4GQZMcVg/s1600/Singing+male+Spotted+Flycatcher,Forge+Valley,North+Yorkshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjwXzhmaFYc/U3uYbiQDIoI/AAAAAAAAEuM/fyS4GQZMcVg/s1600/Singing+male+Spotted+Flycatcher,Forge+Valley,North+Yorkshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Male Spotted Flycatcher,Forge Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUxF-bRJyGk/U3uYttNJ7xI/AAAAAAAAEuU/5agviaE9kRI/s1600/Ramsons,Forge+Valley,North+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUxF-bRJyGk/U3uYttNJ7xI/AAAAAAAAEuU/5agviaE9kRI/s1600/Ramsons,Forge+Valley,North+Yorkshire..jpg" height="298" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ramsons,Forge Valley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-VrMi6rpT0/U3uY9ZLiu_I/AAAAAAAAEuc/4EM69QKzWfI/s1600/Dingy+Skipper,Hawnby,North+Yorkshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-VrMi6rpT0/U3uY9ZLiu_I/AAAAAAAAEuc/4EM69QKzWfI/s1600/Dingy+Skipper,Hawnby,North+Yorkshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dingy Skipper.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8BYPjeA22DQ/U3uZRyZEruI/AAAAAAAAEuk/-Kml9ZTNNY8/s1600/Duke+of+Burgundy,Hawnby,North+Yorkshire.....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8BYPjeA22DQ/U3uZRyZEruI/AAAAAAAAEuk/-Kml9ZTNNY8/s1600/Duke+of+Burgundy,Hawnby,North+Yorkshire.....jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Duke Of Burgundy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHWB3k6gw9w/U3uZd5y2Z7I/AAAAAAAAEus/8zog9V7H-o8/s1600/Red+Grouse+chick,Hawnby,North+Yorkshire+Moors+National+Park....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHWB3k6gw9w/U3uZd5y2Z7I/AAAAAAAAEus/8zog9V7H-o8/s1600/Red+Grouse+chick,Hawnby,North+Yorkshire+Moors+National+Park....._edited-1.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Red Grouse chick.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UaIvIDMN64E/U3uZzJMKl1I/AAAAAAAAEu0/TZ3fZpTbH0A/s1600/Pearl-bordered+Fritilllary,North+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UaIvIDMN64E/U3uZzJMKl1I/AAAAAAAAEu0/TZ3fZpTbH0A/s1600/Pearl-bordered+Fritilllary,North+Yorkshire..jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pearl-bordered Fritillary.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXVs4YkIWRQ/U3uaEGelbMI/AAAAAAAAEu8/m7-_NOuOyrw/s1600/Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXVs4YkIWRQ/U3uaEGelbMI/AAAAAAAAEu8/m7-_NOuOyrw/s1600/Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forden Bank.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlUF3DRC1vo/U3uaVbJA6xI/AAAAAAAAEvE/K02Sgi9tNgo/s1600/Cryptocephalus+hypochaeridis,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RlUF3DRC1vo/U3uaVbJA6xI/AAAAAAAAEvE/K02Sgi9tNgo/s1600/Cryptocephalus+hypochaeridis,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire..jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaf Beetle sp. Chryptocephalus hypochaeridis,Forden Bank.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfodzREH1po/U3uarjthUoI/AAAAAAAAEvM/sqgRUjPBIkw/s1600/Green-winged+Orchid..Var+alba,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfodzREH1po/U3uarjthUoI/AAAAAAAAEvM/sqgRUjPBIkw/s1600/Green-winged+Orchid..Var+alba,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire..jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green-winged Orchid of the var.alba form,Forden Bank.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8ZIWmxQehs/U3ua6i39AeI/AAAAAAAAEvU/SR9KB6XZypg/s1600/Nettle-leaved+Bell+flower,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8ZIWmxQehs/U3ua6i39AeI/AAAAAAAAEvU/SR9KB6XZypg/s1600/Nettle-leaved+Bell+flower,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nettle-leaved Bellflower,Forden Bank.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcVY7062KWk/U3ubKicJ71I/AAAAAAAAEvc/G4Fwwscd-B4/s1600/Wall,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TcVY7062KWk/U3ubKicJ71I/AAAAAAAAEvc/G4Fwwscd-B4/s1600/Wall,Forden+Bank,North+Yorkshire..jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wall,Forden Bank.</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-12320013024844543322014-05-12T20:35:00.002+01:002014-05-12T20:35:41.227+01:00MSQ Odonata etc....Sunday 11.05.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With an unsettled days weather forecast again for today,i was undecided whether to go out,but as the sun broke through another rain shower i decided to head over to MSQ in the hope there had been an emergence of the hoped for Dragons and Damsels in numbers at last.It soon became apparent that a few species had emerged and after meeting up with Dave i began to count the species.It was a close run thing between Azure and Common-blue Damselflies for sheer numbers with 529 and 448 respectively counted and this was probably an under count as mass clouds were encountered in a few areas were there was shelter from the north westerly wind.Other species logged and their numbers included 8 immature Red-eyed Damselfly,6 Large-red Damselfly and 131 Blue-tailed Damselfly,with my first Hairy Dragonflies being seen also,with 7 individuals being counted.Several species of Syrphidae were also seen today and included the attractive Leucozona leucorum and Dasysyrphus albostriata,Eristalis pertinax and three 'First's' for the year in the form of Parhelophilus frutetorum/versicolor,Episyrphus balteatus and Epistrophe elegans.A few butterflies were on the wing in between the showers featuring 7 species,the best of which was a very active Wall,which would not settle for photos.The vast family of Coleoptera found on and around the reserve today included a few niceties with Cream-spot Ladybird being the best,found feeding on a Birch in the heath area,a cracking little species and other members of this family included several Seven-spot and a single 14 spot.Very few new birds were recorded today,but included 6 singing male Garden Warbler and 40 Swift.The former being my fave warbler,with it's lovely liquid rambling song,a real joy to see and sadly a declining species through habitat loss in many areas.So today was a very productive visit and we saw no rain and the temperature was fairly warm.Hopefully over the next week more emergences will mean some bigger numbers on the next visit.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQtARbI8J5I/U3EgJ48HcaI/AAAAAAAAErU/Xc9liWTbPlk/s1600/Large+White%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQtARbI8J5I/U3EgJ48HcaI/AAAAAAAAErU/Xc9liWTbPlk/s1600/Large+White%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.....jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large White.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KauqYxl_YWE/U3EgWF3yfwI/AAAAAAAAErc/sBkJmaFXNhs/s1600/Common+Footman%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KauqYxl_YWE/U3EgWF3yfwI/AAAAAAAAErc/sBkJmaFXNhs/s1600/Common+Footman%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Footman Caterpillar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEOsrn44Z-Q/U3EggwpahWI/AAAAAAAAErk/MgU6_eqcJtM/s1600/Cream-spot+Ladybird%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEOsrn44Z-Q/U3EggwpahWI/AAAAAAAAErk/MgU6_eqcJtM/s1600/Cream-spot+Ladybird%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="305" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cream-spot Ladybird.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFFLiZ4GrOk/U3EgwyiqYcI/AAAAAAAAErs/XC6gCOmc4JY/s1600/Chiffchaff%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFFLiZ4GrOk/U3EgwyiqYcI/AAAAAAAAErs/XC6gCOmc4JY/s1600/Chiffchaff%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="170" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiffchaff.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBd9YSki7kU/U3EhA1PUUrI/AAAAAAAAEr0/tzu8XQ-9nrI/s1600/Female+Hairy+Dragonfly%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBd9YSki7kU/U3EhA1PUUrI/AAAAAAAAEr0/tzu8XQ-9nrI/s1600/Female+Hairy+Dragonfly%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.....jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Hairy Dragonfly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrG42CJ70AA/U3EhLdeTipI/AAAAAAAAEr8/kFdkW6nNbRc/s1600/Larval+Case+Of+Coleophora+serratella%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrG42CJ70AA/U3EhLdeTipI/AAAAAAAAEr8/kFdkW6nNbRc/s1600/Larval+Case+Of+Coleophora+serratella%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larval case of Coleophora serratella</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNglNUUaQX8/U3Eha2-WD4I/AAAAAAAAEsE/jb3jt_ub4PM/s1600/Male+Pheasant%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TNglNUUaQX8/U3Eha2-WD4I/AAAAAAAAEsE/jb3jt_ub4PM/s1600/Male+Pheasant%252CMessingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Pheasant.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-3920973792287152012014-05-07T11:23:00.002+01:002014-05-07T11:25:08.476+01:00Stridd Woods And Upper Wharfedale.....05.05.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After Trace and myself had stayed in Leeds the previous evening and as the forecast was pretty good,we decided to drive the short journey over to the Bolton Abbey Estate and visit the superb Stridd Woods and River Wharfe.We paid our entrance fee for the day,got the gear together and just as we left the car we were greeted by a singing male Redstart and Garden Warbler,a nice welcome.We then began our walk around this beautiful part of the Dales National Park,crossing over the wooden bridge at Cavendish Pavillion and on to the woodland pathway.The first thing that impressed me was how many Bluebells were on show,the whole woodland on both banks of the river being carpeted with them,what a stunning sight.Another favourite,Ramsons filled the air with that subtle garlicky smell.Several nice plants can be found here and we recorded Dog's Mercury,Woodruff,Greater Celandine,Dog Violet,Greater Stichwort and the lovely lemon flavoured Wood Sorrel.As we continued on the walk,we began to see our first and hoped for Pied Flycatcher's,with one male being particularly showy as he sang close to his chosen nest box.These really are a beautiful bird and we managed an impressive 14 singing males and only 1 female.Also in good numbers were Redstart with 7 singing males another cracking woodland speciality here.As we left the woodland to walk towards Bardon Bridge i managed to find a roosting male Orange Tip,a little beauty.At the bridge itself a single female Goosander was watched fishing and an adult and juvvie Dipper gave great views as the female fed the youngster.The remainder of the walk saw us seeing 4 drake and 1 female Mandarin,including 2 males sat up in the canopy,a comical sight to see for a duck,but of course this is their natural habitat in the wild in Asia and a further 2 Dipper along the river near to the impressive Stridd.We eventually made it back to Cavendish Pavilion and enjoyed some very welcome lunch,by now the area being packed with day visitors,i'm glad we came early.And so we travelled back home to Linolnshire after enjoying another cracking visit to this beautiful part of the world.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlmZBC0nKkU/U2oFm4C4CxI/AAAAAAAAEos/8j2BfnLS-RY/s1600/Bluebells,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mlmZBC0nKkU/U2oFm4C4CxI/AAAAAAAAEos/8j2BfnLS-RY/s1600/Bluebells,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park......_edited-1.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Of The Lovely Bluebells.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq8ko_3FPfw/U2oF3VmbfJI/AAAAAAAAEo0/msBYdL9XS1A/s1600/Drake+Mandarin+Duck,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq8ko_3FPfw/U2oF3VmbfJI/AAAAAAAAEo0/msBYdL9XS1A/s1600/Drake+Mandarin+Duck,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..._edited-1.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake Mandarin In His Treetop Home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSiz0NAjwWU/U2oGk63cm5I/AAAAAAAAEpE/WKI21j37s8E/s1600/Male+Pied+Flycatcher,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NSiz0NAjwWU/U2oGk63cm5I/AAAAAAAAEpE/WKI21j37s8E/s1600/Male+Pied+Flycatcher,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park....jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Pied Flycatcher.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SILDwGVDrhw/U2oG_YHttcI/AAAAAAAAEpM/ucQK3-Rb778/s1600/Male+Pied+Flycatcher,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SILDwGVDrhw/U2oG_YHttcI/AAAAAAAAEpM/ucQK3-Rb778/s1600/Male+Pied+Flycatcher,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Male Pied Flycatcher.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwdI0-xr-qE/U2oHSQdWJQI/AAAAAAAAEpU/yDC0TumrIp4/s1600/Roosting+Male+Orange+Tip,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MwdI0-xr-qE/U2oHSQdWJQI/AAAAAAAAEpU/yDC0TumrIp4/s1600/Roosting+Male+Orange+Tip,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roosting Male Orange Tip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2v2tRsBDVU/U2oHglSJ6RI/AAAAAAAAEpc/08Yk_z2c4U8/s1600/Wood+Anemone,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2v2tRsBDVU/U2oHglSJ6RI/AAAAAAAAEpc/08Yk_z2c4U8/s1600/Wood+Anemone,Stridd+Woods+SSSI,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Anemone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqGuko-16Kc/U2oHrjKQHvI/AAAAAAAAEpk/ilgRudsoZ1I/s1600/Adult+And+Juvenile+Dippers,Bardon+Bridge,The+River+Wharfe,The+Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SqGuko-16Kc/U2oHrjKQHvI/AAAAAAAAEpk/ilgRudsoZ1I/s1600/Adult+And+Juvenile+Dippers,Bardon+Bridge,The+River+Wharfe,The+Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park..._edited-1.jpg" height="185" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dippers,Bardon Bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1gWPBRqGtI/U2oH38n96pI/AAAAAAAAEps/tTps7YC2Fzc/s1600/Barden+Bridge+And+The+River+Wharfe,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1gWPBRqGtI/U2oH38n96pI/AAAAAAAAEps/tTps7YC2Fzc/s1600/Barden+Bridge+And+The+River+Wharfe,Yorkshire+Dales+National+Park...._edited-1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bardon Bridge.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-18911001609715814572014-05-06T09:35:00.000+01:002014-05-06T09:35:01.532+01:00GWE etc.....Saturday 03.05.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After spending a long week at work and seeing the forecast the previous night,i got home from my night shift,had a quick sleep and then decided to go over to Barton to see if there was anything 'New In'.After arriving in the old visitor centre car park i made my way over to Ness Lake.Today there was very little present apart from a fishing Common Tern and a few blasts of Cettis song.I then decided to walk west taking in Chowder Ness and the old chalk quarries,having Ring Ouzel or something better in mind.I stopped to photograph a pair of obliging Swallows at Southcliff Farm,when i noticed a large,white heron about mid-way across the river...this had to be only one species Great-white Egret!.I attempted to try and get some record shots of the bird,but they arn't even that due to the distance,but on one you can make out the long pale bill,dark legs and long wings.This was a most welcome record and a 'NEW' species for me at Barton,putting my list at a respectable 227,pretty impressive for an inland site.After seeing the Egret i then carried on my walk seeing plenty of insects,but no further notable bird sightings apart from a single Whimbrel which flew east down the estuary.Insect highlights included 6 species of butterfly with the bulk being Green-veined White and at least 6 male Orange Tip were also logged,but the best sighting of the day insect wise went to 6 newly emerged Blue-tailed Damselfly,my first sightings of the year.They were all seen along a section of sheltered hedgerow near the old visitor centre a welcome sight to see and my second sighting of Odonata for the year.After enjoying my walk i wearily made my way home,slightly worse for wear after the lack of sleep,but it was a well worth visit again to this great local area.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fRTfDQR7NUs/U2ibmF8juRI/AAAAAAAAEnc/6_lbmvZ-HzU/s1600/GWE_edited-1........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fRTfDQR7NUs/U2ibmF8juRI/AAAAAAAAEnc/6_lbmvZ-HzU/s1600/GWE_edited-1........jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great-white Egret,distant record shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7G-L4Pyql_U/U2ibwFRmN1I/AAAAAAAAEnk/GQ13g8Ce3qg/s1600/Hawthorn+Blossum,Far-Ings+NNR,Lincolnshire..._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7G-L4Pyql_U/U2ibwFRmN1I/AAAAAAAAEnk/GQ13g8Ce3qg/s1600/Hawthorn+Blossum,Far-Ings+NNR,Lincolnshire..._edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn Blossum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR9vfnaRPqQ/U2ib_jyEcnI/AAAAAAAAEns/GMRRevENkl0/s1600/Male+Orange+Tip,Barton+Cliff,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HR9vfnaRPqQ/U2ib_jyEcnI/AAAAAAAAEns/GMRRevENkl0/s1600/Male+Orange+Tip,Barton+Cliff,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="310" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Orange Tip.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvXuc9PxhBk/U2icU9pxuMI/AAAAAAAAEn0/-nHS43dzKGA/s1600/Meadow+Buttercup,Barton+Cliff,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mvXuc9PxhBk/U2icU9pxuMI/AAAAAAAAEn0/-nHS43dzKGA/s1600/Meadow+Buttercup,Barton+Cliff,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="312" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Buttercup.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wS2Dso6wxQc/U2icg2af-ZI/AAAAAAAAEn8/DgvBJ5NLwdA/s1600/Barton+Cliff,Lincolnshire...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wS2Dso6wxQc/U2icg2af-ZI/AAAAAAAAEn8/DgvBJ5NLwdA/s1600/Barton+Cliff,Lincolnshire...._edited-1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Humber end of Leggot's Quarry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKmqi2WC7no/U2icvlJ78PI/AAAAAAAAEoE/m1zQJyf3W9w/s1600/Male+Whitethroat,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire........._edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKmqi2WC7no/U2icvlJ78PI/AAAAAAAAEoE/m1zQJyf3W9w/s1600/Male+Whitethroat,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire........._edited-2.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Whitethroat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A9w_zCgGFwc/U2idRg40EbI/AAAAAAAAEoM/csC1Isa-M0k/s1600/Leggot's+Quarry+And+The+Humber,Barton,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A9w_zCgGFwc/U2idRg40EbI/AAAAAAAAEoM/csC1Isa-M0k/s1600/Leggot's+Quarry+And+The+Humber,Barton,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="134" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leggot's Quarry looking across the estuary.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whO3tQAOgfA/U2idka0iERI/AAAAAAAAEoU/DJZou97BTZU/s1600/Blue-tailed+Damselfly,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-whO3tQAOgfA/U2idka0iERI/AAAAAAAAEoU/DJZou97BTZU/s1600/Blue-tailed+Damselfly,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-tailed Damselfly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_VglmOs3BU/U2iduCLTecI/AAAAAAAAEoc/DesXjqz315E/s1600/Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_VglmOs3BU/U2iduCLTecI/AAAAAAAAEoc/DesXjqz315E/s1600/Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Pits,Old Visitor Centre and Humber Bridge.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-41368232771589261172014-04-27T08:04:00.001+01:002014-04-27T08:21:43.959+01:00Tophill....Another Cracking Visit..Saturday 26.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full day out today despite the forecast of cool conditions and the chance of rain i decided to head over to the home county and meet up with fellow birding and bug enthusiasts Martin and Doug.Heading over the Humber it was slightly misty,but a big improvement from the previous evening.On arrival at the reserve i paid my day permit and in usual fashion walked my way down to Hempholme Lock and back through D'Woods to the car park to meet up with the lads.The best birds seen during this first walk of the day included a few 'First's' for the year in the form of 3 Whimbrel north,a singing male Cuckoo along the river near to North Marsh and a single Swift feeding over D'Res with the substantial Hirundine flock.A Stoat along the pathway near to Hempholme Lock was the only mammal highlight of the day.A quick look on D-Res before the boys arrived saw me seeing a cracking Hobby which headed straight for the hide and presumably went south,giving some superb views,another 'First' for the year.On the Res itself 19 Goldeneye and a single Scaup were still present from the wintering wildfowl,but little else was seen apart from a hand full of Yellow Wagtail along the Res wall.Eventually i met up with Doug and Martin and i was kindly shown the reserve moth traps,with a few species being seen in the form of Powdered Quaker,Red Chestnut,Hebrew Character,Common Quaker,Clouded Drab and the highlight for me a superb Herald.This latter species are a cracking moth and one i have not seen that many times,so was a welcome sighting.After the mothing we began to explore the other areas of the reserve,visiting South Marsh where the best bird of the day in rarity terms for the reserve was an adult Kittiwake picked out by Martin loafing on one of the newly created gravel islands.This bird did not look in the best of health as they often aren't when found inland,but a very welcome sighting all the same.Watton Borrow Pits revealed very little apart from a Little Egret and 2 Goosander passed overhead while we walked down the side of O'Res.By now it was getting towards lunch,so we decided to have it in D'Res hide before continuing around to D'Pond.The chaps had decided to visit this small woodland pond in the hope of finding some emerging Large-red Damselflies and to count exuviae and we managed to find a single adult and 6 exuviae,but Martin managed to find me a new species here,a Water Ladybird.An unusual elongate species compared to the other members of the family and incredibly small also,one i will certainly look for locally now i know the habitat to look for them in.We walked through D-Woods to an area where Doug and Martin had found another species of Ladybird,the Larch Ladybird and i was really chuffed to find one myself,another tiny species found at the end of a Larch branch which had flowers and new bud growth,this species being less obvious and fairly well camouflaged,so two new ladybirds in half an hour wasn't too bad!.We arrived at North pond where a couple of visitors had found another Large-red Dam and while hear another two 'First's' for the year from the avian world were logged,a single Arctic Tern which drifted north east over the river and a single Greenshank which 'TU tu tu'd' it's way south of over D'Res.As we wandered back towards the car park Martin pointed out a few interesting Fungi,with the highlight being the very smart Beech Candlesnuff Fungi.This species is found in Beech leaf litter and grows on year old Beechmast,a cracking species and one i had never seen.Today's collection of sightings just goes to show what you can see when you know where to look and open your eyes to the bigger picture of the natural world,even on a relatively small corner of the country.A big thanks to Martin and Doug for their company and allowing me to tag along,what a superb day out!.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08PyqS57xFU/U1yoJX_L2XI/AAAAAAAAEl8/e5fGCLlw664/s1600/Male+Swallow,Hempholme+Lock,East+Yorkshire.........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08PyqS57xFU/U1yoJX_L2XI/AAAAAAAAEl8/e5fGCLlw664/s1600/Male+Swallow,Hempholme+Lock,East+Yorkshire.........jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Swallow,Hempholme Lock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1_UWhKTGao/U1yoRy5hQNI/AAAAAAAAEmE/OWxpSSLdmC4/s1600/Hairy+Snail,D'Woods,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1_UWhKTGao/U1yoRy5hQNI/AAAAAAAAEmE/OWxpSSLdmC4/s1600/Hairy+Snail,D'Woods,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="271" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy Snail,D'Woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9V9ybnOH30M/U1yogBkw5sI/AAAAAAAAEmM/U7Ld58h7EO8/s1600/Common+Quaker,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9V9ybnOH30M/U1yogBkw5sI/AAAAAAAAEmM/U7Ld58h7EO8/s1600/Common+Quaker,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="320" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Quaker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfKouz7Q7A4/U1yovirAZmI/AAAAAAAAEmU/jd-uB28tJR0/s1600/Herald,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfKouz7Q7A4/U1yovirAZmI/AAAAAAAAEmU/jd-uB28tJR0/s1600/Herald,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herald.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROOnCHKZh3k/U1ypDy5XNRI/AAAAAAAAEmc/uXFF9g_bZg4/s1600/Powdered+Quaker,South+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ROOnCHKZh3k/U1ypDy5XNRI/AAAAAAAAEmc/uXFF9g_bZg4/s1600/Powdered+Quaker,South+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powdered Quaker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82RuPI0FahI/U1ypZzlx7lI/AAAAAAAAEmk/aRREftmTt_Y/s1600/Teneral+female+Large-red+Damselfly,D'Pond,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-82RuPI0FahI/U1ypZzlx7lI/AAAAAAAAEmk/aRREftmTt_Y/s1600/Teneral+female+Large-red+Damselfly,D'Pond,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Large-red Damselfly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCDoCbRThYs/U1ypkwe4xoI/AAAAAAAAEms/vk1pHzQQvBQ/s1600/Adult+Kittiwake,South+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCDoCbRThYs/U1ypkwe4xoI/AAAAAAAAEms/vk1pHzQQvBQ/s1600/Adult+Kittiwake,South+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire....jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Kittiwake,South Marsh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mzqs6_sTSkQ/U1ypyQI7UdI/AAAAAAAAEm0/dCk-sMFWgI8/s1600/Adult+Kittiwake,South+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mzqs6_sTSkQ/U1ypyQI7UdI/AAAAAAAAEm0/dCk-sMFWgI8/s1600/Adult+Kittiwake,South+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Kittiwake,South Marsh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e_8h-_zIf0/U1yp5eC9oOI/AAAAAAAAEm8/B4_GPgomiSA/s1600/Water+Ladybird,D'Pond,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e_8h-_zIf0/U1yp5eC9oOI/AAAAAAAAEm8/B4_GPgomiSA/s1600/Water+Ladybird,D'Pond,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire....jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Ladybird,D'Pond.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2YqeOBbVIQ/U1yqEvsCirI/AAAAAAAAEnE/8HE2b4nM1cw/s1600/Larch+Ladybird,D'Woods,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2YqeOBbVIQ/U1yqEvsCirI/AAAAAAAAEnE/8HE2b4nM1cw/s1600/Larch+Ladybird,D'Woods,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larch Ladybird,D'Woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVB7s6knXAM/U1yqOsw5PuI/AAAAAAAAEnM/OK96ExV-uoA/s1600/Timothy+Tortrix+Larva,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KVB7s6knXAM/U1yqOsw5PuI/AAAAAAAAEnM/OK96ExV-uoA/s1600/Timothy+Tortrix+Larva,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timothy Tortrix Larva.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-89372212402538156082014-04-22T16:32:00.002+01:002014-04-22T16:32:16.774+01:00Return To The Sand Quarries....Monday 21.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a decent forecast in prospect today i headed down the M180 to Messingham and the gem of a reserve that is Messingham Sand Quarries managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.I started the visit in usual fashion by looking on the sheep fields and the usual suspects were present as on my previous visit.This included at least 32 Sand Martin and 2 Redshank on and around the new workings and a displaying male Redshank,singing male Snipe,single Egyptian Goose and 4 Brown Hare on the fields.In the surrounding hedgerows and woodland 10 Willow Warbler and 2 male Blackcap sang their lovely songs.I then made my way around to the reserve proper and it was nice to see the Common Tern from my previous visit had now attracted a mate and much displaying and mobbing of intruders near to their raft was great to watch.Another single individual was watched over the main lake later on.As i walked past the small dipping platform i heard that distinct scratchy,low key song of a male Reed Warbler and i was soon watching this lovely little warbler,with another 2 birds being heard adjacent to the main lake.The Heath area revealed several nice insects,the best of which was the attractive Hoverfly sp. Leucozona leucorum and a male Common Lizard showed nicely in its Heather home.Other notables where at least 5 Twenty four-spot Ladybird,a Common Footman on the trunk of a nearby Oak,2 Gorse Shieldbug and a single Green Shieldbug.On the main lake apart from the afore-mentioned Common Tern,2 Goldeneye still held on,a 2nd calendar year drake and female,but very little else was seen on here.Just down from the Duck hide my second new species for the year came in the form of another 'Acro',a singing male Sedge Warbler,but he was a proper skulker and i never even managed to see him,which was a shame as these are one of my fave species.A little further over the little bridge down towards the wader hide a single female Large-red Damselfly was seen flying up from the ground as it's amber wings glinted in the sun.I attempted to get near it to try and get some pics,but it was having none of it and disappeared into some tall Birch trees,bugger.Quite good numbers of Butterflies had been seen today and included Brimstone,Green-veined White,Speckled Wood,Orange Tip,Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell,a female Brimstone gave superb views as she was watched laying eggs on an Alder Buckthorn tree.As is usual some nice flower were seen and included Greater Stichwort,Marsh Marigold and two new species for the year,Meadow Saxifrage and Cuckoo Flower.Another great visit to this excellent reserve.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9m1sTA7tb4/U1aJVhIE99I/AAAAAAAAEk8/LdBG1A1VCbQ/s1600/Common+Footman+Larva,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n9m1sTA7tb4/U1aJVhIE99I/AAAAAAAAEk8/LdBG1A1VCbQ/s1600/Common+Footman+Larva,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Footman Larva.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9zWfB8Nhrg/U1aJiLY0eBI/AAAAAAAAElE/Q6oRBj7hIlA/s1600/Greater+Stichwort,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9zWfB8Nhrg/U1aJiLY0eBI/AAAAAAAAElE/Q6oRBj7hIlA/s1600/Greater+Stichwort,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Stichwort.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yH0xFhfkgiI/U1aJwxalJ1I/AAAAAAAAElM/RTM93-XopRE/s1600/Meadow+Saxifrage,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yH0xFhfkgiI/U1aJwxalJ1I/AAAAAAAAElM/RTM93-XopRE/s1600/Meadow+Saxifrage,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Saxifrage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8YFcISo89I/U1aKCqv27aI/AAAAAAAAElU/8lcVuBRLvKI/s1600/Green+Shieldbug,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E8YFcISo89I/U1aKCqv27aI/AAAAAAAAElU/8lcVuBRLvKI/s1600/Green+Shieldbug,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Shieldbug.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P0BAXwfJCc/U1aKRKVeWxI/AAAAAAAAElc/jNddJzClTQs/s1600/Male+Pheasant,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P0BAXwfJCc/U1aKRKVeWxI/AAAAAAAAElc/jNddJzClTQs/s1600/Male+Pheasant,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR...._edited-1.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Pheasant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--v0DbXf392o/U1aKdR4V6zI/AAAAAAAAElk/ouwx9IMn-VU/s1600/Black-headed+Gulls,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--v0DbXf392o/U1aKdR4V6zI/AAAAAAAAElk/ouwx9IMn-VU/s1600/Black-headed+Gulls,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......_edited-1.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gulls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67OHn_AfGlc/U1aKrmrvgfI/AAAAAAAAEls/sI8xwL-R9wI/s1600/Drake+Gadwall,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67OHn_AfGlc/U1aKrmrvgfI/AAAAAAAAEls/sI8xwL-R9wI/s1600/Drake+Gadwall,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="173" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake Gadwall.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-9269786725459890032014-04-19T07:33:00.002+01:002014-04-19T07:33:18.926+01:00Wonderfull Hatfield....Good Friday,18.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full day on the cards today after picking Trace up and taking her home to get some sleep and i decided to go and visit one of the other parts of the superb and extensive Humberhead Peatlands at Hatfield.I used Boston park as a base and tried to cover as much of the reserve as was possible.After packing the food and drink etc. into the rucksack i started by looking around Boston Park itself,some nice views were had of about 30 Sand Martin as they hawked for insects over the lake and a Little Owl was seen roosting in a stack of bales giving some nice views.I made my way along to Badger Corner Lake,where the first highlight of the day was found,a female Large-red Damselfly.This was the first of 7 seen during my visit today and are my earliest personal records of this cracking Damsel.I continued around the reserve seeing and hearing several Willow Warbler,Blackcap and Chiffchaff and a distant Common Buzzard was watched as it displayed over an adjacent wood.I carried on seeing very few 'New' migrants until i came across two Wheatear on the side of Packards South and a single Little-ringed Plover passed overhead.The best sighting of the day was encountered along here,1 male and 3 female Adders.They gave stunning views with a little patience and the male was in pristine condition after sloughing his old skin,but for me female Adders are the stars,cracking animals and are by far my favourite native animal.The weather wasn't too bad today and in between the periods of sun,some good numbers of Butterflies were recorded with 7 species being seen.These included 2 'Firsts' for the year in the form of 1 male Orange Tip and a single Large White,others logged included 6 Green-veined White,1 Brimstone,4 Speckled Wood,5 Small Tort and a whopping count of 42 Peacock.The latter is the largest count i have had of the species in spring.After eating my lunch at the stunning Ten Acre Lake i continued my journey looking around Red Bridge Pits where the best sighting went to another first for the year and another reptile,a male Grass Snake,found basking in vegetation on the edge of one of the ponds.And as i tried to get closer he shot off at lightning speed,they are extremely quick animals and i was so lucky to get some pictures a few years back.A quick wander around the Dragon Pits revealed nothing out of the ordinary and i returned back to the car slightly knacked to say the least,but what a great place to visit.Another great day enjoyed in this fine land of ours.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqKsRKgo8g/U1IVIm4DX2I/AAAAAAAAEjM/cHd_Vsff6ys/s1600/Female+Eristalis+intricarius,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cJqKsRKgo8g/U1IVIm4DX2I/AAAAAAAAEjM/cHd_Vsff6ys/s1600/Female+Eristalis+intricarius,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoverfly sp. Eristalis intricarius.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3STgazQ4nEQ/U1IVWSbQIxI/AAAAAAAAEjU/pnOa-Kl8-uw/s1600/Badger+Corner+Lake,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3STgazQ4nEQ/U1IVWSbQIxI/AAAAAAAAEjU/pnOa-Kl8-uw/s1600/Badger+Corner+Lake,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badger Corner Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFIcsOjsh4Y/U1IVhS16TAI/AAAAAAAAEjc/mb58D6SsefY/s1600/Blue+Tit,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rFIcsOjsh4Y/U1IVhS16TAI/AAAAAAAAEjc/mb58D6SsefY/s1600/Blue+Tit,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Tit collecting nest material.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYLORwXo16Q/U1IVvcI0g8I/AAAAAAAAEjk/Q0GEwEJR3U8/s1600/Syrphus+torvus,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYLORwXo16Q/U1IVvcI0g8I/AAAAAAAAEjk/Q0GEwEJR3U8/s1600/Syrphus+torvus,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoverfly sp. Syrphus torvus.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x7ocriMO1Q/U1IV_AMa8BI/AAAAAAAAEjs/VxCrCBxzg8w/s1600/Melanistic+Rabbit,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--x7ocriMO1Q/U1IV_AMa8BI/AAAAAAAAEjs/VxCrCBxzg8w/s1600/Melanistic+Rabbit,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melanistic Rabbit,Prison Lakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2y8EObJG-A/U1IWOirS91I/AAAAAAAAEj0/uphiTOzjT58/s1600/Willow+Warbler,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire......jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A2y8EObJG-A/U1IWOirS91I/AAAAAAAAEj0/uphiTOzjT58/s1600/Willow+Warbler,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire......jpg" height="260" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Warbler,Ten Acre Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brZKTJIw0hA/U1IWcKwvwtI/AAAAAAAAEj8/A6aLHRSN-vA/s1600/Female+Adder,Hatfield+Moor,South+Yorkshire.....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-brZKTJIw0hA/U1IWcKwvwtI/AAAAAAAAEj8/A6aLHRSN-vA/s1600/Female+Adder,Hatfield+Moor,South+Yorkshire.....jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0EL0HZQ0No/U1IWpDym_QI/AAAAAAAAEkE/2nOFVSHegqw/s1600/Female+Adder,Hatfield+Moor,NNR,South+Yorkshire..._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0EL0HZQ0No/U1IWpDym_QI/AAAAAAAAEkE/2nOFVSHegqw/s1600/Female+Adder,Hatfield+Moor,NNR,South+Yorkshire..._edited-1.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjvESmSeWJ8/U1IXEwAvxmI/AAAAAAAAEkM/c4Lx0iu2YkA/s1600/Female+Large-red+Damselfly+of+the+form+'Typica',Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire,.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjvESmSeWJ8/U1IXEwAvxmI/AAAAAAAAEkM/c4Lx0iu2YkA/s1600/Female+Large-red+Damselfly+of+the+form+'Typica',Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire,.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Large-red Damselfly of the form 'Typica',Ten Acre Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLqHlcqU_5Q/U1IXbuSY0dI/AAAAAAAAEkU/rfveLZ7SY4Q/s1600/Common+Storksbill,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oLqHlcqU_5Q/U1IXbuSY0dI/AAAAAAAAEkU/rfveLZ7SY4Q/s1600/Common+Storksbill,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Storksbill,Dragon Pits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOEz5QMcR8M/U1IXpw-7EMI/AAAAAAAAEkc/EAOBUHzbVp0/s1600/Little+Owl,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cOEz5QMcR8M/U1IXpw-7EMI/AAAAAAAAEkc/EAOBUHzbVp0/s1600/Little+Owl,Hatfield+Moor+NNR,South+Yorkshire..jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Owl,Boston Park.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-69566362723281360962014-04-14T20:27:00.003+01:002014-04-14T20:31:26.875+01:00MSQ....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another sunny day on offer today saw me heading over to MSQ to see what goodies were on offer at this superb inland reserve.I started in usual fashion by checking the sheep fields,new workings and pools and they revealed some decent numbers of birds which included 62 Sand Martin,1 Egyptian Goose,6 Redshank and a pair of Wigeon with a few Willow Warbler,Chiffies and Blackcaps in the adjacent hedgerows and woodland.I then,as usual made my way around to the reserve proper,had a quick bite to eat and made my way down to the Grebe Lake,listening to a singing male Water Rail as i walked the pathway.No Otters today on Grebe Lake,but a very welcome first for the year in the form of a single Common Tern flying over the Lake giving some nice views before it disappeared over the trees in the direction of the main lake.A minimum of 3 Kingfisher were seen on several of the water bodies today,with 2 together on the pits along the entrance track,providing some excellent viewing and some welcome colour to the days sightings,hopefully they will settle down and nest this year.I continued through the reserve and the Heathy area provided some interesting and 'First' sightings of the year in the form a single Tachina ursina and Gorse Shieldbug,the former a member of the parasitic Tachinid Fly family,these group of flies lay their eggs on the unsuspecting host before the larvae hatches and eats the host while it is still alive.Another Tachinid was also seen nearby,the much more attractive Gymnochaeta viridis,this species resembles the 'Green Bottles' and is quite common around the reserve in the wooded areas,being seen basking on the sides of sun soaked trees in the Spring,a cracking fly species.The only Reptile of the day was also seen here,a single male Common Lizard,basking in the warm spring sunshine,my first sighting on the reserve so far this year.I continued around to the Duck hide seeing very little on the main lake apart from a single House Martin feeding over the water in amongst the Sand Marts and as i left the hide another 'First' for the year in the form of a Speckled Wood boosted the already good list of insects for the day.A couple of Green-veined Whites were seen also and at least 7 Peacock Butterfly.In the plantation a Siskin was logged and a few more Chiffchaff and Blackcap gave the following Warbler totals for the day,11 Chiffie,10 Willow Warbler and 10 Blackcap.Some great showings of Marsh Marigolds are being seen around the reserve now along with Greater Stichwort,Lesser Celandine and masses of Ground Ivy.The only notable Fungi seen today was the scarce Helvella corium.Another great visit with some increasing numbers of insects at last.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbOiOqlPb6g/U0wx76C2hKI/AAAAAAAAEf8/V-Oq4Ihc6ro/s1600/Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pbOiOqlPb6g/U0wx76C2hKI/AAAAAAAAEf8/V-Oq4Ihc6ro/s1600/Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExXY29Kq14Y/U0wyjIr5D0I/AAAAAAAAEgM/a4QbtUPQ34M/s1600/Goat+Willow+Blossum,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ExXY29Kq14Y/U0wyjIr5D0I/AAAAAAAAEgM/a4QbtUPQ34M/s1600/Goat+Willow+Blossum,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat Willow Blossum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R5RlyuiJtQ/U0wyygY5uZI/AAAAAAAAEgU/7aMkPoDVXnQ/s1600/Tachina+ursina,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7R5RlyuiJtQ/U0wyygY5uZI/AAAAAAAAEgU/7aMkPoDVXnQ/s1600/Tachina+ursina,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tachinid Fly - Tachina ursina.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ccQSOfe16o/U0wzDjvIm6I/AAAAAAAAEgc/LJA3rIgFtpg/s1600/Gymnochaeta+viridis,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ccQSOfe16o/U0wzDjvIm6I/AAAAAAAAEgc/LJA3rIgFtpg/s1600/Gymnochaeta+viridis,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.....jpg" height="295" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tachinid Fly - Gymnochaeta viridis.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lre30i2LUkI/U0wzaYieoyI/AAAAAAAAEgk/7p1L5mDcl5g/s1600/Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.............._edited-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lre30i2LUkI/U0wzaYieoyI/AAAAAAAAEgk/7p1L5mDcl5g/s1600/Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.............._edited-3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaPqZ3spHzE/U0wzquYocpI/AAAAAAAAEgs/2g-jNVRM65s/s1600/Gorse+Shieldbug,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XaPqZ3spHzE/U0wzquYocpI/AAAAAAAAEgs/2g-jNVRM65s/s1600/Gorse+Shieldbug,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR...._edited-1.jpg" height="287" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorse Shieldbug.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uynTUMkV6s/U0w0YzHqfjI/AAAAAAAAEg8/KmeyNBkR7j8/s1600/Greater+Stichwort,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uynTUMkV6s/U0w0YzHqfjI/AAAAAAAAEg8/KmeyNBkR7j8/s1600/Greater+Stichwort,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Stichwort.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6fd2nBGvm8/U0w0-lia2lI/AAAAAAAAEhM/QjCNbVQxaN8/s1600/Marsh+Marigolds,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6fd2nBGvm8/U0w0-lia2lI/AAAAAAAAEhM/QjCNbVQxaN8/s1600/Marsh+Marigolds,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR...._edited-1.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Marigolds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XuptbaWC7lI/U0w1QqkElqI/AAAAAAAAEhU/2aR8NFAxBOQ/s1600/Speckled+Wood,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XuptbaWC7lI/U0w1QqkElqI/AAAAAAAAEhU/2aR8NFAxBOQ/s1600/Speckled+Wood,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Wood.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-2799388877126913142014-04-13T17:44:00.001+01:002014-04-13T17:44:33.946+01:00Local Patch....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the prospect of a lovely sunny morning on offer,Lee and myself decided to have a walk from the village out to Kettleby Quarries and the fishing lakes.The first section of the walk along Marsh Lane towards the first of the ponds revealed nothing new in with a few Swallows and singles of Blackcap,Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.On the first of the pits over the railway crossing,the pair of Great-crested Grebes were still busy feeding their brood of youngsters and the pair of Little Grebes were still showing no signs of settling down yet.After hearing a few snippets of Sylvia song i soon found the songster,a cracking male Whitethroat,my first of the year.He was watched giving his bouncing song flight over his chosen area of Nettle beds and gave some great views,a little beauty.Shortly afterwards,another great sighting in the form of a male Green Woodpecker watched feeding on the ground near the chicken farm and 'Yaffling' from a nearby Silver Birch.This was a most welcome sight,as i havn't seen one in the local area since the winter of 2010/11 which devastated the population of this species,hopefully they will have a recovery now.A few more hirundines over the main lake included 4 Sand Martin and a further 6 Swallows and they were watched as they hawked over the water for their flying prey and nearby a mini kettle of 5 Common Buzzard soared over the adajacent conifer plantation.On the water filled quarries a couple of pairs of Oystercatcher,2 Redshank and a mixed flock of Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls bathed.On the edge of the plantation a Muslin Moth caterpillar was found and on the fields up towards the hillside,2 pairs of Grey Partridge were logged and a few more insects included 4 Peacock Butterfly and 2 Small Tortoiseshell.A scattering of Wildflowers included some lovely examples of the very attractive Field Pansy and others recorded were Lesser Celandine and Coltsfoot.The top path towards St.Mary's Church saw a pair of Bullfinch and several Tawny-mining Bees being seen,but sadly no Firecrest in the churchyard today.A nice few hours out in some great weather this morning.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZoZzMzw9N4/U0q74mVk5AI/AAAAAAAAEfM/C5OLbcW5OPc/s1600/Male+Starling,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire.........._edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZoZzMzw9N4/U0q74mVk5AI/AAAAAAAAEfM/C5OLbcW5OPc/s1600/Male+Starling,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire.........._edited-2.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Starling,Barnetby-Le-Wold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxQdIKUAIXE/U0q8Z3IQdxI/AAAAAAAAEfU/IrpOMx5FpPU/s1600/Swallow,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fxQdIKUAIXE/U0q8Z3IQdxI/AAAAAAAAEfU/IrpOMx5FpPU/s1600/Swallow,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Swallow,Barnetby-Le-Wold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mjujsv7zds/U0q8-otFbgI/AAAAAAAAEfc/ufShTgwdmes/s1600/Male+Whitethroat,Kettleby+Quarries,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5mjujsv7zds/U0q8-otFbgI/AAAAAAAAEfc/ufShTgwdmes/s1600/Male+Whitethroat,Kettleby+Quarries,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Whitethroat,Kettleby Quarries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlL1eR-P2a4/U0q9QZRVLMI/AAAAAAAAEfk/cyQp4CSkiFo/s1600/Blackthorn+Hedgerow,Kettleby+Quarries,Lincolnshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tlL1eR-P2a4/U0q9QZRVLMI/AAAAAAAAEfk/cyQp4CSkiFo/s1600/Blackthorn+Hedgerow,Kettleby+Quarries,Lincolnshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackthorn Hedge,Kettleby Quarries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3_o_Qk1FzQ/U0q9gwdW48I/AAAAAAAAEfs/4EeVhA9kINE/s1600/Field+Pansy,Kettleby+Quarries,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C3_o_Qk1FzQ/U0q9gwdW48I/AAAAAAAAEfs/4EeVhA9kINE/s1600/Field+Pansy,Kettleby+Quarries,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Field Pansy,Kettleby Quarries.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-3762218201282857292014-04-12T06:34:00.001+01:002014-04-12T08:02:30.607+01:00A Mega Day....Flamborough,11.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hearing the Pied-billed Grebe hadn't been seen this morning,Trace and myself were discussing where to go and thanks to a text from Karen,this was soon decided...Crag Martin at Flamborough @#%#.I knew this journey would not be an easy one,Friday shopping traffic through Beverley was a tad frustrating to say the least and every OAP on the road in the world....no disrespect to OAP's,but they are a little more carefull at driving than a manic birder desperate to get to his destination.I eventually made into the lighthouse car park,grabbed the binos and camera bag to be told the bird had flown....Nooooo!.I could see a group of birders just to the west of the lighthouse so i made my way down there,a few friendly faces said the bird had not been seen for the best part of an hour,this was not good and i had visions of it being found over Hornsea Mere.A few people started to filter away and we all just wandered about then thankfully one of the lads i was with got a VERY well timed phone call to say he was watching the bird close to South Landing.What ensued was a 2 mile route march/run to South Landing and eventually we could see the guy watching the bird.A quick phone call as we got closer confirmed it was still there,we eventually made it looked over the cliff edge but only Sand Martins were on view,then suddenly infront of us about 100 feet away was the Crag Martin...boooom!.It was watched as it fed at fairly close range the larger size,diagnostic white spots in the tail and blackish area on the underwing being very noticeable when compared to the accompanying Sand Martins,giving the bird a very distinctive jizz.It was also heard to call several times a harsher more grating 'Chirr' than the Sand Marts.We continued to watch it for about ten minutes and it disappeared,appearing further away at South Landing itself before being lost to view and that was that,it wasn't seen again!.After looking for about ten minutes i decided to go and look for the Pipit Sp. that had been reported from earlier and about 100 metres from where we had been stood watching the Martin i flushed the Pipit,it flew past me calling a distinct 'Shueep',almost Yellow Wagtail like in quality and not has harsh as Richard's,all pale,sandy mantle etc...it must be a Tawny i said to myself.I went back to the assembled birders and they all looked at me in disbelief at what i had seen,someone even put it out as an unconfirmed sighting of Tawny Pipit...but what else could it have been.I walked off back towards Old Fall slightly peed off and around towards the Lighthouse,when it happened again,i couldn't believe it,the bird flew past me calling and landed on the footpath in the open,there it was in full view a definite Tawny Pipit.I got as many shots with the camera as i could before it flew into an adjacent rough grass pasture field and i tried to phone as many people as possible and put it out on F.book and Twitter.I was then joined by my friend David Aitken and he gladly watched his 'First' Tawny Pipit as it fed in the pasture,sometimes being lost to view and also being chased by a pair of Skylarks on a couple of occasions.It gave a full range of calls as it was watched here,from a Sparrow like 'Chup' to the earlier calls,it was the best way to keep tabs on the bird when it flew.I was so chuffed to have had my initial sighting confirmed with some photos as i had been 100% certain that was the species i had seen.After spending some quality time watching this southern beauty i said my goodbyes to the boys and headed back to the car park.Other sightings during this amazing day included a single Common Buzzard,2 Peregrine one of which was watched killing a Wood Pigeon near South Landing,White Wagtail and my 'First' Wheatear of the year,a cracking male.Well what a day and as i write this I'm still in shock in what was an incredible day at this superb site.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oFNG90BcfgI/U0jOpVeQR-I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/FQowr1aUJ3A/s1600/South+Landing,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oFNG90BcfgI/U0jOpVeQR-I/AAAAAAAAEeQ/FQowr1aUJ3A/s1600/South+Landing,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Landing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMoTqP_bG3Y/U0jOzv3nDhI/AAAAAAAAEeY/TSbQjNe3hmY/s1600/South+Landing,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire........._edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMoTqP_bG3Y/U0jOzv3nDhI/AAAAAAAAEeY/TSbQjNe3hmY/s1600/South+Landing,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire........._edited-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Landing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmb00kOQmf0/U0jPAQsWo2I/AAAAAAAAEeg/RwBfgYjzD-4/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell,Flamborough+Head,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmb00kOQmf0/U0jPAQsWo2I/AAAAAAAAEeg/RwBfgYjzD-4/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell,Flamborough+Head,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoiseshell,South Landing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9q1IAW192VI/U0jPRHgrDaI/AAAAAAAAEeo/nx9Ea-UinYw/s1600/Tawny+Pipit,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9q1IAW192VI/U0jPRHgrDaI/AAAAAAAAEeo/nx9Ea-UinYw/s1600/Tawny+Pipit,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire..jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Pipit,Outer Head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qk7udO6A3xk/U0jPhJASuoI/AAAAAAAAEew/GPUEIpPlQpw/s1600/Tawny+Pipit,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qk7udO6A3xk/U0jPhJASuoI/AAAAAAAAEew/GPUEIpPlQpw/s1600/Tawny+Pipit,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire....jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Pipit,Outer Head.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9NSJSjhBUQ/U0jP1tED67I/AAAAAAAAEe4/_26pPW4rq5I/s1600/Tawny+Pipit,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire..........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s9NSJSjhBUQ/U0jP1tED67I/AAAAAAAAEe4/_26pPW4rq5I/s1600/Tawny+Pipit,Flamborough,East+Yorkshire..........jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny Pipit,Outer Head.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-20328595112131652212014-04-11T07:45:00.002+01:002014-04-17T09:37:03.714+01:00Firecrested Wren And Barnetby Bits....Thursday 10.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day one of a mini holiday,saw me heading out locally and having a wander down to Kettleby Quarries and having a look around the general area.I decided to do the usual circular walk that i do,parking in the village,then walking along Marsh Lane,around the pits and back up the hillside to the west of the village and back through the churchyard to my parking spot.The first section of my walk takes in mainly gardens and some good looking horse paddocks,but little was seen on these today apart from the local Corvids and Wood Pigs,but it wasn't long before the first spring migrants were encountered.Not far from the pumping station and sewage works were the first of 4 Chiffie and 3 Blackcaps and a single Sand Martin flew over the workings.It was perfect weather for raptors today with at least 11 Common Buzzard being logged,including a very close encounter with one bird as i unknowingly flushed it from it's perch.Other birds of prey included a single female Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.A very welcome sight was a pair of Great-crested Grebes on one of the pits with a good sized,early brood of 4 chicks and were a joy to watch as the male bird brought several small insects and fish for the youngsters,which was a great sight to watch.On the workings and pits at least 5 pairs of Oystercatcher were seen and overhead 3 Swallow and further 2 Sand Martin were logged in the phone.There were plenty of insects on the wing today and these included my first Bee Fly of the year,4 Small Tortoiseshell and at least 11 Peacock butterflies.Along the path back to the churchyard several Tawny-mining Bees were seen sheltering from the brisk westerly and also a queen Common Wasp.After reaching the churchyard i heard a very familiar song and to my amazement there he was,a Firecrest!.I spent the next hour watching this little beauty as he fed around a group of Yew trees singing his little head off,what a fantastic bonus and beautiful little bird.I walked the short journey back to the car a very happy boy,a great start to my holiday.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sGRP-Nt1zE/U0eMlfvUDWI/AAAAAAAAEdA/TbiL5nsZ_88/s1600/Common+Wasp,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sGRP-Nt1zE/U0eMlfvUDWI/AAAAAAAAEdA/TbiL5nsZ_88/s1600/Common+Wasp,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire....jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Wasp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1NhxwnywjA/U0eNL2N74SI/AAAAAAAAEdI/56iLgSST4T4/s1600/Tawny-mining+Bee,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T1NhxwnywjA/U0eNL2N74SI/AAAAAAAAEdI/56iLgSST4T4/s1600/Tawny-mining+Bee,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="283" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Tawny-mining Bee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxTYbl_xKDo/U0eNVO_argI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/KjCT7LAtKlY/s1600/Great-crested+Grebes,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DxTYbl_xKDo/U0eNVO_argI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/KjCT7LAtKlY/s1600/Great-crested+Grebes,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire......._edited-1.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great-crested Grebes with young.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqHaNywEc-Y/U0eNcw-Ql8I/AAAAAAAAEdY/gZk2LUmFxfs/s1600/Female+Great-crested+Grebe,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqHaNywEc-Y/U0eNcw-Ql8I/AAAAAAAAEdY/gZk2LUmFxfs/s1600/Female+Great-crested+Grebe,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Great-crested Grebe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GltOjXfzD6Y/U0eNulnmabI/AAAAAAAAEdg/RrUJXwOZ214/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire..1..._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GltOjXfzD6Y/U0eNulnmabI/AAAAAAAAEdg/RrUJXwOZ214/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire..1..._edited-1.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Firecrest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g171hnIDlAQ/U0eOC1OnUdI/AAAAAAAAEdo/gbopaM5sI1A/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire...1............_edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g171hnIDlAQ/U0eOC1OnUdI/AAAAAAAAEdo/gbopaM5sI1A/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire...1............_edited-2.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing male Firecrest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-0a-n3LkzY/U0eONeGLcRI/AAAAAAAAEdw/RAvDQGssJdU/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire.........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-0a-n3LkzY/U0eONeGLcRI/AAAAAAAAEdw/RAvDQGssJdU/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire.........jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing male Firecrest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8LMD1pFEIo/U0eOaiT9E3I/AAAAAAAAEd4/0oh6LxZSq8s/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire..................._edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x8LMD1pFEIo/U0eOaiT9E3I/AAAAAAAAEd4/0oh6LxZSq8s/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire..................._edited-2.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firecrest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yRDKeqtrSw/U0eOrA_ES7I/AAAAAAAAEeA/lN1z-svjXto/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire............._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3yRDKeqtrSw/U0eOrA_ES7I/AAAAAAAAEeA/lN1z-svjXto/s1600/Male+Firecrest,Barnetby-Le-Wold,Lincolnshire............._edited-1.jpg" height="308" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firecrest.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-56178904126985724132014-04-07T12:47:00.004+01:002014-04-07T12:47:54.341+01:00MSQ And Barton Poll's......Sunday 06.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Trace was busy sleeping this morning,i decided to drive over to MSQ and check the whole area to see if there were any 'New' migrants in and to generally have a good look around.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I started by checking the sheep fields and new quarry workings to the east of the site first,then cover the reserve proper.It was really dull today with low cloud and slightly misty conditions and fairly cool to start,so a few layers were put on and the wellies due to the overnight rain.A quick check of the sheep fields revealed nothing new from my last visit,with at least 4 pairs of Oyck's,several Lapwings dotted about and a few Curlew along with Lag's and one or two Shoveler pairs.A look on the sand workings revealed the best bird in this area,a single Green Sandpiper doing it's best to hide from the gusty South Westerly wind,my first for a while and 21 Sand Martin fed overhead.Other sightings included 3 Willow Warbler,2 Blackcap,1 Chiffchaff,1 Common Buzzard and 4 Brown Hare on the fields.I then travelled the short hop over to the reserve and the weather now began to deteriorate with occasional showers,but this didn't put me off and i continued around the reserve.Nothing unusual was recorded on my visit today,but sightings included a single male Siskin,12 Chiffchaff,3 Blackcap and 3 Goldeneye.The latter are certainly not a common visitor to the reserve and i havn't seen any here for ages.Very few insects were seen due to the weather,but a few Common Toads and the brief sighting of a Fox was a welcome one.Not a bad visit considering the weather.I then returned home and received a text to say GPC had found a Coues Arctic Redpoll at Water's Edge.This was a surprise to say the least as there wasn't a sniff of one on yesterdays visit,but Graham had glimpsed a bird on the 1st but not since which he thought was an Arctic,so this was no doubt the bird.It wasn't long before i was watching my 8th Arctic Roll in Lincolnshire and my 3rd at this site,the bird being typically frosty and showing the full suit of characters indicative of this northern species a proper cracker!.Also in this mini flock of Redpolls were at least 2 Mealies and a hand full of Lesser's giving a great chance to compare all 3 species,superb stuff!.After a short while of watching this mobile flock the birds all flew and that was that.While wandering around the CP a couple more 'First' sightings of the year for myself included 3 Swallows and a single House Martin moving west up the Estuary a very welcome sight to see and the forerunner of warmer times to come hopefully.Another good effort out and about topped off with another cracking Arctic Redpoll locally.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URwsMBMg8u0/U0KOz0TWMUI/AAAAAAAAEcY/ZUeW82eZGyk/s1600/2nd+calendar+year+Black-headed+Gull,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URwsMBMg8u0/U0KOz0TWMUI/AAAAAAAAEcY/ZUeW82eZGyk/s1600/2nd+calendar+year+Black-headed+Gull,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......._edited-1.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7Q4T3N32cs/U0KO_REkJQI/AAAAAAAAEcg/mUbc7L6fV4c/s1600/Chiffchaff,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.........2......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7Q4T3N32cs/U0KO_REkJQI/AAAAAAAAEcg/mUbc7L6fV4c/s1600/Chiffchaff,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.........2......._edited-1.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chiffchaff,MSQ.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chiffchaff,MSQ.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chiffchaff,MSQ.</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-55916956352180233812014-04-07T10:54:00.004+01:002014-04-07T10:54:57.471+01:00Barton Pits....Saturday 05.04.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full day out planned today locally at Barton saw me covering nearly all the habitat between Pit25 and Chowder Ness,this is what i recorded.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The day began by parking in the Water's Edge car park and using this as a base and for the first half of the day covering the pits to the east of the bridge and the second half covering the west side.After getting the gear together i decided to walk the Humber bank all the way to Pit 25 and then back along the side of the Sailing Pit,Hoe Hill etc. and through Water's Edge back to the car for lunch.I checked the boatyard at the haven first in the hope that a Black Red maybe hiding somewhere,as has happened on a couple of occasions before,but no such luck today.Similarly i searched the bank side for any Wheatears,but again nothing.Things certainly began to improve as i reached the path between the Sailing Pit and Pit 25,with 2nd calendar year Drake Long-tailed Duck putting on a great show as he displayed to some confused looking female Tufted Ducks.This was quickly followed by a brief snippet of Willow Warbler song and i quickly found the culprit and he showed brilliantly at the side of the New Workings as a brief shower passed over.He was quickly followed in song by a 2nd bird,the first 2 of 6 birds being seen in total on these eastern side pits,my 'First' records for the year.This area proved to be quite productive with a couple of male Blackcap and 4 Common Buzzard soaring over Barrow Haven.I made my way down the side of the sailing pit and could see the Slavonian Grebe was still present and i made my way closer.On route to the Slav,another 'First' for the year was seen in the form of a single Sand Martin as it made it's way west up the Estuary,a great sight to see.I eventually made it to were the grebe was and it is safe to say this is probably the scruffiest Slav i have seen,with a mixture of winter and summer plumage.I don't think it is an adult bird though,as surely it would have acquired full summer plumage by now if it had been an adult.I managed a few record shots of him or her as the bird always kept it's distance,but nice to see all the same.Other birds present and seen on the Sailing Pit included 22 Goldeneye and a single Kingfisher.I then carried on walking being stopped in my tracks by an explosive burst of Cetti's song,but i never did see the bird.This species seems to have recovered from the harsh winter of 2010/11 with at least 5 males being heard on my first section of today's walk,a very welcome return.In Hoe Hill the first brood of ducklings i have seen this year numbered 8 birds and the mother soon alerted them to my presence a great sight to see.I eventually made it back to the car for some welcome lunch before walking the western side pits taking in Far-Ings etc.Unfortunately it was difficult to cover all this area properly as large sections of the Humber bank are closed now due to the flood damage.Highlights consisted of a single 2nd calendar year male Marsh Harrier passing north over the Estuary,3 female Goldeneye on Ness Lake at Far-Ings and 3 more singing male Cetti's Warbler.A little disappointing to say the least this side,but like i said not 100% coverage good be completed.Warbler totals for the day included 23 Chiffie,12 Blackcap,6 Willow Warbler and an very impressive 8 singing male Cetti's Warbler.A few insects were also seen on the visit and included my 'First' Green-veined White of the year at Far-ings,a single Small Copper and 6 Peacock.A very enjoyable visit and hopefully more will come this year.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TeAc9SJ2nWA/U0J0KR6ifbI/AAAAAAAAEbg/y15mkvFYJjw/s1600/2nd+calendar+year+male+Long-tailed+Duck,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TeAc9SJ2nWA/U0J0KR6ifbI/AAAAAAAAEbg/y15mkvFYJjw/s1600/2nd+calendar+year+male+Long-tailed+Duck,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Record shot of the male Long-tailed Duck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2UUTgioKF9U/U0J0YnNtkDI/AAAAAAAAEbo/Xr5G6ojb1j4/s1600/Mute+Swan,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2UUTgioKF9U/U0J0YnNtkDI/AAAAAAAAEbo/Xr5G6ojb1j4/s1600/Mute+Swan,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swan,Sailing Pit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glUweOi0qvs/U0J0oFa4FEI/AAAAAAAAEbw/f8uFiMbz7RA/s1600/Slavonian+Grebe,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-glUweOi0qvs/U0J0oFa4FEI/AAAAAAAAEbw/f8uFiMbz7RA/s1600/Slavonian+Grebe,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Record shot of the Slav Grebe,Sailing Pit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opq-FuyC0Io/U0J05yydwiI/AAAAAAAAEb4/ah_Map2Sjuw/s1600/Great-crested+Grebe,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire........_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opq-FuyC0Io/U0J05yydwiI/AAAAAAAAEb4/ah_Map2Sjuw/s1600/Great-crested+Grebe,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire........_edited-1.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great-crested Grebe,Water's Edge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebr1xnqOI6Q/U0J1EH-DVfI/AAAAAAAAEcA/0oKm38MzCv8/s1600/2nd+calendar+year+Grey+Heron,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ebr1xnqOI6Q/U0J1EH-DVfI/AAAAAAAAEcA/0oKm38MzCv8/s1600/2nd+calendar+year+Grey+Heron,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire..jpg" height="270" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Heron,Far-Ings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DS10se4TpfI/U0J1N76XRxI/AAAAAAAAEcI/28tunNJ8vVw/s1600/Drake+Pochard,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire............._edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DS10se4TpfI/U0J1N76XRxI/AAAAAAAAEcI/28tunNJ8vVw/s1600/Drake+Pochard,Barton+Pits,Lincolnshire............._edited-2.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake Pochard,Far-Ings.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-25646977888532887112014-03-31T16:52:00.000+01:002014-03-31T16:52:00.261+01:00Down On The Moors Again.....Sunday 30.03.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full day to myself today,as Trace was sleeping after her night shift,so i decided to drive over to the superb NNR encompassing Crowle and Thorne Moors.On arrival it was slightly misty and the sun was trying to push its way through,a feature which lasted all day,but at least it wasn't cold.I parked at the Crowle side and began to explore this smaller section of the NNR.It wasn't long before i recorded the first of at least 8 Chiffchaff seen during the day as it belted out its song in the hazy sun,while close by a prospecting pair of Willow Tit gave great views as they searched for a suitable hole to nest in.Further on into the reserve and after an incredibly close encounter with a Brown Hare,the distinct song of a Common Snipe could be heard as it sang from its song perch,sadly a sound that isn't heard very often in the countryside nowadays and a couple of male Meadow Pipits parachuted back to earth in their display flights.Not much further along the path,the first highlight of the day was noted after hearing that rich,flutey song and the first of 2 male Blackcap gave himself up and showed nicely singing away as he fed in a Pussy Willow,which was brimming with flying prey.These,along with Sedge Warbler are my favourite summer visiting warblers that we have the privilege of seeing,lovely birds.As i walked along the edge of the Warping Drain,several male Common Toad could be heard calling and a few areas of Groundsel brightened the bare areas of newly cleared ground.Much management work is ongoing here,with many of the paths being repaired and widened,new gates and fences being erected and some habitat creation as well which is making the reserve much more user friendly.I just hope it doesn't become another dog toilet,which would be a real shame.Quite a few Buff and White-tailed Bumblebee's were encountered on my walk and also 5 Eristalis intricarius,my first 'Syrph's' of the year.I eventually reached the bailey bridge to cross over onto the Thorne side of the NNR and Will Pitts Scrape revealed 1 female Goldeneye and 2 'Redhead' Goosander,with 5 of the latter on my return journey.After a chance meeting with both Brian Wainwright and Des Parmenter,Des and myself walked the long distance to the other end of the reserve to look for the wintering Great-grey Shrike after Brian had said he had been watching it earlier,but sadly by the time we had arrived it had moved on,but great compensation was had in the form of some superb raptor action.This included a stunning,ghostly male Hen Harrier,which we managed to see at pretty close range at first and later more distantly as he hunted this prime raptor habitat,what a bird and highlight of the day for us both.Nearby,the Hen's close cousins also put on a fine display with at least 4 Marsh Harriers being seen,these consisted of two females,an adult and a 3rd calendar year male.It is great to see these superb raptors doing so well,a shame we cannot say the same about the beautiful Hen Harrier.A few butterflies were encountered as we wandered our way back to Will Pitts and included 1 male Brimstone,2 Small Tort,4 Peacock and my 'First' Small Copper of the year and a couple of the verocious Green-tiger Beetles buzzed in front of us as we flushed them from the limestone road.A drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker was heard in Will Pitts wood and at least 3 Common Buzzard were also logged,one of the latter having a tussle with a male and female Marsh Harrier.A couple of Sparv and a single Kestrel completed the 5 species of raptor for the day.As we eventually made it back to the car park,a little weary to say the least after all the walking,we both made our way home after another brilliant visit to this cracking site.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-61072145659618247152014-03-24T09:41:00.001+00:002014-03-24T09:47:56.206+00:00Stunning North York's....Sunday 23.03.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hearing on Friday that an adult White-tailed Eagle had been seen from Wykeham Forest raptor watch point and again on Saturday morning i made the decision to go and attempt to see the bird,albeit being a long shot.The journey up through the stunning Yorkshire Wolds was trouble free and as i arrived at the watch point car park the sun began to break through the cloud.It was fairly cold so plenty of layers where put on and after getting some food and kit together i made the short walk to the viewpoint.I began to scan the valley and it wasn't long before the first bird of prey was seen,a distant Goshawk,this was the first of at least 6 or 7 birds,seen through the morning.I was soon joined by fellow Yorkshire birders Micky Mcnaghten,John Law,John Sadler and Tim Cowley and we carried on looking for the 'Big Eagle' enjoying more views of Goshawk,including a displaying male pretty close to the viewpoint....stunning!.Other raptors joined in the show,with at least 6 Common Buzzard,Peregrine and Sparrowhawk putting in appearances,the Sparv and Buzzards both following suit with the Gos and displaying.Other,non raptor sightings included 29 Pink-footed Geese heading high north over the valley and 25 Redwing headed in the same direction.Sadly after putting in 5 hours watching the WTE could not be seen,but i just didn't care as we enjoyed some great banter,coupled with watching one of my favourite family's of birds in stunning scenery.As people filtered away,John and myself headed down to Hilla Green to look for Dippers etc. and after a bit of looking we found the pair which had been building a nest at Hilla Green.One of the birds showed brilliantly,which i presumed was the male and we watched as he searched for food while the presumed female kept her distance.These birds really are a special species and they are always a joy to watch as they bob and curtsy along their riverside home.Also in the area where 3 Grey Wagtail,including a displaying and singing male and 3 Chiffchaff sang in the riverside trees.As John and myself went our separate ways i decided to have a drive about in a last ditch attempt at looking for the Eagle,but i instead got sidetracked into taking landscape photos instead....pretty easy when you consider the landscape here.It was unfortunately soon time to travel home,but what a cracking day out was enjoyed again in this fantastic part of the world.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgeQOGlDW2A/Uy_8ORskPmI/AAAAAAAAEak/4ATX2iATb0k/s1600/Troutsdale+Valley+from+Wykeham+Forest,North+Yorkshire.......jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vgeQOGlDW2A/Uy_8ORskPmI/AAAAAAAAEak/4ATX2iATb0k/s1600/Troutsdale+Valley+from+Wykeham+Forest,North+Yorkshire.......jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Troutsdale Valley and Beyond from the Raptor Watchpoint.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ue_qGSa2AY/Uy_8iENwwMI/AAAAAAAAEas/moj48zN0bv4/s1600/Hilla+Green+and+the+River+Derwent,North+Yorkshire.......jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ue_qGSa2AY/Uy_8iENwwMI/AAAAAAAAEas/moj48zN0bv4/s1600/Hilla+Green+and+the+River+Derwent,North+Yorkshire.......jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hilla Green And The River Derwent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XhiF423d9Y/Uy_8zEacXDI/AAAAAAAAEa0/g-VWl0aInTo/s1600/Dipper,River+Derwent,North+Yorkshire...........1............._edited-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XhiF423d9Y/Uy_8zEacXDI/AAAAAAAAEa0/g-VWl0aInTo/s1600/Dipper,River+Derwent,North+Yorkshire...........1............._edited-4.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipper,The River Derwent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGgAHxbOOLM/Uy_9K3jdRdI/AAAAAAAAEa8/FZEb93GE-lo/s1600/Langdale+End,North+Yorkshire.........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGgAHxbOOLM/Uy_9K3jdRdI/AAAAAAAAEa8/FZEb93GE-lo/s1600/Langdale+End,North+Yorkshire.........jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenery near Langdale End.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-74782845037610581122014-03-19T17:57:00.004+00:002014-03-19T17:57:57.273+00:00Clumber And Rufford Parks.....Sunday 16th March 2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the forecast looking good and the prospect of a day of sunshine,Trace and myself headed over into the neighbouring county of Nottinghamshire visiting the stunning Clumber and Rufford Parks for a day of wandering about in the lovely weather.As we got out of the car,a Lesser Pecker gave that distinct 'Phew phew phew' call,but i couldn't see the little buggar sadly.We had a quick look around the chapel,but no Hawfinches as could be expected going by recent sightings,but plenty of birdsong included several Nuthatches singing and calling loudly from their arboreal home.Buzzards also featured heavily in the mornings walk,with at least 10 being seen and i loved hearing that distinct mewing call as they soared over their woodland home.A single Redhead Goosander was noted on the lake amongst the commoner species and in the waterside Alders several Siskins acrobatically fed.A few other sightings of note of the non avian variety included Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies and a hand full of Common Toads.After enjoying our lovely 4 mile walk around this cracking lake and woodland area we travelled the short distance over to Rufford.After enjoying some well earned lunch in the superb cafe here at Rufford,we explored this much smaller,compact park.The only birds of note here where a few more Siskin,but we enjoyed the walk all the same.A lovely day out and about in the sun today.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8_QH8fG9XU/UynZGTaTEPI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/G_xbdzhbcnU/s1600/Canada+Goose,Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8_QH8fG9XU/UynZGTaTEPI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/G_xbdzhbcnU/s1600/Canada+Goose,Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Goose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F04OGXdI5o/UynZTt0RTcI/AAAAAAAAEaE/E7pvdBv0nz8/s1600/Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F04OGXdI5o/UynZTt0RTcI/AAAAAAAAEaE/E7pvdBv0nz8/s1600/Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire........jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clumber Park view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTlq5Gzugms/UynZdy0N8oI/AAAAAAAAEaM/GKks4IICUYg/s1600/Female+Tufted+Duck,Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uTlq5Gzugms/UynZdy0N8oI/AAAAAAAAEaM/GKks4IICUYg/s1600/Female+Tufted+Duck,Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire....._edited-1.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Tufted Duck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6ZMnKVY_dA/UynZ2EDT9xI/AAAAAAAAEaU/bIJkFVFkaR4/s1600/Peacock,Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6ZMnKVY_dA/UynZ2EDT9xI/AAAAAAAAEaU/bIJkFVFkaR4/s1600/Peacock,Clumber+Park,Nottinghamshire..jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Butterfly.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-53803009814513696162014-03-15T20:52:00.002+00:002014-03-15T20:52:18.632+00:00North Linc's Out And About....A Good Day.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full day to myself today saw me heading out locally starting bright and early at Forest Pines,then MSQ and finishing at Laughton Forest,this is how my day unfolded.I started the day by looking for the male Two-barred Crossbill and after walking around to his chosen area and seeing the flock fly over a few times,i eventually saw him briefly sat in the top of a Spruce along with 20 of his Common Crossbill relatives before the flock flew again.I waited for about another 30 minutes but they didn't appear again.I made my way back to the car seeing 3 Nuthatch and hearing a single Brambling,my first of the year in this poor winter for the species.I then drove the short distance over to MSQ,firstly checking the sheep fields which revealed plenty of activity from the local birds and included displaying Lapwings,Redshank,Black-headed Gulls and the local Greylag flock.The best sighting here went to 2 Egyptian Geese watched loafing on the fields,loosely associating with the 'Lag' flock.After parking up at the car park and having a quick bite to eat and a quick drink,i made my way down to Grebe lake,which was as productive as always.The first bird i saw here was what i thought at first was a male Tufted Duck along with a female Pochard,which i thought was slightly unusual,but on closer inspection this bird had a grey mantle and looked like a Aythya hybrid.The more i studied the bird the more i was convinced it was a Tufted x Pochard hybrid,it showed a white flank patch like a Tuftie,grey mantle like a Pochard and bill pattern similar to Pochard and also showed a rounded head and no crest,a very interesting bird.A very welcome diversion away from the duck was a cracking Otter watched porpoising as it fed on several fish it was catching before disappearing into vegetation at the bottom end of the lake,a great privilage to see and always a highlight of a day out for me.The only other notable sighting here was a couple of Kingfisher chasing around the lake,my first sighting for a while.After meeting up with Dave we began to explore the remainder of the reserve seeing the first of 4 Chiffchaff near to the dipping platform,my first spring migrant of the year and a welcome sign of spring.Shortly after seeing the Chiffie we found more new sightings for the year in the form of several Common Frogs and Toads which gave us plenty of chances to get some images of these cracking amphibians and nearby a male Nursery-web Spider showed really well.We continued around the reserve until we reached the wader hide and here was where the most activity was observed.Good numbers of Black-headed Gulls were beginning to gather on the islands in readiness for the breeding season and others in the mood for spring and nesting included Oystercatchers,Redshank,Lapwing,Shelduck and a couple of displaying Lesser black-backed Gulls.Non bird sightings here included my first Scarlet elf Cups,Marsh Marigolds and Coltsfoot of the year,adding a welcome splash of colour to the reserve.After chatting about the possibility of the Adders being active at nearby Laughton and the fact that Dave had never seen one,this was our final destination for the day.After arriving at the site and walking both banks alongside their emergence site,i couldn't find a single animal,but then bingo,i managed to spot one at last.This single male showed well,even in the overcast conditions,but who cares,they are always a great privilege to see.As we both made our seperate journeys home,another great day was enjoyed out and about locally.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dr8tO6n6Ub4/UyS6DnZPrKI/AAAAAAAAEYk/x_RASlFlMNo/s1600/Aythya+hybrid(Tufted+Duck+x+Pochard),Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dr8tO6n6Ub4/UyS6DnZPrKI/AAAAAAAAEYk/x_RASlFlMNo/s1600/Aythya+hybrid(Tufted+Duck+x+Pochard),Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR..jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Aythya Hybrid,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVUJvYS3BXQ/UyS6X5fbduI/AAAAAAAAEYs/mNeIorRY3Bg/s1600/Common+Frog,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR............_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVUJvYS3BXQ/UyS6X5fbduI/AAAAAAAAEYs/mNeIorRY3Bg/s1600/Common+Frog,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR............_edited-1.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Frog,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7B6vjENWOA/UyS6gzuMt3I/AAAAAAAAEY0/WO1r6TraZhI/s1600/Common+Frog,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR........_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7B6vjENWOA/UyS6gzuMt3I/AAAAAAAAEY0/WO1r6TraZhI/s1600/Common+Frog,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR........_edited-1.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Frog,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bVqGCI8mAdE/UyS60wVFJwI/AAAAAAAAEY8/j2ztcw7hsUs/s1600/Male+Common+Toad,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bVqGCI8mAdE/UyS60wVFJwI/AAAAAAAAEY8/j2ztcw7hsUs/s1600/Male+Common+Toad,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......._edited-1.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Common Toad,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQSLSPdnGAI/UyS7DHViqbI/AAAAAAAAEZE/6R5wLj77s1Y/s1600/Male+Common+Toad,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.........._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hQSLSPdnGAI/UyS7DHViqbI/AAAAAAAAEZE/6R5wLj77s1Y/s1600/Male+Common+Toad,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR.........._edited-1.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Common Toad,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-0H4Fqj2Qw/UyS7Q7dCJoI/AAAAAAAAEZM/2T8fph3NPYM/s1600/Coltsfoot,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-0H4Fqj2Qw/UyS7Q7dCJoI/AAAAAAAAEZM/2T8fph3NPYM/s1600/Coltsfoot,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......_edited-1.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coltsfoot,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng9vb2wNFjY/UyS7bjvsyrI/AAAAAAAAEZU/gEZ6CrBUetA/s1600/Drake+Mallard,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng9vb2wNFjY/UyS7bjvsyrI/AAAAAAAAEZU/gEZ6CrBUetA/s1600/Drake+Mallard,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR....._edited-1.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake Mallard,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QWhz3xoez8/UyS7m1-OY3I/AAAAAAAAEZg/ftlwgjY6VYg/s1600/Lesser+black-backed+Gull,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QWhz3xoez8/UyS7m1-OY3I/AAAAAAAAEZg/ftlwgjY6VYg/s1600/Lesser+black-backed+Gull,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......_edited-1.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Lesser black-backed Gull,MSQ.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkIi6MWFP4Q/UyS72G35rLI/AAAAAAAAEZs/30v34fQzxVg/s1600/Scarlet+Elf+Cup,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkIi6MWFP4Q/UyS72G35rLI/AAAAAAAAEZs/30v34fQzxVg/s1600/Scarlet+Elf+Cup,Messingham+Sand+Quarries+LWTR......._edited-1.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet elf Cup,MSQ.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-22525125828724904022014-03-09T20:59:00.004+00:002014-03-10T17:48:25.718+00:00Humberhead Peatlands And North Linc's.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With an excellent forecast for today i decided to visit one of my favourite spring and summer destinations at Crowle and Thorne Moors.I arrived on site at the nice new car park just as the sun was rising above the horizen,got the kit and pack up together and made my way onto the reserve.A quick scan of the fields along the approach track revealed the first 4 of 16 Roe Deer seen while on site,a very impressive count and a sight i always enjoy to see.There was plenty of birdsong as i made my way onto the first part of the reserve,with a chorus of Skylark,Song Thrush,Blackbird,Robin and Chaffinches.After walking for about an hour two good sightings came within quick succession,the first a 2nd calendar year female Marsh Harrier was watched hunting giving some nice views,the second,a good sized flock of 47 Whooper Swan trumpeted their way north over the reserve onto Thorne Moors.After reaching the small bailey bridge which crosses over the Warping drain onto Thorne Moors i had a quick drink and something to eat before carrying on my journey.Will Pitts scrape revealed a single Redhead Goosander and female Goldeneye along with Tufties,Pochard,Teal,Shoveler and Gadwall.Highlights seen on the moor itself included 2 singing male Willow Tit and another female Marsh Harrier,this time an adult and 4 singing male Reed Bunting,showing further signs of spring to come.The rest of the journey saw no further sightings of note and i made my way back to the car,in now sweltering conditions for the time of year.After visiting this superb area,i decided to go and have another look for the Little Bunting at Lea,but after spending a good hour or so,there was no sign,but some compensation was had in the form of some good numbers of butterflies,with five species seen.This included my 'First' Small White,Brimstones(2),Small Tortoiseshell(5),Comma(2) and my second sightings of the year of Peacock(2).The Small White was my earliest personal record of the species.As it was on the way home i dropped in at the Adder site in Laughton Forest,but again drew a blank,but saw more butterflies in the form of 2 Brimstone,2 Small Tort and a Peacock.There was also a few insect 'Firsts' for the year for me here and these included 2 Green-tiger Beetles and a handfull of Buff-tailed Bumble Bees.As i made my way back home i reflected on what a great day it had been in some cracking weather at last.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmcuA9BKvGQ/UxzTKsRt2AI/AAAAAAAAEXE/5seWI3M0DNI/s1600/Crowle+Moor+NNR,Lincolnshire....................................jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmcuA9BKvGQ/UxzTKsRt2AI/AAAAAAAAEXE/5seWI3M0DNI/s1600/Crowle+Moor+NNR,Lincolnshire....................................jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowle Moor NNR.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WC7D-_9NG4I/UxzTqnpbQWI/AAAAAAAAEXM/WPyclW-HJZY/s1600/Crowle+Moor+NNR,Lincolnshire......11............jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WC7D-_9NG4I/UxzTqnpbQWI/AAAAAAAAEXM/WPyclW-HJZY/s1600/Crowle+Moor+NNR,Lincolnshire......11............jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowle Moor NNR.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVsMriuvQCU/UxzUMIz3ACI/AAAAAAAAEXU/nW_k89whAAc/s1600/Crowle+Moor+NNR,Lincolnshire.....1111.......jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVsMriuvQCU/UxzUMIz3ACI/AAAAAAAAEXU/nW_k89whAAc/s1600/Crowle+Moor+NNR,Lincolnshire.....1111.......jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowle Moor NNR.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G79qrS8xb_w/UxzUfW8Ck0I/AAAAAAAAEXc/wguSMQWatjc/s1600/Thorne+Moors+NNR,South+Yorkshire................jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G79qrS8xb_w/UxzUfW8Ck0I/AAAAAAAAEXc/wguSMQWatjc/s1600/Thorne+Moors+NNR,South+Yorkshire................jpg" height="320" width="278" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsr7fAjNv7A/UxzUorlmmyI/AAAAAAAAEXk/RFkWNjBD5Lw/s1600/Male+Reed+Bunting,Thorne+Moors+NNR,South+Yorkshire...11...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsr7fAjNv7A/UxzUorlmmyI/AAAAAAAAEXk/RFkWNjBD5Lw/s1600/Male+Reed+Bunting,Thorne+Moors+NNR,South+Yorkshire...11...._edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Bunting,Thorne Moors NNR.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjd4ulcpuo8/UxzU0qQ90AI/AAAAAAAAEXs/2Th7POmZQPM/s1600/Comma,Laughton+Forest,Lincolnshire..........................jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjd4ulcpuo8/UxzU0qQ90AI/AAAAAAAAEXs/2Th7POmZQPM/s1600/Comma,Laughton+Forest,Lincolnshire..........................jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma,Laughton Forest.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNXu5eZtbps/UxzU_paJV4I/AAAAAAAAEX0/eXiBr4OWOOo/s1600/Comma,Laughton+Forest,Lincolnshire..............jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNXu5eZtbps/UxzU_paJV4I/AAAAAAAAEX0/eXiBr4OWOOo/s1600/Comma,Laughton+Forest,Lincolnshire..............jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma,Laughton Forest.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-84739476588923518212014-03-05T09:14:00.003+00:002014-03-05T09:15:55.706+00:00Lincolnshire Little Bunting...03.03.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After hearing while Trace and myself where away that Linc's birder Dean Nicholson had come up with another cracking find in the form of a presumed wintering Little Bunting at Lea near Gainsborough,this is where i headed this morning.After eventually finding the area where the bird had been frequenting and getting a decent parking spot,i got the kit together and wrapped up on this cold and frosty morning...yes frost!,i walked onto the birds chosen fields.After a few minutes walking i heard the bird calling,that distinct Robin-like 'Tic,tic' sound and sure enough,there it was sat in the hedge adjacent to some gardens...brilliant,my 'First' Lincolnshire Little Bunting and bizarrely in winter AND in a weedy field in the middle of rural Lincolnshire.This is an amazing find when you think of the situation of the site,a long way from the coast and the time of year and just goes to show you can always expect the unexpected in birding.I managed some nice scope views before the bird flew to its set aside strip of Dock to feed,calling on and off and after this became a bit more flighty,being seen loosely associating with a male Reed Bunting.It showed on the overhead telephone wires on a few occasions and once flew as far as Lea wood before returning,back to its set-aside,showing again on and off in the adjacent hedgerow.What a great bird and it was nice to finally catch up with one in Lincolnshire after seeing several over the years in York's,a great couple of hours.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-21375914168869553892014-03-05T08:54:00.002+00:002014-03-05T08:54:59.892+00:00Derbyshire....1st And 2nd March 2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a couple of days to ourselves Trace and myself headed over to the lovely Derbyshire Dales,using Bakewell as our base.Bird highlights were few and far between and included a few roadside Common Buzzards,with the best sightings being a single Dipper and a couple of Grey Wagtail along the River Wye in Bakewell itself.Interestingly in the river there was less fish than normal,but i still managed to see a couple of the stunning Grayling,what a cracking fish they are with their multi-coloured dorsal fin.But it was the lovely scenery which stole the show for us both and this is the main reason we keep returning to this lovely area and again this time made for a lovely break from the mundane,weekly routine of working,a nice couple of days.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szR-CCXCtEw/Uxbj-ZdMe3I/AAAAAAAAEWA/4sGFKB1ro3w/s1600/Looking+from+The+Heights+Of+Abraham+towards+Riber+Castle,Derbyshire..........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szR-CCXCtEw/Uxbj-ZdMe3I/AAAAAAAAEWA/4sGFKB1ro3w/s1600/Looking+from+The+Heights+Of+Abraham+towards+Riber+Castle,Derbyshire..........jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking across from the Heights Of Abraham,towards Riber Castle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arvMnfxG4CY/UxbkURIyRqI/AAAAAAAAEWI/-h-vLxa1Gpc/s1600/Looking+from+The+Heights+Of+Abraham+towards+Matlock,Derbyshire..........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arvMnfxG4CY/UxbkURIyRqI/AAAAAAAAEWI/-h-vLxa1Gpc/s1600/Looking+from+The+Heights+Of+Abraham+towards+Matlock,Derbyshire..........jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views from the Heights Of Abraham,looking towards Matlock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb8CNgVutoY/Uxbkmp3wkmI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/VtiV8s_0BJI/s1600/Looking+from+The+Heights+Of+Abraham+towards+Tansley,Derbyshire..........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gb8CNgVutoY/Uxbkmp3wkmI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/VtiV8s_0BJI/s1600/Looking+from+The+Heights+Of+Abraham+towards+Tansley,Derbyshire..........jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the superb local rock formations at the Heights Of Abraham.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeZQZSOcjqM/Uxbk3qbNd-I/AAAAAAAAEWY/IurEiv5_vTc/s1600/2nd+Calendar+Year+Black-headed+Gull,Bakewell,Derbyshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeZQZSOcjqM/Uxbk3qbNd-I/AAAAAAAAEWY/IurEiv5_vTc/s1600/2nd+Calendar+Year+Black-headed+Gull,Bakewell,Derbyshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="189" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull on the River Wye at Bakewell.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbn28GwZznU/UxblFzKp6QI/AAAAAAAAEWg/3zsEvglI864/s1600/Drake+Tufted+Duck,Bakewell,Derbyshire..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xbn28GwZznU/UxblFzKp6QI/AAAAAAAAEWg/3zsEvglI864/s1600/Drake+Tufted+Duck,Bakewell,Derbyshire..jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Tuftie on the River Wye at Bakewell.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-20819387137289794422014-02-24T10:29:00.003+00:002014-02-24T10:29:39.277+00:00Superb Tophill....Sunday 23.02.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With not a great forecast on the cards today and the outside chance of an Otter encounter at last and some gulling i decided to travel over the bridge into the home county to the excellent Tophill Low near to Watton village.On arrival and after paying for my day permit,it was just beginning to get light,so i made my way quickly down to North Marsh.I entered the hide set the camera up and waited in anticipation and within five minutes i was rewarded,an Otter straight away.I attempted to get a few images as the animal was watched at pretty close range,catching several small fish and what looked like to be fresh water snails before he or she caught sight of me and quietly disappeared.What a great start and fantastic to see one after several attempts at this site,sadly the photos where nothing to write home about in the dull conditions,but it was a great encounter all the same.After spending some time waiting for a repeat performance and seeing a few other bits and bobs in the way of a single Grey Heron and Common Buzzard and a singing male Reed Bunting i carried on my journey around the reserve,flushing a single Woodcock as i left the hide..It was now trying it's best to brighten up and as i walked down the side of Barmston Drain the sun began to break through just as i watched 2 Little Egret chasing each other from the drain.This went on several times more as the dominant bird chased the intruder away from his or her fishing spot.At Hempholme Lock itself,very little was encountered apart from the afore mentioned Little Egrets,but a single drake Goldeneye was on the River Hull and 68 Golden Plover flew south.Large numbers of Corvids where feeding on the fields,which mostly consisted of Jackdaws and 3 Roe Deer browsed in a distant rough field towards Hempholme village.A quick walk through D-Woods back towards the car revealed singles of both Marsh and Willow Tit at the feeding station and after a quick refuel it was on to the southern section of the reserve.South Marsh was pretty lively with some decent numbers of birds on view which included 27 Shoveler,33 Gadwall and 30 Wigeon,with two prospecting Oystercatchers on one of the gravel islands.A short walk around the side of 'O' Res had me reaching the excellent Watton Nature Reserve and here more wildfowl and waders,but not in as large numbers as i have seen in the past,133 Wigeon,19 Gadwall,6 Cormorant,2 Curlew and 3 Grey Heron were the highlights and a decent sized flock of Teal were mainly obscured by the islands.A single Doe Roe Deer bounded past the hide at great speed,flushed by two walkers along the side of Barmston Drain.As i wandered back through the reserve it was really noticeable about the huge numbers of Snowdrops in flower,a great sight to see and as i neared North Lagoon,the sound of Siskins calling saw me watching a flock of 8 birds as they acrobatically fed on the small Alder cones.Back to the car again for another drink and the shedding of some clothes and a quick look around the car park saw me recording at least 62 Chaffinch feeding on the floor around the trees to the right of 'D' hide,a pretty good count and a single Great-spotted Woodpecker drummed away in the trees nearby.As time was getting on now,the final effort of the day,the gull roost and 'D' Res.As there was few Gulls yet,i had a quick scan around to see what numbers of wildfowl where present and the count revealed 55 Goldeneye,16 Pochard,312 Tufted Duck,302 Wigeon,16 Gadwall and 4 Great-crested Grebe.Fellow birder and guller Martin joined me eventually and we began to scan through the increasing numbers of Gulls as they arrived to roost and bathe.Thankfully,today we hit the jackpot,with firstly 2 adult Med.Gulls,a fully white headed bird with no hint of summer plumage and a second smaller bird(Possibly a female)with almost a full black head.But the cream of the crop came in last,when a white winger appeared in the middle of the gulls and it was the 'Barmston' Kumliens Gull!!.It was mostly in the middle of the res,but you could still see the subterminal markings in the primaries and the dark bill tip was obvious,what a cracker and definite reward for the hours put in today.This bird has been rather erratic in it's appearances this winter,not being always seen at Barmston and roosting at both Hornsea Mere and now three times at Tophill,but where does it go in the mean time...it's a bit of a mystery.Well what a superb beginning and end to the day today and another great visit,with great company and i travelled back to North Linc's very contented and happy.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyCe6YsWhAQ/UwsdAS8FaQI/AAAAAAAAEVI/6YFZTtyDjoY/s1600/Otter,North+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyCe6YsWhAQ/UwsdAS8FaQI/AAAAAAAAEVI/6YFZTtyDjoY/s1600/Otter,North+Marsh,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Record shot of the Otter,North Marsh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_Wfl1cqgHY/UwsdQo4gQ1I/AAAAAAAAEVQ/czUZMJmM9SE/s1600/Snowdrops,at+the+side+of+O'Res,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire......jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5_Wfl1cqgHY/UwsdQo4gQ1I/AAAAAAAAEVQ/czUZMJmM9SE/s1600/Snowdrops,at+the+side+of+O'Res,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire......jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowdrops,beside 'O' res.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fUmm7E-Y5I/Uwsdah2vyhI/AAAAAAAAEVY/uKNU7zxr4Jc/s1600/The+River+Hull+at+Hempholme+Lock,East+Yorkshire.......jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fUmm7E-Y5I/Uwsdah2vyhI/AAAAAAAAEVY/uKNU7zxr4Jc/s1600/The+River+Hull+at+Hempholme+Lock,East+Yorkshire.......jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River Hull at Hempholme Lock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fv_9eskVIzY/UwsdzxJAzFI/AAAAAAAAEVg/BpWMbUHmnug/s1600/Watton+Nature+Reserve,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire.........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fv_9eskVIzY/UwsdzxJAzFI/AAAAAAAAEVg/BpWMbUHmnug/s1600/Watton+Nature+Reserve,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire.........jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watton Nature Reserve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2eLDRb31Ys/Uwsd9vZKotI/AAAAAAAAEVo/fiGHWWFe2qw/s1600/Doe+Roe+Deer,Watton+Nature+Reserve,East+Yorkshire...._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M2eLDRb31Ys/Uwsd9vZKotI/AAAAAAAAEVo/fiGHWWFe2qw/s1600/Doe+Roe+Deer,Watton+Nature+Reserve,East+Yorkshire...._edited-1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doe Roe Deer,Watton Nature Reserve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sow_GsWVJU4/UwseEP8sjlI/AAAAAAAAEVw/lwPEeP_JAyI/s1600/2nd+winter+Kumliens+Gull,'D'+Res,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire...........jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sow_GsWVJU4/UwseEP8sjlI/AAAAAAAAEVw/lwPEeP_JAyI/s1600/2nd+winter+Kumliens+Gull,'D'+Res,Tophill+Low+YWTR,East+Yorkshire...........jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Record shot of the 2nd winter Kumliens Gull,'D' Res roost.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-29351483613500694362014-02-22T19:24:00.001+00:002014-02-24T17:40:02.536+00:00Spring at last!!....And Stunning Two-barred...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a gorgeous sunny,spring like morning on offer this morning,i travelled over to Barton to have a wander about in the lovely weather.I began by walking around Water's Edge,with nothing really unusual being seen,but some lovely views of Siskin,Gold and Bullfinches and several Shelduck and Cormorant heading west up river along with a couple of Oystercatcher.The Siskins were watched in some Waterside Alders,with the male of a pair i watched trying his up most best to impress his potential mate,with his wheezy song.They gave superb,point blank views,but in the shade,hence no photos,but great views all the same.A well timed or not well timed text,as i was at Barton,saw me heading again for Forest Pines and the male Two-barred.Apparently according to Graham he had been showing well,but i couldn't find him at first or anyone else looking for that matter,but by chance he flew in with 3 Commons.The birds landed in a tall beech,dropping into the bough to drink,a habit i had seen Hawfinches do here many years ago,before i lost them all again in a nearby Spruce.He then appeared again above my head and over the next hour or so i was treated to some stunning scope views as he prized seeds from the Cones.It was great to be able to study this bird at close range,the more orangy plumage from an adult bird,big wing bars,white tertial tips and smaller delicate bill being noticeable.He is beginning to acquire some adult red feathers on the neck sides and head,and he was also heard sub-singing for a while,what a cracking little bird and ten minutes from home,brilliant!!.Other sightings here included 2 Common Buzzard enjoying the warm thermals,at least 10 Common Crossbills,Nuthatch and on the way back to the car my first butterfly of the year a Peacock.What a superb few hours out and about in the lovely weather.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHO9-veimx0/Uwj37qY-KOI/AAAAAAAAEUg/JclgZqaWybQ/s1600/Adult++Black-headed+Gull,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire..........._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pHO9-veimx0/Uwj37qY-KOI/AAAAAAAAEUg/JclgZqaWybQ/s1600/Adult++Black-headed+Gull,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire..........._edited-1.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Black-headed Gull,Water's Edge CP,Barton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUkj8f_fZGQ/Uwj4JunIwLI/AAAAAAAAEUo/mMAXozzED0A/s1600/Coot,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire..........._edited-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yUkj8f_fZGQ/Uwj4JunIwLI/AAAAAAAAEUo/mMAXozzED0A/s1600/Coot,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire..........._edited-2.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coot,Water's Edge CP,Barton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-k9iaPc9GU/Uwj4TYqxhGI/AAAAAAAAEUw/TiN4qBDfZVA/s1600/Coot,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-k9iaPc9GU/Uwj4TYqxhGI/AAAAAAAAEUw/TiN4qBDfZVA/s1600/Coot,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire......._edited-1.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coot,Water's Edge CP,Barton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrJmQqXz_DQ/Uwj4rBPow0I/AAAAAAAAEU4/77E0T3YHf50/s1600/Goldfinch,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrJmQqXz_DQ/Uwj4rBPow0I/AAAAAAAAEU4/77E0T3YHf50/s1600/Goldfinch,Water's+Edge+CP,Barton-Upon-Humber,Lincolnshire....jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch,Water's Edge CP,Barton.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-26956425345134219852014-02-13T11:08:00.000+00:002014-02-16T16:26:54.535+00:00Local Two-barred.....12.02.2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a failed attempt in dire weather conditions the previous day,this morning saw me heading again to Forest Pines to look for the male Two-barred Crossbill in much improved weather,albeit being overcast.At first,only 6 birds where seen and they flew off after a short while feeding and this theme continued for an hour or so.Birds continued to be just be seen in flight until at last the main flock arrived,but the first time they just passed over,but the second time they thankfully landed in some Larches at the side of the A18.A quick scan through them revealed the Two-barred feeding alongside his Common cousins....bingo!.Roy,Mal and myself settled down to watch this super Scandi Crozzer as he tucked into several Larch cones,pausing to see off a couple of Commons away from his meal,giving some nice views through the scope,showing off the 'Big' curved white wing bars and white tertial edges and totally different orangy/red plumage to the Commons scarlet plumage.What a cracker and a local bird,ten minutes from home.I can't understand why any so-called birders would not want to see this species over and over again,they are simply stunning birds and well worth the effort in my eyes,this bird also being the 'First' twitchable bird for Lincolnshire and a great find for the visiting birders who found it.After enjoying a good thirty minutes of watching the bird,the flock was flushed again by golfers teeing off and i travelled home one more species richer on my 'Linc's List'.....what a little beauty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a footnote and after some discussion about the bird,it seems it may be a 2nd calendar year male due to the orangy-red rather than more red plumage and freshly moulted tertials and secondries.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6716893739081503178.post-10112176696012468412014-02-13T10:45:00.003+00:002014-02-13T10:45:46.220+00:00Superb Scarborough....Sunday 9th February 2014.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a half decent forecast today,i decided to make the trip up into North Yorkshire to my fave place Scarborough.On the journey up it was a bit rainy so before reaching my destination i decided to drive over to Forge valley and the excellent feeding station while the rain stopped.I have been visiting this site since i was a toddler and it is always great to see the species we don't encounter commonly where i live.My personal favourite being the lovely Marsh Tit of which at least 2 were making visits to the feeders.Also seen on around the feeding station were 2 Nuthatch,40 plus Chaffinch and several Blue and Great Tit.In the surrounding woodland the echoing sounds of early Spring included singing Wood Pigeons,the afore mentioned Marsh Tit and a couple of drumming Great-spotted Woodpeckers.At last the weather broke and i travelled over to my parking spot on Marine Drive.After another shower passed over i got the gear together to the sound of cackling Fulmars pairing up on their cliff side residences.After meeting up with local Cetacean expert,Stuart Baines,we stood and watched at least 7 Harbour Porpoise as they hunted and interacted with each other giving some excellent views of this superb animal.After enjoying the Porpoises i made my way down to the Harbour to look for the Juvenile Great-northern Diver.I met up with fellow Birders,Chris Bell and Micky Mcnaghten and we enjoyed stunningly close views of the Diver as it caught several crabs and small fish,sadly this bird was found dead the following day,what a real shame.After taking loads of photos of the cracking Great-northern i made my way around to the East Pier as it was high tide,to look to see if any Purps were roosting and sure enough there was a small group of birds today,with 11 being present.It is always great to catch up with them on my winter visits and they have to rank among my favourite waders.Next stop was the Mere and after some patience,the wintering Firecrest was eventually seen feeding in a Eucalyptus tree in the company of 3 Goldcrest,but was easy to lose amongst the evergreen leaves,a good local record for the area.After enjoying the Firecrested Wren i ended my visit in the company of the wintering Med Gulls at Holbeck car park and they put on a great show as normal with super,stunning,close views.Today there was 5 adults and 2 3rd calendar year birds and they showed very well for the camera as they searched the grassy areas surrounding the car park for earth worms,superb birds and anyone who discards them as a common and boring must need their head seeing to.So another great visit to this fantastic area for the hobby was had today and i travelled home through the stunning Wolds a happy boy.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VbNexIxdCI/UvygMJrxr2I/AAAAAAAAETY/WsBZfP9iFO4/s1600/Juvenile+Great-northern+Diver,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VbNexIxdCI/UvygMJrxr2I/AAAAAAAAETY/WsBZfP9iFO4/s1600/Juvenile+Great-northern+Diver,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Great-northern Diver.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pL531r2cqas/UvygXA7_AyI/AAAAAAAAETg/jC4Nu6h1rSk/s1600/Juvenile+Great-northern+Diver,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire.................._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pL531r2cqas/UvygXA7_AyI/AAAAAAAAETg/jC4Nu6h1rSk/s1600/Juvenile+Great-northern+Diver,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire.................._edited-1.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Great-northern Diver.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHBU4NqU1jk/UvygjfnuhuI/AAAAAAAAETo/Nj9YNf6kwIw/s1600/Juvenile+Great-northern+Diver,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire............................................_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHBU4NqU1jk/UvygjfnuhuI/AAAAAAAAETo/Nj9YNf6kwIw/s1600/Juvenile+Great-northern+Diver,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire............................................_edited-1.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Great-northern Diver.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zgzQElIMoQ/Uvygqz0oUJI/AAAAAAAAETw/HqiJ005Jies/s1600/Juvenile+Great+black-backed+Gull,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire........_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7zgzQElIMoQ/Uvygqz0oUJI/AAAAAAAAETw/HqiJ005Jies/s1600/Juvenile+Great+black-backed+Gull,Scarborough+Harbour,North+Yorkshire........_edited-1.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd calendar year Great black-backed Gull.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4cTJrGULAY/Uvyg1kySWzI/AAAAAAAAET4/epyzKl-0gMg/s1600/2nd+winter+Mediterranean+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R4cTJrGULAY/Uvyg1kySWzI/AAAAAAAAET4/epyzKl-0gMg/s1600/2nd+winter+Mediterranean+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......._edited-1.jpg" height="168" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd calendar year Med. Gull.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVZEZub-5x0/Uvyg9_cz4FI/AAAAAAAAEUA/do89wYZlETA/s1600/Adult+Mediterranean+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......._edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVZEZub-5x0/Uvyg9_cz4FI/AAAAAAAAEUA/do89wYZlETA/s1600/Adult+Mediterranean+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......._edited-1.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Med. Gull.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q74bOgr8vaQ/UvyhF5LV8lI/AAAAAAAAEUI/PpctXTc-mos/s1600/Adult+Mediterranean+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q74bOgr8vaQ/UvyhF5LV8lI/AAAAAAAAEUI/PpctXTc-mos/s1600/Adult+Mediterranean+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Med.Gull.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqNNWC5h00c/UvyhUW7GqbI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/81pAM-9sQyk/s1600/Adult+Black-headed+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqNNWC5h00c/UvyhUW7GqbI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/81pAM-9sQyk/s1600/Adult+Black-headed+Gull,Scarborough,North+Yorkshire......_edited-1.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Black-headed Gull.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09372427467387262276noreply@blogger.com2