tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406485258648270852024-03-13T06:36:31.058+00:00Duckwoman's Diarywww.startbirding.co.ukLinda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-25555683621359116212015-10-29T09:51:00.001+00:002015-10-29T09:51:03.375+00:00I only ever get pigeons! People are always coming to tell me that they put out food to attract birds but they only ever get pigeons. If this sounds like you then you'll be pleased to hear that you can change that. <br />
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Here's what could be happening.,,,,,,,,<br />
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I'm guessing that you're trying to cut costs. Bird food isn't cheap and, once you've started putting food out for the birds you're bound to feel that you want to keep doing it. Am I right? So you shop around for the least expensive food you can find in the hope that you can keep your feeders full all the year round. <br />
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Well my bird loving friends, I can see that this is well intentioned but by buying that inexpensive food (from your local garden centre or discount store) you can almost guarantee that it is packed with wheat, corn and flaked maize. The very thing that pigeons love! <br />
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Most of the inexpensive bird food sold by large retail outlets is bulked up with wheat, corn, biscuit meal and flaked maize, The high energy seed, preferred by the small wild birds that you're wanting to attract, is only found in low proportions. <br />
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Your little birds will throw out all the food they don't like and will only eat the good stuff. You've probably seen them doing this. <br />
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Here's another reason....... the inexpensive food is likely to be stored in large warehouses for a very long time. There is no guarantee that the storage conditions are cool enough to keep oil rich foods from turning rancid and dry enough to deter moulds from growing. Your small birds may find this food unpalatable and may bypass your garden feeders in favour of someone else's. If you're buying peanuts from the same place, then your feeders could be a source of aspergillus mould which creates the deadly aflatoxins responsible for killing wild birds. <br />
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And here's another reason....... if you've filled up your feeders with predominantly wheat and corn and all your target species have turned up their little beaks at what's on offer at your feeding station, your food will certainly go off very quickly and further deter the birds from visiting. You'll watch in earnest in the hope that something stops by but your food will be on the least wanted list. <br />
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So, what's the solution? Well, if you think about how much food is going to waste by continuing to buy bird food in this way, and how little you're actually helping the small birds, it may not surprise you to hear that you can make a big difference by changing your supplier. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwSDwY8kpNa7XDAxe8icwUkqHTp9BkYend29st0LbUkq2N9TiPRqbnqZfkWSWuRhwDWDHxQPF5Kp7ar2N0k-ed4xL4BK3qCeXKY3ib10iGOaCDElNIIIQeOM23oO98pP35OwhFc6pM4it/s1600/LTT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwSDwY8kpNa7XDAxe8icwUkqHTp9BkYend29st0LbUkq2N9TiPRqbnqZfkWSWuRhwDWDHxQPF5Kp7ar2N0k-ed4xL4BK3qCeXKY3ib10iGOaCDElNIIIQeOM23oO98pP35OwhFc6pM4it/s320/LTT.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A long-tailed tit inspects a garden feeder </td></tr>
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You can also save yourself some money by understanding the feeding habits of birds, Why do your feeders stay full at certain time of the year? Well this is when there is a lot of natural food available. Your little avian friends will always prefer to eat natural food so, during those time, just keep a small amount of food in your feeders. If they don't eat it in a couple of weeks, tip it out and add another small amount. That way you won't be wasting feeders full of food. <br />
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I've suggested some reputable suppliers at the end of this blog and you might want to compare prices. You can rest assured that all the food is sourced and stored correctly and that the contents are of the highest quality. You'll be able to choose what you feed and many of the sites will give you advice about what to feed to which species at different times of the year. Some even give you the calorific value of each type of food. You'll be able to choose whether you offer husked food (greenfinches love de-husking black sunflower seeds) or high energy food and, very soon, you may see a decline in pigeons in your garden. Having some pigeons isn't all that bad - they will clear up the seed that has been dropped on the ground which deters rodents.<br />
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Remember to store your food in a cool, dry place, preferably in a proper storage bucket, and it will stay fresh for a long time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Aa3z74C5u75IXrV27jwzOAbERZKb_6uPp9QZQkrZK1wujoS9ZrHx56ucS7W7YvMrYX0O2MfOhoAhHy6N7YZiGT1V4OO7rCiLdBBCW0Mtafh_w0Inq7AoQ-dikVJw5HRR72OGgu_eY6A3/s1600/Goldfinch+niger+seed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Aa3z74C5u75IXrV27jwzOAbERZKb_6uPp9QZQkrZK1wujoS9ZrHx56ucS7W7YvMrYX0O2MfOhoAhHy6N7YZiGT1V4OO7rCiLdBBCW0Mtafh_w0Inq7AoQ-dikVJw5HRR72OGgu_eY6A3/s320/Goldfinch+niger+seed.JPG" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A goldfinch on a niger feeder</td></tr>
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We'll look at what to feed and when to feed in my next blog.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suppliers
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">RSPB <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rspbshop.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.rspbshop.co.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">BTO bird care range<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bto.org/shop/birdcare-range"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.bto.org/shop/birdcare-range</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CJ Wildbird Foods<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.birdfood.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.birdfood.co.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Haith's<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.haiths.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.haiths.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Little Dicky Bird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.littledickybird.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.littledickybird.co.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ernest Charles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; height: 13.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 215.75pt;" valign="top" width="288">
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<a href="http://www.ernest-charles.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.ernest-charles.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Garden Bird Supplies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gardenbird.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.gardenbird.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Living with Birds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.livingwithbirds.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.livingwithbirds.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bird Box<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.birdbox.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.birdbox.co.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Blue Barn, nr Leeds</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thebluebarn.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.thebluebarn.co.uk</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-5142273093967797372015-07-02T16:00:00.000+01:002015-12-19T13:25:08.312+00:00Top tips for choosing bird feedersHello birdwatchers<br />
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It's been a wonderful few days and I've been catching up with jobs around the home. There's nothing like pottering around in your own space and putting your own little world to rights.<br />
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One of my not so little jobs was to take down and wash all of the bird feeders in my garden. Now this isn't the most pleasant of tasks at the best of times and one job that you definitely need a nice day for. Today was the best of days, great weather, birds singing all around me and I had all the time in the world to do it. However, most of the time, we're very busy; the weather isn't so inviting or it is just too darn cold during the winter months, so you need to be able to get the job done fast.<br />
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Here are my top tips for choosing the right bird feeders for your garden..<br />
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<b>1. Don't go for bargain priced feeders.</b><br />
It really is a false economy and you may be contributing to the ill health of your garden birds. Cheap feeders tend to be badly designed and poorly finished to the point that I've seen birds get their legs caught in badly fitting wire. Cheap plastic feeders are less likely to have proper drainage holes too. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Good wire mesh feeders</span></span></td></tr>
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<b>2. Check that the food ports have suitable drainage holes</b><br />
Poor drainage creates a breeding ground for mould and bacteria and optimum growing conditions for the seed. If you regularly see your seed sprouting then this is probably because of poor drainage. Have a look at the base of the bottom feeding port - has it got holes? Are they blocked? When topping up your feeders, make sure that you poke out any dust that has accumulated at the bottom. If there is any damp food in there then take the feeder apart and clean it. Use a reputable dealer when restocking on feeders and when buying disinfectant (see the list below)<b> </b><br />
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<b>3. Think squirrel! </b><br />
If you're lucky enough not to have squirrels in your garden then you'll be able to keep the initial cost of buying feeders to a minimum and buy non-metal varieties. Be aware though that plastics do react to the elements (especially UV light) and may soon have to be replaced when they become brittle. For the rest of us who are plagued with destructive squirrels, go for metal feeders that won't rust. The seed feeder tubes will still be plastic but the feeding ports, top, base and hanging mechanism will all be made of robust materials. The top will also be shaped to disperse raindrops and prevent the food from getting too wet. Some feeders are housed in a squirrel-proof cage which only young squirrels are sometimes able to squeeze themselves into. I can recommend The Nuttery for their caged feeders. I've had mine for over 20 years and they've replaced parts for me free of charge. Droll Yankee feeders are also very robust and reliable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0zKWmExsMtRzzfNgu92sSwCD3AG-VvN5Bff4s8csVHhWE4G-JNsr-r7IIbg-nymP55wtY_bJIWJGwdb-pD8tU9MEK3c0_2a2hVkdWpjIx0B8oCUfxxMZMqjEvoqAtgIa7vIwwgQseBza/s1600/DSC01804.JPG" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've had this feeder from The Nuttery for over 20 years - check out the supplier list below</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course the squirrel can just tip this caged feeder at an angle to get the food out, but there are some squirrel-proof feeders on sale that completely prevent the little darlings from using them. As soon as a squirrel comes near the feeder, a metal sheath drops down to prevent them using the ports. I've not had to use one myself but those that have assure me that it provides hours of fun!</span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>4. Check how they're put together </b><br />
To ensure that your garden birds remain fit and healthy (or at least that you're not responsible for making them ill) you need to clean your feeders regularly. "How regular is regularly" I hear you ask. Well, recently on Springwatch we were advised to clean our bird feeders on a weekly basis if we had seen any signs of greenfinches with Tichomonosis (a protozoan disease - we'll cover that in a future blog). I think you could see Chris Packham blanching at the thought of having to do this each week until Michaela demonstrated by dunking a feeder whole in a specially formulated disinfectant. If you're going to clean your feeders weekly by dunking them fully assembled then, depending on what they are made of, your feeders probably won't last very long. You may get away with it over the warmer months but for the rest of the time I would advise that you take them apart - at least four times a year at least. My general rule is to wash them when I see the plastic tubing going a bit opaque and when a bit of bird poo has accumulated on the top.<br />
<br />
So, once you've decided that you're going to take them apart, this is when things can get very onerous. Bird feeders range from the very simple to the ridiculously complicated when it comes to taking them apart. When buying new feeders, have a good look at how they are put together.<br />
<br />
a) How many fiddly screws do you have to undo to get them apart? It's not easy to do this when your hands are freezing and, if they are difficult to take apart and put back together, you'll be less likely to clean them. Also, trust me, you'll end up dropping a vital screw on the ground and it will mysteriously disappear. I have one small feeder that comes apart by removing just one screw. Simple and beautifully designed. <br />
<br />
b) Ask yourself how easy it could be to actually damage the feeder by taking it apart. Sounds silly but there are feeders out that require the use of pliers or mole grips to get them apart. Once you've done this they look scratched and the protective coating is easily removed from the metal.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My feeder that is held together by 1 small screw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This feeder from Nature's Feast allows you to use 3 different types of food. It is very weatherproof but is very difficult, and fiddly, to take apart and is easily damaged. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metal fat feeder and a hanging bird table for perching birds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAtjM9loEgD_WSZbJNMrxdL6sbKXY8f8PxTe2tGJJWbUSFDH7v4VseRlzg4S6dWQXSBGsphmWUwJlER2Ez9r5Q3VRy69QYTSwAZjUbKhRp0gbV4IQ8S1BP6Mvi4qEBwn5dZVqxrykDm8y/s1600/DSC01805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAtjM9loEgD_WSZbJNMrxdL6sbKXY8f8PxTe2tGJJWbUSFDH7v4VseRlzg4S6dWQXSBGsphmWUwJlER2Ez9r5Q3VRy69QYTSwAZjUbKhRp0gbV4IQ8S1BP6Mvi4qEBwn5dZVqxrykDm8y/s1600/DSC01805.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A selection of metal feeders including a niger seed feeder (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Don't forget that not all birds can use hanging feeders so make sure
that you provide food for birds that like to feed on the ground too. If you see blackbirds and robins trying to balance and take food from your hanging feeders, don't be amused, be aware that they are doing this out of desperation. All that activity is making them use up valuable energy so give them a hand and put some food on the ground.<br />
<br />
We'll look at what to feed and when to feed in my next blog and you can learn about the common mistakes that people make when feeding birds.<br />
<br />
I'll be spending the day at the <a href="http://www.thebluebarn.co.uk/" target="_blank">Blue Barn in Pool-in-Wharfedale</a> near Leeds on Sunday 16th August to answer questions about birds and feeding birds in your garden. Do come and say hello and you can enter my prize draw to win a free 2 hour birdwatching class, a feeder and some seed.<br />
<br />
Here are some garden feeder suppliers<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Suppliers
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">RSPB
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Haith's
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Little
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Garden Bird Supplies <a href="http://www.gardenbird.com/">www.gardenbird.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Living
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The
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<br />
<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-16262779189931003572015-03-26T16:06:00.002+00:002015-03-26T16:06:53.482+00:00Where have all our birds gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqkR-2XiWnBO2x1tZ2wLl8f8LZs0vTdJvb-6JZ4ItI24OE5Tbx98XeKjxzLUdJk1a4vps7oXk0zx7Nk2FxVP9Q1hnd2Nf4BFFdSBFmJQyZ2gxTDebukiqPH5uB_c_UVEnVMxf-D3g3TSE/s1600/Robin+at+Fairburn.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqkR-2XiWnBO2x1tZ2wLl8f8LZs0vTdJvb-6JZ4ItI24OE5Tbx98XeKjxzLUdJk1a4vps7oXk0zx7Nk2FxVP9Q1hnd2Nf4BFFdSBFmJQyZ2gxTDebukiqPH5uB_c_UVEnVMxf-D3g3TSE/s1600/Robin+at+Fairburn.JPG" height="358" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hello birdwatchers<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that the RSPB has announced the results of the Big Garden Birdwatch survey that took place in January this year. Over half a million households took part in the survey and over 8.5 million birds were counted in total.<br />
<br />
The blackbird was the most widely spotted bird in our gardens this year and both robins and wrens were seen more often than last year.<br />
<br />
On the down side, the reported numbers of song thrush, house sparrow, greenfinch and starling were worryingly low with the number of starlings reported in the survey reducing by 80% since the first survey in 1979.<br />
<br />
<b>So what could be the cause of this observed drop in numbers of birds visiting our gardens? </b><br />
<br />
Well, there are a few factors to consider<br />
<br />
1. The main reason that we have seen fewer birds in our gardens this winter is that we've had a long stretch of relatively settled weather in the UK. The long spring and summer months of 2014 will have produced a good natural seed crop providing more food than usual for our birds. As the winter has been relatively mild and dry, much of this food will have remained on the ground unspoilt over the last few months. Our birds will have taken advantage of this abundant food source and will not have had to rely on our garden seed so much. Many people have been telling me that they have had fewer birds visiting their feeders throughout this winter.<br />
<br />
2. The weather has not only been milder here but it has also been milder on the continent. Our resident population of birds is usually supplemented by thousands of individuals that make their way across the North Sea to feed in the UK each winter. If the weather is mild on the continent then many of these birds will be able to find enough food over the winter and won't make the journey to the UK. This may account for people observing fewer chaffinch, brambling, starling and thrush species during the survey. Certainly, we've barely had any waxwings travelling to Britain this winter which is one indicator of the abundance of winter food on the continent.<br />
<br />
3. Still, the trend is that most birds are declining year on year. Why is this? Well I'm going to depress you now but we have to face facts. Most of our bird species are declining because of us. The human population is increasing exponentially and the UK is a tiny island. We've all heard our parents and grandparents say to us "I remember when all this used to be fields". Most of us will probably have memories of our own about places we used to play as children that are now covered with houses, business parks or roads. We're losing vast amounts of habitat each year to concrete and most of our open countryside is intensively farmed. Intensive farming involves the removal of miles of hedgerow; efficient grain collection; the planting of winter crops; and frequent spraying with herbicides and insecticides over the growing season. We class rough grassland and scrub in cities and suburbs as 'waste ground' and are happy to see it go. This ground makes excellent habitat for seed eating birds; those that search for insects hibernating over the winter and also for birds that need to eat small mammals to survive like kestrels and owls. We put our politicians is under pressure to satisfy the need for housing resulting in pledges to build in the region of 100,000 new houses each year. How many years will that take before most of the UK is under concrete? I can't bear to work it out.<br />
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So, next time you're asking yourself where all the birds have gone, take a look at the 'development' going on around you and reflect. Our birds are the price of our 'progress'. Enjoy them while you can.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib670KN0Ejz7BHSXTrGZBSaQzwhMcAdIBmWOMyz00IV4nnXuox2_JL-D2f27_wV8_-eULSUrUat8pQzDujOKN-rFBHCq_g8wOlmTWnvY1V89TAiuetOtoOqAES4LDNnT58n5yjRi7L_mm-/s1600/song+thrush3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib670KN0Ejz7BHSXTrGZBSaQzwhMcAdIBmWOMyz00IV4nnXuox2_JL-D2f27_wV8_-eULSUrUat8pQzDujOKN-rFBHCq_g8wOlmTWnvY1V89TAiuetOtoOqAES4LDNnT58n5yjRi7L_mm-/s1600/song+thrush3.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song thrush</td></tr>
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-58739617470863648882015-01-28T08:47:00.000+00:002015-01-28T08:47:29.045+00:00Winter collection from D&G 2015<span class="userContent">Wild goose chasing in Scotland has always been one of my favourite winter activities and last weekend I took 6 birdwatchers on a 3 day tour of Dumfries and Galloway.</span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">As usual we stayed with Linda and
David Birdsall at the fabulous <a href="http://www.millbraehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Millbrae House B&B and Self Catering Accommodation.</a> Thanks to both of them for their warm welcome and their wonderful hospitality. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">The Solway is home to thousands of geese, whooper swans, ducks and waders over the winter months and the western light, and the beautiful rolling countryside of Dumfries and Galloway, makes the perfect backdrop to see them. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Our first day took us to <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock/" target="_blank">WWT Caerlaverock</a> which gave us our first view of b</span></span><span class="userContent">arnacle geese, around 6,000 all the way from Svalbard. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent"> <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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z7_X8XYo0CWn1t_n5uhvyLWAoHC8xEvGdsdTY1_3QGVx0BvcdoigsZfMxsDqjAFL6S1ZLdcAvbdBjfiidLTsOJGupnpQ8SBajosnetKKtodwgJ-jQ-g8UhkW1LxeSx2L6E8-hmssSK7H/s1600/Barnacles6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Z7_X8XYo0CWn1t_n5uhvyLWAoHC8xEvGdsdTY1_3QGVx0BvcdoigsZfMxsDqjAFL6S1ZLdcAvbdBjfiidLTsOJGupnpQ8SBajosnetKKtodwgJ-jQ-g8UhkW1LxeSx2L6E8-hmssSK7H/s1600/Barnacles6.JPG" height="343" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnacle geese all the way from Svalbard</td></tr>
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</span><br />
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<span class="userContent">We prepared ourselves for a search through flocks of Eurasian teal to find the one</span><span class="userContent"> green-winged teal from North America, then it swam out from behind an island and was completely on its own in the water. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkTEqMqMo1SEuK4KJeImO8gOD_g-ddd-4eGDxlwjId7b5pc5GjE_3BpWulz_EWHPbKEbzimazBfYhjIurjWzJwSUPJZmhFBUwkxSy3SbFGv5L3zPERcUbx7MoI6oUlaivmQ2Hq1cIzVXX/s1600/Green+winged+teal1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkTEqMqMo1SEuK4KJeImO8gOD_g-ddd-4eGDxlwjId7b5pc5GjE_3BpWulz_EWHPbKEbzimazBfYhjIurjWzJwSUPJZmhFBUwkxSy3SbFGv5L3zPERcUbx7MoI6oUlaivmQ2Hq1cIzVXX/s1600/Green+winged+teal1.JPG" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A green-winged teal spending the winter at Caerlaverock</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ_bBgDAekpeaEkUR1AYZ7RwsfC1KLNnVo-XwCCX3Kk133mRuxlcwSJToqFX-E9_uJZ4FWOFkidIGQ37k-p_yTAFeyQbbCVdR75iKKdcHIHOqRCDzR6EcFsSX41_FOUycv0e6DrkOC0l4/s1600/teal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ_bBgDAekpeaEkUR1AYZ7RwsfC1KLNnVo-XwCCX3Kk133mRuxlcwSJToqFX-E9_uJZ4FWOFkidIGQ37k-p_yTAFeyQbbCVdR75iKKdcHIHOqRCDzR6EcFsSX41_FOUycv0e6DrkOC0l4/s1600/teal.JPG" height="312" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compare our Eurasian male teal with its American cousin. Note the horizontal versus vertical white stripe</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">Shoveler, wigeon and pintail fed on the lagoon and curlew, redshank and golden plover could be seen in the surrounding fields. The high tide had also flushed a few grey plover from the shoreline and we were able to compare them with golden plover. Despite the drizzly weather, the western light brought out the oranges of the willow on the reserve. A buzzard perched nearby looking for an easy meal and roe deer fed around the field margins. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7sSKb2oBK55k7iN0jqxie7roRq2FyYwIPCHDRySGpZqSU6EmQ-iJ2jLWCBZZ_uXy50dhZjtvaMLIoqDvLejr59PTfO4OnTlUFsxxnxbPsb0UrGU4qxR5i0WmIbUxs98iwiYrGbfyDRH1/s1600/DSCF5926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7sSKb2oBK55k7iN0jqxie7roRq2FyYwIPCHDRySGpZqSU6EmQ-iJ2jLWCBZZ_uXy50dhZjtvaMLIoqDvLejr59PTfO4OnTlUFsxxnxbPsb0UrGU4qxR5i0WmIbUxs98iwiYrGbfyDRH1/s1600/DSCF5926.JPG" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute and whooper swan with mallard and tufted duck</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">When the weather took a turn for the worst, we sheltered in a hide overlooking the saltmarsh. A low movement caught my eye and I was so excited to see a female hen harrier flying towards us. Everyone managed to see her as she looked us in the eye and flew past the hide hunting low over the fields. Her white rump and owl-like face clearly visible. This was a rare and wonderful sight for us and I'm sure that we will recall that experience on all of our future trips to the area. We ate a hearty meal at <a href="http://www.barendbarandrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Barend</a> in Sandyhills and listed our birds of the day. </span><br />
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<span class="userContent">On day 2 we stuck close to our B&B visiting Rockcliffe first thing, <a href="http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/galloway/carlingwark-loch.shtml" target="_blank">Carlingwark Loch</a> in Castle Douglas; <a href="http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/threave-castle-p248641" target="_blank">Threave Castle</a>; the red kite feeding station at <a href="http://www.gallowaykitetrail.com/item-38-bellymack-hill-farm-kite-feeding-station" target="_blank">Bellymack Farm</a>, Laurieston and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/k/kendeemarshes/" target="_blank">Loch Ken</a> to look for Greenland white-fronted geese. By the end of the day we'd also seen pink-footed geese, more pintail, teal and wigeon, goldeneye, red kite, redwing, mistle thrush and ticked birds such as little grebe and coot at Carlingwark Loch (which are difficult to find on the Solway reserves). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4pkHCZgG4fNcTSFv0bd4sjz59Tn06cke4gCLqRlk77tUY8Nn0yytf3ck31EQMd6A5qs2clw6cBq_ya2dTYhpYUDxFSbAwPHUndgW9TxsQy-EYZgbdDul86xp9MYzj39P8EN2sUG3x4Xg/s1600/DSCF5974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4pkHCZgG4fNcTSFv0bd4sjz59Tn06cke4gCLqRlk77tUY8Nn0yytf3ck31EQMd6A5qs2clw6cBq_ya2dTYhpYUDxFSbAwPHUndgW9TxsQy-EYZgbdDul86xp9MYzj39P8EN2sUG3x4Xg/s1600/DSCF5974.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockcliffe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhX1hhauWDoWQogslOAMFDnzhwF1p7QhMYu9al-eOpV8wANlkSzES4Zj0Lh6Kxoh-ot834SqTIu61f-0dqveLgj2oTlXsXY72v55KAgYjNuLASh8GEctfKuZetB8O8MV0uNwgHUf6BQJM/s1600/Redwing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhX1hhauWDoWQogslOAMFDnzhwF1p7QhMYu9al-eOpV8wANlkSzES4Zj0Lh6Kxoh-ot834SqTIu61f-0dqveLgj2oTlXsXY72v55KAgYjNuLASh8GEctfKuZetB8O8MV0uNwgHUf6BQJM/s1600/Redwing.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redwing at Carlingwark Loch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoOBxAP_IriudTYD04-Ttz5JxoIWk7t5zjThB74kGDojRdtm4zRh6puzQtonFMKUBYjNPH6p18lpAs22-H3veXWHO2bzbm-TwMwHhGoPBzFcqWIEkNa_i5F0igAmAuaZzJ3QjiYJYHwfW/s1600/Roe+deer+Mersehead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoOBxAP_IriudTYD04-Ttz5JxoIWk7t5zjThB74kGDojRdtm4zRh6puzQtonFMKUBYjNPH6p18lpAs22-H3veXWHO2bzbm-TwMwHhGoPBzFcqWIEkNa_i5F0igAmAuaZzJ3QjiYJYHwfW/s1600/Roe+deer+Mersehead.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roe deer at Threave Castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJELBJI1Kzt40Tzsi6FZRbuOl_CnuQChX-XcdNcwdN-oI5tkm5_bpPO9n2b0IusKrt23wyJ3UPaI_RWsRaF8QSk6Z6RXaZ3xz_d2idHRsTvA09cZ8mMXyVf6LNv295fiFjNiuFQPW2smU/s1600/Threave+Castle4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJELBJI1Kzt40Tzsi6FZRbuOl_CnuQChX-XcdNcwdN-oI5tkm5_bpPO9n2b0IusKrt23wyJ3UPaI_RWsRaF8QSk6Z6RXaZ3xz_d2idHRsTvA09cZ8mMXyVf6LNv295fiFjNiuFQPW2smU/s1600/Threave+Castle4.JPG" height="316" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threave Castle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq45Nl8H4bC0wCcMcwINNJ8UhdgA__Lknwt2o-XVdQPAtDKlBg-3MwCjfNyA-hRFq-NI5K3rozlKzHzwJvZduE5Oz4NMzDivuo92gHF0eNXiwfWB_FlmJGQtJgbkFXDJmg3vAWyS0lvNfO/s1600/Red+kites2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq45Nl8H4bC0wCcMcwINNJ8UhdgA__Lknwt2o-XVdQPAtDKlBg-3MwCjfNyA-hRFq-NI5K3rozlKzHzwJvZduE5Oz4NMzDivuo92gHF0eNXiwfWB_FlmJGQtJgbkFXDJmg3vAWyS0lvNfO/s1600/Red+kites2.JPG" height="400" width="347" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red kites at Laurieston</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCYWBDN5OPtpX-gyyLPxv78e8cZSwpnWgOcUz51cUvNLQGFOvER39oDNjIjdvj9TeSVB9_4IyjeTcVHF-kXGNawe9ntGfjXiHPTUX118tZeGVD3l_5X7LN4Tt6o_SjK2pmT1byMZMRcJk/s1600/Greenland+WF5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCYWBDN5OPtpX-gyyLPxv78e8cZSwpnWgOcUz51cUvNLQGFOvER39oDNjIjdvj9TeSVB9_4IyjeTcVHF-kXGNawe9ntGfjXiHPTUX118tZeGVD3l_5X7LN4Tt6o_SjK2pmT1byMZMRcJk/s1600/Greenland+WF5.jpg" height="378" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenland white-fronted geese</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">On a recommendation, we travelled to the <a href="http://www.thewillowtreepalnackie.co.uk/" target="_blank">Willow Tree</a> in Palnackie for our evening meal. The food, ambiance and staff were fantastic and we will certainly return next year. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">On day 3 we headed to one of my favourite reserves in the UK, <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/m/mersehead/" target="_blank">RSPB Mersehead</a> to get another goose fix. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNH54H92MHJ9EwUTQmbxq1j5nIVMhhkuY7bRRvc65MF15ivi8hZJLNnRa4fDcYCwPfV1Up-0DLcOftFEq9k3YCKcJR2djyk1pFOr58Jyfv-NdGmmf2f6QYkYQlRdvap4dz8t_XQwAXFII/s1600/DSCF0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNH54H92MHJ9EwUTQmbxq1j5nIVMhhkuY7bRRvc65MF15ivi8hZJLNnRa4fDcYCwPfV1Up-0DLcOftFEq9k3YCKcJR2djyk1pFOr58Jyfv-NdGmmf2f6QYkYQlRdvap4dz8t_XQwAXFII/s1600/DSCF0267.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">I love the mixture of habitats and the feeling of space giving uninterrupted views of rolling hills, </span></span><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">rough grassland, farmland, lagoon and shoreline. A thin strip of wet woodland provides an enchanting walk to look for treecreeper and great spotted woodpecker. The enchantment comes from the many species of bryophytes and lichens that have colonised the standing trees and fallen branches and it seems that, if a person stood too long, they would quickly become a mossy mound. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVrYmoADIrAT5hOhUNNnOj5hzhSiPMFHUgXunv3M4gHQk3W_x6TtQx1TLKUQLJMYd3nNDV615uAGVjm53va9zWhEP32i_QwtQy2xDyEa1Q0EG2MZ4cJBNh_r2PDi3wrAowosFLeG6Dfy7/s1600/DSCF0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVrYmoADIrAT5hOhUNNnOj5hzhSiPMFHUgXunv3M4gHQk3W_x6TtQx1TLKUQLJMYd3nNDV615uAGVjm53va9zWhEP32i_QwtQy2xDyEa1Q0EG2MZ4cJBNh_r2PDi3wrAowosFLeG6Dfy7/s1600/DSCF0241.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryophytes and lichens at Mersehead</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Mersehead hides also showcase the work of local artist John Threlfall. The colourful murals certainly reflect the diversity and the charm of the reserve. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl4HLY5eZLgDaxoHzQRM9FHqkqVpruOshKv_lvoiEPq835G2l-A5KFvwP_0tADNsbOAkxR5lzi8lPwfyPmzVrFDlosOjq5ctTyETLdeCdn1ZhBcxGBhg3fJftraKVXNYOJIMq3DrMVMB3/s1600/DSCF0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl4HLY5eZLgDaxoHzQRM9FHqkqVpruOshKv_lvoiEPq835G2l-A5KFvwP_0tADNsbOAkxR5lzi8lPwfyPmzVrFDlosOjq5ctTyETLdeCdn1ZhBcxGBhg3fJftraKVXNYOJIMq3DrMVMB3/s1600/DSCF0191.JPG" height="182" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide art at Mersehead by John Threlfall</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"> I'm always emphasising the importance of scanning fence posts, twigs and distant trees when birdwatching and there is no easier place to do this than Mersehead. We were able to add a distant stonechat to our list then, another rush of excitement, as the horizontal stance of a large raptor alerted us to a female hen harrier sitting on a nearby fence (probably the same bird as seen at Caerlaverock). By this time the drizzle was quickly covering our lenses so taking photos wasn't possible but we had fabulous views of her perching and hunting over the fields. Flocks of pintail, teal and lapwing lifted as she made her way over the landscape. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Time was moving on and, as the rain had stopped, we decided to aim for a starling murmuration towards Gretna. On the way back, a couple of little egrets spotted in a field made us stop on the side of the road. This proved profitable as, from there, we could see the solway and managed to scope red-breasted merganser and a female scaup as well as more redshank, curlew and a heron in the fields. </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">We got to our starling site just in time and watched a swirling mass, twisting and turning in unison, before the light finally disappeared. After a quick coffee stop at Gretna we headed back home to Leeds. With a group total of 83 species we had so many wonderful memories to reflect on on they way back. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starling murmuration on the Solway coast</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">If you're interested in joining me at D&G next year then give me a call on 07778 768719 or email linda.startbirding@gmail.com</span></span>Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-35555619430677009062014-12-29T18:59:00.000+00:002014-12-29T18:59:23.508+00:00Best birding moments of 2014It's that time of year again when I look back at 12 months of birdwatching classes and trips with the aim of listing my top 5 birding moments. I think that this year has been easier than most of the others, mainly because so much has happened locally (which gives me an extra buzz).<br />
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I've been so lucky to share most of my 2014 highlights with regular members of my birdwatching classes, or my personal friends, by far the best way to experience wildlife. However, with focusing on birds nearer to home, this year's total is only 201 (with 2 days to go), down on last year's total.<br />
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Well, here is my list in reverse order:<br />
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<b>Number 5: </b>Getting close up views of a female (therefore more brightly coloured) red-necked phalarope at North Cave Wetlands. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked phalarope at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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<b>Number 4:</b> Finding dippers breeding on my local patch in Leeds <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEY8WE2KqKazyXEc2nk3Vbgq4GgvOlJkTTkq_rWhyd-badbIU8Ze6u-vwX4BAqYI0HTIzkDeya16yxwYNwF0S_CcP9UdE1Js2rzA-jZHL5Uj1AHJ70adlKUvXT5QUhuWODuAuePWl4SMz/s1600/dipper+chick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEY8WE2KqKazyXEc2nk3Vbgq4GgvOlJkTTkq_rWhyd-badbIU8Ze6u-vwX4BAqYI0HTIzkDeya16yxwYNwF0S_CcP9UdE1Js2rzA-jZHL5Uj1AHJ70adlKUvXT5QUhuWODuAuePWl4SMz/s1600/dipper+chick2.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipper chick being fed by its parent</td></tr>
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<b>Number 3: </b>Talking briefly on Radio 4's Saturday Live about swifts coming to my nest boxes at home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to hear the broadcast</td></tr>
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<b><b>Number 2: </b></b>finding a woodcock sitting out in the sun about 3 feet from me at Bolton Abbey. So close that I could almost have touched it. <b><br /></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p2VyMLVBB1yjr0x6_oRl7VXY6nElZgvvRphI4Zr3udBA-o4JvvBd84AMRMIJyBnIarT4ljyCdWYY6ymdhRI71GUruACsMYQBNzgMDLv7d40uwRur5QJZy_HARzB_QCoAwjN_NAIGDASd/s1600/woodcock+at+Bolton+Abbey.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p2VyMLVBB1yjr0x6_oRl7VXY6nElZgvvRphI4Zr3udBA-o4JvvBd84AMRMIJyBnIarT4ljyCdWYY6ymdhRI71GUruACsMYQBNzgMDLv7d40uwRur5QJZy_HARzB_QCoAwjN_NAIGDASd/s1600/woodcock+at+Bolton+Abbey.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the woodcock sitting so close that non of my group could see it! </td></tr>
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And (drum roll) the <b>Best Birding Moment of 2014 </b>was the first successful breeding attempt by swifts in new nest boxes at a friend's house in Gledhow. Here is a photo of just one of the birds just before it fledged in September. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 'home grown' Gledhow swift </td></tr>
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My favourite 'other wildlife' moment was watching a stoat chasing a rabbit the full length of Snettisham Beach in Norfolk.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my photo but this was very close to the amazing sight</td></tr>
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If you'd like to find out more about my birdwatching classes for beginners then please get in touch via the form on the right of this page. <br />
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Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-12135058483380173652014-11-10T11:08:00.003+00:002014-11-10T11:08:49.687+00:00Torrential rain? Not at Staveley! It just goes to show that you can't believe everything you read on the Internet. That was certainly true on Saturday for <a href="http://www.startbirding.co.uk/" target="_blank">Start Birding's</a> trip to the <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/staveley-nature-reserve" target="_blank">Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Staveley Nature Reserve</a> near Ripon. We set off in pouring rain with a forecast of an unrelenting downpour for the whole of our 1pm - dusk class. Sightings of our crepuscular target species, barn owl, water rail and starlings performing a mini-murmuration were impossible to realise under these conditions but we were happy to look for birds on the lagoons in the comfort of the two public hides. <br /><br />Imagine how our spirits lifted when, after less than an hour, the rain stopped. We'd managed to dry out in the warm, straw bale hide while watching birds such as wigeon, teal and goldeneye from their breeding grounds in the north and resident little grebe, sparrowhawk and kestrel. Feeling snug, and smug, we continued to the next hide finding great spotted woodpecker, a late migrating chiffchaff and incomers from Scandinavia, redwing and fieldfare. An excellent marsh tit 'pitchou-ed' at us from the woodland and showed briefly. <br /><br />We took our seats in the well placed but draughtier smaller hide for the grand finale just as an autumn glow was spreading over the reserve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiRpPM26x6U8Sle2sOM9rnbWucfNgi24yjmCgLJs440ZNYs4RfEBOsW0fDubRwn3iMwBn4SsyXUn2veliuaT7mPWEcd5HL0bCxvMLaZUkroEmcTt9RTi1kAyvU0IExL3QsISQT42LTH4Z/s1600/autumn+colours.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiRpPM26x6U8Sle2sOM9rnbWucfNgi24yjmCgLJs440ZNYs4RfEBOsW0fDubRwn3iMwBn4SsyXUn2veliuaT7mPWEcd5HL0bCxvMLaZUkroEmcTt9RTi1kAyvU0IExL3QsISQT42LTH4Z/s1600/autumn+colours.JPG" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn colours and bright skies at Staveley despite the bad forecast</td></tr>
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Many an evening has been spent here waiting and watching for something wonderful. While watching tree sparrow and reed bunting at the feeders, a willow tit appeared showing its 'snatch and grab' behaviour as it fed on sunflower seeds. Eventually it stood still just long enough for us to see its pale wing panel and bull neck which distinguishes it from marsh tit. Finding both at the reserve was a rare treat. Two minutes later its 'churr churr churr' call could be heard from low down in the vegetation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow tit</td></tr>
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<br />As the day waned, our first target bird emerged from the reed bed, a water rail. This shy grey, black and brown bird is a beautiful contrast of colour, striations and speckles. The bright red decurved bill is only visible with binoculars as the light begins to fail. It tip-toed silently in a gap in the reeds, searching for sticklebacks and shrimps, before quickly running for cover.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLedI3ZfyWIYF9B5Jgg8dhZSzC9myBIZWVgUGUGIBCF8iD3pPYbcdvWX_gpSbT0wHXlWPMzejiaQIaY6DRkcsZee-oAx_B54x7ZKezVqMSmR_I4YZOcH5h20-bur0Wvvo71pA4IxUXTpg/s1600/water+rail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLedI3ZfyWIYF9B5Jgg8dhZSzC9myBIZWVgUGUGIBCF8iD3pPYbcdvWX_gpSbT0wHXlWPMzejiaQIaY6DRkcsZee-oAx_B54x7ZKezVqMSmR_I4YZOcH5h20-bur0Wvvo71pA4IxUXTpg/s1600/water+rail.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water rail at dusk (photo: Rodney German)</td></tr>
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Small groups of starlings began to roam the skies and then a barn owl emerged from its roost. It perched for a few minutes, quartered the rough grassland looking for voles and disappeared from view.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9xITh65RrCW2DBlxiVHzCEgzo5mKA1x-VTSlROU_TBxV6IwwzSNOZ7c_TfP0AHEaIjtXMiBJ2Uj_AHhmOp68-RO8tPQpvx0k4QImMku0XKXhwKoyb37b5q9W6LTJq7_VpxBhKraZ87-u/s1600/barn+owl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9xITh65RrCW2DBlxiVHzCEgzo5mKA1x-VTSlROU_TBxV6IwwzSNOZ7c_TfP0AHEaIjtXMiBJ2Uj_AHhmOp68-RO8tPQpvx0k4QImMku0XKXhwKoyb37b5q9W6LTJq7_VpxBhKraZ87-u/s1600/barn+owl2.jpg" height="400" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">barn owl</td></tr>
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The water rail emerged again. The starlings were gaining in number and then, another barn owl awoke. We didn't know where to look. We split into 3 groups so that we could keep track of the activity. Eventually, it was the swirling murmuration that held our attention. Not the thousands of birds seen in places like Gretna but a beautiful display nevertheless.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8m7zynJrdYUuRjecioCDejPd2n-hjMUPfZF5a-N8PUTF7Kb58r1kWofOHKXQLEDoQ7pUifkbdkh1pqbUKiV55mxeKHHr1xXilzHmywWMgqyQdCCfzEgQHcu2UmnqHBBVXRq8E2gYNkU-9/s1600/starlings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8m7zynJrdYUuRjecioCDejPd2n-hjMUPfZF5a-N8PUTF7Kb58r1kWofOHKXQLEDoQ7pUifkbdkh1pqbUKiV55mxeKHHr1xXilzHmywWMgqyQdCCfzEgQHcu2UmnqHBBVXRq8E2gYNkU-9/s1600/starlings.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">small groups of starlings gather at Staveley before their final murmuration</td></tr>
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Then, unexpectedly, the starlings funnelled into the reeds right in front of the hide with some urgency. An amazing sight on its own but then a male peregrine sliced through the air in pursuit, giving us an amazing fly past. It landed in a willow on the other side of the water before taking off again, chased by crows. Once the peregrine had gone, the starlings chattered loudly from the safety of the reed bed. Other birds joined in, all invisible in the dense mass of golden stems. <br /><br />As we made our way back to the car park for a warm cup of tea, we watched barn owls hunting low over the fields. A truly magical afternoon.<br />
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I'll be running another trip to Staveley in the mid-winter so please email linda.startbirding@gmail.com for details and to book your place. Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-34143095873976630382014-10-23T16:37:00.001+01:002014-10-23T16:37:04.501+01:00Waiting for the wader and wildfowl spectacularWhen everyone starts to mourn the loss of the summer and dreads the thought of the dark nights, that is when I start to get excited about the months to come. <br />
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Am I mad? Well some might say that I am, but I get this feeling because I know what is coming. I know that, with every hour that those days are getting shorter, more and more wader and wildfowl species are making their way to the UK from the Arctic. Birds from as far away as northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Scandinavia, Franz Josef Land and other parts of Arctic Russia. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hundreds of thousands of birds will leave their breeding grounds in this region to overwinter in the UK</td></tr>
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Some of these birds will start their migration as early as late June. These are birds that didn't reach sexual maturity and only made the journey originally as a practise run, or they could have attempted to breed but couldn't find a mate. Those arriving in July may have mated but their eggs or chicks were predated. It is a hostile world in the Arctic and there are only a few short weeks to produce the next generation. If it doesn't work out the first time then there isn't much hope of having suitable weather conditions for long enough to warrant a second try. <br />
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So the autumn (outward) migration starts early - when we're eating ice creams and paddling in the sea. It is also a leisurely affair, food and survival being the only real motivators. This year we've had favourable and prolonged weather conditions which has meant that migration has reached its peak slightly later than usual. It is certainly in full swing now though. And not just wildfowl and waders, many other species of bird also arrive in their thousands such as redwing, fieldfare, starling, goldcrest, brambling and blackbird. If you've got more than the usual number of blackbirds in your garden at the moment then some of them will be from the continent. It's also a great time to look and listen for redwings. See if you can hear migrating redwings on clear, still nights as they migrate in from Scandinavia. If you listen closely you'll hear a 'tseep' sound from above. <br />
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Keep up to date on the movements of birds by following the very informative British Trust for Ornithology's <a href="http://btomigrationblog.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bird Migration Blog</a>. You'll be able to read about which American birds have been blown off their migratory flyway and have ended up in the UK due to westerly winds over the Atlantic. No one knows whether they'll ever make it back safely - all we do know is that they disappear. <br />
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Have a look at the map of the flyways below. Ours is the East Atlantic Flyway but we often get birds from other flyways depending on the weather.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map showing migration flyways</td></tr>
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Anyway, back to the wildfowl and waders. The best place to see migrating wildfowl and waders in Yorkshire is at Spurn National Nature Reserve. Flocks of waders are already gathering on the Humber. The majority of these are knot. You'll also be able to see pink-footed geese, brent geese and whooper swans over the coming months. Follow the action on the <a href="http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/" target="_blank">Spurn Bird Observatory</a> website.<br />
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Many of these birds will eventually move on to the Wash which is why I'm feeling excited because of my <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Wader and Wildfowl Spectacular</b></span> tour in North Norfolk on Thursday 20th to Saturday 22nd November. Here we will see thousands of knot and other waders swirling around the beaches of North Norfolk and we'll witness the sights and sounds of enormous flocks of pink-footed geese lifting off the Wash at dawn. We'll also look for whooper and Bewick swan, brent geese, European white-fronted geese and the scarcer bean goose. <br />
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One winter weekend just isn't enough and I'll be heading off to Dumfries and Galloway for another <b><span style="color: #990000;">Winter Collection at D&G </span></b>tour in January 2015. Here we'll see whooper swans from Iceland, Greenland white-fronted geese and thousands of barnacle geese, pink-footed geese and scaup which is a sea duck that gathers in the Solway and Loch Ryan near Stranraer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flock of pink footed geese</td></tr>
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Of course there will be lots of other opportunities to Start Birding throughout the autumn and winter months so <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com" target="_blank">get in touch</a> to find out about classes running from 2 hours to a full day. I'm based in Leeds and run local trips in the city and around Yorkshire. I also travel to other counties to spend the day in some of the UK's best birding sites. Click on the other tabs for more information or visit my website www.startbirding.co.uk<br />
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I'm going to be busy so, if I'm not blogging for a while, catch up on my day-to-day birdwatching by 'Liking' my Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StartBirding" target="_blank">Facebook/StartBirding </a>and by following me on <a href="https://twitter.com/" target="_blank">Twitter@StartBirding </a><br />
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Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-59537598246122831362014-09-14T20:32:00.001+01:002014-09-14T20:32:14.069+01:00Fledglings, festivals and the Tour de FranceHello birdwatchers<br />
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I'm feeling slightly embarrassed at not keeping up to my blog as often as I used to although I have been spending a lot of time posting news on my Facebook page. I hope you've had a chance to see it. If not then please click on the Start Birding Facebook link. <br />
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It has been a truly marvellous spring and summer in the UK and the majority of my classes have been held in warm sunshine.<br />
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The last few weeks have been spent rearing a brood of blackbirds and photographing the first young swifts from a new colony in Gledhow. The smallest blackbird didn't make it but I'm hoping that the remaining blackbird, and the swift fledglings will survive the hazards of autumn and winter and eventually rear their own young.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our baby blackbirds (two out of 3 successfully fledged)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young swift at a new colony in Gledhow, Leeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">young swift watching an adult go by</td></tr>
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Also new in Leeds was the brand new, and very successful , artificial sand martin bank at Rodley Nature Reserve. Visitors to the reserve have been able to watch adults feeding chicks, for the first time, right the way through the spring and summer. <br />
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Over the last couple of months, I've spent a great deal of time at RSPB St Aidan's, varying the trips by taking different routes into the reserve. Astley Lane has given us the opportunity to look for little owl; the Mickletown Ings route provided sedge and reed warbler at close quarters and the Swillington route took us through dense scrub to look <i>Sylvia </i>and <i>Phyloscopus </i>warblers. Each time we've made it to the eastern reedbed we've seen black-necked grebe with chicks. It has been a good year to compare grebe chicks of different species and varying degrees of 'humbug' stripes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-necked grebe with chick</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">great crested grebe with chicks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little grebe chicks</td></tr>
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The other most memorable trips were to Upper Teesdale, Bolton Abbey, YWT Staveley, YWT North Cave, Alkborough Flats, YWT Spurn Point, Rutland Water and RSPB Bempton Cliffs. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our trip to Alkborough in July</td></tr>
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It has been a summer of celebrations with the RSPB Leeds Group celebrating its 40th anniversary; two members of my (still running) '2005' class jointly celebrating their 60th birthdays and my dad enjoying his 80th year with a visit to Upper Teesdale.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RSPB Leeds Local Group celebrate their 40th anniversary at Rodley Nature Reserve</td></tr>
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I took part in this year's Burley Festival at Burley-in-Wharfedale and really enjoyed myself teaching a 3 hour class. It was great meeting everyone and I hope to see you all again in the near future.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YlOrzG_1CqZZM30VHGC4gaELCXKK3P-r9RpDkNyQjM3t11Lp9cfJvgS03hBpZ0v88qwsXeZcNGX-gDdH9nQjI1T3SK6EhpUQJBhZBA7fvL7nBoK-91yd3oFOReRclN98IxTinScDzBCG/s1600/2014-08-22+09.20.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YlOrzG_1CqZZM30VHGC4gaELCXKK3P-r9RpDkNyQjM3t11Lp9cfJvgS03hBpZ0v88qwsXeZcNGX-gDdH9nQjI1T3SK6EhpUQJBhZBA7fvL7nBoK-91yd3oFOReRclN98IxTinScDzBCG/s1600/2014-08-22+09.20.56.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teaching at the Burley Festival</td></tr>
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Now I'm understanding why I've felt so busy! On top of all this the first Hen Harrier Day was organised to coincide with the start of the not so 'glorious 12th' grouse shooting season. It was a shame the weather was so bad but many people turned up to events across the country. <br />
<br />I, and thousands of other people, attended the 26th annual Birdfair at Rutland Water in August and took a day out to do some birding on this vast reserve then, a couple of weeks ago, it was the Spurn Migration Festival. Take a look at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skx52TeJaf0&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">this film</a> to give you a flavour of the Migfest - I'll look forward to seeing you there next year. <br />
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It has been wonderful to be in Yorkshire over the summer with the Grand Depart of the Tour de France taking place in Leeds and Leeds Rhinos winning the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1999. September is already in full swing and I'm already writing my next blog featuring migrating birds. <br />
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Happy birding! <br />
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-86709162627893169052014-06-08T19:43:00.000+01:002014-06-11T12:45:40.856+01:00Tommy Noddys and Cuddy Ducks<br />
As business grows there is always more to do and I've realised, now that I have <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StartBirding" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and @StartBirding on Twitter, that I've not been updating my blog as often as I used to.<br />
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I've just got back from leading my annual trip to Northumberland, land of Tommy Noddys and Cuddy ducks, so I thought I'd make this the subject of this month's blog and take you on a journey around this wonderful county. Keep reading to find out what these names mean.<br />
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My companions first started coming to classes as early as 2005 when they began learning about birds at (what was then) Park Lane College in Leeds, now <a href="http://www.leedscitycollege.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Leeds City College</a>. We now meet in a conservatory, belonging to one member of the group, during the winter months. Each year in June we travel to Northumberland and vary the mix of birdwatching sites from year to year.<br />
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This year, with full winter gear in tow due to a terrible weather forecast, we headed for Seahouses on our first day to take a trip to the Farne Islands. The sea was flat calm and the weather was mild but heavy downpours were expected. This kept the crowds down and we almost had the boat to ourselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECkAw12qmyXeiMgcVsLareRrwnuxlTutpQSs8U-2B0FYyi9PkcushcuAbY0O8u8Y6hL6DHkcMT-hV4GOU4XCB0-j4O9LlLZ31Iuiynfj5yjBvE-2ZMD072grPp_lFFgBpCDDzv8ul6rMk/s1600/DSCF1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECkAw12qmyXeiMgcVsLareRrwnuxlTutpQSs8U-2B0FYyi9PkcushcuAbY0O8u8Y6hL6DHkcMT-hV4GOU4XCB0-j4O9LlLZ31Iuiynfj5yjBvE-2ZMD072grPp_lFFgBpCDDzv8ul6rMk/s1600/DSCF1584.JPG" height="187" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillemots surround us as we make our way around the Farne Islands</td></tr>
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We were taken around the islands to look at seals, puffins (known locally as Tommy Noddys), guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, shags and eiders (also known as Cuddy Ducks). Gannets could be seen flying to and fro from Bass Rock, which is just off the coast of North Berwick, and we were able to age the individual birds by looking at their feather patterns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-xMMb2NTONmnid8bTLbo5ZT1q26f8fROqzOrKyNA3jS0eTcKhEDM1EbO0K1H0rCC9MsjH5GGZN7wOcXw1Dv2Q3D9-TKkXNQ6L_WSDfQwNsdktdntJfWy5RotrLFmpJJHFr_-JOfCp4XJ/s1600/DSCF1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-xMMb2NTONmnid8bTLbo5ZT1q26f8fROqzOrKyNA3jS0eTcKhEDM1EbO0K1H0rCC9MsjH5GGZN7wOcXw1Dv2Q3D9-TKkXNQ6L_WSDfQwNsdktdntJfWy5RotrLFmpJJHFr_-JOfCp4XJ/s1600/DSCF1612.JPG" height="190" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey seals can be seen in large groups off the coast of Northumberland</td></tr>
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We landed on Inner Farne, the closest island to Seahouses, which belongs to the National Trust. Sandwich terns nest on the shore here and, if you look very closely, you can find a ringed plover nesting among the pebbles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsNFVGPfzMCDiG-xf3_WpVAaiCq3f56yZAAUXXGwmnqhYk9GiH1Vnkkw5YFD-sSmdDnypjH16CMVJMjrFQfkkCAtskieIa-mym9w4wENGDNC5poRC81qQA5uMIUAkuyIha7SjEkxWdjPt/s1600/ringed+plover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEsNFVGPfzMCDiG-xf3_WpVAaiCq3f56yZAAUXXGwmnqhYk9GiH1Vnkkw5YFD-sSmdDnypjH16CMVJMjrFQfkkCAtskieIa-mym9w4wENGDNC5poRC81qQA5uMIUAkuyIha7SjEkxWdjPt/s1600/ringed+plover1.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ringed plover can be found nesting on pebble beaches </td></tr>
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It was then time to put on our hats and face the needle sharp beaks of the Arctic terns. I'm certain that these birds queue up for the best places to attack every visitor that arrives on the island and I'm sure that they are getting more aggressive as each year goes by. They nest along side the boardwalk and fly up to peck you as soon as you get close to the nest. You know that you're going to be targeted when you hear their cackling call and very soon afterwards you'll feel the thud on your head. If you stand still, you can get them to settle on you and pose for a photo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIPwofAKdMD9mEpYhwQ4SVeZ0gHtyxNSDeqevuV1mWfl04N9ZIJriv8SNQoRaOus9GkKWdmXQsPfOJtXEjDm88da8jqm2nfqJIRVKbXrYojDPeQuZp4HTD0GL54h138106CzNCnA7YBea/s1600/DSCF1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIPwofAKdMD9mEpYhwQ4SVeZ0gHtyxNSDeqevuV1mWfl04N9ZIJriv8SNQoRaOus9GkKWdmXQsPfOJtXEjDm88da8jqm2nfqJIRVKbXrYojDPeQuZp4HTD0GL54h138106CzNCnA7YBea/s1600/DSCF1858.JPG" height="400" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arctic tern attack on Inner Farne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqY4U9EfXb0uuOj4mBiUiJTjGJ31EYOE62mMUoJGBn8kOpkqKIpn-6mj9QtZonqjFm1mV72Z5VQRU0Ftv_rxXMxFEvSoUhPpCC3e_WNz09kKJ3xftPUt3mY-Dlw4Ax8ehBAMS93huKIOU9/s1600/Linda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqY4U9EfXb0uuOj4mBiUiJTjGJ31EYOE62mMUoJGBn8kOpkqKIpn-6mj9QtZonqjFm1mV72Z5VQRU0Ftv_rxXMxFEvSoUhPpCC3e_WNz09kKJ3xftPUt3mY-Dlw4Ax8ehBAMS93huKIOU9/s1600/Linda.jpg" height="400" width="365" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're lucky you can get them to settle on your head</td></tr>
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Moving further along the boardwalk, we found the common tern nesting sites and were able to compare them to the Arctics. Arctic terns have a deep red bill and very short, deep red legs while common terns have a more orange-red bill with a black tip and slightly longer orange-red legs. These species are difficult to distinguish in flight so birdwatchers often refer to them as 'comic' terns (common or Arctic). The length of the bird's tails, calls, flight and feeding patterns and translucency of the wing are also used as clues to identification.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNweK6snETygrLzpzZtqtC8W6K2hFkwmFHZyvg7sLr1WWNOoECt2wboRqbnqhdTk1L8EwU5AWeNF2N9szChdy9aCqsNbZ6zOJub86ztcTGOx6g_Asz0J-6n668ZRlfcCeKFNlD8PKMmNv-/s1600/common+tern+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNweK6snETygrLzpzZtqtC8W6K2hFkwmFHZyvg7sLr1WWNOoECt2wboRqbnqhdTk1L8EwU5AWeNF2N9szChdy9aCqsNbZ6zOJub86ztcTGOx6g_Asz0J-6n668ZRlfcCeKFNlD8PKMmNv-/s1600/common+tern+1.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common terns - look for the black tip to their orange-red beaks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaitGAIWJ45b3k3HH3C3-X9bjZ3FARbBWE8kzhmIe6Z_P7qpWBMgDQyYFjiwTsDVKh-g7VLITcmyukbD02IMM63NtnM1Hk23sD7gKa7leLxRT2nzr7GRIcGYCDVpWUGn6nrSCEFx8o5uP/s1600/sandwich+terns+and+puffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaitGAIWJ45b3k3HH3C3-X9bjZ3FARbBWE8kzhmIe6Z_P7qpWBMgDQyYFjiwTsDVKh-g7VLITcmyukbD02IMM63NtnM1Hk23sD7gKa7leLxRT2nzr7GRIcGYCDVpWUGn6nrSCEFx8o5uP/s1600/sandwich+terns+and+puffins.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandwich terns and puffins</td></tr>
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Further along the path, the puffins start to appear in small groups and another Sandwich tern colony can usually be found at the edge of the puffin burrows amongst the clumps of sorrel and campion. From time to time an <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/puffin/" target="_blank">eery groaning noise</a> can be heard from deep inside a burrow. This is a puffin on the nest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD3pXrz_AN7IgS3AhHlGknc5ScZH9CjKqjqeB8cr9kem5ZVsx1BN-2g4U8bYYFxopehEhjqtHW8pOL-E2IImIeeqVHOE5zzrYbA7FKbLg9dN0hWTarH4tI-fp_zSoldEpNBX52ZFo1y8C/s1600/DSCF1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtD3pXrz_AN7IgS3AhHlGknc5ScZH9CjKqjqeB8cr9kem5ZVsx1BN-2g4U8bYYFxopehEhjqtHW8pOL-E2IImIeeqVHOE5zzrYbA7FKbLg9dN0hWTarH4tI-fp_zSoldEpNBX52ZFo1y8C/s1600/DSCF1745.JPG" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin heading towards a burrow</td></tr>
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As we approached the lighthouse we turned left towards the steep cliff and watched puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and shag on their nests. We looked for bridled guillemots, a mutation of the guillemot that shows a white spectacle around the eye. I think around 4% of the guillemots in this area show this form.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmQhb_ZlVag5sFK-fx6g-KnEcJK5WNjzniKxj6UNjsLw0AxStK8bOhHshYBON1IDaFt_8Pf0620O-wGUG49YWkfEsIq2vSj7U-5qivOHtjHOvMeJHJ3QDwTq0PtCe6krQ9-MyBpB26rmR/s1600/bridled+and+normal+guillemot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmQhb_ZlVag5sFK-fx6g-KnEcJK5WNjzniKxj6UNjsLw0AxStK8bOhHshYBON1IDaFt_8Pf0620O-wGUG49YWkfEsIq2vSj7U-5qivOHtjHOvMeJHJ3QDwTq0PtCe6krQ9-MyBpB26rmR/s1600/bridled+and+normal+guillemot.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridled and normal guillemot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R7hZp1VpPKrVIfn926jDZdECxxi3B5P17Gkt6eV45dvGuc78fB2Ooodqul845zLCZhgRt-CvmBuvTYm_gZglPVwE1-B5e79Gkb0i6qc2bDLUczinnhX_Tl57XkI3DLxFaRBMdlfamnM-/s1600/shag+and+chick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R7hZp1VpPKrVIfn926jDZdECxxi3B5P17Gkt6eV45dvGuc78fB2Ooodqul845zLCZhgRt-CvmBuvTYm_gZglPVwE1-B5e79Gkb0i6qc2bDLUczinnhX_Tl57XkI3DLxFaRBMdlfamnM-/s1600/shag+and+chick.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shag and chick on Inner Farne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9ziT5x4yz55VCdjUAdrtKE3tFQRN-ajasy5qd_zXkA-D_8vxpVBDWiDI__J6aNV9_-hR3ri-q6f2DqF8GsrjYlMdLRaB1epGl4aMnYLbYV8LBt9Q4qRGLyNLDiqlZrz21dMxLElUHUwG/s1600/Kittiwake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9ziT5x4yz55VCdjUAdrtKE3tFQRN-ajasy5qd_zXkA-D_8vxpVBDWiDI__J6aNV9_-hR3ri-q6f2DqF8GsrjYlMdLRaB1epGl4aMnYLbYV8LBt9Q4qRGLyNLDiqlZrz21dMxLElUHUwG/s1600/Kittiwake.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittiwake on eggs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1F4VxIjIx174S2yr56l-bsHNuunjJVQfKR1pLDVnmnaFfWcznNbF45tzU80Hxo6d9ikSYzXSycIjEndlpxO_Y8TZU07isdfyRE6bSV0wdc_vuUL9D3CXt6gI9Aso6Ngo1e1YaxNNtEX2/s1600/puffin+colony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1F4VxIjIx174S2yr56l-bsHNuunjJVQfKR1pLDVnmnaFfWcznNbF45tzU80Hxo6d9ikSYzXSycIjEndlpxO_Y8TZU07isdfyRE6bSV0wdc_vuUL9D3CXt6gI9Aso6Ngo1e1YaxNNtEX2/s1600/puffin+colony.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffins gathering on the cliffs</td></tr>
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All around there were sounds of seabirds. Walking back along the boardwalk, more puffins loitered around their burrows, hounded by gulls. In contrast to the clown-like puffins, eider females were barely noticeable as they sat motionless among the vegetation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGEnLGDmWsmTWQNKCmqSU9tD8JQhg22rLc9btDWbPknYpBCHJMVmaNfmnvMTziGsXhjITW6Elw0nz2xIv_88afRjxxZ_O4fTFAIim-O3C7VRpiHVfpLe9O0sVI5d01YLp4rA1PBZ_o32D/s1600/puffins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGEnLGDmWsmTWQNKCmqSU9tD8JQhg22rLc9btDWbPknYpBCHJMVmaNfmnvMTziGsXhjITW6Elw0nz2xIv_88afRjxxZ_O4fTFAIim-O3C7VRpiHVfpLe9O0sVI5d01YLp4rA1PBZ_o32D/s1600/puffins2.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffins at their burrows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxaS2DchBg8HZSfZak58ZSG0SH9176cdkAJqUruWQqjYnblCG2-VGNJKzJE6eK3RhGgtlsxzgUx_Uatt-ZOp2SXmy3o_pRZkWF_X2TlIpaGlXabLZQkRMys3IeuyVG9iTgCAQOyXOBm44/s1600/eider+on+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxaS2DchBg8HZSfZak58ZSG0SH9176cdkAJqUruWQqjYnblCG2-VGNJKzJE6eK3RhGgtlsxzgUx_Uatt-ZOp2SXmy3o_pRZkWF_X2TlIpaGlXabLZQkRMys3IeuyVG9iTgCAQOyXOBm44/s1600/eider+on+nest.jpg" height="373" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female eider on her nest</td></tr>
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The Arctic terns gave us a good send off as we made our way back to the boat and we headed off back to Seahouses watching hundreds of seabirds busily searching for food to take back to their chicks. Read more about the <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands/wildlife/" target="_blank">Farne Islands and the puffins</a> on the National Trust website.<br />
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On our second day, after a pre-breakfast walk, we travelled to St Abb's Head in Scotland to have a walk along a beautiful stretch of coastline. Here we saw farmland birds, rock pipit and more nesting seabirds including fulmar.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FFNQujPpspo46WPOefOAJPhJ-OV2FMwo0XliyihV7JsEHctBx90nlWT5w7h11tYUjzaA90vvzys6iJGEBLv7vLhFRkCvqJIoASljtdv95jt-fKPNPOEOHh58PZBkIA1aGCvaADUUPFfL/s1600/DSCF1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FFNQujPpspo46WPOefOAJPhJ-OV2FMwo0XliyihV7JsEHctBx90nlWT5w7h11tYUjzaA90vvzys6iJGEBLv7vLhFRkCvqJIoASljtdv95jt-fKPNPOEOHh58PZBkIA1aGCvaADUUPFfL/s1600/DSCF1935.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Abb's Head</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ0K5f8iryZB9FeDFQE0RsRc1IaooPWggN4hrMEbu2Aln5Exw1VUvBtDtYsxhtMhRc05YslQcFp2DQYRL_9EYeJnb2nBeuHb0TKPeXzMg2PNtn2SAEbQxjzTLVeXNN8vhDz0Vx057EHoM/s1600/pied+wagtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJ0K5f8iryZB9FeDFQE0RsRc1IaooPWggN4hrMEbu2Aln5Exw1VUvBtDtYsxhtMhRc05YslQcFp2DQYRL_9EYeJnb2nBeuHb0TKPeXzMg2PNtn2SAEbQxjzTLVeXNN8vhDz0Vx057EHoM/s1600/pied+wagtail.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied wagtail</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE33Qaev3aFwgX9i8XbmH0Bh9su1PZksePMTPM-xRCSjbMrFDG1tPQtoyZGRhHy9JjijUWIo-om-eKIevv4UMyLAURnKGLKKCmL8RTICkIloiJ_GmaAiSgH4d7RAiRTkaGcUiHvXjeHnsV/s1600/yellowhammer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE33Qaev3aFwgX9i8XbmH0Bh9su1PZksePMTPM-xRCSjbMrFDG1tPQtoyZGRhHy9JjijUWIo-om-eKIevv4UMyLAURnKGLKKCmL8RTICkIloiJ_GmaAiSgH4d7RAiRTkaGcUiHvXjeHnsV/s1600/yellowhammer.jpg" height="328" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowhammer</td></tr>
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We then travelled south again to Lindisfarne or Holy Island. This island is accessible by car until high tide. Here we saw bar-tailed godwit, ringed plover and rock pipit in the harbour and masses of eider, common scoter and seals on the sandbars beyond.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg5g54kx-ZA5909fXToWh5gwR1GFcCQBKPj55nOTTRqBDoDy5G8duP3boQv1IZbQxIBVEtVOxtjsvLbf7_uNVfQlw8tlJxGfObRaK_YOhaR3BP5Ew5BrdvMFm3otyWOQPH6gLK0yM3PiC/s1600/DSCF1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbg5g54kx-ZA5909fXToWh5gwR1GFcCQBKPj55nOTTRqBDoDy5G8duP3boQv1IZbQxIBVEtVOxtjsvLbf7_uNVfQlw8tlJxGfObRaK_YOhaR3BP5Ew5BrdvMFm3otyWOQPH6gLK0yM3PiC/s1600/DSCF1967.JPG" height="221" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lindisfarne harbour</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTH7TR3g4zdPNSPPYFsogze400vgDQw6p2L_r577-uXlX9KXIkEm-1weueyTPU-ttfA4SteKIB-If_kMza59R7zQCp6o_L_-2ROgj-K6YvCnwLufxQWnetGCzss_ocXa-aHQgnXsEC17q/s1600/baby+rippit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTH7TR3g4zdPNSPPYFsogze400vgDQw6p2L_r577-uXlX9KXIkEm-1weueyTPU-ttfA4SteKIB-If_kMza59R7zQCp6o_L_-2ROgj-K6YvCnwLufxQWnetGCzss_ocXa-aHQgnXsEC17q/s1600/baby+rippit.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spot the rock pipit chick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our pre-breakfast walk on the last day gave us some entertainment in the form of 3 hares running around the lane. We watched them for a while before they galloped back into the fields.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuyNhshbbLpCLQF6n2w07tVTXyPxzBfPvOYa5B7iRfkCID1vachYK9KArHj1ZOSJl5SFCW5V9HIuwz7VMVqpbI69WvbH999BHBamom1OQGagnSDWeRQyKSf8Y0as8l8BNREQ8jagbWc1-/s1600/DSCF1991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuyNhshbbLpCLQF6n2w07tVTXyPxzBfPvOYa5B7iRfkCID1vachYK9KArHj1ZOSJl5SFCW5V9HIuwz7VMVqpbI69WvbH999BHBamom1OQGagnSDWeRQyKSf8Y0as8l8BNREQ8jagbWc1-/s1600/DSCF1991.JPG" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 hares on the country lane</td></tr>
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After packing, we set off south for Druridge Bay visiting Cresswell Ponds and Druridge Pools. We found little gull, avocet, black-tailed godwit and stonechat around the pools and were treated to a fantastic display from harbour porpoises and dolphins (species unknown) as we looked out to sea from the sand dunes. We also saw a red-throated diver in breeding plumage.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9smeIb1fo-MwSwlKU9zXZByBqLxsjst7JaJdd32y4klEnV6ABVTPo4WtnxUrDMHQDdGTTc_G90cZOS2Kz4ZpxB7Lr6kDFGS_cthwgT7aBbKWMKVmdqRW9g61io6A8LEq7vRlrvU9vfnOn/s1600/stonechat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9smeIb1fo-MwSwlKU9zXZByBqLxsjst7JaJdd32y4klEnV6ABVTPo4WtnxUrDMHQDdGTTc_G90cZOS2Kz4ZpxB7Lr6kDFGS_cthwgT7aBbKWMKVmdqRW9g61io6A8LEq7vRlrvU9vfnOn/s1600/stonechat.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">male stonechat with caterpillar</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_K_BN9byaXPsiC6IQXun7OkpwHAyDaqnnLbI5wu-1lwdM9YGcosRBYwalUbLvYoEWycaiJYikKovFq37tcbJ4MUYFNNG9qj8UKFG_DmCmJVIyzd7HcJxYMCsF8j2N_s5INQEgSE0H-Ih/s1600/spoonbills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_K_BN9byaXPsiC6IQXun7OkpwHAyDaqnnLbI5wu-1lwdM9YGcosRBYwalUbLvYoEWycaiJYikKovFq37tcbJ4MUYFNNG9qj8UKFG_DmCmJVIyzd7HcJxYMCsF8j2N_s5INQEgSE0H-Ih/s1600/spoonbills.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a very poor photo of a couple of spoonbills at Druridge Pools</td></tr>
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Finding two spoonbills at Druridge Pools was a perfect end to a perfect 3 days - thanks to my group for their company and to whoever was responsible for keeping the rain away until we got home.<br />
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If you'd like to learn more about my 3 day trips then please contact me for more information.Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-26868181288921041642014-04-03T22:13:00.001+01:002014-04-03T22:13:18.246+01:00Spring migration and sausages!Hello birdwatchers<br />
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March has been an exciting month so far with even a little time to learn a new skill. More of that later.<br />
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Over the last month, my indoor classes have focused on what to expect during the spring migration. We've looked at the birds that are leaving the UK, what the residents are getting up to and which birds will be arriving over the next few weeks.<br />
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To increase this awareness, I've run some sessions to demystify one of the most difficult sections in a fieldguide - the bit that contains warblers. We've split warblers into different genera to help with identification.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Iqd7MFsNOIpUWHouo9H95V9EVY3pKGu4RtDV09eH-dI6CO-xe7OMqbcnsh7bX_XsXVOv6ewAyPEKCA6MwN77Ew1yUpoMXUrSNlmi6lZhpfxxtKTwzKwNNt2XbG8lL5bchsVD71d1cHc-/s1600/blackcap+female.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Iqd7MFsNOIpUWHouo9H95V9EVY3pKGu4RtDV09eH-dI6CO-xe7OMqbcnsh7bX_XsXVOv6ewAyPEKCA6MwN77Ew1yUpoMXUrSNlmi6lZhpfxxtKTwzKwNNt2XbG8lL5bchsVD71d1cHc-/s1600/blackcap+female.jpg" height="373" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female blackcap at Rodley Nature Reserve</td></tr>
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Groups have also learned more about wheatears, cuckoos and brood parasitism. This week is the last of the indoor classes until September and both my Monday and Wednesday evening groups will be putting all their learning into practice over the spring and summer months.<br />
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Spring has certainly arrived early this year and I was astounded to witness the scene at <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/d/dearne-oldmoor/" target="_blank">RSPB Old Moor</a> on Saturday 1st March. All the islands were filled with screeching black-headed gulls and a Mediterranean gull was strutting confidently among them. There were signs of spring everywhere and there was such a lot of warmth in the sun that it felt as though it should have been the beginning of April.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuQdgsoLlhuQ0XQx80lY79j-S7dkhMZhbMfSU_t_o6OnaP5A9GWfYUxEOfNfM36zotB9OtoAUgnzcXk-6TPeNgkAls3_35bKppE4dd2aNUXLGInuyghpxc6AiK1bUMmT4o7UfMke7Gavx/s1600/twite+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuQdgsoLlhuQ0XQx80lY79j-S7dkhMZhbMfSU_t_o6OnaP5A9GWfYUxEOfNfM36zotB9OtoAUgnzcXk-6TPeNgkAls3_35bKppE4dd2aNUXLGInuyghpxc6AiK1bUMmT4o7UfMke7Gavx/s1600/twite+3.jpg" height="400" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twite at RSPB Blacktoft</td></tr>
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Outdoor classes have all been in Yorkshire over March and have also included <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/" target="_blank">RSPB Blacktoft Sands</a>; <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/north-cave-wetlands-nature-reserve" target="_blank">YWT North Cave Wetlands</a>; <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Meanwood-Park.aspx" target="_blank">Meanwood Valley</a>; <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/kirkstall-valley-nature-reserve" target="_blank">YWT Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve</a>; <a href="http://www.roundhaypark.org.uk/roundhay-park-virtual-tour/The-Gorge--The-Ravine.html" target="_blank">Roundhay Park and Gorge</a>, <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/" target="_blank">Rodley Nature Reserve</a> and <a href="http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/reserves/hetchell-wood-nature-reserve" target="_blank">YWT Hetchell Woods</a>. The furthest was our trip to Filey, <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/filey-dams-nature-reserve" target="_blank">YWT Filey Dams</a> and the east coast. Here it was obvious that winter and spring were still overlapping with snow buntings being seen on the grassland above the cliffs and gannets already nesting at <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/" target="_blank">RSPB Bempton Cliffs</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebrg2oqhVTzcbiIj_gls7SbThq7h2gFBT_NPdlP9Q5SK5bU5NAn0KGfdLn7BN9gfqCjF1WE6Y0uiEcXJtPW1HYHWxmjDY_jKhai8-qPy8owSQQtGXMEpbZQvVqNbBZ9perddSRfhC8je0/s1600/S8002657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebrg2oqhVTzcbiIj_gls7SbThq7h2gFBT_NPdlP9Q5SK5bU5NAn0KGfdLn7BN9gfqCjF1WE6Y0uiEcXJtPW1HYHWxmjDY_jKhai8-qPy8owSQQtGXMEpbZQvVqNbBZ9perddSRfhC8je0/s1600/S8002657.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of the gannets at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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The final weekend in March was spent at <a href="http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designations/nnr/1460432.aspx" target="_blank">Skipwith Common</a> with fabulous views of woodlark, green woodpecker, redpoll and siskin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5lQaA3MFXtdaufvhTmW78Z2eAkbRj7TVCbFXFAkg6bXPCtXmZ3kuOdfZBxt_zw3UdtWKOLNc9tVGI0R2q40lq8vKyBggZ0IiU438GWpS-Z5BxrRYcEW1cuEp4g6-ZGlPujv6WggPI2FG/s1600/green+woodpecker+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5lQaA3MFXtdaufvhTmW78Z2eAkbRj7TVCbFXFAkg6bXPCtXmZ3kuOdfZBxt_zw3UdtWKOLNc9tVGI0R2q40lq8vKyBggZ0IiU438GWpS-Z5BxrRYcEW1cuEp4g6-ZGlPujv6WggPI2FG/s1600/green+woodpecker+1.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green woodpecker at Skipwith Common</td></tr>
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So where do the sausages come in? My partner and I took a well deserved day off and went on course at <a href="http://www.oldsleningford.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">Old Sleningford Farm</a> to learn all about how to make sausages. We spent the morning preparing the farm reared meat and adding a variety of flavours then we got the chance to taste the sausage mixture for lunch, in the form of a burger, before putting the minced mixture into the skins. We all took our wares home and we are now going to attempt to make our own sausages.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVCIfeB2Qo07RwwezxZ7a3oIpJZarHaAidpAfC5g6FVxIVfKyPi2ZrxVtHoV_gfHshehIA8pnbpYF1DHCxAMmuI96nWbjn46hwcDjun5hhZFsvu6tsPwc2uuDiz-9K89Y7ZOo9wmP2NG6/s1600/DSC01515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVCIfeB2Qo07RwwezxZ7a3oIpJZarHaAidpAfC5g6FVxIVfKyPi2ZrxVtHoV_gfHshehIA8pnbpYF1DHCxAMmuI96nWbjn46hwcDjun5hhZFsvu6tsPwc2uuDiz-9K89Y7ZOo9wmP2NG6/s1600/DSC01515.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">home made sausage and mash</td></tr>
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I really do recommend that you look at the Old Sleningford Farm website as they put a variety of courses on their calendar. They'll even be having a birdwatching course there in October and guess who will be running it? Me of course - the course will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and lunch will be provided. Contact me for details if you'd like to brush up on your birding skills in 2014 or why not join one of my classes over the spring and summer months. Email me at linda.startbirding@gmail.com<br />
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Happy birding!<br />
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-48706620266320660282014-02-27T18:46:00.000+00:002014-02-27T18:46:23.873+00:00Winter collection from D&G 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello birdwatchers<br />
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I hope that you've managed to stay dry if you've been out to watch wildlife over the last month. The terrible coastal storms have hit many people hard this winter and, although the news coverage has dwindled, I'm sure people are still suffering the damaging effects.<br />
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As you can imagine, those dramatic waves and currents have pushed our seabirds to their limit. Birds such as great northern divers have been turning up on our inland pools and I even found a young one on Eccup Reservoir. News is just starting to filter through that many of our breeding puffins have been caught in storms off the Bay of Biscay and 35 ringed puffins have been found dead on the French and Spanish coasts. After the breeding season, many of our puffins move to the Atlantic then gradually make their way to the Bay of Biscay to shelter for the winter. Read the <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=4233" target="_blank">British Trust for Ornithology article</a> to find out more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju47ixBqCri2sR7u4Xb6_aXWMpRCJMrLBlYoGFCg7CCL2w7K9z4ovZo3I2k8kNO3aG4Ii4J1RgFcS-bmhJrHViZHmU1bnLxz8NGAzFR7K1WcKUn2vATzNmcXy7fg2Pkqmzoa_NQ78TFNOk/s1600/puffin+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju47ixBqCri2sR7u4Xb6_aXWMpRCJMrLBlYoGFCg7CCL2w7K9z4ovZo3I2k8kNO3aG4Ii4J1RgFcS-bmhJrHViZHmU1bnLxz8NGAzFR7K1WcKUn2vATzNmcXy7fg2Pkqmzoa_NQ78TFNOk/s1600/puffin+1.jpg" height="393" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin, a spring visitor to our coasts</td></tr>
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It has been a busy few weeks for Start Birding with 2 weekend trips to Dumfries and Galloway. If you read my blog last year you'll know that I always visit <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mersehead/" target="_blank">RSPB Mersehead</a> and <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/caerlaverock" target="_blank">WWT Caerlaverock</a> reserves, well, this year it was touch and go for days that we'd be able to go there due to storm surges in the Solway. The dunes at Mersehead have disappeared and valuable freshwater habitat has been flooded with sea water. You can see from the photo below why I asked everyone to bring wellies with them this time. This is one of the main paths at Caerlaverock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCqqgLQp0iMBUX-7nPVScTEelc3Q2uIQ_WA2MDYJpvOBHvkISQO_JQG3ix8VQzWgKFcS8Eta2_UNahLjWsh11iNgeUtANcj_psPxkeiUKbyLZTeUz-4c-yaQcWKonJY0YwkdEJ5PKvf3A/s1600/Caerlaverock+flooded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCqqgLQp0iMBUX-7nPVScTEelc3Q2uIQ_WA2MDYJpvOBHvkISQO_JQG3ix8VQzWgKFcS8Eta2_UNahLjWsh11iNgeUtANcj_psPxkeiUKbyLZTeUz-4c-yaQcWKonJY0YwkdEJ5PKvf3A/s1600/Caerlaverock+flooded.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flooded paths at WWT Caerlaverock (photo: WWT)</td></tr>
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All along the Solway were signs of flooding; flattened reedbeds; a line of shells stretching through gardens; plastic containers in bushes; and local clean up campaigns in action. The water had caused chaos along the estuaries running into the Solway and sandbags could be seen outside many houses.<br />
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Luckily for us, we managed to find the drier weather windows of the last 4 weeks and, despite some heavy showers and muddy ground, our feet stayed snug and warm inside our boots for both the 3 day weekends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgNEnZJNTMTLR32pCwD4nE6jcf6NGZCGb6sQbzZCAYCBe5-UWxrnrEWgJ8TtUNvh78FjLXlqNxQTwTXZMaaoPhi2G5r1l8wuaB813V39cPZrmnK-bx80JDnZZRmj-0QU6WnGO3DAymJxx/s1600/DSC02127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgNEnZJNTMTLR32pCwD4nE6jcf6NGZCGb6sQbzZCAYCBe5-UWxrnrEWgJ8TtUNvh78FjLXlqNxQTwTXZMaaoPhi2G5r1l8wuaB813V39cPZrmnK-bx80JDnZZRmj-0QU6WnGO3DAymJxx/s1600/DSC02127.JPG" height="400" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper swan at WWT Caerlaverock</td></tr>
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My first group were visiting the area for the first time. We included the bridge at Annan; Powfoot; WWT Caerlaverock; Rockcliffe; Carlingwark Loch; Loch Ryan and Stranraer Harbour; Wigtown; RSPB Mersehead; <a href="http://www.gallowaykitetrail.com/item-38-bellymack-hill-farm-kite-feeding-station" target="_blank">Bellymack Farm</a><span id="goog_1083507215"></span><span id="goog_1083507216"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/k/kendeemarshes/" target="_blank">Loch Ken</a> in our schedule. The weather forecast wasn't good for starling murmurations on the last day but we managed to get a small murmuration at <a href="http://www.snh.org.uk/about/lnr/detail.asp?id=8141" target="_blank">Wigtown Local Nature Reserve</a> from the hide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHwKK7aigFl6LUJ7JlgB0EbSSwRqvKKcziATQNbt91KwFeJDODUY7AAWG8DvAplREe0k84JSROjZ9B6B2d7KujpeoW3GrkilscKbhuNDxH4Mtt089ygKZDl15nt3hyphenhyphenNjoRXc2PA85yAQJ/s1600/DSCF0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHwKK7aigFl6LUJ7JlgB0EbSSwRqvKKcziATQNbt91KwFeJDODUY7AAWG8DvAplREe0k84JSROjZ9B6B2d7KujpeoW3GrkilscKbhuNDxH4Mtt089ygKZDl15nt3hyphenhyphenNjoRXc2PA85yAQJ/s1600/DSCF0151.JPG" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dramatic skies and double rainbows over Loch Ryan, Stranraer</td></tr>
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As always seems to be the case, RSPB Mersehead showed its beauty with sun, dramatic cloudscapes and rainbows and we took shelter from the rain in the elaborate hides painted by local artist <a href="http://www.johnthrelfall.co.uk/" target="_blank">John Threlfall</a>. The total number of bird species seen on this trip was 84.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ooJMEh_DuqeqjEKEhX0kkH-aQWfvqJ0dv9N3gYsIEeXK7ZzGEOZ22C_OXhx9RykDBVtBP6jay4dKeyuPLzbR9B2HbA13opYMEbQ8nl2WlfQ8J-YzYmbvLCHEQUJ1-IpHFRmaas4QhJZn/s1600/DSCF0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ooJMEh_DuqeqjEKEhX0kkH-aQWfvqJ0dv9N3gYsIEeXK7ZzGEOZ22C_OXhx9RykDBVtBP6jay4dKeyuPLzbR9B2HbA13opYMEbQ8nl2WlfQ8J-YzYmbvLCHEQUJ1-IpHFRmaas4QhJZn/s1600/DSCF0263.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbows over RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZ2-pJ1dig5Ye7vQHb00GJwxbU0u0Z3j69Dzl1t83V9Hlp2JqKVFtF0oaUZjV7T61sKyKUilWMtRJCRNTHEh_sB-afvUo_ulSzJ8c0_rLiDhaouPFVmENo73JmXJ-Swmn8sYCt8gyvEwJ/s1600/DSCF0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZ2-pJ1dig5Ye7vQHb00GJwxbU0u0Z3j69Dzl1t83V9Hlp2JqKVFtF0oaUZjV7T61sKyKUilWMtRJCRNTHEh_sB-afvUo_ulSzJ8c0_rLiDhaouPFVmENo73JmXJ-Swmn8sYCt8gyvEwJ/s1600/DSCF0191.JPG" height="182" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful hide frieze by John Threlfall, an artist based in Rockcliffe, at RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqFhSaFk6xZf-NPMznWY7u7PWeq-EcHru1sDP2YXqbp34G-1biwuoCrCvagWZv82gH8upHTNFh87ZNMkQEEHOXI9VtxSwtbIjZYDuJtbELHVTsAjG3Fz4quMbECiYuknrNMDX0RbkhCtJ/s1600/DSCF0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqFhSaFk6xZf-NPMznWY7u7PWeq-EcHru1sDP2YXqbp34G-1biwuoCrCvagWZv82gH8upHTNFh87ZNMkQEEHOXI9VtxSwtbIjZYDuJtbELHVTsAjG3Fz4quMbECiYuknrNMDX0RbkhCtJ/s1600/DSCF0233.JPG" height="250" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dunes have disappeared at RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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The second group had all been to Dumfries and Galloway with me before so I decided take them to some sites they'd not seen, to vary the tour. We visited Browhouses; Newbie; <a href="http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/caerlaverock/nature-and-culture/winter-visitors/" target="_blank">Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve</a> (adjacent to the WWT reserve); Rockcliffe; Mersehead; Bellymack Farm; RSPB Mersehead; Southerness Point; Carsethorne; Loch Ken and the East Riggs area to look for a starling murmuration. The total number of species seen on this trip was 79 (not including the Kookaburra), down on last year's group total which was 90.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrVPNResyFQtKHfAS0Ihnownv_3WIt8zpEurz80dD7MPlqUH6eFUI0p58Fda68p730kQa7ZEEnW2BMKfx9vspQ4mA6wjFhDyXAlpXE-cpYZtWkDNc0s5YB63U4bm8ztlNtZLFez7UJUeY/s1600/pintail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrVPNResyFQtKHfAS0Ihnownv_3WIt8zpEurz80dD7MPlqUH6eFUI0p58Fda68p730kQa7ZEEnW2BMKfx9vspQ4mA6wjFhDyXAlpXE-cpYZtWkDNc0s5YB63U4bm8ztlNtZLFez7UJUeY/s1600/pintail+2.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pintails sheltering at RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn1Xg7Kc3_wZQwBWiwpOhjzeStfYceG_iUSiKJr7zbPTkU3mMNkXZHtDqAAnVDqcc-CuTW8DX-gdtA8WSLhebFZgctXKJRwrUMmi6cFTnN0vRSIDxA9R-mUsD0MlwhkQVmdzx43bXXuZx/s1600/teal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn1Xg7Kc3_wZQwBWiwpOhjzeStfYceG_iUSiKJr7zbPTkU3mMNkXZHtDqAAnVDqcc-CuTW8DX-gdtA8WSLhebFZgctXKJRwrUMmi6cFTnN0vRSIDxA9R-mUsD0MlwhkQVmdzx43bXXuZx/s1600/teal.jpg" height="330" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teal riding out a storm at RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBgfRifj4xsk1-Uj_UI7Z04hZOqsARaH_Poyz2tDfEMsJHSpNO4j0GEsNiJ_m57toAhq3R3wUJ1UMwSNmdPDIjy8CTI98kxamTEoyWCWCyLpMDCe_FBZaSOvSfpx-0bNk2C8_OYYHQeo5/s1600/DSC02371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBgfRifj4xsk1-Uj_UI7Z04hZOqsARaH_Poyz2tDfEMsJHSpNO4j0GEsNiJ_m57toAhq3R3wUJ1UMwSNmdPDIjy8CTI98kxamTEoyWCWCyLpMDCe_FBZaSOvSfpx-0bNk2C8_OYYHQeo5/s1600/DSC02371.JPG" height="216" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnacle geese, all the way from Svalbard, grazing at RSPB Mersehead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUP8UoKvVTkAUqwjLSjZ8tjy0Gx62WnL2oQ8YJBktAaVFZu9h_MxkYmN80T0VM8mCjr-7O9KioObdZ1gib2sS3SLU74s0cB_8dSEtw9CDldRA5IfbJ4sG0Ez29pLXwXYhRM8EHebuIXlt/s1600/DSC02400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUP8UoKvVTkAUqwjLSjZ8tjy0Gx62WnL2oQ8YJBktAaVFZu9h_MxkYmN80T0VM8mCjr-7O9KioObdZ1gib2sS3SLU74s0cB_8dSEtw9CDldRA5IfbJ4sG0Ez29pLXwXYhRM8EHebuIXlt/s1600/DSC02400.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighthouse at Southerness Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinryEo7liak57XjRopcWWma9PikQkqX52U8GTBeHPiSwiwr92ngWLVNxUYFa4ENFXJaTWmcEvjiZZdVgUCfcl-lmNRn6C-Xk3AM51Q2ebUhjs74pUoYyZPj4dJ2Kt7HiA-zuMi11zZk2s7/s1600/wimbrel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinryEo7liak57XjRopcWWma9PikQkqX52U8GTBeHPiSwiwr92ngWLVNxUYFa4ENFXJaTWmcEvjiZZdVgUCfcl-lmNRn6C-Xk3AM51Q2ebUhjs74pUoYyZPj4dJ2Kt7HiA-zuMi11zZk2s7/s1600/wimbrel1.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel at Carsethorne</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXrTXVOfwEco-YmkWLD87z1Mex7CQBZd4-MnfnXR09a1LuIhky6EalEs7CkOfMVuajzd7GBl7vCAsPzOK2WEdTnrZw0Hu_sGb5_22ukKNViNdbxZqTVbudRQ2VhbCA4pkQkJoJ3kf9Gzg/s1600/DSC02438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfXrTXVOfwEco-YmkWLD87z1Mex7CQBZd4-MnfnXR09a1LuIhky6EalEs7CkOfMVuajzd7GBl7vCAsPzOK2WEdTnrZw0Hu_sGb5_22ukKNViNdbxZqTVbudRQ2VhbCA4pkQkJoJ3kf9Gzg/s1600/DSC02438.JPG" height="363" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unexpected visitor to Carlingwark Loch in Castle Douglas (an escaped Kookaburra)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbChvPIwdmgi0eqLOgujYbo1VgN5m7sZUYoPEfx_9CA1CcbieDjdcqC8H_WnKzeFuUGLlur8JR2wYs_V41IGpjrud4B4qrpiuigRjG3tcjcYt-kViADTcZac0Woa5xEfkUG8iz2fgxmU2K/s1600/DSCF0426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbChvPIwdmgi0eqLOgujYbo1VgN5m7sZUYoPEfx_9CA1CcbieDjdcqC8H_WnKzeFuUGLlur8JR2wYs_V41IGpjrud4B4qrpiuigRjG3tcjcYt-kViADTcZac0Woa5xEfkUG8iz2fgxmU2K/s1600/DSCF0426.JPG" height="247" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Red kites flying over Bellymack Farm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS16DCX9dwr7wDF85ZIgIZKRqFhyphenhyphenJn0zpyYMu7dTDr5MNApTheOGyA3FznhYPP1C0AFTtiViZv8GDu6YPaAyMyNtj9w3N572VwIfiWrWMKUsmDQ3S2z4Zfnxx8-YXQY0sW-OFaFi5LAuZJ/s1600/DSCF0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS16DCX9dwr7wDF85ZIgIZKRqFhyphenhyphenJn0zpyYMu7dTDr5MNApTheOGyA3FznhYPP1C0AFTtiViZv8GDu6YPaAyMyNtj9w3N572VwIfiWrWMKUsmDQ3S2z4Zfnxx8-YXQY0sW-OFaFi5LAuZJ/s1600/DSCF0640.JPG" height="242" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a cloud or a burning building - a fantastic starling murmuration over East Riggs<br />
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As always, it was a pleasure spending time with such lovely people and I thank everyone for booking their weekend with Start Birding. There will be another trip to Dumfries and Galloway next year so, if any of my customers are interested, give me a call.<br />
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I only run weekend trips for people who have attended my full or part day classes to ensure that I understand the needs of each individual. If you'd like some birdwatching tuition then get in touch and I'll send you a list of my classes. <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com">linda.startbirding@gmail.com</a><br />
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Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-61096255041791706102014-01-28T16:49:00.001+00:002014-01-28T16:49:13.028+00:00Why our birds are singingHello birdwatchers.<br />
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You'll have noticed that more and more of our birds are now starting to sing in the mornings as the sun comes up and you may be wondering why this is happening when spring is a long way off.<br />
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Well, it's due to a physiological change that is taking place called photo periodic gonadal recrudescence. Yes, this is a difficult phrase to get your tongue around (and will probably make this blog drop right into your dodgy email folder) but with a little practise, it gets easier to say. So, what does it mean?<br />
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After the breeding season, a bird's main priority is to moult its feathers and lay down fat to survive the coming winter months. To facilitate this, the whole of the reproduction system shuts down which allows the bird to conserve energy and to channel essential nutrients towards making new feathers. Their sexual organs actually shrivel up! What triggers this is the waning day length and, for our resident birds, a change in diet as insects become more difficult to find and birds become more reliant on seeds and fruit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a dunnock singing </td></tr>
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As we approach the shortest day, this physiological change starts to reverse. Small amounts of sexual hormone start to trickle through and some birds will suddenly produce an outburst of song. One of the first to sing is the great tit but you may hear short bursts of song thrush or mistle thrush song as early as the end of November.<br />
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The days start to lengthen again after December 21st and the sexual organs begin to regrow - this is photo periodic gonadal recrudescence (sexual organs regrowing when hormones are stimulated as a result of increasing day length). One by one, each species will begin to sing in the mornings. Wrens and dunnocks start to sing by late December or early January and many of us will hear their first blackbird singing before the month ends. Chaffinches begin singing later, usually in February or March.<br />
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So I can hear you saying "what about robins? I've heard robins singing all through the winter". Well robins hold a winter territory and defend it all the way through the winter months. Both the male and female robin will sing and you may even see some aggressive behaviour in your garden if another robin comes close.<br />
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The robin you see in your garden during the winter is likely not to be the one that was occupying territory there during the spring and summer. Most birds move, even if it is just a few yards, which allows birds migrating from the continent to find winter feeding grounds.<br />
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Your homework for this week is to listen out for as many different songs as you can each morning from now on. Don't worry if you can't identify the species by their song, just pick out the different ones and see if you can hear more than one bird with the same song. How many are the same - how many are different? If you do that each day, you'll soon recognise each song and over the coming weeks, you'll hear when a new species starts to sing. You can get help with your bird songs by looking at the following links. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.bto.org/about-birds/bird-id/know-your-thrushes-song-and-mistle" target="_blank">Distinguishing song and mistle thrush</a> - British Trust for Ornithology<br />
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<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/birdsong.shtml" target="_blank">BBC guide to birdsong</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/" target="_blank">RSPB guide to birds</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.garden-birds.co.uk/information/tutorials/" target="_blank">British garden bird tutorial</a><br />
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If you'd like more help then why not join one of my classes - contact me for details of indoor and outdoor tuition.Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-70600374343026024022014-01-01T13:30:00.001+00:002014-01-01T13:30:29.184+00:00Best birding moments of 2013Hello birdwatchers<br />
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January 1st marks the start of a birder's year list and many of my birding colleagues will be out "listing" today. This is the only day in the birding calendar when a bird as common as the great tit ranks as highly as a waxwing! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great tit - as sought after on January 1st as any scarce bird</td></tr>
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Many year<span class="text_exposed_show">s ago I created my own tradition (mainly so that I could fully enjoy the festivities on new year's eve). I watch my garden on new year's day and I supplement my garden list on 2nd January by travelling around Leeds looking for as many birds as possible. </span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">My last bird of 2013 was an adult glaucous gull at Fairburn Ings (at 4:25pm on Dec 31st, hence the dark photograph) and my first bird of 2014 as I opened my curtains was a blackbird. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult glaucous gull - the last bird on my 2013 list</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackbird - my first bird of 2014</td></tr>
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As I look back at a year filled with wonderful birding moments, it is a struggle to highlight my top 5 for 2013. There have been so many to choose from. Instead, I've come up with 10. <br />
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<li>watching a drake smew at Fairburn racing towards some displaying goldeneye and joining in. </li>
<li>watching swifts using new nest boxes for the first time at a house in Leeds</li>
<li>finding a singing dipper on the River Aire at Bramley Falls and seeing a nesting pair in Leeds. </li>
<li>watching red-footed falcon and hobby hunting at RSPB Lakenheath</li>
<li>finding a firecrest in Meanwood Valley</li>
<li>watching Dalmatian pelican in Albania</li>
<li>watching my clients watching kingfishers for the first time at Fairburn</li>
<li>witnessing a hobby taking a sand martin at close quarters at Bolton Abbey</li>
<li>finding a spoonbill at Denaby Ings</li>
<li>watching bittern and black-necked grebe at St Aidan's. </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drake smew <br />
(this was sent to me and I don't know the name of the photographer but congratulations on such a stunning photo)</td></tr>
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Taking photographs of the birds I see each month, and the places I've visited, has made me realise just how fantastic it is to spend your life watching wildlife. It really helps you to cope with all the difficult situations that life throws at you. Taking people out to watch wildlife enhances this further and I'd like to thank everyone for accompanying me over the last 12 months. <br />
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As the days lengthen, listen out for more and more birds singing. My next blog will be about an amazing ornithological phenomenon that has already started to happen. Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-40097661154045446702013-12-13T19:28:00.001+00:002013-12-13T19:28:59.452+00:00Fight ClubHello birdwatchers<br />
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I'm breaking the first rule of Fight Club by talking about Fight Club. No, I've not taken up street fighting, I'm watching some local blackbirds chasing off their continental cousins on my cotoneaster tree. A flock of about 20 redwing and a handful of non British blackbirds are engaged in combat over berries. A song thrush, a very rare bird in my garden, also joined them them for a short while but, being a timid bird, it didn't like the company and retreated to a more secluded part of the garden. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A song thrush on my hawthorn, surprisingly a rare bird in my garden</td></tr>
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I usually only see song thrushes and mistle thrushes singing in neighbouring gardens. They visit my garden infrequently despite it having a lot of suitable places for them to feed. I can understand the song thrush wanting to keep away from its aggressive family members but a mistle thrush normally loves to get involved in family arguments, especially close to Christmas time when there are rich pickings at the garden "table". <br />
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I'm hoping the berries last long enough for me to be able to attract fieldfare this year. I've put apples on the ground again to coax the fieldfares but I haven't seen many around Leeds while I've been out on my trips. <br />
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Due to us having very few waxwings in the country so far, I'm not holding out much hope that I'll get my first waxwing for the garden this year. I'm keeping an eye on the bird news for the country to build up an overall picture and, when/if any turn up in Leeds I'll let everyone know on my distribution list so, if you want to receive news, then send me your email address. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many waxwings that came to the UK last year</td></tr>
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The weather continues to be mild and we've not had many days when the systems have come from the north and east to assist migration. Consequently numbers of winter visitors remain low in the country. The exception to this has been the surge of stormy weather that hit us last week. Thursday's storms created havoc for many people along the east coast and also for our treasured nature reserves in the area. <br />
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I received an email from the RSPB highlighting the devastation caused to places such as Snettisham in Norfolk. It is estimated that over £300,000 of damage has been caused in total to RSPB reserves by the initial storm and the spring tides that followed and an <a href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/news/358924-rspb-appeal-for-fighting-fund-to-fix-flood-damage" target="_blank">RSPB appeal</a> has been put in place to collect valuable funds. Damaged sites include <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/saltholme/" target="_blank">Saltholme</a> in the north-east and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/t/titchwellmarsh/" target="_blank">Titchwell</a> in North Norfolk which suffered damage to the dunes and boardwalk. Thankfully, the recent Coastal Change Project effectively minimised the impact of the storm at this reserve. No doubt other conservation organisations such as the Wildlife Trusts, will be in need of funds to repair our much loved sites including those in Scotland, Northumberland, Cleveland, Yorkshire, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-25317228" target="_blank">Lincolnshire</a>, Norfolk, Suffolk and the south east. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damage at RSPB Snettisham</td></tr>
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I know that conservation organisations are often asking us for extra donations but I just want to draw attention to how important all these areas are for over-wintering birds. The UK is a haven for wildlife during the winter months and, without our reserves functioning normally and providing the right habitat to feed, it may mean that some species may not make it to breed next spring. Grey seals have suffered badly at Donna Nook and the effects of seawater entering freshwater lagoons will stretch into spring and summer as our water voles, grass snakes and aquatic insect life struggle to survive the harsh conditions. <br />
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Damage at the <a href="http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/" target="_blank">Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Spurn Point</a> has been the worst recorded since January 1953 and the profile of the beach on the Spurn Peninsula has significantly changed as a result. Some of the Hebridean sheep that graze on the reserve were also washed away. Luckily the reserve's infrastructure survived and I'm sure that staff and volunteers will be working hard to make the site accessible again. Keep up-to-date with the news at Spurn by clicking on the link above and read the BBC report <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-25317870" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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Well, another year is almost over and it has been the most fantastic one for <a href="http://www.startbirding.co.uk/" target="_blank">Start Birding</a> trips. I hope that you've been following our progress over the last 12 months. Last weekend we visited the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/denaby-ings-nature-reserve" target="_blank">Denaby Ings</a> in South Yorkshire for a half day and had a lovely view of a kingfisher which, for a moment, looked as if it was going to join us in the hide as it flew towards us. Goosander, pochard, tufted duck, shoveler, gadwall and mallard represented the duck family while cormorant and heron stood sentry over the lagoon. In the woodland we found great-spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, treecreeper and goldcrest and flocks of redwing "tseeted" at us throughout the walk. A single fieldfare alerted us with its "chack chack" call but we didn't manage to see it. Good views of buzzard and a sparrowhawk enhanced our experience of the site and we were also very lucky with the weather given the amount of rain and cloud that Leeds had experienced that morning. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cormorant at Denaby Ings</td></tr>
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My Monday evening class finished their sessions on environmental adaptations and began their classes on wildfowl by studying swans and geese. This coming week we'll start learning about the ducks that can be found in the UK. The Wednesday class looked at water rails last week and, this week, learned about herons, egrets and bitterns. They'll complete the 2013 classes by looking at starlings and murmurations. The Tuesday morning birdwatchers visited <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/" target="_blank">Rodley Nature Reserve</a> and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's wonderful reserve at <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/adel-dam-nature-reserve" target="_blank">Adel Dam</a> and, on a very still and sunny morning, we found teal, goosander, tufted duck, great-spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, mandarin duck and, the star of the show, a water rail sunning itself at the back of the lake. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGmIlA0kh-sKIBfDgDlOaVNWXuDc6kwWFCK0dODpUn2gbSy6rGrhKOKkfuoYBpUpnx-GyfKXPamL7mFgjRVPTItLz1gcCI_erC-rYWRq5eXkCYJnPxwXuBf3KBPIuay-Ck1NyzjyndVNH/s1600/DSC02019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGmIlA0kh-sKIBfDgDlOaVNWXuDc6kwWFCK0dODpUn2gbSy6rGrhKOKkfuoYBpUpnx-GyfKXPamL7mFgjRVPTItLz1gcCI_erC-rYWRq5eXkCYJnPxwXuBf3KBPIuay-Ck1NyzjyndVNH/s1600/DSC02019.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A water rail at Adel Dam Nature Reserve<br />
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While we were at Adel Dam, we saw yet another strange heron, this time sitting in the water. So far in November and December we've seen 3 dead herons at Top Hill Low and a heron lying down on two occasions at Rodley Nature Reserve. This one was behaving very strangely indeed and I'm wondering whether there is anything wrong with our herons - if anyone has any information then please get in touch.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A heron sitting in the water at Adel Dam</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same heron lying down in the water</td></tr>
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Over the last few days of the year, birdwatchers will join me at Townclose Hills, Temple Newsam, Yeadon Tarn, Fairburn Ings and Rodley Nature Reserve again and, in the next couple of days, my programme of events for January to March 2014 will be winging its way to everyone on my list. <br />
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Don't forget that Start Birding can provide you with gift vouchers for Christmas and birthdays at very short notice and prices start at £10. See the "Christmas Gift Voucher" tab on this blog or visit my <a href="http://www.startbirding.co.uk/startbirding_004.htm" target="_blank">web page</a>. <br />
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This will be my last blog of 2013 - join me in January to hear about my best birding moments of this year and my favourite bird sightings. Thank you so much for supporting my business over the last year - it has been lovely spending time with you and I look forward to seeing you all again in 2014.<br />
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-4374543949732379032013-11-30T16:18:00.002+00:002013-11-30T16:41:46.472+00:00Burnished Autumn ColoursWith an unexpected day off I thought I'd use the time to update my blog - where does the time go? <br />
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Thankfully since my last post I've been busy running Start Birding trips and enjoying the stunning colours that this Autumn has given us. It is probably a good thing that the autumn is almost over as I think my customers may be tired of hearing me swooning out loud at the sight of all the reds, oranges and golds from leaves and berries. It's also been the most fantastic year for fungi and I'm still processing my photos and trying to identify the ones I've seen (I'll definitely need some help with that). I think we found fungi on almost all the walks in October and November.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTIKHa_VOavvylTl-ldkNoq21Qz9LM477Da4j2HWx9Dj-iPwtMOwuO0QgaywrXPoQ09yT7usQPo52SlHYVSiinLUFBCuuxShu8XEC_cO9YpEa2AyNeWJB8yi4q_i01XPpYqLKK_vNxTOY/s1600/DSC01973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTIKHa_VOavvylTl-ldkNoq21Qz9LM477Da4j2HWx9Dj-iPwtMOwuO0QgaywrXPoQ09yT7usQPo52SlHYVSiinLUFBCuuxShu8XEC_cO9YpEa2AyNeWJB8yi4q_i01XPpYqLKK_vNxTOY/s400/DSC01973.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn colours and an "oak leafed" sky at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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Since my last post, my three indoor classes have been learning about bird songs and calls; winter wildfowl, raptors and waders; buntings, larks and pipits; finding birds in different habitats; migration and weather; adaptations to environment; gardening to attract wildlife and how to be a better birdwatcher. If you're interested in learning about birds in a more formal way then please get in touch by emailing <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com">linda.startbirding@gmail.com</a> to find out about indoor classes or visit my website <a href="http://www.startbirding.co.uk/">www.startbirding.co.uk</a> <br />
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Outdoor classes have visited a variety of venues including <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/fairburnings/" target="_blank">RSPB Fairburn Ings</a>; <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/c/carsingtonwater/" target="_blank">Carsington Water</a>; <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/" target="_blank">Rodley Nature Reserve</a>; <a href="http://sibg1.wordpress.com/about/" target="_blank">Swillington Ings</a>; <a href="http://www.luct.org.uk/" target="_blank">Nosterfield Nature Reserve</a> and <a href="http://www.tarmac.co.uk/nosterfield/restoration.aspx" target="_blank">Nosterfield Quarry</a>; Yorkshire Water's <a href="http://tophilllow.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tophill Low</a>; <a href="http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ParksAndOpenSpaces/PugneysCountryPark/default.htm" target="_blank">Pugney's Country Park</a>; <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/staveley-nature-reserve" target="_blank">YWT Staveley Nature Reserve</a>; <a href="http://visitwoods.org.uk/en/visit-woods/pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=31274&site=calverley-wood" target="_blank">Calverley Woods</a>; <a href="http://visitwoods.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=31176" target="_blank">Bramley Falls Wood</a>; <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/" target="_blank">WWT Martin Mere</a>; <a href="http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ParksAndOpenSpaces/Anglers/default.htm" target="_blank">Angler's Country Park</a>; <a href="http://www.thelandtrust.org.uk/business/sites.html?SID=rabbitings" target="_blank">Rabbit Ings</a> and Hawthorne Farm which is off the Leeds ring road. You can still join me for an outdoor birdwatching class before the end of the year and I'm currently writing my next programme of events. To get a list of outdoor birdwatching classes email me on <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com">linda.startbirding@gmail.com</a> classes start at 2 hours or you can join me for a half day or full day. Regular customers can also book 3 day weekends to venues such as Scotland, Norfolk and Northumberland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little known Hawthorne Farm on the outer ring road in Leeds at Whinmoor</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little grebe at Rodley Nature Reserve</td></tr>
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We've managed to find snipe at most places after scanning around with the telescope and some have been surprisingly active. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipe at Nosterfield Quarry</td></tr>
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At least one young barn owl was still present at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Staveley Nature Reserve and we were able to watch its parents hunting between showers of rain. Numbers of wildfowl were low on the reserve, due to the late summer the wind direction being southerly and westerly, but flocks of redwing and fieldfare had arrived and we had great views of water rail, green woodpecker, kestrel and reed buntings. A small starling murmuration brought the day to a close and we walked back listening tawny owls calling from the wood. Have a look at this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taygEOhBR98" target="_blank">short film</a> by Andrew Stringer showing some of the other wildlife that can be found at Staveley. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn owl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingfisher hunting from a secluded spot at RSPB Fairburn Ings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapwing sitting on a tern raft at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We managed to find a sparrowhawk resting after a stoop at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goldfinch having a bath at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper swans at WWT Martin Mere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pintail at WWT Martin Mere</td></tr>
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Obviously, being out all day looking at real birds isn't enough - at the end of a long day's birding at Idle Valley, we were sent a heavenly bird with the setting sun. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird-shaped cloud seen at the end of a recce trip to Idle Valley</td></tr>
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-21100202322110942362013-10-18T09:13:00.000+01:002013-10-18T09:13:01.891+01:00From Albania to AlkboroughHello birdwatchers<br />
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The last four weeks have been a little different than normal in that I actually managed to leave the UK for a much needed holiday at the end of September. So, after an excellent shearwater cruise out of Bridlington harbour and a short walk around Middleton Park in Leeds, I was off to Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. <br />
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The hardest part of the planning stage was finding a guide in Albania who could take me to see my target species, Dalmatian pelican. I had heard about the state of the roads in Albania so I wasn't looking forward to the prospect of having to drive myself on a 200km round trip to <span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Divjaka to visit</span> </span>Karavaska lagoon, an important breeding area for the species. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalmatian pelicans on Karavasta Lagoon, Albania</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dalmatian pelican with our grey heron on Karavasta Lagoon, Albania</td></tr>
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After a few hours of research, I'd found some leads but my usual sources of information didn't provide any local birdwatching guides. Just as I was giving up hope and was working out how I was going to get myself there, I heard back from a small business, <a href="http://albanianeagletours.com/" target="_blank">Albanian Eagle Tours</a>, who arranged access onto the site, lunch in the national park and for me to be picked up from my hotel. My host, Andi, was great company and, not being a birdwatcher himself, I was surprised at how patiently he indulged my need to look at everything that moved. By the end of the day we were both watching birds. Perhaps I sowed the seeds and turned him into a budding birder. One thing is for sure. No way would I have been able to drive on those roads without dying or having a nervous breakdown and no way would I have found the pelicans on my own so thank you so much Andi. <br />
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We looked at the lagoon from every angle and, although we were viewing birds from quite a distance I managed to get great views of the pelicans, pygmy cormorants, Caspian terns, greater flamingo, great white egret, little egret and some of our winter passage waders through my scope. The distance, and the heat haze, made digiscoping difficult but you'll be able to see the remains of the "curly" crown on the pelicans above which is part of their breeding plumage. Many birds had left the pools and channels for their wintering grounds but resident kingfishers provided something to look at as we walked back to the car. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf7VJFQiSiHYWwOWheCqu56ZP-E-KDaEu94iUCvPfD6BKTcOGWn2UsYJ0S49Cr3J89iegM2-W2ojFFG5wWD9xIqg9R8DStKRxlW-n2AoM7nJ6DJTMVBUtGaX9YaELeDSL6LHs9GTXVkTK/s1600/DSC00939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf7VJFQiSiHYWwOWheCqu56ZP-E-KDaEu94iUCvPfD6BKTcOGWn2UsYJ0S49Cr3J89iegM2-W2ojFFG5wWD9xIqg9R8DStKRxlW-n2AoM7nJ6DJTMVBUtGaX9YaELeDSL6LHs9GTXVkTK/s320/DSC00939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsojDcLJqcKMwqNIQFd3iDJ5O3qWSJoimmflHzeYqiZYXQSG_08c8yO49rN4i_eUjruaKbuQe1en-6K9ucSdtiqCE756qi6y3UD-poSAldj-1Q1Ru1DEOM1QYiYjsWfW3uNBrnP7J8lHV/s1600/DSC00948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsojDcLJqcKMwqNIQFd3iDJ5O3qWSJoimmflHzeYqiZYXQSG_08c8yO49rN4i_eUjruaKbuQe1en-6K9ucSdtiqCE756qi6y3UD-poSAldj-1Q1Ru1DEOM1QYiYjsWfW3uNBrnP7J8lHV/s320/DSC00948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of the Karavasta Lagoon area</td></tr>
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The small part of Albania that I saw on the rest of my 3 day visit showed the destructive effect the political situation was having on the countryside. Many wetland habitats had been destroyed to build hotels on the coast, and raw sewage was being pumped directly into the sea. Hopefully the new head of government will make some lasting changes - I'd like to return one day to see whether the situation improves and visit other areas of the country. </div>
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The next few days of our holiday took us to Montenegro where we stayed in Ulcinj, Kolasin and Perast. We visited Lake Skadar and the national parks at Durmitor and Lovcen, birdwatching whenever we could on route. Our planned trip to the lagoons at Ulcinj, a little known birdwatching area on a working salt extraction site, didn't work out as planned. For some reason that we couldn't quite work out, we were weren't allowed on the site on the only day that we were in the area. Another reason for a return trip to the Balkans. Birds seen in Montenegro included hundreds of pygmy cormorants; black-necked grebe, Slavonian grebe, long-legged buzzard, black kite, goshawk, lesser kestrel, lesser spotted woodpecker, whinchat, icterine warbler, zitting cisticola, wood warbler, spotted and semi-collared flycatcher, alpine chough and rock bunting. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durmitor National Park</td></tr>
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Our final two days took us to Dubrovnik in Croatia. It is impossible to visit this city without becoming a text book tourist so we did all the usual things like walking around the city walls; taking a trip in a glass bottomed boat to see the fish and riding the cable car to the top of the mountain. Apart from the sound of cow bells, it was quiet on the mountain and only melodious warbler and sombre tit were added to the list. We spent most of the time looking at the many grasshopper and butterfly species that we weren't equipped to identify. Back in the old town at Dubrovnik, lesser kestrel could be seen hunting from a nearby island but the star species was alpine swift. Unlike our swifts, the alpine swift stays in its breeding area until after the post breeding moult so, even though it was the end of September, there were a lot of birds around. Their cackling calls could be heard through the morning and the evening and it really was a welcome sight to watch the low flypasts as the sun went down. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine swifts over Dubrovnik</td></tr>
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On our way back to the UK we reflected on what a fantastic holiday it had been. We met some wonderful people and really enjoyed the local food, wine and beer. I look forward to a return visit. </div>
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The birding continued soon after our return with a ringing trip in the Lower Derwent Valley. This time we managed to get blue tit, great tit, coal tit, dunnock, blackbird and goldfinch in the mist nets. Everyone had the chance to hold and ring a bird, under the close supervision of our host and we also got the chance to see a barn owl chick. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dunnock caught in the Lower Derwent Valley</td></tr>
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Subjects covered in my weekday indoor classes included "Being ready for anything: how to get the most out of your birding trips and what to wear" and "Introduction to the dipper" while weekday outdoor classes visited Knotford Nook and <a href="http://www.luct.org.uk/" target="_blank">Nosterfield</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greylag with pink-footed geese at Nosterfield</td></tr>
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Which takes me to <a href="http://www.alkboroughandwalcot.co.uk/index_files/FlatsProject1.htm" target="_blank">Alkborough</a> which we visited on the morning of the 12th October. It was a bit of a dreary day but thankfully, the rain only managed a light drizzle which didn't affect our plans. We managed to see marsh harrier, little egret, avocet, green sandpiper, ruff, curlew, black-tailed godwit, teal, wigeon and shelduck as well as our first winter flocks of redwing. Seven whooper swans and a couple of pink-footed geese flew over our heads. We finished our day at <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/" target="_blank">RSPB Blacktoft Sands</a> and were able to compare spotted redshank and common redshank. Snipe could be seen on almost every lagoon. A real treat was to see a weasel running towards us on the path as we made our way back to the car and we also found an angle shades moth emerging from the leaf litter in the car park. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipe at RSPB Blacktoft Sands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angle shades moth</td></tr>
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Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-2613133027045647912013-09-17T19:48:00.001+01:002013-09-17T19:48:43.461+01:00There's a nip in the air! Hello birdwatchers<br />
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We're already 3 weeks into my new programme and on the last couple of trips there has been an autumnal nip in the air. The gloves have been on this month already! <br />
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My new group of birdwatchers are meeting at <a href="http://www.tcv.org.uk/hollybush" target="_blank">Hollybush Conservation Centre</a> on Monday evenings and, so far, have been learning how to use their binoculars effectively; how to choose a good fieldguide; note taking and sketching and bird identification. <br />
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My Wednesday evening birdwatching group are in their second year at Hollybush Conservation Centre and are now learning about different bird families, individual species and birds song. <br />
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Outdoor classes are still taking place on Tuesday mornings, Saturdays and some Sundays. So far, the Tuesday birdwatchers have visited <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Golden-Acre-Park.aspx" target="_blank">Golden Acre</a>, <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/adel-dam-nature-reserve" target="_blank">Adel Dam</a>, <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Breary-Marsh-Local-Nature-Reserve.aspx" target="_blank">Breary Marsh</a> and <a href="http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=20031024_62463015" target="_blank">Paul's Pond</a>. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a heron at Adel Dam</td></tr>
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On this morning's visit to Breary Marsh and Paul's Pond we looked at differences between adult rooks and crows and how immature birds can cause confusion. We also watched house martins, sand martins and swallows feeding up to increase their weight before their outward migration. A single female wigeon on Paul's Pond could have come from as far away as Arctic Russia to spend the winter in the UK. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">female wigeon on Paul's Pond</td></tr>
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We were fortunate on our planned trip to <a href="http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/coast/druridge-bay" target="_blank">Druridge Bay</a> in Northumberland that an American bird, a white-rumped sandpiper, was showing well at <a href="http://www.nwt.org.uk/reserves/east-chevington" target="_blank">East Chevington Nature Reserve</a> managed by Northumberland Wildlife Trust so, after first visiting another one of their reserves, <a href="http://www.nwt.org.uk/reserves/cresswell-pond" target="_blank">Cresswell Ponds</a>, we dropped in to have a look at this little wader. We also managed to see the swooping accelerated bursts of black tern flight and a couple of Sandwich terns could be heard calling from the lagoon. At Cresswell, we'd been watching a few snipe close to the hide with redshank, ruff and greenshank. <br />
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Rafts of common scoter fed on the sea close to the shoreline at <a href="http://www.nwt.org.uk/reserves/druridge-pools" target="_blank">Duridge Pools Nature Reserve</a>, the Trust's third reserve in that bay, and gannet, red-throated diver, shearwater and great skua were also seen. On the shoreline we were able to add sanderling and a single knot, still in summer plumage. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipe at Cresswell Ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted duck at Cresswell Ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenshank at Cresswell Ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunlin at Cresswell Ponds</td></tr>
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Last Saturday, Start Birding offered its first trip to <a href="http://paullholmestrays.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Paull Holme Strays</a> on the Humber estuary. This 200 acre site, which was created by the Environment Agency as part of a flood risk management scheme, provides a fantastic feeding opportunity for thousands of waders, gulls and wildfowl during the autumn and winter. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloudscapes over the Humber at Paull Holme Strays</td></tr>
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Dramatic cloudscapes and sunshine enhanced our birding experience on this visit and we watched flocks of golden plover, redshank and dunlin. These were interspersed with smaller numbers of little egret, avocet, grey and ringed plover, black-tailed godwits and lapwing all of which were terrorised by two hunting peregrine falcons. Our first one, a young bird, made an unsuccessful stoop then flew over our heads to begin its circling climb, gaining altitude before its next stoop to shifts some gulls off the estuary. It didn't have any luck the second time either and we watched it fly off into the distance. Later, we were alerted to another hunting peregrine as we watched golden plover and lapwing bunch high over the lagoon. An adult bird was quickly spotted, which also flew over our heads after an unsuccessful stoop. A grey seal was seen in the Humber close to the shoreline. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little egret at Paull Holme Strays</td></tr>
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We finished off our day at the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's <a href="http://www.northcavewetlands.com/" target="_blank">North Cave Wetlands</a> and added some extra wildfowl, water birds, common and green sandpiper and passerines, including two southbound migrants, wheatear and whinchat, to our list of birds for the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young wheatear at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A whinchat at North Cave Wetlands</td></tr>
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Our final trips for September take place this weekend. I'm hoping for good weather this coming Saturday we sail out of Bridlington harbour on our annual <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/187771-shearwater-and-skua-cruises" target="_blank">RSPB Shearwater cruise</a>. We hope to see Manx and sooty shearwater, great skua, winter auks and gannets. We'll then move on to Filey to look for purple sandpiper and to see if anything has turned up on migration. <br />
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On Sunday I'm leading a free walk for the <a href="http://www.fomp.co.uk/html/events.htm" target="_blank">Friends of Middleton Park</a> in Leeds so do come along if you're free. <br />
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I've noticed on my travels that there is a great crop of berries this autumn which will hopefully provide plenty of food to sustain our birds through the winter months. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sloes - the fruit of the blackthorn tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedgerows are full of blackberries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower meadows provide seed for goldfinches</td></tr>
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Join me in October as we watch our autumn migrants increasing in numbers. We'll be ringing birds just south of York and visiting <a href="http://www.alkboroughandwalcot.co.uk/index_files/FlatsProject1.htm" target="_blank">Alkborough Flats</a> near Scunthorpe; <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/" target="_blank">RSPB Blacktoft Sands</a>; <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/c/carsingtonwater/" target="_blank">Carsington Water</a> in Derbyshire; <a href="http://www.luct.org.uk/" target="_blank">Nosterfield</a>; <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/" target="_blank">Rodley Nature Reserve</a>; <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/fairburnings/sightings.aspx" target="_blank">RSPB Fairburn Ings</a>; <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/" target="_blank">RSPB St Aidan's</a> and Mickletown Ings - a SSSI close to St Aidan's reserve. <br />
Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-36340331097549823932013-08-21T17:36:00.000+01:002013-08-21T17:36:29.566+01:00Post Birdfair BluesHello birdwatchers<br />
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After 3 days at Rutland Water talking to fellow birders, watching events and walking around the extensive <a href="http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/" target="_blank">Rutland Water reserve</a>, I'm now back at my laptop feeling a little deflated. It has been a weekend filled with friends, old and new, and some amazing views of ospreys. <br />
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The last event I attended on Sunday was a celebration of ospreys led by one of my conservation heros, <a href="http://www.roydennis.org/" target="_blank">Roy Dennis</a>, and <a href="http://www.ospreys.org.uk/centre-info/meet-the-team/" target="_blank">Tim Mackrill</a> the Rutland Osprey Project Officer. I think for the first time ever at a <a href="http://www.birdfair.org.uk/" target="_blank">Birdfair</a>, a choir, <a href="http://www.globalharmony.org.uk/" target="_blank">Global Harmony</a>, sang songs originating from Scotland and Africa to mark the 3,000 mile journey the ospreys take before and after each breeding season. Scottish singers, Fiona Kennedy and Ruriarh MacDonald, performed their new single, <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_9DejRskrw" target="_blank">Fly Lady Fly</a></em> which was inspired by Lady, one of the Loch of the Lowes ospreys. You may be able to watch it for yourself on <a href="http://www.birdfair.org.uk/birdfair-tv/" target="_blank">Birdfair TV</a> once it gets updated with this year's highlights but, in the meantime, you may still be able to find the Rutland <a href="http://www.ospreys.org.uk/webcam/" target="_blank">ospreys on the nest</a> before they leave for Africa. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIHqg3bnYEO6vcgDQ7V6DlrVwKpQ9isZIuWuUeT0oAS23Y-IRw9qwt_rOC-Tslxj_czSnptnjb1Xpp5QKA1MM2K_3_T0r-xxLQzikD_3reZYGGL3ouwzT8aYhxHq8KdwB5JfFmyPmbh4N/s1600/DSC00076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIHqg3bnYEO6vcgDQ7V6DlrVwKpQ9isZIuWuUeT0oAS23Y-IRw9qwt_rOC-Tslxj_czSnptnjb1Xpp5QKA1MM2K_3_T0r-xxLQzikD_3reZYGGL3ouwzT8aYhxHq8KdwB5JfFmyPmbh4N/s320/DSC00076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of this year's osprey chicks at Rutland Water</td></tr>
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As I turn the pages of my diary, I can't feel deflated for long. I'm getting excited about the coming season of trips and the new indoor classes at <a href="http://www.tcv.org.uk/hollybush" target="_blank">Hollybush Conservation Centre</a> in Kirkstall, Leeds. There is still time to book your place on my new beginner's class which will take place on Monday evenings from the beginning of September. <br />
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Between September and December I'll not only be visiting local beauty spots in and around Leeds but I'll also be running trips to fantastic places such as Northumberland; the Humber estuary; <a href="http://www.alkboroughandwalcot.co.uk/index_files/FlatsProject1.htm" target="_blank">Alkborough</a> and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/" target="_blank">RSPB Blacktoft Sands</a>; <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/c/carsingtonwater/" target="_blank">Carsington Water</a>; <a href="http://www.luct.org.uk/" target="_blank">Nosterfield</a>; <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/staveley-nature-reserve" target="_blank">Staveley</a>; <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martin-mere/" target="_blank">Martin Mere</a>; the <a href="http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/idle-valley/" target="_blank">Idle Valley</a>; <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/denaby-ings-nature-reserve" target="_blank">Denaby Ings</a> and <a href="http://tophilllow.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Top Hill Low</a>. <br />
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You can also join me on the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/187771-shearwater-and-skua-cruises" target="_blank">RSPB's Shearwater Cruise</a> out of Bridlington Harbour in September (you'll need to book early for that so that I can get tickets). All being well, if the weather is suitable, we'll be visiting a well known bird ringer in York at the beginning of October to help ring, record and release birds in the Lower Derwent Valley. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx57txHjxyeEZ4CPVEAwFQgKHySMGtPxS6GsD95-5IYKi7IURpArqxdhtRRBCK8sBdzpAB2T1W6VyuCj30VmVQUlWQPKLLG7sYRHWduc_fhhpBmfillc_z9_AMD7QV6XGfF_dQ_wPENhS/s1600/ringing+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQx57txHjxyeEZ4CPVEAwFQgKHySMGtPxS6GsD95-5IYKi7IURpArqxdhtRRBCK8sBdzpAB2T1W6VyuCj30VmVQUlWQPKLLG7sYRHWduc_fhhpBmfillc_z9_AMD7QV6XGfF_dQ_wPENhS/s320/ringing+photo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learn more about birds by attending a ringing session</td></tr>
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I hope that has whetted your appetite and that you'll be <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com" target="_blank">emailing me</a> soon to book a place on one of the trips or to find out more details. You can also sign up to receive my regular newsletters which will keep you up to date on future classes. All outdoor classes will give you the chance to view birds through a high powered telescope and I also bring along my popular travelling cafe. <br />
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Hope to see you soon or give me a call to find out more on 07778 768719 Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-50560947764467539832013-08-07T13:04:00.000+01:002013-08-07T13:08:28.664+01:00Sun, sea and Yorkshire DayI really thought that I would be able to catch up with myself over July and August but how wrong I was. Life events have pulled me in all kinds of unexpected directions and the old adage "best laid plans" has been mentioned on more than one occasion. <br />
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Well, we can only do what we can do and, over the years I've learned that people are far more important that lists of jobs to do at the computer. That being so, I hope that I've managed to look after the people side of life at the very least. I've also been kind to myself and spent some time enjoying the sunshine, celebrating Yorkshire Day, paddling in the sea and reflecting on life.<br />
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I'm grateful that the people side of my life often involves watching birds and, this year, July and the beginning of August have been filled with more people and bird activities than past Start Birding programmes. My Tuesday and Wednesday classes have experienced their first full day trips and have visited new habitats to watch previously unseen species of birds. <br />
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Yesterday we were watching ospreys at Rutland Water. There was an air of excitement and expectation as staff and volunteers prepared the site for the International Bird Fair. I'll be making my annual pilgrimage on Friday 16th August and meeting up with friends and birding colleagues from around the world. I really recommend a visit - have a look at what's on offer <a href="http://www.birdfair.org.uk/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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Here are some photographic (I use that word loosely!) reminiscences of July and August so far.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDMAozRGXaTIkoiFvtc3WliYhx-k-KmySoNPDfUlZzlHXtSClU0Sew6vHwaLf2fB-uSZvwEBswy5xttmG-7zmLKaxTmsLPt1Uq7iyI2PSiS-Y4vMPdYoSbx1T8snCuPq88_7FW0L6gGDg/s1600/bridled+guillemot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDMAozRGXaTIkoiFvtc3WliYhx-k-KmySoNPDfUlZzlHXtSClU0Sew6vHwaLf2fB-uSZvwEBswy5xttmG-7zmLKaxTmsLPt1Uq7iyI2PSiS-Y4vMPdYoSbx1T8snCuPq88_7FW0L6gGDg/s320/bridled+guillemot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridled and normal forms of common guillemot at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrjTxRQ8VzrL2XaHopJBej7sHmuVZFaQKd02DQktWWEMoHB8J5jpkgesaaLGmudoXFCX1INjRa9qnpxXHvp8ma7-ezlC0TwnKVjOO9aQgD-6jaYvWUiMJVBWnDvA0__vsbzJMw1Ae4U0p/s1600/puffin+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrjTxRQ8VzrL2XaHopJBej7sHmuVZFaQKd02DQktWWEMoHB8J5jpkgesaaLGmudoXFCX1INjRa9qnpxXHvp8ma7-ezlC0TwnKVjOO9aQgD-6jaYvWUiMJVBWnDvA0__vsbzJMw1Ae4U0p/s320/puffin+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGO2x-YRE_Ag3UnBOI4nc2JwlOljNaiHm_MX7C6WFfRqzAJoI2yTim64mq9rvVzHzrZZQugljK7GptTKa6hx4rKf9Zq4nMZKdR_vl34uNYwv7aMgCj182p2d-HfGKczf7Wye2SaHAsKul/s1600/gannets+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGO2x-YRE_Ag3UnBOI4nc2JwlOljNaiHm_MX7C6WFfRqzAJoI2yTim64mq9rvVzHzrZZQugljK7GptTKa6hx4rKf9Zq4nMZKdR_vl34uNYwv7aMgCj182p2d-HfGKczf7Wye2SaHAsKul/s320/gannets+2.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet and chick at RSPB Bempton Cliffs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KsHI0cxqs8nBa_WKFxozGxfsuuHY7aAIXyJU4DB-BwBbxT6UnzU4a1Mljx64fWakMqSsxQ5A3hjZC0IM7IlGPLZzSFRc497gp89oijinUeGreb2esYxDlbVBmRLgjedLMKET_3MwnFDX/s1600/LBB+gull+at+North+Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KsHI0cxqs8nBa_WKFxozGxfsuuHY7aAIXyJU4DB-BwBbxT6UnzU4a1Mljx64fWakMqSsxQ5A3hjZC0IM7IlGPLZzSFRc497gp89oijinUeGreb2esYxDlbVBmRLgjedLMKET_3MwnFDX/s320/LBB+gull+at+North+Cave.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser black-backed gull at YWT North Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVH0k7W2jQsZK9P5YCdT2vIr203d4iV2DvAzA_JG6hkFcYEaF74kgB2KeMfrYcxw4McojlB0JkoY1ZViTUmeEvoKOqD1kxUlNMmSH23DmmYkVIDGtxajzmS8iaAVMt2oQRVz8WObY6tAF/s1600/heron+at+Blacktoft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVH0k7W2jQsZK9P5YCdT2vIr203d4iV2DvAzA_JG6hkFcYEaF74kgB2KeMfrYcxw4McojlB0JkoY1ZViTUmeEvoKOqD1kxUlNMmSH23DmmYkVIDGtxajzmS8iaAVMt2oQRVz8WObY6tAF/s320/heron+at+Blacktoft.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey heron at RSPB Blacktoft Sands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNiYKnwQbMfnbln0xXa-9TzfNpzhUQvdHtnwKDjnYJBy_vRnbjv7jlhZ1BuG5jSVuYvk00ZBRj0w1CExTVu4CqkYVLr1CCGiFZOklFWdgS36l1LwPuBNRoqLzaih2IN5vnq5IsPCEB_sb/s1600/snipe+at+North+Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNiYKnwQbMfnbln0xXa-9TzfNpzhUQvdHtnwKDjnYJBy_vRnbjv7jlhZ1BuG5jSVuYvk00ZBRj0w1CExTVu4CqkYVLr1CCGiFZOklFWdgS36l1LwPuBNRoqLzaih2IN5vnq5IsPCEB_sb/s320/snipe+at+North+Cave.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipe at RSPB Blacktoft Sands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuBbwwZsfZnoCNqZHbq4uP61IqZnbwh_UpAyQ-ji-E0I6VuK2B7hagp1tGO_DRMUJ9PnkAubOVVIJ_Lj1dC0rg9nPv-uftX8QGBQlZ9taW27wxMNNN8U6H2tEO9X_EWbDuVJdH4sq5CDW/s1600/toadlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuBbwwZsfZnoCNqZHbq4uP61IqZnbwh_UpAyQ-ji-E0I6VuK2B7hagp1tGO_DRMUJ9PnkAubOVVIJ_Lj1dC0rg9nPv-uftX8QGBQlZ9taW27wxMNNN8U6H2tEO9X_EWbDuVJdH4sq5CDW/s320/toadlet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toadlet at RSPB Blacktoft Sands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXl3N-DMRIXumhfQBeJ9uoXtFvsMyGvHnwPNdRJQk8-XWusRfTBnkS-3h9FsXXJWIC0c32haimCNNGeQSS1gsPkVVV_wSiKK_YDlhnNeLnOAPnVnuBzwnZWo5V_ZwkV7MTnXco91P38nO/s1600/DSC09967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXl3N-DMRIXumhfQBeJ9uoXtFvsMyGvHnwPNdRJQk8-XWusRfTBnkS-3h9FsXXJWIC0c32haimCNNGeQSS1gsPkVVV_wSiKK_YDlhnNeLnOAPnVnuBzwnZWo5V_ZwkV7MTnXco91P38nO/s320/DSC09967.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ospreys at Rutland Water</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3MS2ERivu2HwJOcZxkrHQfdRZMChU5wx22ZamyaCPW9FIZTwZVn0uOGyQguq2gB03uNzTlZBh1diUVTS40cqtvK1bUqTNFk3o2QoyQZNj8zjg9yTVmlXwJLfPHnGTBqm_XWJrqEPAfaB/s1600/DSC09972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3MS2ERivu2HwJOcZxkrHQfdRZMChU5wx22ZamyaCPW9FIZTwZVn0uOGyQguq2gB03uNzTlZBh1diUVTS40cqtvK1bUqTNFk3o2QoyQZNj8zjg9yTVmlXwJLfPHnGTBqm_XWJrqEPAfaB/s320/DSC09972.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little egret at Rutland Water</td></tr>
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For the rest of August, apart from travelling back down to <a href="http://www.rutlandwater.org.uk/" target="_blank">Rutland Water</a>, I'll be focusing on reserves nearer to home. Join me at <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/" target="_blank">RSPB St Aidan's</a> in Leeds; <a href="http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ParksAndOpenSpaces/Anglers/default.htm" target="_blank">Angler's Country Park</a>, <a href="http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ParksAndOpenSpaces/PugneysCountryPark/default.htm" target="_blank">Pugney's Country Park</a> and <a href="http://www.jss.org.uk/neighbours/calder-wetlands.html" target="_blank">Calder Wetlands</a> in Wakefield or <a href="http://www.luct.org.uk/" target="_blank">Nosterfield</a> in North Yorkshire. Call or email for further details. <br />
<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-80276040418262099222013-06-24T17:32:00.002+01:002013-06-24T19:20:45.255+01:00(Not quite) flaming June but it's certainly busting out all over! After a slow start to June, a few days of sun and moderate rain really helped the UK's flora and fauna catch up and, as I write, most birds are either feeding chicks or have fledged their little charges and are thinking about their post breeding moult. Of course some will have a second brood so let's hope the weather holds out to give our birds a chance to raise their young, and the overall dwindling populations. Learn about the current <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/stateofnature/index.aspx">State of Nature</a> by downloading a copy of this startling report. <br />
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Many of our ducks are now in eclipse so, if you really struggle with identifying moulting ducks, now is your chance to get some tuition - I've just published my latest newsletter with details of my classes over July and August. The emphasis will be on the outward migration (which has already started for non-breeding birds) and I'll focus specifically on wader, gull and eclipsed duck identification.<br />
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The month of June began with my annual trip to Northumberland. This year we took a boat from Amble and visited Coquet Island to see the elegant roseate tern. Puffins, guillemots, razorbills, shags could also be seen from the boat as well as common, Sandwich and Arctic terns. During our 3 day tour, we visited reserves around Druridge Bay, Lindisfarne, St Abb's and Low Newton where we finished our day by watching a lone otter fishing in the lake at the reserve. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqRion9UJETJ7jyTbW0mNGXDUZTd8GODAOI4UPyXQOW5karK3ua38L_Gvx4hfg52WT1FTX8XWsTD5eKQnfIoUzbWYidSXrkfx_hBVtVrfLBcX9Xoew-DWqKOVMiHmK3adAsSbyeVOFLhS/s1600/Yellowhammer+-+St+Abb's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqRion9UJETJ7jyTbW0mNGXDUZTd8GODAOI4UPyXQOW5karK3ua38L_Gvx4hfg52WT1FTX8XWsTD5eKQnfIoUzbWYidSXrkfx_hBVtVrfLBcX9Xoew-DWqKOVMiHmK3adAsSbyeVOFLhS/s320/Yellowhammer+-+St+Abb's.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowhammer at St Abb's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZAk6_ZlroW0xeZtG7xBB0gYKc6Nt09ue0BihEtEM96zWENAqi0CjjgVEmw8tlvt9x8nZCkyJSSQ2vnZCSD2n6XjKquLHtQO_P4WgENhpecM6uaF9Yuxu5WwnvokhDcY8OXqy9WgSo80-/s1600/blackcap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZAk6_ZlroW0xeZtG7xBB0gYKc6Nt09ue0BihEtEM96zWENAqi0CjjgVEmw8tlvt9x8nZCkyJSSQ2vnZCSD2n6XjKquLHtQO_P4WgENhpecM6uaF9Yuxu5WwnvokhDcY8OXqy9WgSo80-/s320/blackcap.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackcap at Hauxley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHeiv8_N0luewipTWZxmstw-eIit4-FYllOa8MUXgtewreF9RnwNVrVuF2SanujdOStvnigMQSK2EsjK9WF0FqiNz6ZiYaQBckZsip9gp4bMA8gk_HSi-RCWR-Sg-ChDpkshZvzMXo_SD/s1600/DSC09362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHeiv8_N0luewipTWZxmstw-eIit4-FYllOa8MUXgtewreF9RnwNVrVuF2SanujdOStvnigMQSK2EsjK9WF0FqiNz6ZiYaQBckZsip9gp4bMA8gk_HSi-RCWR-Sg-ChDpkshZvzMXo_SD/s320/DSC09362.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey heron at East Chevington</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE15xcWa6IM5TJO1Qz9daJdOoVz6Hg-vQiJIq7w-qMPMmZyd0HofRHL4AYaoNnnmoQKZFFmfs9o8FCQYxdcOFJTKPQLjSdxHEfVgIKRKBL6QKsxGnh0u3po6hTeu1UhcZSGOrZnYLpwK69/s1600/DSC09546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE15xcWa6IM5TJO1Qz9daJdOoVz6Hg-vQiJIq7w-qMPMmZyd0HofRHL4AYaoNnnmoQKZFFmfs9o8FCQYxdcOFJTKPQLjSdxHEfVgIKRKBL6QKsxGnh0u3po6hTeu1UhcZSGOrZnYLpwK69/s320/DSC09546.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oystercatcher at Hauxley</td></tr>
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The Northumberland tour was definitely my highlight for June but, in terms of individual events, I think the most memorable have been a hobby taking a sand martin in mid flight right in front of us at Bolton Abbey; a pied flycatcher feeding a chick at Bolton Abbey; bitterns flying around at St Aidan's; black-necked grebe chicks sitting on the back of their parents at St Aidan's <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqhPxpgXxFLV7yTEEZz9K8yURPPvPPfhQetTD3k2BD7_dmMBA3ribHN16_CF779ZY-1N7xXe0qt0abXmd7m4aapgueNFgVtKnykiIJhHct2fbeAV0qQIqfT_9h8yZtNWs8A58uIq_U05i/s1600/St+Aidans+06062013-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqhPxpgXxFLV7yTEEZz9K8yURPPvPPfhQetTD3k2BD7_dmMBA3ribHN16_CF779ZY-1N7xXe0qt0abXmd7m4aapgueNFgVtKnykiIJhHct2fbeAV0qQIqfT_9h8yZtNWs8A58uIq_U05i/s320/St+Aidans+06062013-53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-necked grebes and chick (photo Kevin Tappenden)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22losJ4llq__ze5jFCO9MmjLjxieWE_qZZp8kYH4o5nFK6WBKEIG4n73AdCtkfueY2IZNAAqKMGCMEv5ptFOwc4UVa8u97w689j0PuhiguSht7BLzn5typuWyPYFRG0zN-ZO-WBJ3Kofj/s1600/St+Aidans+13062013-67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22losJ4llq__ze5jFCO9MmjLjxieWE_qZZp8kYH4o5nFK6WBKEIG4n73AdCtkfueY2IZNAAqKMGCMEv5ptFOwc4UVa8u97w689j0PuhiguSht7BLzn5typuWyPYFRG0zN-ZO-WBJ3Kofj/s320/St+Aidans+13062013-67.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bittern at St Aidan's (photo Kevin Tappenden)</td></tr>
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I've just heard the sad news that Gerry Thrussell died last week. Many of you may have attended his birdwatching classes when you began birdwatching and I often hear stories from my customers about how he got them started on their birdwatching journey. He helped get me started too.<br />
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What a fantastic contribution Gerry made to birdwatching in Leeds. In addition to his birdwatching classes, and his well attended coach trips, he was instrumental in the creation of the Leeds RSPB Group which officially began in 1974. At that time, Gerry was the RSPB Leeds Local Representative and, once more than 1,000 RSPB members had been recruited in the Leeds area, he wrote and invited them to a Member's evening at the Parkway Hotel on Otley Road. The evening included a presentation to the 1,000th member who received a photograph of a short-eared owl taken by the well known Leeds photographer and birder, Arthur Gilpin. It was such a success that a further meeting was arranged, in conjunction with Trevor Gunton, who was then the RSPB's Development Officer, to launch the RSPB Leeds Local Group in February 1974. Gerry continued as Chair of the Group until he was appointed magistrate to the West Yorkshire Bench in 1977. He then gave up the position of Chair but still remained with the Group for a while as the Leeds RSPB representative, Conservation Officer, Chair of Knostrop Reserve and leader of the Leeds Group coach outings. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">RSPB Leeds Local Group is still running today and enjoying success. Gerry began running his own very successful independent birdwatching classes and his Sunday coach trips have been supported by many faithful followers for many years. When Gerry became unwell, Sunday coach trips continued to be run by regular Sunday birdwatchers. </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Gerry's funeral is on Wednesday 26th June at Lawnswood. Many thanks Gerry, on behalf of all your fledgling birdwatchers. </span></o:p></span><br />
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-38473662896384469612013-05-31T15:09:00.002+01:002013-05-31T15:09:41.838+01:00Birding in the coldest spring for over 50 yearsIt came as no surprise to me to hear the announcement that this spring has so far been the coldest in over 50 years. I think I've worn gloves for most of my classes since the start of my spring programme and I've even reverted to full winter gear on more than one occasion. <br />
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As for the birds, woodlands and hedgerows have often been silent as birds refuel after a cold night and it has been a challenge to find some of our spring migrants for eager birdwatchers. <br />
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As I write this blog, the sun is shining and I'm watching swifts circle around my house. I've still not managed to persuade them to nest here but each year they appear more interested in my pseudo colony (CD and old ghetto blaster), which as after almost 3 springs of constant use, is now sounding a little crackly and distorted. I hope they move in before I have to buy a new CD player. <br />
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This last month has been my busiest of the year with outdoor walks on Tuesdays, Wednesday, Saturdays and some Sundays. In between I've been linking in with local "Friends of" groups around Leeds, and Leeds City Council's Parks and Countryside, and I'm hoping to have some great things to tell you about that in the near future. <br />
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We were blessed with good weather for our annual trip to Suffolk this year, so the spring has had its highlights. With 119 species under our belt after 3 days, we had a lot of great memories to take back with us and some quality birds to brag about when we got home. Here are just a few of the best (well, the ones I managed to photograph). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-1Va3BK8D4XTr1SVe_i6aKP2xbY55AFKAp-0rkWlr6i-ilHizfNuF_GLzRvT6sElTGNqHEQsr_bnf0qLKyiEU5PElOt3TgjiOqJP6C0IXWBL8o9C4kTG_4YRyIXUlHVD7KBd4OLJU0rD/s1600/hobby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-1Va3BK8D4XTr1SVe_i6aKP2xbY55AFKAp-0rkWlr6i-ilHizfNuF_GLzRvT6sElTGNqHEQsr_bnf0qLKyiEU5PElOt3TgjiOqJP6C0IXWBL8o9C4kTG_4YRyIXUlHVD7KBd4OLJU0rD/s320/hobby2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobby at RSPB Lakenheath, Suffolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNb3ZP4FdkOqDmBmgsJIT-zUbpMlPMx_48SAOOYCwJHcMLcd_3cFzehQo7jKLwNEh_JBuXxYpxTDbYR0FvkYOEtBKjKADobyyjvcQagRn49EYmgcJsbubJCZoAdZuCK0qL3m7BzMwuysC/s1600/rff2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNb3ZP4FdkOqDmBmgsJIT-zUbpMlPMx_48SAOOYCwJHcMLcd_3cFzehQo7jKLwNEh_JBuXxYpxTDbYR0FvkYOEtBKjKADobyyjvcQagRn49EYmgcJsbubJCZoAdZuCK0qL3m7BzMwuysC/s320/rff2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-footed falcon at RSPB Lakenheath, Suffolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXoioKBSwY3pV3alI1GE56_lT_eR5lhvmJIQEhkJ72gsSc6-lBAW5YK5M5vurlj5EIO4htq9Th1OubPxauRRTgWOCck0kFYXH8Dam9sjP69-sn5NJRjC31ytReDccBQ9dEwSR7YiMfr06/s1600/DSC09101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXoioKBSwY3pV3alI1GE56_lT_eR5lhvmJIQEhkJ72gsSc6-lBAW5YK5M5vurlj5EIO4htq9Th1OubPxauRRTgWOCck0kFYXH8Dam9sjP69-sn5NJRjC31ytReDccBQ9dEwSR7YiMfr06/s320/DSC09101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian goose at Lackford Lakes (Suffolk Wildlife Trust)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo4ibPTsrcGSh5XV2vvI9uWnLRY3SzEfexHG4CeQHAQrBnuWQRqEdJkt2X-X-byBtmMgtfOhyphenhyphenhSvtkSTgD2KOSMFf6q-9rv8fvrkI3YIwP40QnwDHgmNsmAyPyatM_3BK8N-Lxf01i1VF/s1600/DSC09113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo4ibPTsrcGSh5XV2vvI9uWnLRY3SzEfexHG4CeQHAQrBnuWQRqEdJkt2X-X-byBtmMgtfOhyphenhyphenhSvtkSTgD2KOSMFf6q-9rv8fvrkI3YIwP40QnwDHgmNsmAyPyatM_3BK8N-Lxf01i1VF/s320/DSC09113.JPG" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtle dove at Lackford Lakes (Suffolk Wildlife Trust)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2MGkG_bKZ2PQ04Ydm12TnAQjmg1Yl6mgANKLz_0ACfUW3tYr3RWhg2vmMwYScj-21og4LCsS4CluLmCcH_4vgzZRIcJLqgqa0yCpafic-vfjGj41poKwBmpKsbyHbs4zuoRK8KxJaOaB/s1600/DSC09212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2MGkG_bKZ2PQ04Ydm12TnAQjmg1Yl6mgANKLz_0ACfUW3tYr3RWhg2vmMwYScj-21og4LCsS4CluLmCcH_4vgzZRIcJLqgqa0yCpafic-vfjGj41poKwBmpKsbyHbs4zuoRK8KxJaOaB/s320/DSC09212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little tern at RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_8HkB1cY3QA8CZfF84-0RZ8T_kgtW4VtKMXSfQGH96TXvHzUv299VL76d2NbBuH56yiyK4mREKqouDQzHeFPMl9VAzuKDslOY73QqT8geqVLe4lPiqGz23l0h5ioe9G7Xw2AerW1G5wd/s1600/DSC09220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_8HkB1cY3QA8CZfF84-0RZ8T_kgtW4VtKMXSfQGH96TXvHzUv299VL76d2NbBuH56yiyK4mREKqouDQzHeFPMl9VAzuKDslOY73QqT8geqVLe4lPiqGz23l0h5ioe9G7Xw2AerW1G5wd/s320/DSC09220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoonbill at RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk</td></tr>
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Since then I've visited Teesside; Gallows Hill in Otley; Middleton Woods in Ilkley; Breary Marsh and Paul's Pond in Leeds; RSPB Leighton Moss and YWT Adel Dam. The woodlands have looked spectacular over last couple of weeks. There have been so many more woodland plants than normal and such depth of colour and contrast between the fresh green of ferns coupled with blues, yellows and whites of spring flowers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvyUn6EXs0smdQsjm2L1qo9gUuHzvS20IpUh9fe-xkZUEZDKNyTCBRYVm2H7PQF28g4MBab0GKL2yzc1qOF9cA9gBO6cu1dW_BxDF65oXIUdy5PCXHko2oPKwjSDnB4XFzKu-fv2XFyqH/s1600/DSC09257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvyUn6EXs0smdQsjm2L1qo9gUuHzvS20IpUh9fe-xkZUEZDKNyTCBRYVm2H7PQF28g4MBab0GKL2yzc1qOF9cA9gBO6cu1dW_BxDF65oXIUdy5PCXHko2oPKwjSDnB4XFzKu-fv2XFyqH/s320/DSC09257.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebells at Middleton Woods, Ilkley</td></tr>
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Last week I attended the official opening of RSPB St Aidan's reserve which was attended by representatives from Leeds City Council, UK Coal, RSPB and many volunteers and interested parties. It was a rainy day but the downpour abruptly ended with the speeches and we were able to take a stroll around the reserve (not my first but my first official stroll). Black-necked grebes are currently present on the reserve and we could hear cuckoo and bittern quite clearly. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5pxYg5pM2X3BvAweHMm1n2C2mXFCDamufFSetSM-NYihd46lMJC3pPLseH4se8aTsDoCqke4EUflh0Wgag8OYbhgaGg1aBoFrXccqiC3_Bm4GYdmc7D76hF2qPRsV2eFx5lgcaQG4rF_/s1600/bng2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5pxYg5pM2X3BvAweHMm1n2C2mXFCDamufFSetSM-NYihd46lMJC3pPLseH4se8aTsDoCqke4EUflh0Wgag8OYbhgaGg1aBoFrXccqiC3_Bm4GYdmc7D76hF2qPRsV2eFx5lgcaQG4rF_/s320/bng2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-necked grebe at RSPB St Aidan's<br />
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It has been great spending time with local wildlife enthusiasts over the last few days - the Wyke Beck Valley Pride event last Sunday and Monday was particularly enjoyable and it was good meeting the Friends of Gipton Woods in Leeds last night. <br />
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I'm just off to Northumberland for a 3 day trip so I'm crossing my fingers that we have good weather.<br />
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Watch this space for information about my next trips and enjoy the sun while it lasts. <br />
<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-18640264327167047182013-05-03T19:42:00.001+01:002013-05-03T19:42:06.912+01:00Spring migrants are like busesHello birdwatchers<br />
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Spring migrants are like buses this year - one minute you can't find one and then they all come at once! <br />
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It has been a fantastic couple of weeks in the world of birds. Chiffchaffs and willow warblers are just about getting settled; blackcaps seem to be paired and looking for nest sites and whitethroats arrived earlier last week. <br />
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Today I had a bumper spring birdwatching day although the weather was rather dull and overcast. <br />
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Apart from one last indoor class on 9th April, all Start Birding evening classes have now moved outdoors. I look forward to many wonderful spring and summer evening walks until indoor classes start again in September. <br />
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So far in April we've visited Harewood Estate to watch red kites, tawny owls and roding woodcock; the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to practise our bird songs and calls; <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/kirkstallabbey/Enjoy-the-Abbey-Park.aspx">Kirkstall Abbey</a> and <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/kirkstall-valley-nature-reserve">Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve</a> to look for spring migrants, and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/fairburnings/">RSPB Fairburn Ings</a> to find garganey and cuckoo. At the weekends we have visited <a href="http://friendsofskipwithcommon.org.uk/">Skipwith Common</a>; <a href="http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/CultureAndLeisure/ParksAndOpenSpaces/BrettonCountryPark/About.htm">Bretton Country Park</a> and <a href="http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/">Spurn Point</a>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uOXNcEGm43FV2OIT5kl_qFJqDG5iII1D-8skNR5Dt0cIS0LzPaQaRAk7X98kLKylHIE1Lp1xNchyphenhyphenlpMHGMG-fN4bPuU8TlmAw6lpg9FSfEfb6KoPirQl-dooRp-7iGcuvF24oTxujsuG/s1600/wheatear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uOXNcEGm43FV2OIT5kl_qFJqDG5iII1D-8skNR5Dt0cIS0LzPaQaRAk7X98kLKylHIE1Lp1xNchyphenhyphenlpMHGMG-fN4bPuU8TlmAw6lpg9FSfEfb6KoPirQl-dooRp-7iGcuvF24oTxujsuG/s320/wheatear.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheatear at Spurn Point</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDliOPEpcf84GUZLVDOEBvpQr-Uawx6aGm8dWbHxGKuoEiYvWIBeiewOX6j2UYZvpM28Tau2zlNaWCakV-cZac0D3F2KePlLU1LHcyE1gnlK5HF4MKrmOo7YuAUkmAVmvcVY3rmD05qDys/s1600/avocet+kilnsea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDliOPEpcf84GUZLVDOEBvpQr-Uawx6aGm8dWbHxGKuoEiYvWIBeiewOX6j2UYZvpM28Tau2zlNaWCakV-cZac0D3F2KePlLU1LHcyE1gnlK5HF4MKrmOo7YuAUkmAVmvcVY3rmD05qDys/s320/avocet+kilnsea2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocet at Kilnsea Wetlands, near Spurn Point</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOan2moPwjFepoLwbc7gQVpcHK6dY2E7uqOyFPXo3MPUe_6STQhdPPV0Wqm13hjgSwPqD9GXUJIixeWbLtMjnJR5KHdD0Mzp5PjW4YRE1xtOpphUDzIX9YUl1pBOSr3L_rBYCGiQ36i1dC/s1600/DSC08505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOan2moPwjFepoLwbc7gQVpcHK6dY2E7uqOyFPXo3MPUe_6STQhdPPV0Wqm13hjgSwPqD9GXUJIixeWbLtMjnJR5KHdD0Mzp5PjW4YRE1xtOpphUDzIX9YUl1pBOSr3L_rBYCGiQ36i1dC/s320/DSC08505.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female reed bunting at Skipwith Common</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgamE0rzMk2lNnMoRC2Juu5wzgtJA73SmRbsv0KIsF9GdjcC-l31LP8URxIL6PtKL0Csb3j3cStpQUMXtg71TuW3hFKTmn7jgxvBpmu5W-n2BhT4jXVadgo6wIlN_YSiukjZeQrjsjJuFk/s1600/DSC08535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgamE0rzMk2lNnMoRC2Juu5wzgtJA73SmRbsv0KIsF9GdjcC-l31LP8URxIL6PtKL0Csb3j3cStpQUMXtg71TuW3hFKTmn7jgxvBpmu5W-n2BhT4jXVadgo6wIlN_YSiukjZeQrjsjJuFk/s320/DSC08535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass snake basking in the sun at Skipwith Common</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdfATSi68ctf2aU5iBoxJa2v61ryB1PDvJGRrLZlt5gvsDLC4IYoYEAFxpnvZLxp0IL-uZ2kSSUg6CTWGttLjJJg7uanALjsG9Q5lfugTlorolz0PFi0ZgAcF0z1PTOLU4Mop1hzn9f3K/s1600/DSC08551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdfATSi68ctf2aU5iBoxJa2v61ryB1PDvJGRrLZlt5gvsDLC4IYoYEAFxpnvZLxp0IL-uZ2kSSUg6CTWGttLjJJg7uanALjsG9Q5lfugTlorolz0PFi0ZgAcF0z1PTOLU4Mop1hzn9f3K/s320/DSC08551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frogs at Skipwith Common</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6YkLgguc-uhVZJ-eaN__Hky_4Ggy2KuKqHQl96wDYMTTyJW80yUksF7hiqU260y991tHoh_sUA1jLwGQsxRtEgMpOXHUY08WIY4yWT3UM53V5HgxhdVlpQJx5BCuEbeQGyIVSHOO25hQ/s1600/grey+wagtail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6YkLgguc-uhVZJ-eaN__Hky_4Ggy2KuKqHQl96wDYMTTyJW80yUksF7hiqU260y991tHoh_sUA1jLwGQsxRtEgMpOXHUY08WIY4yWT3UM53V5HgxhdVlpQJx5BCuEbeQGyIVSHOO25hQ/s320/grey+wagtail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey wagtail at Bretton Country Park</td></tr>
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Tuesday morning classes have continued with trips to Knotford Nook; <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/">Rodley Nature Reserve</a>; Roundhay Park and Meanwood Valley. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7h10JxwdwlTUAZvIKz5FPmIOKzQkgbREhSfoDpunrF8YuQALmdhE2TYI9EaxY8tCfGJBsAgrofkQ1eY5xYncrVzOISd24bek2KBBX1oRlldBfrX9-A7-01fZMpEWheYfvfkQaSBxrdDu/s1600/DSC08493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7h10JxwdwlTUAZvIKz5FPmIOKzQkgbREhSfoDpunrF8YuQALmdhE2TYI9EaxY8tCfGJBsAgrofkQ1eY5xYncrVzOISd24bek2KBBX1oRlldBfrX9-A7-01fZMpEWheYfvfkQaSBxrdDu/s320/DSC08493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water rail on the River Aire from Rodley Nature Reserve</td></tr>
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On Tuesday 16th April, I gave a short talk to the Friends of Middleton Park and I'll be leading a 2 hour birdwatching class there on Sunday 12th May from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. <br />
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Survey season has started and so far I've participated in the survey of RSPB St Aidan's and completed the first visit of one of my <a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs">BTO Breeding Bird Survey</a> squares. This will continue over the next few weeks. <br />
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May is always an exciting month for birders and this month is no exception. We have finally heard the news that <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/about.aspx">RSPB St Aidan's</a> will open on Saturday 25th May after a long delay. An interim visitor centre has been erected and birdwatchers will now be able to enjoy an uninterrupted birding feast from Swillington to Fairburn. No more looking through a mesh fence like a child peering through a sweetie shop window. Last week I watched a bittern flying full length of the reserve while doing the survey and I look forward to sharing the reserve with you when I lead a birdwatching class there on <strong>Tuesday 11th June</strong>. Please call to book as places are limited. <br />
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That's it for now as it is a busy time for birders. I find it hard to find the motivation to be indoors writing blogs when there are many more daylight hours to explore the wildlife of Leeds. Please contact me with your sightings, including any sightings of winter species that are still lingering in and around Leeds (yes those waxwings have been seen right up to the end of April) and I hope to see you soon on one of my trips. <br />
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I leave you with photos of more birds seen recently at Rodley Nature Reserve. Rodley is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. <br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls5cDwK2c0auFq6zqVogvsmabudW6i3-TJbxh7kH3KSZuDZYHwI64pUjd2seiRa_gPVAEQNFeXTEWZW2FhGIaPnrDN7A8mJfjT9XZG7-9cQ0Y7C1475Da9cGeB76DY7vrOD9X2wkbyQt-/s1600/DSC08599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhls5cDwK2c0auFq6zqVogvsmabudW6i3-TJbxh7kH3KSZuDZYHwI64pUjd2seiRa_gPVAEQNFeXTEWZW2FhGIaPnrDN7A8mJfjT9XZG7-9cQ0Y7C1475Da9cGeB76DY7vrOD9X2wkbyQt-/s320/DSC08599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female bullfinch</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikKzNkkJcW7Sa4mtrKdLgAjlPBQ2-hS9ADHK11aeQiMa7lw4-3szM8Htwu-QnoHOFvQRHUlGhg9mt_50Mkxl1M9NbG0iwr7FWGNs65XAg1VVqYGL0fGM3NTF-BLahE0a-r65yEKPd61W7/s1600/DSC08615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikKzNkkJcW7Sa4mtrKdLgAjlPBQ2-hS9ADHK11aeQiMa7lw4-3szM8Htwu-QnoHOFvQRHUlGhg9mt_50Mkxl1M9NbG0iwr7FWGNs65XAg1VVqYGL0fGM3NTF-BLahE0a-r65yEKPd61W7/s320/DSC08615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male bullfinch</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4miuBgYjepZHhNJJK8zMlEb6c5u8km5AR_dX8W2KnkrWGvxh9LLdRW7loiX9enTLSEH_RhceZk575lr5lI5BohiMFi8i5HmQvn_nKqq7gmVS8TZi5NXBpG2YWHznQzx2sQqGxZ6kcqyq/s1600/DSC08638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4miuBgYjepZHhNJJK8zMlEb6c5u8km5AR_dX8W2KnkrWGvxh9LLdRW7loiX9enTLSEH_RhceZk575lr5lI5BohiMFi8i5HmQvn_nKqq7gmVS8TZi5NXBpG2YWHznQzx2sQqGxZ6kcqyq/s320/DSC08638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cormorant</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9_zq6GBd1C1cCSve5Ztt4bpqcB6notcihOQXkmRD9gymDPhLZDcu03av4ihsx_kZEtx5Y56ki8LefcixY5Sj7CitYulVCKKS6RbpIROZ2YGWUTByk4Z-x1JKeP3rUCMzxXCWIkIe5qZC/s1600/DSC08757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9_zq6GBd1C1cCSve5Ztt4bpqcB6notcihOQXkmRD9gymDPhLZDcu03av4ihsx_kZEtx5Y56ki8LefcixY5Sj7CitYulVCKKS6RbpIROZ2YGWUTByk4Z-x1JKeP3rUCMzxXCWIkIe5qZC/s320/DSC08757.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oystercatcher</td></tr>
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Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-60530830502413685872013-04-12T16:46:00.001+01:002013-04-12T16:46:55.375+01:00Spring has finally sprung (I think!)Hello birdwatchers<br />
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What a traumatic spring we've had so far for our migrating birds. <br />
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Both incoming and outgoing birds have struggled to make their habitual journeys to their breeding grounds this year. Bird reports have been unseasonably winter-esk with long-tailed duck, smew, waxwings, redwing, fieldfare and siskins still being seen in large numbers; their passage being inhibited by cold easterly winds. A siskin has been seen gathering nesting material in a garden in Leeds so perhaps it has decided to stay in suburbia this year.<br />
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If you've not already seen a waxwing then you still have a chance. I'm happy to attempt to point you in the right direction if you contact me but you don't have much time left. Just remember that there may be fewer birds next winter, if any. <br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9Q8sZamVYLQxD_u94CKTkMH0s7hszc5VbM5HlVrMVEXLxOg2BsgKVdedBqqFowBa3dgTU5L41RR7M_lx4IwFd6xRKIhbiK9pkmCALht8RLhS8hIY0pF75kL8U6xJSA0sqbkMlC3IJGvz/s1600/waxwing+newsletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9Q8sZamVYLQxD_u94CKTkMH0s7hszc5VbM5HlVrMVEXLxOg2BsgKVdedBqqFowBa3dgTU5L41RR7M_lx4IwFd6xRKIhbiK9pkmCALht8RLhS8hIY0pF75kL8U6xJSA0sqbkMlC3IJGvz/s320/waxwing+newsletter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Leeds waxwings </td></tr>
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On quite a few days over the past few weeks, our resident birds have had to suspend their breeding activity to focus on more important priorities like refuelling after the freezing cold nights. There's probably not much point in rushing to lay those eggs anyway as feeding their chicks is synchronised with the emergence of caterpillars and we're only just seeing our first insects (and leaves for that matter) here in the north of England. <br />
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Sunny skies and warmer temperatures over the last week provided enough heat for many insects to emerge from their winter diapause which has urged our spring migrants northwards. This week, reports of swallows, ring ouzel, kittiwake, common tern and little gull in the north of England has reassured us that spring is really here after all. <br />
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As usual, Start Birding has kept calm and carried on throughout the bitterly cold weather apart from having to reschedule a one-to-one session due to heavy snow and subsequently cancel the trip to Troydale in Pudsey a couple of days later. Oh and we did have to reschedule one of our evening classes too. Despite our beliefs about winter, it is quite unusual to have to cancel trips I'm pleased to say. Usually it is plainly due to safety when conditions are icy but this year many sites were inaccessible because of the heavy and drifting snow. <br />
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So where have I been over the last month? It is a while since my last blog and it has been a busy time. Tuesday evening and Wednesday evening indoor classes have continued up to this week when the Wednesday birdwatchers took their first spring evening walk to Harewood to watch red kite, tawny owls and roding woodcock. Tuesday evening classes start on 23rd April with a repeat trip to Harewood (hopefully it will be a bit warmer by then). <br />
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Tuesday morning classes began on 5th March meeting at <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Golden-Acre-Park.aspx">Golden Acre Park</a>. Over the last few weeks we have watched birds around the park, at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's <a href="http://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/adel-dam-nature-reserve">Adel Dam</a> reserve, <a href="http://www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/Pages/Breary-Marsh-Local-Nature-Reserve.aspx">Breary Marsh</a> and <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paul's_Pond,_Breary_Marsh_Nature_Reserve_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1468050.jpg">Paul's Pond</a>. There have been siskins everywhere and we have had great views of great spotted woodpecker, mandarin duck, treecreeper and nuthatch. Woodcock has also been seen at Adel Dam two weeks running. This week we had a walk around <a href="http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/753984">Knotford Nook</a> at Otley and next week we'll vist <a href="http://www.rodleynaturereserve.org/">Rodley Nature Reserve</a>. I still have places left on my Tuesday morning session so if you're interested then give me a ring. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2FDqlsAxgLR3HluXlKk0jAaV7I9TPmNdux_JwZgUJqRtdcQeQ8MSRcezFDPd7tgm9pHroodAC6tZs1IJ7rlrZI6FhUism82NlXuPXhLa0i4nKnmZe22ojyUAC9mOefdQZdHzMLhDgtst/s1600/nuthatch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2FDqlsAxgLR3HluXlKk0jAaV7I9TPmNdux_JwZgUJqRtdcQeQ8MSRcezFDPd7tgm9pHroodAC6tZs1IJ7rlrZI6FhUism82NlXuPXhLa0i4nKnmZe22ojyUAC9mOefdQZdHzMLhDgtst/s320/nuthatch2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuthatch at Golden Acre Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOIUio0vcUBB8L17sBky025PLrsBEYjEaJhstbG4qahY4nTUT9bK2K7gP9bH2WEbTgmXrUOp2zCVY5P5Z0OP3dowG6fWHJyfM9JShSfI51jRzf2-DYOHwP668rKqq12LqLaAOK9rYeGKU/s1600/mandarin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOIUio0vcUBB8L17sBky025PLrsBEYjEaJhstbG4qahY4nTUT9bK2K7gP9bH2WEbTgmXrUOp2zCVY5P5Z0OP3dowG6fWHJyfM9JShSfI51jRzf2-DYOHwP668rKqq12LqLaAOK9rYeGKU/s320/mandarin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and female mandarin (shame about the stem getting in the way)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xL89xBuGT7HjPHuS26aVhOxriP38HNnn5Uu5LWrWmvhoGy2V1g8cu6UWME-a6TKeQof3oeOQb7Y4BU4Kg8brXrc-2vu50LpIyZMl4uyIvmOLbmP5xnTBLNUuTmJf5ji9X2QpPqwRWAgb/s1600/DSC08328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xL89xBuGT7HjPHuS26aVhOxriP38HNnn5Uu5LWrWmvhoGy2V1g8cu6UWME-a6TKeQof3oeOQb7Y4BU4Kg8brXrc-2vu50LpIyZMl4uyIvmOLbmP5xnTBLNUuTmJf5ji9X2QpPqwRWAgb/s320/DSC08328.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female great spotted woodpecker at Adel Dam</td></tr>
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Weekend trips have taken us along the River Aire from Swillington to Fairburn, taking in Mickletown Ings, St Aidan's and Allerton Bywater and our trip to Woodhouse Ridge and Meanwood Valley Urban Farm provided us with a fabulous firecrest! A really good tick for Leeds. The following day our visit to Temple Newsam was a cold and muddy experience but our close views of nuthatch, treecreeper, goldcrest and tawny owl more than made up for it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoAefaKCwGiM9va0iGhMZ178TXTDygLIuW1ye1-PLM9ZBc1gBpyDZeK4FrejdEpmqs6I1Dd2qP4eK6PmfBxBetX0_f6sariQ-j-uMxQ_IluQ49eo4uKQr7_hj5BezJDJLVZny7TzzKk0q/s1600/DSC08261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoAefaKCwGiM9va0iGhMZ178TXTDygLIuW1ye1-PLM9ZBc1gBpyDZeK4FrejdEpmqs6I1Dd2qP4eK6PmfBxBetX0_f6sariQ-j-uMxQ_IluQ49eo4uKQr7_hj5BezJDJLVZny7TzzKk0q/s320/DSC08261.JPG" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny owl roosting at Temple Newsam</td></tr>
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Last weekend we visited <a href="http://www.northcavewetlands.com/">YWT North Cave</a> and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/blacktoftsands/">RSPB Blacktoft Sands</a>. At North Cave, the first chiffchaff had just arrived and a few avocet were settling down to breed. A great crested grebe, obviously feeling comforted by the warmth of the late spring sun, struggled to keep its head upright as it fell asleep. It woke with a start each time its beak touched the water. The deafening noise of black-headed gulls made it difficult to listen for smaller songbirds. A male corn bunting was barely audible above the noise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06cDTUNMj0lebuBPbGS7QwwvZdetxyPtFhTjUYDglTPJCvU3adK1K15QdF4tr7PGrYfthMhAF-n24OGjJJBebl3ids2aaNJpMeC2jO8Cr_AuRZPiecrlWaCkkzigpzNYBcowBTwHB-fH-/s1600/avocets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh06cDTUNMj0lebuBPbGS7QwwvZdetxyPtFhTjUYDglTPJCvU3adK1K15QdF4tr7PGrYfthMhAF-n24OGjJJBebl3ids2aaNJpMeC2jO8Cr_AuRZPiecrlWaCkkzigpzNYBcowBTwHB-fH-/s320/avocets.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocets at North Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaayR9waeIYY0HzvEBFjqP1d8x4MybkiAHI0nXq7hZ6Ma0BT2aABljj7hjyDzIUzBt771OKafxPESCSbZby_TUzUkpBQ1i7wPaTGZIe6LrJ9PoNUnswcnyIgSJ9vKSTXdRbNUw51ou5pW/s1600/Black+headed+gulls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaayR9waeIYY0HzvEBFjqP1d8x4MybkiAHI0nXq7hZ6Ma0BT2aABljj7hjyDzIUzBt771OKafxPESCSbZby_TUzUkpBQ1i7wPaTGZIe6LrJ9PoNUnswcnyIgSJ9vKSTXdRbNUw51ou5pW/s320/Black+headed+gulls.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed gulls</td></tr>
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A small flock of fieldfare and redwing stocked up on food before their final departure and a female reed bunting perched nearby watching the emerging insects. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG7Ku7NkF-QmXXIWYvKAYupARdPa-EQwCJx-ZJhrdkxP7ZLwFrZ7J02Dg2X75p5rhjsBHorlslqPEavSu6XuX5rTLvU18pcN9SrGIx7Ia-LAGsgSAunQgnZ3RGZWbaDI5gJbRHSPZK9PL/s1600/DSC08415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNG7Ku7NkF-QmXXIWYvKAYupARdPa-EQwCJx-ZJhrdkxP7ZLwFrZ7J02Dg2X75p5rhjsBHorlslqPEavSu6XuX5rTLvU18pcN9SrGIx7Ia-LAGsgSAunQgnZ3RGZWbaDI5gJbRHSPZK9PL/s320/DSC08415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female reed bunting</td></tr>
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Searching unsuccessfully for the newly arrived little ringed plover, all we could produce were ringed plovers settling down to breed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeofwQ1umQJhXqK-7wnKBUuABlPujIvVfifxdRVHbAU8Z5aQiJuPjGRMUXDFAuEsDwZb6PKQ-l2EUTNol4P-HAOe26SphNl4tStC_JUn1i1gClSYC6cUVdu-1ovTsSJy9qwq22F47JMac/s1600/RP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeofwQ1umQJhXqK-7wnKBUuABlPujIvVfifxdRVHbAU8Z5aQiJuPjGRMUXDFAuEsDwZb6PKQ-l2EUTNol4P-HAOe26SphNl4tStC_JUn1i1gClSYC6cUVdu-1ovTsSJy9qwq22F47JMac/s320/RP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringed plover at North Cave (photo R. German)</td></tr>
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We found more avocets at Blacktoft but the spotted redshank gave us the slip. Male marsh harriers were engaging in their display flights and a distant male hen harrier was seen flying over to Alkborough Flats. A couple of marsh harriers allowed us to watch a secret food pass in front of the hide and both male and female perched long enough for us to get some decent views through the telescope. Snipe probed for food along the edges of the lagoons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2zCNedluRlOYn0htt1ZgJzEpsRcIyOzlvQjoE2FYH-0Vaq6biMEdWaMrVEIc70sTVuJvIppGP9PfQtWqJCiN2QyJq3Hu9b4tN7_oSsmW1SJ2w5sIDopnBuQmcZco5oZmkn2jctS8vlTt/s1600/DSC08451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2zCNedluRlOYn0htt1ZgJzEpsRcIyOzlvQjoE2FYH-0Vaq6biMEdWaMrVEIc70sTVuJvIppGP9PfQtWqJCiN2QyJq3Hu9b4tN7_oSsmW1SJ2w5sIDopnBuQmcZco5oZmkn2jctS8vlTt/s320/DSC08451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male marsh harrier at Blacktoft</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-UtVjB9ppttgq4WVnwutf7Y6Ame9GYdRJh4bJnDWGvjkBPG6bigTorR9dh9iqxk9RtWe8W_s9b4Rx1CC3_obHkp10ePT27qlae7ims_wNP0fs3m-qJHqH3rfuMX6WI-zqBI274USH8eA/s1600/snipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-UtVjB9ppttgq4WVnwutf7Y6Ame9GYdRJh4bJnDWGvjkBPG6bigTorR9dh9iqxk9RtWe8W_s9b4Rx1CC3_obHkp10ePT27qlae7ims_wNP0fs3m-qJHqH3rfuMX6WI-zqBI274USH8eA/s320/snipe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipe at Blacktoft (Photo R.German)</td></tr>
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On all of our trips, and at our indoor sessions over the winter months, we've been learning 16 resident bird songs. My Tuesday and Wednesday birdwatchers are really getting the hang of it now; many of them managing to identify each of the species correctly. With a bit more practise in the field I'm sure everyone will soon get full marks. Well done everybody. <br />
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If you're interested in joining me on my trips over the coming months, contact me for further details on 07778 768719 or email <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com">linda.startbirding@gmail.com</a> <br />
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-53994586115038279472013-03-04T21:29:00.001+00:002013-03-04T21:29:44.764+00:00March-ing into SpringHello birdwatchers<br />
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The sunny skies on Saturday gave us a fantastic start to the month of March when we visited <a href="http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/reserves/askham-bog-nature-reserve">YWT's Askham Bog</a> followed by the <a href="http://ldvnnr.blogspot.co.uk/">Lower Derwent Valley</a>. <br />
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The water levels had receded considerably by Saturday morning but, due to time constraints, we stayed on the boardwalk at Askham Bog. I'd visited the site a few days ago and encountered a very hungry and sociable robin as I entered the reserve. I didn't have any food with me then so, this time, I took some with me as I believed that it would be friendly enough to eat from my hand. I wasn't disappointed - it was so humbling to have this lovely little creature drop almost weightlessly onto my palm to take a few crumbs. I felt humbler still when, after trying a second time, I was given a very loud telling off by the robin who was obviously making it quite clear that he wasn't going to be doing any more party tricks! I put the rest of the food on a fence post which was quickly eaten by blue tits, robins, great tits and a dunnock. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowefeJzhxqVzEnv5pGaLbAsxj3yI2z_coWItHFbFXh_NPjVho46NvUPicjDuRXQ5oVFukVnmwKelFVSPrswC_8QM1fiiTVWOmQFhMNc5qQXH1jQbbtdKRJIf5zf2Na_4AUrqcRo9mM0Rd/s1600/DSC08164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgowefeJzhxqVzEnv5pGaLbAsxj3yI2z_coWItHFbFXh_NPjVho46NvUPicjDuRXQ5oVFukVnmwKelFVSPrswC_8QM1fiiTVWOmQFhMNc5qQXH1jQbbtdKRJIf5zf2Na_4AUrqcRo9mM0Rd/s320/DSC08164.JPG" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friendly robin (I think!) at Askham Bog </td></tr>
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Our target birds for this site were willow tit and lesser spotted woodpecker (LSW). LSWs are often seen on the reserve but, so far, I've never seen one there. March is a good month for hearing their calls so I thought we'd give it a try and we hung around the pond for a good while watching and listening. Pretty soon, a wren alarm called in front of us across the water. The bird was very agitated and eventually we found out why; a mink sat up, blinking sleepily. It sat there for a few minutes with the wren fluttering around it then took to the water, out of sight. Finally the wren went back to its business of feeding and replenishing its fat reserves after another cold night. <br />
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A great spotted woodpecker appeared on the distant trees with male and female bullfinches. Time was moving on so we headed back. A couple of willow tits appeared "chur-chur-churring" along the path, followed very closely by a goldcrest, singing loudly. Sibilant treecreeper calls could be heard from inside the wood then very soon we were back to the robin site to place some more food on the fence. Our contribution was acknowledged and utilised quickly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRQPh0iC-wjRGFea7etZL8HgR7cFltTK53mHKpdX8uf6TrkMYqE5mDIkGsGjp1A-0USzGgO4iIa69f-NqU_O4svgo3FB_mAjSU2FwowffDE6YzmvkC2jbvaYaOnZbao9YDK2DZ4YCdMPY/s1600/DSC07687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRQPh0iC-wjRGFea7etZL8HgR7cFltTK53mHKpdX8uf6TrkMYqE5mDIkGsGjp1A-0USzGgO4iIa69f-NqU_O4svgo3FB_mAjSU2FwowffDE6YzmvkC2jbvaYaOnZbao9YDK2DZ4YCdMPY/s320/DSC07687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow tit</td></tr>
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Next stop, Bank Island just outside Weldrake to the south of York. The water is finally receding fast here after severe flooding covered most of the Lower Derwent Valley for the majority of the winter. Wigeon, teal, pochard, tufted duck and mallard could be seen from the tower along with mute swan and greylag geese. We also watched blue tit, great tit, greenfinch, bullfinch, treesparrows and willow tit on the feeders from here. A walk onto Weldrake Ings produced more bullfinch, reed bunting and a goldcrest flycatching amongst the riverside willows. Pintail, redshank and black-tailed godwit were added to the list.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzepK9oftQu5UgkHE3uIAsZqVLM3Ge72Etc4FQrEGEgaCX835vXUIksuf1zHZ-iYZ57FiDu-PL0oeWarcncJOIaD5qBw4AxviuVgCGAEp-HxJDCSXAU9QjURHLd1u_hPGGliFpIuLhm7wf/s1600/DSC08162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzepK9oftQu5UgkHE3uIAsZqVLM3Ge72Etc4FQrEGEgaCX835vXUIksuf1zHZ-iYZ57FiDu-PL0oeWarcncJOIaD5qBw4AxviuVgCGAEp-HxJDCSXAU9QjURHLd1u_hPGGliFpIuLhm7wf/s320/DSC08162.JPG" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male pintail</td></tr>
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At Thorganby, we were able to add shelduck, golden plover, ruff and dunlin to our list. A couple of buzzards circling above the flood plain created a wave of panic among the wader flocks which helped us to find the golden plover. The dunlin bunched high above the water so I search round for a peregrine but couldn't see any raptors other than the buzzards. We hunted unsuccessfully for little owl and, as we were about to leave feeling disappointed, a barn owl was seen right behind the hedge adjacent to the car park. We watch this owl for what seemed like hours, quartering and perching with the occasional glance in our direction. I took lots of photos keeping as secluded as I could in a car park next to a village hall! It was two o'clock in the afternoon on a sunny day and the owl was very focused on feeding so I'm guessing Friday night was bad for vole hunting. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCSG61jIDr0kmClVFQcPLvOuxj6LLarWlf2H9DVsuLp-UMYiMfmT9T0Ch4mD2YUB0lAKQScI2AOWBs3syrDLXqjNsJKjmiIliqiYCFAZostkMmJY5PZSdwc09MdV9_CQk5a0qQkXH2s-u/s1600/DSC08226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCSG61jIDr0kmClVFQcPLvOuxj6LLarWlf2H9DVsuLp-UMYiMfmT9T0Ch4mD2YUB0lAKQScI2AOWBs3syrDLXqjNsJKjmiIliqiYCFAZostkMmJY5PZSdwc09MdV9_CQk5a0qQkXH2s-u/s320/DSC08226.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn owl</td></tr>
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Peeling ourselves away from the, still perched, barn owl, we drove straight towards Bubwith bridge to see if we could find the 2 Bewick swans with the whooper flock. I'd seen them there a couple of days ago. They were easily found with the flock of whoopers but subtly different and subtly apart from the main group as they had been two days ago. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj7qRb9Wv4DUFpdNqBp9tNNX-m4RAxkXagJgcHrR36kPyoIc_dfwDHSXhHI67IptpvtOjn8ONpI7Qw0reWH0zQ_BSt2tNvW1JZXC273ELNXewF2vJfu92rFmze5wrDs3hztlQTmCXWlEl/s1600/DSC07990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj7qRb9Wv4DUFpdNqBp9tNNX-m4RAxkXagJgcHrR36kPyoIc_dfwDHSXhHI67IptpvtOjn8ONpI7Qw0reWH0zQ_BSt2tNvW1JZXC273ELNXewF2vJfu92rFmze5wrDs3hztlQTmCXWlEl/s320/DSC07990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper swan</td></tr>
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A quick visit to Ellerton, to showcase the whole area, enabled us to find some great barn owl pellets for future classes then we finished our day at North Duffield Carrs. We added singing skylark to our list and bumped into a couple of birdwatchers who'd found a shoveler skull close to the path. I'm grateful to them for handing it over so that I could use it in my classes and glad that we were able to help them find the Bewicks. Thoroughly satisfied with our day we headed off back taking a look across the water towards Bubwith bridge again for the Bewicks. We found one bobbing its head, as if in greeting or deference, to each whooper swan that passed by. <br />
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This month, our birdwatching is going to be focused on areas closer to home so the rest of our birding in March will be in and around Leeds. I'm starting my Tuesday morning beginners classes this week and Wednesday evening classes continue indoors until the beginning of April. Weekend classes will take us through the Aire Valley; to Woodhouse Ridge and Meanwood Urban Farm; Temple Newsam and Troydale in Pudsey. Find out more by calling me on 07778 768719 or email <a href="mailto:linda.startbirding@gmail.com">linda.startbirding@gmail.com</a><br />
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A dipper was seen again in Leeds this weekend, waxwings are still around and the spring migrants are about to arrive - so there is lot to get out there for. Why not come and join me<br />
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Best wishes<br />
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LindaLinda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340648525864827085.post-27342625361063947982013-02-13T21:30:00.000+00:002013-02-13T21:30:56.197+00:00Winter collection from D&G - 2013 Hello birdwatchers<br />
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I'm just back from Start Birding's annual winter trip to Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland. This year I was joined by 8 lovely people and, once again, we stayed at the wonderful <a href="http://www.millbraehouse.co.uk/">Millbrae House</a> in Rockcliffe owned by Linda and David Birdsall. <br />
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This stunning countryside is home to thousands of wildfowl including whooper swans from Iceland; barnacle geese from Svalbard; white-fronted geese and greylag geese from Greenland; pink-footed geese from Iceland and thousands of ducks including scaup, wigeon, pintail and teal.<br />
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We began our weekend by having second breakfast at the lovely <a href="http://www.crosslanesorganics.co.uk/">Cross Lanes Cafe</a> on the A66 then made our to Powfoot which is close to Annan; a beautiful place to start your list. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powfoot</td></tr>
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Our birds here included sheduck, pintail, displaying red-breasted mergansers, teal, oystercatcher, lapwing and bar-tailed godwits. A small starling flock gave us an unexpected murmurration for a few moments as if they were celebrating a short break in the weather. <br />
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From here we spent the rest of the day at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's reserve at <a href="http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/caerlaverock/">Caerlaverock</a>. The sound of whooper swans greeted us as we opened up the minibus to make a quick cup of tea. A large flock of barnacle geese called loudly as they took to the air. Finches and tits fed noisily around the birch and alder trees around the car park. <br />
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Once settled in the first hide, we were able to quickly train our binoculars onto an individual green-winged teal from America which was chasing after its European relatives on the lagoon. Its vertical lemon stripe was clearly visible amid the crowd of horizontally striped cousins and the birds were close enough for everyone to learn the difference between them. Whooper swans flew onto the lagoon in small groups as we were watching. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper swans at Caerlaverock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper swan</td></tr>
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As is often the case at Caerlaverock, yellowhammers lined the hedgerows leading to the next hide. A brambling was seen on the nearby feeders with blue tit, coal tit, great tit and chaffinch. Thousands of barnacle geese could be seen grazing in the fields around the reserve. Two merlins and a buzzard looked for their last minute feeding opportunities as the light started to fail and perched long enough for everyone to get a view in the scope. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowhammer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToOz-WkB0DGkJ-GnOPYRrR8__qa0NeeP9g6EkxRMtKS3YpaUQCRBW1sjzM64sXYfoWZx4VgoJ7ZQJthnrzLBNWYbnf0Jb3pvpZCpZXx9xcF3wdAqj0LKEG9l0LLowYl57lZR2Y9pJoiQw/s1600/barnacle+geese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToOz-WkB0DGkJ-GnOPYRrR8__qa0NeeP9g6EkxRMtKS3YpaUQCRBW1sjzM64sXYfoWZx4VgoJ7ZQJthnrzLBNWYbnf0Jb3pvpZCpZXx9xcF3wdAqj0LKEG9l0LLowYl57lZR2Y9pJoiQw/s400/barnacle+geese.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnacle geese</td></tr>
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We were made very welcome on our arrival at Millbrae House with coffee and homemade cake and, once we had freshened up after a hard day's birding, we went off to Kippford for our evening meal. Later, a barn owl was seen quartering over the fields around Rockcliffe. <br />
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The following morning, before light, tawny owls called loudly outside Millbrae House. While we waited eagerly at breakfast for the red squirrels to come to the feeders, nuthatch and treecreeper were seen with robin, dunnock, tits and finches. <br />
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Our destination for Saturday was Loch Ryan at Stranraer, about 75 miles from Rockcliffe. This sea loch is where hundreds of scaup gather in the winter and they can be seen at very close quarters from the road side. This year was no exception and large rafts of these large sea ducks could be seen easily in great detail using only binoculars. A telescope revealed hundreds more floating further out from the shoreline and pretty soon we'd also spotted Slavonian and great- crested grebes, wigeon, displaying red-breasted mergansers, red-throated and black-throated diver, goldeneye, shelduck, and a black guillemot on the water. Turnstone, oystercatcher, ringed plover and pied wagtail grazed on the shoreline while curlew and lapwing fed in the fields behind us. A little egret appeared briefly from a channel in an adjacent field and flocks of greylag, pink-footed and barnacle geese could occasionally be seen on the horizon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-QXte9pQVOqKS8Aei16FTC_jNmHgq8hoH-8EAajBNEtyqNCrS6BYH5iktZ7pkXC3nZACInvxZX_9bf1cCbGiigxv6DTAmWp0Dtu2HKDLNZYqiX7H_FXG_YR1pYAgaNThUvFA73-V4o3E/s1600/scaup+on+loch+ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-QXte9pQVOqKS8Aei16FTC_jNmHgq8hoH-8EAajBNEtyqNCrS6BYH5iktZ7pkXC3nZACInvxZX_9bf1cCbGiigxv6DTAmWp0Dtu2HKDLNZYqiX7H_FXG_YR1pYAgaNThUvFA73-V4o3E/s400/scaup+on+loch+ryan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of scaup on Loch Ryan</td></tr>
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A quick look at Stranraer harbour added shag and cormorant to our list then, unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse by the time we'd reached The Wig to look for the surf and velvet scoters that had been reported a couple of days earlier. Poor visibility made viewing impossible so we headed off for our next stop, Wigtown. <br />
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The thick cloud and rain made light levels unsuitable for viewing long distances but we were able to see more flocks of barnacle and pink-footed geese on the saltmarsh while pintails, teal and wigeon sheltered among the vegetation on the flooded freshwater pool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlQHnKlXCkRYVt65eFuNra1JPb9_qdIi45Lds6krqulAAJsuQCODp5w8_H6jdkCvHyVI2a8Wc_PR53VtGQdlHEK1V_ylpLDrtx0vQ5i2iFC7WKF98mPuQKtMgfCVlRb6Pnoo-GggopFpa/s1600/wigtown+sign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlQHnKlXCkRYVt65eFuNra1JPb9_qdIi45Lds6krqulAAJsuQCODp5w8_H6jdkCvHyVI2a8Wc_PR53VtGQdlHEK1V_ylpLDrtx0vQ5i2iFC7WKF98mPuQKtMgfCVlRb6Pnoo-GggopFpa/s400/wigtown+sign1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wigtown Bay nature reserve</td></tr>
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After a long drive back we were ready for quick rest at Millbrae House and our evening meal just outside Rockcliffe. In the evening we got together over our maps of the Solway to show everyone where we'd been so far and our destinations for the following day. One member of our party is a really talented artist and he was able to show us the brilliant work he had done using some software on his i-pad. He had really captured the essence of each of our venues and the birds we had seen. <br />
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Waking again to a male tawny owl calling outside my room, I filled the flasks and the biscuit box for our final day of birding. We hung around for a glimpse of the resident red squirrel at Millbrae House but it decided not to show itself; probably too content with its cache of food to venture out on such a bad morning. <br />
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After packing the minibus and saying goodbye, we dropped down the hill to look for birds in the cove at Rockcliffe and were surprised to find 3 greenshank sitting with a redshank on one of the seaweed covered rocks. Some other holiday makers joined us as we peered at the birds through the rain spashed telescope lens. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three greenshanks and a redshank at Rockcliffe</td></tr>
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Our next venue was the wonderful <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mersehead/">RSPB Mersehead</a> reserve not far from Rockcliffe. I think this is my most favourite reserve in the whole of the UK (so far). It has a variety of habitats ranging from estuary to craggy hills with small woodland areas and large expanses of wet, rough grassland, lagoons and reedbed. In addition, the fantastic wall art on each of the hides makes it a pleasure to spend time inside watching birds. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmT0RhKhqoEZSIFd-TujFciZd1PHaxqfNkgSHvuJyHr-VIbs0TmylA_k9TSFZaE5NnVbBgzVau9Mgu4bqFxbOFAobP9x_CFhE20zx8PHSpxdkAKr_zLMFfyMR1vTWySI1J2iDBBx0c23M/s1600/Dumfries+and+Galloway+Trip+Jan+2012+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmT0RhKhqoEZSIFd-TujFciZd1PHaxqfNkgSHvuJyHr-VIbs0TmylA_k9TSFZaE5NnVbBgzVau9Mgu4bqFxbOFAobP9x_CFhE20zx8PHSpxdkAKr_zLMFfyMR1vTWySI1J2iDBBx0c23M/s400/Dumfries+and+Galloway+Trip+Jan+2012+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art work inside the hides at Mersehead</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtw__8s2mzEPvz47UppaLQcGq5HI5ayzrJaiRhlYflAbT68LB_EVhub45ZK4ufwF5b020FsEnc0xf47PVUi8FJnTS2_z7X9OhIHWz8MLtQhk4Y6JEwTpHDjEygowsm2xM2ZL0Cm4v72l0y/s1600/Dumfries+and+Galloway+Trip+Jan+2012+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtw__8s2mzEPvz47UppaLQcGq5HI5ayzrJaiRhlYflAbT68LB_EVhub45ZK4ufwF5b020FsEnc0xf47PVUi8FJnTS2_z7X9OhIHWz8MLtQhk4Y6JEwTpHDjEygowsm2xM2ZL0Cm4v72l0y/s400/Dumfries+and+Galloway+Trip+Jan+2012+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The top sighing here was a bouncy flock of twite which sat in the hedgerow for long enough for everyone to get a clear view. Dunlin and ringed plover were among the waders on the estuary and flocks of barnacle scattered the fields on either side of the main path. Gadwall was added to our every expanding list before we left for Carlingwark Loch in Castle Douglas. <br />
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It was raining again by the time we arrived making it hard to find new species here. We did get good views of male and female goosander and goldeneye, tufted duck and teal could be seen sheltering in the margins. Alas, there was no sign of our target bird, a redhead smew so we left to watch kites at Lauriston . As we approached the feeding station, over a hundred kites could be seen either perched on trees or circling around the feeding area. Others hung in the air over nearby fields. A buzzard closed in to feast on the scattered pieces of meat. <br />
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Our last venue was Ken Dee Marshes to look for Greenland white-fronted goose and red squirrel. After stopping to check a couple of flocks of distant greylag on the way, we finally found the white-fronted geese sitting on a mound close to the road. So as not to disturb them, we had to hide the minibus behind trees so that we could get out and watch them with binoculars. Luckly they stayed put but there was nowhere to park to allow us to get the scope out to take photographs. We ended the day with a lengthy walk to the nearest hide on Ken Dee Marshes. I was so relieved when a red squirrel turned up within seconds of us arriving at the hide as everyone was feeling a little tired after the walk and a lengthy day of birding in the rain. <br />
Our journey home was uneventful, however, the promise of heavy snow became reality as rain turned to sleet and then to snow as we climbed over the pennines. An hour later and we would have found it difficult to continue. We arrived home safely and all relived our best moments of D&G tour. <br />
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<br />Linda Jenkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10615066217370038409noreply@blogger.com0