So Much to See

Well the weather over the last few days would have been perfect for late September. The hotspots like Spurn have been turning up some interesting birds but middle of the bay locations like Druridge rarely score highly. That said, there is always plenty to see.

Soggy Sand Martin

Chrystoteuchia culmella

Common Blue

On Saturday (13/06/2020) there was an influx of Hoverflies. Very nice for the damp, tired migrant birds. These are 'Marmalade Flies', they are Hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus)

Always great to have your head turned by some unexpected 'pinging'.

This is another migratory Hoverfly (Eupeodes corollae). Think I got ID correct. I have a few more photos yet to ID but will get the books out later this morning.

I think this wasp is one of the Ectemnius species (perhaps Ectemnius continuus).

Once I work out how to get on Flickr I might be able to compare it with some of the excellent galleries I've been told about.

I think this is a Snipe Fly. (Chrysophilus cristatus male)

Ruby-tailed Wasp

Much easier to identify. This is a 'Cuckoo Wasp', It lays its eggs in other Wasp or Bee nests. The eggs then feed on the larvae once they hatch.

An early start this morning and I was lucky to see this Tawny Owl just a short distance from my home. The fog then rolled in and the morning stroll was abandoned. Hopefully after I have finished a few jobs It'll be brighter when I go out this afternoon.

Lazy Birding

Due to the changeable weather and the need to get some shopping I have been using the car for most of the last ten days. It is very convenient but it lacks the relaxed pace of a long walk from home.

A couple of wet and windy days had me walking the loop of  Druridge Bay Country Park. Lots of family groups of birds and a scarce breeding bird not so long ago (Reed Warbler) is now even holding territory in small patches of reeds in this busy park.

Single spike of Bee Orchid (a little early).

This Little Grebe has three chicks. One was a bit camera shy.

Summer Plumage Grey Plover and several Knot, non-breeders?

 

Avocets with two chicks at a new site (not where this photo was taken). Let us hope they can avoid predation.

Cotton Grass

(Newbiggin)

Wild Parsnip

(Newbiggin)

This Roebuck is most obliging. Yesterday it happily fed as I watched it stretching for the leaves and even stayed when I pointed the camera at it.

Great Day Out

Lovely walk to Druridge this morning and avoided the heaviest shower. Saw a small  wader at Druridge and suspected it was a Little Stint but too distant to be certain. On the way back it was a little closer and it was clearly a Little Stint.

By now my morning was almost over. Dark clouds heading my way. So I texted AP about Stint and told him I was heading home before the rain. Oh no I wasn't. After crossing the stile to head home I heard the unmistakable, raucous call of a Great Reed Warbler. 

I sat down recorded the song and hoped for a glimpse. Eventually a pair of Reed Warblers were agitated by the GRW and chased into the vegetation. GWR made one brief appearance and my camera worked. Yes! Normally I get a blurred photo or an empty branch. The GRW then flew along the reedbed. Out of sight but most definitely not out of hearing range. A short deliberation and looking at the site I decided this bird could be safely twitched and I put out the news.

I also heard Cettis, saw Marsh Harriers, Avocets, Stonechats and 3 Little Gulls. Not too shabby!

Mainly Flowers

Well not this one obviously.

Common Milkwort

(Polygala vulgaris)

Easily overlooked

Tree Bee ...

... on Raspberry flowers.

Wild Mignonette

(Reseda lutea)

White Campion

(Silene latifolia)

Weld

(Reseda luteola)

Fox-and-cubs

(Pilosella caespitosa)

Yarrow

(Achillea millefolium)

Spoonbill

Common Spotted-orchid

(Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

Common Twayblade

(Neottia ovata)

Greater Spearwort

(Ranunculus lingua)

Quaking Grass

Happy Familiy

(7 Adult Female, Adult Male +5) Here are three of the juvenile males. A heavily cropped picture, they were miles away.

Common Whitethroat

One of my new patches inaccessible. I hope everyone else follows the notices.

Bladder Campion

(Silene vulgaris)

Black-billed Grasshopper Warbler

31st May

A few days ago I noticed a post from RA on twitter about an unusual Grasshopper W. I believe it was in Wales and had a black bill. Accompanying the post was an article from 'Dutch Birding' 2019 suggesting it might point to an Eastern form (Locustella naevia straminea).

Little did I expect to be staring at one, at close range, at East Chevington the very next day.

1st June

Today I returned to get more photos and to record its song.

Typical Grasshopper Warbler

Just for comparison these were photographed within the same hour although the light level dropped a little. ATi sent a British Birds article 2007. It was very thorough as always and highlighted the chance of a record being accepted was very low without 'in hand' measurements. (Hopefully none of the ringers do this, I'd rather not know than the bird being deliberately trapped.) I guess DNA samples (from excreta) may be a way forward.

This bird (black-billed one) sings in the open, very close to the hide at Chevington so I hope lots of people enjoy this curiosity. A bird has held territory for at least three years and has been well photographed in the past. I wonder if any one can find and post photos on twitter to see if the black bill was overlooked or whether it is a feature which develops with age.

Remember 'Every Day is a School Day'!