The Winds of Change
At last the northerly winds blowing warm air up from the continent appears to have changed, and cooler temperatures have moved in. And so the winter birds have started arriving on the upper Humber and the low disturbance refuge sites of Blacktoft, Whitton Island and Reads Island. Site Manager Pete’s recent survey threw up some impressive combined counts:
8000 golden plover
4540 teal
4700 dunlin
2930 lapwing
348 avocet
Avocet on Humber (Pic: P.Short)
Teal on Marshland (Pic: D.Johnson)
Whilst the numbers of migrants build on the Humber estuary there’s still plenty to enjoy at the reserve.
A few waders still linger including these black tailed godwits
Black tailed godwits (Pic: P.Short)
Black tailed godwits (Pic: D.Johnson)
It was also great to see curlew sandpiper around on ousefleet last week too but I suspect the changing conditions may have sent it on it’s merry way to warmer climes in southern and west Africa.
Curlew sandpiper (Pic: D.Johnson)
Other waders have stayed around though. Redshank, little egret, dunlin and snipe have all been spotted in the last day or so and even an errant greenshank last Saturday (05.11.22) which is a little unusual for this time of year.
Dunlin (Pic: D.Johnson)
Our regular volunteer (Barry) also reported around 15 marsh harriers in the air at the same time. That’s quite a spectacle. The best I’ve managed so far is 8 (and my quest to video the roost continues after 3 fails so far!)
I did manage to catch this male hunting around singleton a little earlier as 3 others floated in the distance towards the river.
Male marsh harrier (Pic: D.Johnson)
Male marsh harrier (Pic: Ian Parnell)
What’s a Blacktoft blog without a marsh harrier pic or two huh? A bird we never get bored of seeing! These two photos show how variable their colouration and pattern can be.
Word has it from a very reliable source that hen harrier came in to roost yesterday evening (07.11.22) but sadly not seen this morning coming out.
Kestrel, sparrowhawk and buzzard have all made their presence felt. Excitingly just a little over a week ago Pete reported 3 little owls, which I have yet to encounter. A tawny owl seems to be hanging around too judging by the hooting happening as darkness descends.
Kestrel (Pic: D.Johnson)
My favourite pic of the week though has to be this magnificent barn owl. 1 of three spotted recently. Well done Andy H. for this fantastic late afternoon capture!
Barn owl (Pic: Andy H.)
A First for Blacktoft
One of the most exciting stories this week is the appearance of a cattle egret. Cattle egret numbers having been growing in the UK in recent times but on a rainy morning Stuart (assistant warden) was dispatched to check on livestock on our extension grazing area. A few moments later the call came through of the first recorded cattle egret at Blacktoft and so off we dashed.
Cattle egret (Pic: D.Johnson)
These members of the heron family are rare breeding birds in the UK but an influx of around 200 birds in 2008 has seen them spread, mainly in the south of England.
Keeping your eyes to the skies is always important around the area, especially out towards the estuary and rivers Ouse and Trent.
The main attractions have been cranes and whooper swans over the reserve. From singleton hide look east towards the Trent and Alkborough and you’re likely to catch site of thousands of golden plover rising up as well and the chance to see thousands of starlings gathering.
Cranes flying over (Pic: P.Short)
Whooper on arable next to reserve (Pic: D.Johnson)
This solitary whooper was spotted on arable next to the reserve but 4 had been spotted heading out towards the Trent later the same day.
Several hundred pink footed geese took to the skies landing on arable next to Horseshoe Meadow this morning. It was a fantastic if noisy spectacle to behold.
Lapwing over grazing marsh (Pic: D.Johnson)
It’s been busy over the grazing marsh as well of late. Large flocks of lapwing have been using the area regularly.
Speaking of flocks, starling have been gathering nicely too. Thousands have been seen over the inner estuary. Perhaps a preamble to murmuration? Pete captured this lot over the grazing marsh too.
Starlings over grazing marsh (Pic: P.Short)
Starling on Koniks (Pic: P.Short)
Although pretty common starlings are such a beautiful bird, especially caught in the right light when they show off their iridescent greens and purples. This one was helping itself to a pony ride on one of the Koniks. Notice the thickening coat on the pony – another sure sign that winter is upon us.
Starlings have been ranging across the meadow in numbers as well together with hoards of fieldfare.
Starlings on meadow (Pic: D.Johnson)
Fieldfare on meadow (Pic: D.Johnson)
Fieldfare flocking in carpark trees (Pic: D.Johnson)
This morning I caught my first sighting of a redwing this year amongst the fieldfares but sadly it flew as I raised my lens and I lost it. *Note to self – must try harder*
The fieldfare are putting on quite a show in the car park and picnic areas at the moment – particularly earlier in the mornings.
It was great to see this a few brambling passing through as well. Early bird Pete saw this male land for a short while.
Male brambling (Pic: P.Short)
It’s been a notable year for chaffinch and skylark migration this year too, both of which were scarce last year.
Of course some of our more usual ‘little brown jobs’ are still showing and singing well. Cettis warbler are being very vocal if not always visible, and reed buntings are a regular feature pecking at the pathways. Tree sparrows continue to show well especially around the picnic and toilets area.
Female reed bunting (Pic: D.Johnson)
Stonechat and meadow pipit have been showing well. Particularly around singleton and ousefleet hides.
Stonechat (Pic: D.Johnson)
Meadow pipit (Pic: D.Johnson)
Water pipit has put in the odd appearance too.
Water pipit (Pic: D.Johnson)
Speaking of water, our newly dredged drainage ditch has enticed a speedy kingfisher through on a number of occasions now. The latest sighting just yesterday as it perched on xerox lagoon sluice. Of course I dived across reception to grab my camera but in true birding tradition had departed before I got back. I’m now getting a reputation as a ‘social pariah’ of birding.
Gold finch (Pic: D.Johnson)
Although common, goldfinch are about as beautiful as they come. Flocks of them are still taking advantage of the seed heads across the reserve.
Perhaps one of my favourite finds this week was a group of about 8 green finches. Populations of green finches have declined by about 35% in recent years so it’s great to see them making use of the food resources at Blacktoft.
Green finch at Ousefleet (Pic: D.Johnson)
Seasonal Contradictions
Whilst it’s undoubtedly turned wetter this last week or so Pete took a short trip to our low disturbance meadow nearby. The mild weather has kept some plants flowering much later than usual. A bonus for insects.
Oxeye daisy (Pic: P.Short)
Meadow buttercup with hoverfly (Pic: P.Short)
Lady’s bed straw (Pic: P.Short)
Dandelion (Pic: P.Short)
Knap weed with caterpillar (Pic: P.Short)
The wetter and colder times bring out the fungi.
Jelly ear fungus (Pic: D.Johnson)
Stags horn fungus (Pic: D.Johnson)
Petticoat mottlegill fungus (Pic: P.Short)
That’s about it for this week. Keep your eyes open on our social media channels in the coming days/weeks for some new events coming to Blacktoft over the coming months as we focus on our spectacular raptor roosts, as well as the latest news and updates of wildlife at the reserve!
One last treat – before the clocks went back I went cameraless to Singleton and spent 40 minutes watching a bittern before we closed. But then regular visitor Andy is always armed with his favourite device and managed a series of shots of this beauty.
Bittern on singleton lagoon (Pic: Andy H.)
My quest for a magnificent bittern shot continues …
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