tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42643793606999747922024-03-15T08:03:48.962+00:00Mark James PearsonMark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comBlogger1361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-83639823179898838962024-03-15T08:02:00.007+00:002024-03-15T08:02:55.120+00:00School of Birding - second class dismissed!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqHEZP1baCRBU7vJQkENkvvlNLZP0ARKon0ncDTo76yWiHPjROkI9fphIG0NfWcfuP13tZENXTOpxj8kk5QR-UemIwM7l8zGC9uQBKopxXomzm6uYLuPuWvI5S6KtdYdzSkuLJKv2UZPfFGPKERJsFMomJye4DbbhLcJzbBOAqb5D4TlWAcM4_3-fc5I/s1333/sob10.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqHEZP1baCRBU7vJQkENkvvlNLZP0ARKon0ncDTo76yWiHPjROkI9fphIG0NfWcfuP13tZENXTOpxj8kk5QR-UemIwM7l8zGC9uQBKopxXomzm6uYLuPuWvI5S6KtdYdzSkuLJKv2UZPfFGPKERJsFMomJye4DbbhLcJzbBOAqb5D4TlWAcM4_3-fc5I/s600/sob10.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><b><i>"I didn't want the week to end! It has encouraged me to go out more and make the time for birding. So, thank you both so much for sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge" Debbie Redmond </i></b><div><div><br /></div><div> A quick one from our second <b><a href="https://www.cairngormsbirding.co.uk/school-of-birding" target="_blank">School of Birding</a></b> - based at the Grant Arms Hotel in the Scottish Highlands - which took place last month, with a class full of fine folk, great birding in a wonderful part of the world, and plenty of snow for the perfect wintry backdrop to our days in the field....</div><div><br /></div><div><b>(Upcoming dates available - <a href="https://www.cairngormsbirding.co.uk/school-of-birding" target="_blank">see here</a>)</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1t8_nJuNLSPxxNU1bQ_Q-V3rBHo4pOUgJrVBdiTp54lkNyd9NxL2CFyK1sM1pkiZqyOIUD_uzXiuHpIffdtKoyK8Qz212ygaeFIPR6hpEmPxfLxHTXPrjitNByi_M1HNA-lD8sX53D3ylSX3ohVXvlhTXDl_0tKwJTumjt2Qvx4ldDTMRaKhgEEtcO8/s963/Sob6.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="963" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1t8_nJuNLSPxxNU1bQ_Q-V3rBHo4pOUgJrVBdiTp54lkNyd9NxL2CFyK1sM1pkiZqyOIUD_uzXiuHpIffdtKoyK8Qz212ygaeFIPR6hpEmPxfLxHTXPrjitNByi_M1HNA-lD8sX53D3ylSX3ohVXvlhTXDl_0tKwJTumjt2Qvx4ldDTMRaKhgEEtcO8/s600/Sob6.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><b><i>"We were lucky to have two such experienced and knowledgeable birders with so much enthusiasm for their subject." Jo Rooney </i></b><div><br /></div><div> As with our inaugural School in November (see <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2024/01/school-of-birding-first-class-dismissed.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>), we were blessed with eager, passionate clients/students/graduates/guests, and our week-long combination of indoor interactive lectures and in-the-field application - as well as exquisite, waistline-challenging three-course dinners, way too many single malts to choose from, and a generally fine all-round craic - was a pleasure to deliver.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHziJfjhAYqavnirQWhPrZ1ofzwgw4z-CBl4NOUJ1E6-i53FEM91Bs3Bw0UhuEtB0J47DPUkctmYFRGN0KwwaFhCmSQT-7ZszQfhe51MMSzWYN5BxW5jPaZIXFoDVnD22bQmd6W5lD4JxAVEgscRT2dW-5osiK9XV79JVlsRduXVPYIfDXlXsksaDf1i8/s1057/Sob7.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="1057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHziJfjhAYqavnirQWhPrZ1ofzwgw4z-CBl4NOUJ1E6-i53FEM91Bs3Bw0UhuEtB0J47DPUkctmYFRGN0KwwaFhCmSQT-7ZszQfhe51MMSzWYN5BxW5jPaZIXFoDVnD22bQmd6W5lD4JxAVEgscRT2dW-5osiK9XV79JVlsRduXVPYIfDXlXsksaDf1i8/s600/Sob7.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div>It seems we've hit upon something that everybody genuinely loves and benefits from, creating an environment and schedule that makes learning lots of fun, within a group dynamic that is supportive and full of enthusiasm. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"Thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable week of birding. It was a wonderful way to spend a cold winter’s week and although my waistline increased this was more than offset by a lower pulse rate, blood pressure, screen time and stress level!" Sarah Chaudhri</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjWMPQ-VSixEeNnCrChmZgil1snCg6oaKMCUCUOQDUm6Lvuw8D3MLSgb8zdLmk4j17ExYtrbRJaLkCJFbm6qJwBZGtFpbss9smNwTNdQYb3cnGi3kwOKpSK60RxD7NwjhQblxM8raFWLV_E1JC52avPmXg-t5rQ_WNGpVvJIhTGfkJvfAkGDnDutdtx4/s1120/sob8.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjWMPQ-VSixEeNnCrChmZgil1snCg6oaKMCUCUOQDUm6Lvuw8D3MLSgb8zdLmk4j17ExYtrbRJaLkCJFbm6qJwBZGtFpbss9smNwTNdQYb3cnGi3kwOKpSK60RxD7NwjhQblxM8raFWLV_E1JC52avPmXg-t5rQ_WNGpVvJIhTGfkJvfAkGDnDutdtx4/s600/sob8.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><b><i>"You were both exceptional - informative, attentive & responsive to & tolerant of my expectations. Your styles & knowledge seemed complimentary to each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed my week & would happily join in the next 'grade'. Birding is far more integrated into my life" - Janet Townsend
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Big thanks once again to our partners at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ZEISSBirding/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank">Zeiss Birding</a></b>, who supplied a full range of top-level optics for all our guests to enjoy - from binoculars and 'scopes to state-of-the-art thermal imaging devices (the latter particularly popular, and invaluable for picking out Mountain Hares on snowy hillsides....) </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"It was great having the opportunity to try such lovely equipment. I have told so many people about the thermal scopes and the mountain hares!" Jo</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMTiHDkTznEylPBZ8Ild6_2A-yob88lBynbiJkxY5DVjsQKdiZ2VrjiVfA8pFAnKw5PAx-WWhycONN2dmV00Ip63tVa12pvJagq2da9-0YBzLRBK9DVyICEGUKbDRonacroibeOkx0IEATXibxcf6VXnCVj-TkdRxS2l7s8mv3YhnSd344a7bHqDlvH0/s3000/eKN6A7979.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2211" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMTiHDkTznEylPBZ8Ild6_2A-yob88lBynbiJkxY5DVjsQKdiZ2VrjiVfA8pFAnKw5PAx-WWhycONN2dmV00Ip63tVa12pvJagq2da9-0YBzLRBK9DVyICEGUKbDRonacroibeOkx0IEATXibxcf6VXnCVj-TkdRxS2l7s8mv3YhnSd344a7bHqDlvH0/s600/eKN6A7979.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Long-tailed Duck (above) and Glaucous Gull (below) Burghead</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><b><i>"Highlights were many - White-tailed eagle, Black Grouse lek, Long-tailed Ducks, Mountain Hares, Merlin, Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, Crossbills, Crested Tits, and many others!" Sarah Chaudhri
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDDLGYEnzYhJDjcAItZXDW2Os2Ky0N_3zXuXM7DBVaC4N9Sg8iFTwX_lxUu0jf9ccBNplmkTqSugGsR_SWI3gzDZvGHboBjZq6KKdonnFlDCk-NWYiQZrNnv2nC6TYtQxaOXF6sgVkue9diBh3tPe1PWJAtiOrHOhQDpRbZlToO3ERau6Y4xXVlE19Wo/s2176/eKN6A8076.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDDLGYEnzYhJDjcAItZXDW2Os2Ky0N_3zXuXM7DBVaC4N9Sg8iFTwX_lxUu0jf9ccBNplmkTqSugGsR_SWI3gzDZvGHboBjZq6KKdonnFlDCk-NWYiQZrNnv2nC6TYtQxaOXF6sgVkue9diBh3tPe1PWJAtiOrHOhQDpRbZlToO3ERau6Y4xXVlE19Wo/s600/eKN6A8076.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><b><i>"You both had a wonderful repartee, good humour and camarardarie, I won't forget the acting out of the Lek and the entertaining daily reports!!" Janet Townsend</i></b></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b>(Upcoming dates available - <a href="https://www.cairngormsbirding.co.uk/school-of-birding" target="_blank">see here</a>)</b><b><i><br /></i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfH9y8b_4e4wesJ2kpCBu5F_eO_7eIap8H1veixHOm26gTjtKoQEy5uY3Zdq4iG5qspjxqOhlcoxElyM-EIuVigg6T15iJysb_HOo6R7hY7Q2iBdIjFvf-ssjMCNPhvWDinRNzS67WrCIz6Q6JbWWJCxWNBp5CUN4If9gvScBGyKBag2xd0Rri-whz-0/s1110/sob9.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="1110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfH9y8b_4e4wesJ2kpCBu5F_eO_7eIap8H1veixHOm26gTjtKoQEy5uY3Zdq4iG5qspjxqOhlcoxElyM-EIuVigg6T15iJysb_HOo6R7hY7Q2iBdIjFvf-ssjMCNPhvWDinRNzS67WrCIz6Q6JbWWJCxWNBp5CUN4If9gvScBGyKBag2xd0Rri-whz-0/s600/sob9.jpg" width="600" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWd7uGYlDreN0MTsqyjq5TgCDruxUsOtXP80RLX8BKLLGNMmgZkyiW-TWj8BTVS-gt9Q81GfVYAeoiqXFAbHEWP0jh06w6h6IsDlcZEcR5fJSf6baFFWiI_Wv3tKhhbFu6C6V6UgLc0xlYLX_oIF1hiqmGbjkvcSsGDLdKO5m0rJnIRSyUlqBmewIS60/s1379/eKN6A8192.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWd7uGYlDreN0MTsqyjq5TgCDruxUsOtXP80RLX8BKLLGNMmgZkyiW-TWj8BTVS-gt9Q81GfVYAeoiqXFAbHEWP0jh06w6h6IsDlcZEcR5fJSf6baFFWiI_Wv3tKhhbFu6C6V6UgLc0xlYLX_oIF1hiqmGbjkvcSsGDLdKO5m0rJnIRSyUlqBmewIS60/s600/eKN6A8192.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Iceland Gull, Lossiemouth</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-51182879389846873712024-02-27T22:05:00.003+00:002024-02-27T22:08:04.034+00:00Dunlins (and more) on the Humber<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKxaIyxdveA0HBeYGa_nGvyH4UASJwYmEslDvsVPAyu8E5rsuqLBqw8jlbQz9fF5sS7nm0O34wQEx52A0Pcj-KdRsEKj49t_PnOqFF8MnkuLW7lED678Jm8lkdBX1zUB_6nql72qnlK4I7w02Bfu3KeUoskvg5Flw3YlBu_lA0ZDMgTsHVCHV3NFGJIU/s2856/eKN6A2856.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="2856" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKxaIyxdveA0HBeYGa_nGvyH4UASJwYmEslDvsVPAyu8E5rsuqLBqw8jlbQz9fF5sS7nm0O34wQEx52A0Pcj-KdRsEKj49t_PnOqFF8MnkuLW7lED678Jm8lkdBX1zUB_6nql72qnlK4I7w02Bfu3KeUoskvg5Flw3YlBu_lA0ZDMgTsHVCHV3NFGJIU/s600/eKN6A2856.jpg"/></a></div>
A few photos from the last couple of days surveying down on the north bank of the Humber - mostly of an accommodating Dunlin flock catching the light with the Humber bridge in the background, but also of a flock of (162) Avocet swimming in tight formation out on the water, waiting for the tide to ebb and the fresh, snack-loaded mud to become exposed.
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And a bonus Sanderling, because every sanderling is a bonus.
Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-47322096448774283482024-02-24T18:16:00.005+00:002024-02-24T18:29:52.586+00:00Stubble in Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQj97Xuf1WQlJHPazjeqNL9vUy_ZziPV8x4H76ni8pWnunxj-oNh4LKAE5Du6ATnYVmRigmxyXPKEkY82S5N7SZR-KMvSEVT288CWQEBxjVwUPXmP3G3ri3lm-FxGE9yfE5cFO4FkQVWahqkL9BWbIG9nhrwjnIZEXyVRDpYL5-uVZB6-23KMTY5PWOg/s3464/eKN6A2520.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2204" data-original-width="3464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQj97Xuf1WQlJHPazjeqNL9vUy_ZziPV8x4H76ni8pWnunxj-oNh4LKAE5Du6ATnYVmRigmxyXPKEkY82S5N7SZR-KMvSEVT288CWQEBxjVwUPXmP3G3ri3lm-FxGE9yfE5cFO4FkQVWahqkL9BWbIG9nhrwjnIZEXyVRDpYL5-uVZB6-23KMTY5PWOg/s600/eKN6A2520.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>Lapland Bunting</i> <div><br /></div><div>After a morning Parkrun at Wykeham Lakes (personal best, injured knee, Marsh Tit singing), with the sun shining and the wind light I couldn't resist hobbling up to the northern stubbles to check on the passerine flocks. Fair to say, it was good value, once again....
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With another Water Pipit or Shore Lark in mind, I spent a lot of time pinning down and going through the well scattered, often flighty flocks - no dice on the aforementioned unfortunately but excellent numbers of Skylarks (245), Linnets (280), Tree Sparrows (31), Rock Pipits (18), Yellowhammers (48), Reed Buntings (45), plus two Corn Buntings (lower two photos), a single Snow Bunting (no sign of a flock today) and at least seven of these little wonders.
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More often than not, they're pretty jumpy and up with the (Sky) larks before you can get anywhere near them, but occasionally, you bump into a bird which just doesn't give a flying one, this individual being a wonderful case in point - it let me sit right next to it as it fed avidly, completely unfazed by my presence. What a joy.
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Plenty of other stuff to enjoy, too - hundreds of Pink-feet on the move, two Long-tailed Ducks in the bay, lots of auks and Fulmars, a Little Egret south... a fine few hours on the doorstep patch, and the first in some time.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIuP5F_yMm3bieAszv_AmYzri-WCSWoVeJAGcSaI7-ixktSmFcKVGTCFIgcV_addVE4-AWLqZ8kIRSLacJbrzF0F8of8Zp_lx48IrzuFeAw8feqAEX_4LzI96m4-GXk4BZ_kUhNWTtX8M2rTevl6LBUtDhyDAfP-Dssr-pYuEwQnnulCJE7i-qPQKMOc/s2415/eKN6A2294.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="2415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIuP5F_yMm3bieAszv_AmYzri-WCSWoVeJAGcSaI7-ixktSmFcKVGTCFIgcV_addVE4-AWLqZ8kIRSLacJbrzF0F8of8Zp_lx48IrzuFeAw8feqAEX_4LzI96m4-GXk4BZ_kUhNWTtX8M2rTevl6LBUtDhyDAfP-Dssr-pYuEwQnnulCJE7i-qPQKMOc/s600/eKN6A2294.jpg" width="600" /></a></div></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-68149406369420041422024-02-20T19:04:00.003+00:002024-02-20T21:01:00.051+00:00Running for Raptor Rescue and Rehab! <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA7OyJHF-UFXyUcENqD1QJYqwrUpOAIqBQyJ1WekgzNy98irWtrPf0Xq7s4QhpyotpHU-3gEqQYLwsf_btQJfsrA4JtDkAkM25mNeFv13MAnPhyphenhyphenHM8HzWkrZ6lalUNeeGMSGv7nxfNy0ZJakDb0appDmd_7aDZsBoGHdIU4f0vIlFqyP6uIn4g-gqKSQ/s646/Jean%20Buzzard.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="646" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA7OyJHF-UFXyUcENqD1QJYqwrUpOAIqBQyJ1WekgzNy98irWtrPf0Xq7s4QhpyotpHU-3gEqQYLwsf_btQJfsrA4JtDkAkM25mNeFv13MAnPhyphenhyphenHM8HzWkrZ6lalUNeeGMSGv7nxfNy0ZJakDb0appDmd_7aDZsBoGHdIU4f0vIlFqyP6uIn4g-gqKSQ/s400/Jean%20Buzzard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><i><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RaptorRun" target="_blank">Donate here: Running for Raptor Rescue and Rehab</a></i></b> <div><br /></div><div>So, here we are again, me asking for your hand-earned brass, via a physical target for my creaking body and mind to aim for; and you asking "What is it this time?"..... Well, it's a half-marathon (my first, and, most likely last!), and it's a brilliant cause, and one that is particularly resonant and vital in these increasingly raptor persecution-infested times - <b><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RaptorRun" target="_blank">Jean Thorpe Wildlife Rescue</a><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RaptorRun" target="_blank"></a></b>.
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Here in Yorkshire, Jean is a hero to many (including me), and a saviour of our wild birds in desperate need of rehabilitation. She voluntarily gives everything to nurse an ever-increasing cast of injured raptors and other wildlife, often victims of persecution and cruelty, back to the wild. She's been doing it for years, tirelessy and skillfully rehabilitating (and campaigning), devoted to her cause, a total inspiration. But it's all voluntary, and she needs funds to continue her great work.
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So, after a break in fundraising last year, for 2024, it's for Jean; well, for the next few weeks anyway - until I (hopefully) crawl over the line of the East Yorkshire Half Marathon on 28th April, my birthday. Any contribution will help save our beleaguered birds of prey - thank you for anything! It takes less than a minute to make a contribution, <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RaptorRun" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></b>.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-6fNFux_54IamjIf0N2redsQPx3ui0EedV0vVy9kr8w3U6cZJF1Jx7qqx5heAf1DlJ73ipFIg6SSF7Gbikkb-vpBUWyVw4SzkF2RVCHxHvuTHr0KXZGsFXDiNaCh2BNmtSfupKAMjtcPdvdFNKlzsRwekuTIxEm3E_6-r3_mSjRQIH-Oj4suEidlfFc/s647/Tawny%20chick.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-6fNFux_54IamjIf0N2redsQPx3ui0EedV0vVy9kr8w3U6cZJF1Jx7qqx5heAf1DlJ73ipFIg6SSF7Gbikkb-vpBUWyVw4SzkF2RVCHxHvuTHr0KXZGsFXDiNaCh2BNmtSfupKAMjtcPdvdFNKlzsRwekuTIxEm3E_6-r3_mSjRQIH-Oj4suEidlfFc/s400/Tawny%20chick.jpg" /></a></div></div>
Update - the Just Giving page has been live for less than 48 hours, and incredibly, already sits at £1650 (the initial target was £1000).... how far can we push it for Jean and the birds?
Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-74313626210815539982024-02-15T17:36:00.005+00:002024-02-15T17:41:28.176+00:00Long-tailed Ducks, Burghead, Feb '24<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAD_XpUH63KcKrSZ-nlcWES4eRFMlxWP8dSR9Z64NS0BQQ9ek-N-FZq8atKJEFUXGXhOJvtuRIfWFrJlUCgne4c2QmoWtJsxZ5gSvwGKln9pahmA5MzAslhyphenhyphenLaabpXHQk6eXHHdhYL9sfnggv_ka9Q0QcUuGk4QbirtiFnETnRvhp301Tk-lePPyP3bo/s3000/eKN6A7992.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAD_XpUH63KcKrSZ-nlcWES4eRFMlxWP8dSR9Z64NS0BQQ9ek-N-FZq8atKJEFUXGXhOJvtuRIfWFrJlUCgne4c2QmoWtJsxZ5gSvwGKln9pahmA5MzAslhyphenhyphenLaabpXHQk6eXHHdhYL9sfnggv_ka9Q0QcUuGk4QbirtiFnETnRvhp301Tk-lePPyP3bo/s600/eKN6A7992.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
I've just returned from our second <b><a href="https://www.cairngormsbirding.co.uk/school-of-birding" target="_blank">School of Birding</a></b> in the Highlands, which was a great success and pleasure - but despite being in the field enjoying a wonderful array of wildlife all day, every day up there, the focus is on our team and the camera very rarely makes it out of the bag. However, with these beauties ridiculously close and in lovely light during our session around Burghead harbour, I had to fire off a few shots.....
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... we also had them full-on displaying, which included all manner of comedy muppet noises and some very sharp moves.
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(More of the trip to follow shortly)
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Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-65561241337432622962024-01-26T15:56:00.002+00:002024-01-26T15:56:44.037+00:00Sunny days in January<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OkzUtAsAtxCf7DRPR8xvroLB-UviisrXPxAueijleOqEgLdydGUBDREvymXaUmseDVwGtzYmBe1T3J75m06_pDhOX4VRWyANqcsSdNMaNH55HypA0K4DbbMfKEM8iQorFzUrRPUCGzgVI96ynbvh-Mv5uXuMOm8Mt53OLlS-cR2_WZeBgqJCso1N7Mw/s1596/eKN6A6997.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OkzUtAsAtxCf7DRPR8xvroLB-UviisrXPxAueijleOqEgLdydGUBDREvymXaUmseDVwGtzYmBe1T3J75m06_pDhOX4VRWyANqcsSdNMaNH55HypA0K4DbbMfKEM8iQorFzUrRPUCGzgVI96ynbvh-Mv5uXuMOm8Mt53OLlS-cR2_WZeBgqJCso1N7Mw/s600/eKN6A6997.jpg"/></a></div>
That rarest of things, an actually sunny day here this winter, and a well-timed date with the old man for a razz around locally. First stop was Troutsdale in the hope of some early season Goshawk action, which was a success, with at least six up and at 'em as the morning wore on:
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...then onto Scarborough harbour, via a quick glance off the seafront, where at least eight Harbour Porpoise were close inshore:
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... with a Great Northern Diver and a Guillemot kicking around in the harbour:
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... and finally onto hte Country Park here in Filey, where high tide encouraged a nice selection of waders onto the marshy grass - lots of Oyatercatchers, a few Redshanks, Knot, Turnstones, a Dunlin, and this smart Bar-tailed Godwit.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRqnaL-0ojZazs_QkJgTQaXJE4nKrE5DdxHGtgXdapiZ7aaUe6IUEeG9sNCpQs1OisPEsrgq-s0XwIVMrfq8REGNigGXgX_8JhelmldB63WZye29G0CfK9fXm_G_eL0XEKqag4nOeaO2Ax-sGBYRmqe4zvzZf4YoBFgQLpjvMUb3sH4oLfseh2uBVrTc/s2644/eKN6A7378.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="2644" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRqnaL-0ojZazs_QkJgTQaXJE4nKrE5DdxHGtgXdapiZ7aaUe6IUEeG9sNCpQs1OisPEsrgq-s0XwIVMrfq8REGNigGXgX_8JhelmldB63WZye29G0CfK9fXm_G_eL0XEKqag4nOeaO2Ax-sGBYRmqe4zvzZf4YoBFgQLpjvMUb3sH4oLfseh2uBVrTc/s600/eKN6A7378.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTvXSh1ws_Fa7AYe6OjQEsZrALUIhEs25Wf3Y6HEIio0Efy5GywC1ptjhLcJCQiMVy-eHZX4GilTpcG7zGJuoymzpXy9vUlF50_M4J9vi2R7n9CQ0ZrZ6LRfP1UvmPP6UKYCRZZ8Meb9kPoFRRKIxUFtqavF1itEkMaDRWclAwuLTYjzd4DGLT_KnGnw/s2274/eKN6A7435.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="2274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTvXSh1ws_Fa7AYe6OjQEsZrALUIhEs25Wf3Y6HEIio0Efy5GywC1ptjhLcJCQiMVy-eHZX4GilTpcG7zGJuoymzpXy9vUlF50_M4J9vi2R7n9CQ0ZrZ6LRfP1UvmPP6UKYCRZZ8Meb9kPoFRRKIxUFtqavF1itEkMaDRWclAwuLTYjzd4DGLT_KnGnw/s600/eKN6A7435.jpg"/></a></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-78667788458322577942024-01-25T15:50:00.004+00:002024-01-25T15:50:28.847+00:00School of Birding – First class dismissed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HhkyDsekuGDjFe-rP8nnhyphenhyphen408hoKNspjYuKDovfhs3aLWR4Q51UAdxzFJOMb1bZyZQibDyspIX79WpPr6I83QTdTGGYQX0xnSwTlwOtyRr6_Zz8KrYmt2WYrbsjRQpB7JtRtmzWmcp27cDJDjsfw7wNewVt-I_sJtWAbWpWi6-MciS-2NWsHMK-ybgU/s1486/sob1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HhkyDsekuGDjFe-rP8nnhyphenhyphen408hoKNspjYuKDovfhs3aLWR4Q51UAdxzFJOMb1bZyZQibDyspIX79WpPr6I83QTdTGGYQX0xnSwTlwOtyRr6_Zz8KrYmt2WYrbsjRQpB7JtRtmzWmcp27cDJDjsfw7wNewVt-I_sJtWAbWpWi6-MciS-2NWsHMK-ybgU/s600/sob1.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
This article was first published <b><a href="https://blogs.zeiss.com/sports-optics/birding/en/school-of-birding-first-class-dismissed/" target="_blank">here</a></b> on the Zeiss website in January '24</i> <div><br /></div><div>We're very happy to report that our inaugural <b><a href="https://www.cairngormsbirding.co.uk/school-of-birding" target="_blank">School of Birding</a></b> – supported by <b>Zeiss</b>, and hosted by the <b><a href="https://birdwatchingandwildlifeclub.co.uk/" target="_blank">Grant Arms Hotel</a></b>, deep in the beautiful Scottish highlands – was a great success, and our ten guest-students left us with the wind beneath their primaries and the thermals rising to meet them! </div><div><br /></div><div>We – Simon (Pawsey) and I, with help from our good friend Sue (Williams) of the Birdwatching and Wildlife Club (BWWC) – began formulating our plan over a year ago, and over the twelve months leading up to our first School, we put a lot of work into (and had a lot of fun) developing our vision into what we hoped would be the perfect week of education, inspiration and entertainment for our guests.
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One of two very close White-tailed Eagles during the week..... </i></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i> “Simon & Mark are both not only excellent teachers, but all-round great blokes - friendly, helpful & entertaining! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole week, and to learn so much into the bargain was an unbeatable combination. I would have loved to just do the week over again!” Sheena Langford</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Beavering away at our plans, honing our topics and themes, choosing the right locations, and making sure that – whatever happened – everybody would feel like they'd had a great trip full of great birds and memories, our hope was to create a unique schedule that would allow everyone to grow, engage, and truly prosper, whatever their level of expertise, and whatever their experience.
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... and the other! </i></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i> “I can't stop thinking about last week, how much I learnt, and most importantly where it's going to take me next. I don't think I realised at the time quite how revolutionary it was, but you've really fanned a spark that was just flickering!” Sarah Hutton </i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>So what is the School of Birding? Well, it's a week of applied communal learning, outdoors and indoors, with one main aim – to turn our class into better birders. Why? Critically, the answer is different for everyone – which is why we tailor our efforts to ensure everyone's individual aspirations are addressed, while making sure everyone gains the skills, confidence, and awareness to leave us feeling truly like a better birder, and with the passion to continue developing their birding skills in various ways. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“A new and unique approach to developing field skills our wonderful hobby. The ID sessions were nothing sort of a masterclass. I would highly recommend the school to anybody with an interest in birds.” Mike Lawson
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63PZCH4qDwWk_dMfpVfDDg9OQ1kun03t04OVkNl3tTsUIALJVKvJt5HGlwCBfiF1bvLwmohKSQvzS9sT83tHe7xQVAp5BMrHCzTPTfvrF9ihNKmBhlzkWfr6-Qe_hvDXiEQnPCYb8H6DGxD0EwBK1Y-c5DP2Onk68cGkra8Bn1nDmulth7e5YreiJMuI/s2148/sob3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1705" data-original-width="2148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63PZCH4qDwWk_dMfpVfDDg9OQ1kun03t04OVkNl3tTsUIALJVKvJt5HGlwCBfiF1bvLwmohKSQvzS9sT83tHe7xQVAp5BMrHCzTPTfvrF9ihNKmBhlzkWfr6-Qe_hvDXiEQnPCYb8H6DGxD0EwBK1Y-c5DP2Onk68cGkra8Bn1nDmulth7e5YreiJMuI/s600/sob3.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
So, as a guest/student/client/team member (take your pick!), what might you expect? As soon as our team arrive, they're there to enjoy the course, with as few distractions as possible, for a full week. That means all guiding, lectures, transportation, planning, meals (full board at the Grant Arms, including their award-winning three course dinners) and everything else, bar a bedtime story (although even there we might make exceptions). The intention is to leave behind the complications of daily life, and focus on the joys of birding, with like-minded folk, in a fully supportive and positive environment. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“Spending a week with 11 people who love birding too was a real pleasure. Being educated, informed and entertained by two passionate birders who were so enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge with us, made it even better.” Jackie Scarf
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__yKln_zk_Y6meYS8vFL3Dd60rzfDcTBlE4xEzHs-LZ5uD8Aq5HDAX1voLDeU8aL2c4v6-wOpXdfKkUJQFOdADZPHtkEsBxicWyWun8pBtu-VJYeDHIHHQP9JBpyHj82-wTrxSvUIF8m_FggWtC4ODQeyKsY0nQ-1bnnRU9rdCS6b8WLalfZ28JSl1OY/s2670/eKN6A1641.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1697" data-original-width="2670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__yKln_zk_Y6meYS8vFL3Dd60rzfDcTBlE4xEzHs-LZ5uD8Aq5HDAX1voLDeU8aL2c4v6-wOpXdfKkUJQFOdADZPHtkEsBxicWyWun8pBtu-VJYeDHIHHQP9JBpyHj82-wTrxSvUIF8m_FggWtC4ODQeyKsY0nQ-1bnnRU9rdCS6b8WLalfZ28JSl1OY/s600/eKN6A1641.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Male Long-tailed Duck </i></div><div><br /></div><div>As a very basic first requirement, we're committed to providing what we hope is top quality guiding, all day, every day. Simon and I relish every opportunity to share our knowledge and passion, and it's effectively impossible for us not to do so; whether it's in the forests for Crossbills and Crested Tits, in the valleys for eagles and various other birds of prey, on the coast for seaducks, waders and geese, or various other locations and habitats, our guests get the best of our guiding skills – but the School of Birding is so much more than that. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“Far exceeded my expectations - I have already recommended the course to friends. Hope to be able to attend further courses in the future.” Jonathan Young
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCEAjZvfRpN0T64pPmyFMdyiDsCkQkYFEpRRGoKFYKb0M-DEAGynpUju4WdfYduI1pgZGjLTMKtL25ECMxQ8dapIoy-rKTfbCOAFIl5d4R33JQsOdSAiQy6X_hph6CvanaifuQbm5lqXfOMGgDPEn4nEO6Onzvv5aT527Kbq-cQsh_50GvsY7nh4bke0/s1908/Golden%20Eagle,%20Scotland%2021%201.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1908" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCEAjZvfRpN0T64pPmyFMdyiDsCkQkYFEpRRGoKFYKb0M-DEAGynpUju4WdfYduI1pgZGjLTMKtL25ECMxQ8dapIoy-rKTfbCOAFIl5d4R33JQsOdSAiQy6X_hph6CvanaifuQbm5lqXfOMGgDPEn4nEO6Onzvv5aT527Kbq-cQsh_50GvsY7nh4bke0/s600/Golden%20Eagle,%20Scotland%2021%201.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Golden Eagle, Strathdearn</i></div><div><br /></div>
As a perfectionist, and someone who often works alone - and as someone who was anxious to set the bar particularly high - collaborating with Simon is an absolute dream. We're similar in many ways, and to just the right degree - and yet bring a host of different aspects to the table; as well as being one of the best wildlife guides i've ever met, he's also one of the best communicators I've ever come across, and has endless supplies of enthusiasm and passion. Essentially a perfect team, if I don't say so myself!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“Highly recommended for all levels of birders - highly organised by knowledgeable and enthusiastic professionals, friendly, patient and helpful to all their guests. I could go on and on. I loved everything. It’s the best week I’ve ever had!” Elizabeth Lawson
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-T3B16cJ-7K_1dyGxReIpLqS8eylzjLPoFmFd0kXKt78JuCkFkPCaF14h_YoL7ClCfvdTojtvjhvNHvkdIshWdUC7k9khZSAReB0WPh1kTzrEv6frutVjtK68_GXHJuMQHMEpsLwyaCTke2X8zDhJlXaeN2kfB5PGIN7BZywf00pXMXfzb5GEdipyOk/s3000/Scaup%202.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1804" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-T3B16cJ-7K_1dyGxReIpLqS8eylzjLPoFmFd0kXKt78JuCkFkPCaF14h_YoL7ClCfvdTojtvjhvNHvkdIshWdUC7k9khZSAReB0WPh1kTzrEv6frutVjtK68_GXHJuMQHMEpsLwyaCTke2X8zDhJlXaeN2kfB5PGIN7BZywf00pXMXfzb5GEdipyOk/s600/Scaup%202.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Greater Scaup, Jemimaville</i></div><div><br /></div>
Another strength of our School is its inherently immersive nature. There are a range of other courses out there, but the majority are spread out, often over weeks, meaning the retention and application of whatever skills are available become faded before they've had chance to take hold. We've deliberately created a situation that allows our team to practically, directly apply their skills within hours of learning them, and the satisfaction we felt watching our guests achieving their (and our) aims, in real time, was absolutely priceless. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“Your insight, patience, humour and thoughtfulness, plus your commitment to making sure we all benefited as much as possible from every aspect of your tuition is unmatched by anyone I've met so far in the birding and guiding world. I am truly grateful.” Sarah Hutton
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOZLNBAnhv4eXVQbInt3F53mpyuFVc6d5Rx2OOzV4lU37m7gmg9SZ7na4iJCfUaBeqYSdu_VqvvghDnTspd6HhRMUudyGZYNwck8efHWKKWXEz0kzTOZEHzlN7hob3fI9Nl4-Zta10XvoyR8BKDYFcKFYnMzOjekrH2WA15R9V8LQ4sTcRDYE7NOd1Cg/s2731/sob4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="2731" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOZLNBAnhv4eXVQbInt3F53mpyuFVc6d5Rx2OOzV4lU37m7gmg9SZ7na4iJCfUaBeqYSdu_VqvvghDnTspd6HhRMUudyGZYNwck8efHWKKWXEz0kzTOZEHzlN7hob3fI9Nl4-Zta10XvoyR8BKDYFcKFYnMzOjekrH2WA15R9V8LQ4sTcRDYE7NOd1Cg/s600/sob4.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
A real boon for us has been the involvement of Zeiss, who have been wonderfully supportive from the very start. Our School members have free access to a fantastic variety of top quality birding gear and state-of-the-art equipment – we have a range of binoculars, telescopes and thermal imagers for them to use, and even have the option of very special School of Birding discounts should they wish to follow them up. We're already looking to further develop our partnership with Zeiss – watch this space for more! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“An awesome experience, loved every minute of it! Simon and Mark are such great guides. Looking forward to the next instalment!” Elaine Frew
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL8hPKfex54lVY-YYdfZTnfVzX0QgGJ_tCO0wvUVs57722GlYtQ0lOkfAQYws2Ko0AWgdJbA1PqMSZ4Pe53fQ85-tHOrPmK73Mw-zd-a-VA294_zLCccnrwHA79kV8yQ-2tApgLux4PxdPop7eMLCQF5rPwKwX-x2F9f0HYa-ETWdpVEUEgSu-L_Ge4s/s3000/cresty%201.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2033" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL8hPKfex54lVY-YYdfZTnfVzX0QgGJ_tCO0wvUVs57722GlYtQ0lOkfAQYws2Ko0AWgdJbA1PqMSZ4Pe53fQ85-tHOrPmK73Mw-zd-a-VA294_zLCccnrwHA79kV8yQ-2tApgLux4PxdPop7eMLCQF5rPwKwX-x2F9f0HYa-ETWdpVEUEgSu-L_Ge4s/s600/cresty%201.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Crested Tit behind the hotel in Grantown</i></div><div><br /></div>
We'll happily divulge plenty of guidelines and lessons during our sessions, but very, very few rules – although two are paramount. Firstly, there's no such thing as a stupid question; every query and every spark of curiosity is as valid as the next. Secondly, we don't do embarrassment; not only does everyone make mistakes (including us, of course!), but mistakes are an essential and positive part of every aspect of learning. Bring 'em on. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i> “The openness of Simon and Mark, being able to ask questions at any time (and not feel stupid for asking it). Their knowledge was astounding.” Jonathan Young
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TN61oGKw8W-uJLcpd0a5cqG8e6fs8swiaKdik1GwUyOqrBBqazRyGKQqGm3W8bFbTiI0Qd7EygHbqjXEhllm_Bm87oWs4Iou5nWaFQSvtDU9zbHJgVqmUDkoN0t2zKBc4Or_sXC-fZUXoBInyUNqoIoczG0Eyy0euhAKXzHH76BZEhPY4C5ZG3BB1dw/s3000/eKN6A9352.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2103" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TN61oGKw8W-uJLcpd0a5cqG8e6fs8swiaKdik1GwUyOqrBBqazRyGKQqGm3W8bFbTiI0Qd7EygHbqjXEhllm_Bm87oWs4Iou5nWaFQSvtDU9zbHJgVqmUDkoN0t2zKBc4Or_sXC-fZUXoBInyUNqoIoczG0Eyy0euhAKXzHH76BZEhPY4C5ZG3BB1dw/s600/eKN6A9352.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
Where do we go from here? Well, we're very happy to have had all three of our initial Schools book up quickly – our first in November, and the next two, in February and April 2024. Beyond that, we're now accepting bookings for three more Schools – 18th-24th November '24, 3rd-9th February '25, and 1st-7th April '25. You can find out more by emailing Simon at <b>Simonpawsey@me.com</b> - you heard it here first! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">**STOP PRESS - DUE TO A LATE CANCELLATION, ONE SPACE IS AVAILABLE ON OUR FEBRUARY '24 COURSE!** Email Simon for info!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>“Apart from the obvious stuff – great birding, some amazing sights (and beautiful sites), lovely company, good chat and laughs, great food and accommodation etc – it was actually the chance to spend a week in the company of people ‘on the same page’ that was most inspiring and exciting for me. Boy, did you guys deliver.” Sarah Hutton
</i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sg6MF1uPYyt3hTqRCU_gPoYCS9gHLeDFW7kTrdXUsPHcsoL-9l4iJ6RAjefo2nUEneqlsuasc5aN5H4MMmPMkWTbu_8ZXL6KSH-73_G8S-NUl0qmmyc7BAzGSJjqSryiwzZizVOu_lTRRA8sRwUJQlVoIIYU0axau_cfHJUJN7_FioOu9FjDqk90NTY/s1502/sob2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sg6MF1uPYyt3hTqRCU_gPoYCS9gHLeDFW7kTrdXUsPHcsoL-9l4iJ6RAjefo2nUEneqlsuasc5aN5H4MMmPMkWTbu_8ZXL6KSH-73_G8S-NUl0qmmyc7BAzGSJjqSryiwzZizVOu_lTRRA8sRwUJQlVoIIYU0axau_cfHJUJN7_FioOu9FjDqk90NTY/s600/sob2.jpg" width="600" /></a></div></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-88924889057238874432024-01-20T12:51:00.000+00:002024-01-20T12:51:30.533+00:00Tophill Low, 19th Jan '24 <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-K3gOnqsSGA?si=gSiFnyc0RbJ8Qcm-" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> <div><br /></div><div>With my leading several upcoming <b>Yorkshire Coast Nature Birding Discovery Days</b> there (watch this space!), Rich and I spent the day on a recon at the always productive and bird-filled Tophill Low reserve. Long-planned, we lucked out weather-wise, with a mostly bright and sunny day (after yesterday's heavy snow and recent heavy rains and strong winds).</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-wq27WZpRZk?si=cXl3C_ahBqiOxMPO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Although we were there on a work ticket, it was also a rare chance to relax and have a proper day's birding together - always a pleasure - and we spent all day enjoying the avian bounty. Highlights included a fantastic, close-up drama at Watton NR when a young female Peregrine and a young male Marsh Harrier simultaneously decided to attack the Teal flock, three Smew (a male on O res, a female at Watton, and a female on D), plenty of vocal Marsh Tits, an especially tame Barn Owl, multitudes of winter thrushes, and the long-staying, very smart adult male Black-throated Thrush, which put on a fine show for us late afternoon.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45U5s3bTc00MxbTNIi0KP2JEP1izZC9mKNmKLyicwLBcLjmokwWW5v2KKOo_6X7sPkiApEb5uooZT1PFJ_NEYo2tsht_v18KUhrqsB-f-P_8xIbZSkEXR8HHC-JBVBQWEKImzH80O_l_aimh3F5Kf9yS3A7lIr3i40Te6OPtkGMncLjHaLcRjG2CeMM8/s2784/eKN6A6630.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2784" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi45U5s3bTc00MxbTNIi0KP2JEP1izZC9mKNmKLyicwLBcLjmokwWW5v2KKOo_6X7sPkiApEb5uooZT1PFJ_NEYo2tsht_v18KUhrqsB-f-P_8xIbZSkEXR8HHC-JBVBQWEKImzH80O_l_aimh3F5Kf9yS3A7lIr3i40Te6OPtkGMncLjHaLcRjG2CeMM8/s600/eKN6A6630.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Marsh Tit</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF_8dqAKK0YtV8D0_HYJPCi7Q6SEaQMAaYdlCRxOeJlnj1Pdrxjjr7qoPWHAfFf1QBey_lhbJoSaM9E7PFUidJQcQaY9HiH6tmjQ0R8tpMAcGAJqczYmzn9qYuGZ-0f_iqjBNobeSSpZ82Um81BsiAu8S1w1eaJcG4qZ4ngX6vCCbWKgkcdv6TtFY5cA/s3000/eKN6A6659.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvF_8dqAKK0YtV8D0_HYJPCi7Q6SEaQMAaYdlCRxOeJlnj1Pdrxjjr7qoPWHAfFf1QBey_lhbJoSaM9E7PFUidJQcQaY9HiH6tmjQ0R8tpMAcGAJqczYmzn9qYuGZ-0f_iqjBNobeSSpZ82Um81BsiAu8S1w1eaJcG4qZ4ngX6vCCbWKgkcdv6TtFY5cA/s600/eKN6A6659.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Male Smew with Goldeneye</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GpBp8fr7IYX4tRMTktjdMP8JQHVkcOjQg5nbg87vFen_Ai6tHz8FuLeo55n2In8VISkrZgss9zmrWplb2JxvIHXKxoNb-YM6HNhQSyJ35is_OoryiX3c17AxQQ8F1ptaBhXOLHoN6eAOHdlmToBzYbeW-c15OAs-Q-fZhCzw6i36rFHFJ9hUdanUQgE/s2337/eKN6A6718.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="2337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GpBp8fr7IYX4tRMTktjdMP8JQHVkcOjQg5nbg87vFen_Ai6tHz8FuLeo55n2In8VISkrZgss9zmrWplb2JxvIHXKxoNb-YM6HNhQSyJ35is_OoryiX3c17AxQQ8F1ptaBhXOLHoN6eAOHdlmToBzYbeW-c15OAs-Q-fZhCzw6i36rFHFJ9hUdanUQgE/s600/eKN6A6718.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Male and female Gadwall</i></div>
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</div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-26455523826336670002024-01-18T21:46:00.003+00:002024-01-18T21:46:30.714+00:00Snow Day - Filey, 18th Jan '24 (pt 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsLxUOWFTChO3EbkisjK4JYR94D5DMc7Iqt2gkz6-DGmHQH2SjN5V7rpHch2zmg4LLZlqSHusk28ROg5D4r8oBBz_cpSXg1NL-_2Hv7WNqExcR5xHd8Sl8h6mVlOEzWtK-gH5GQmBdTV_D91nSM_L9MNTh-9zdPIUtq2TSlKjdkCDvzHWGbhzUg7xY8k/s3000/eKN6A5832.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1941" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsLxUOWFTChO3EbkisjK4JYR94D5DMc7Iqt2gkz6-DGmHQH2SjN5V7rpHch2zmg4LLZlqSHusk28ROg5D4r8oBBz_cpSXg1NL-_2Hv7WNqExcR5xHd8Sl8h6mVlOEzWtK-gH5GQmBdTV_D91nSM_L9MNTh-9zdPIUtq2TSlKjdkCDvzHWGbhzUg7xY8k/s600/eKN6A5832.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
As well as the passerines (<b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2024/01/snow-day-filey-18th-jan-24-pt-1.html" target="_blank">see last post</a></b>), there was plenty of other cold weather activity during today's lengthy and very enjoyable session - including a Long-eared Owl roosting nearby, two Woodcocks, a Jack Snipe, five Great Northern Divers along the bayside of the Brigg (the first time this winter they've been so numerous), a Bar-tailed Godwit feeding with Oystercatchers, Golden Plovers pitching down in the fields, and various flyover waders no doubt searching for unfrozen habitat.
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(Oh, and a Redwing photo I forgot to put in the last post)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4KU5WCQEsvCIbIyj0FtnF5YbEOwrVMLEBCLbARofaG0XxNZTzXS41keSbCb11GCueM4jvqXM59FN_mt1BGAOnNu9_MN6K5nx2KvTxr4KebEbBJhid9vEAMeoQKkImG9RmkDGJ1PQUzJFYO_tpX9Geyba_ZAdXAMWNxJgBPMy_hp8FYw_FKR0JAqHqHw/s2648/eKN6A6621.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1976" data-original-width="2648" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4KU5WCQEsvCIbIyj0FtnF5YbEOwrVMLEBCLbARofaG0XxNZTzXS41keSbCb11GCueM4jvqXM59FN_mt1BGAOnNu9_MN6K5nx2KvTxr4KebEbBJhid9vEAMeoQKkImG9RmkDGJ1PQUzJFYO_tpX9Geyba_ZAdXAMWNxJgBPMy_hp8FYw_FKR0JAqHqHw/s600/eKN6A6621.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-46079653717590268812024-01-18T19:59:00.001+00:002024-01-18T19:59:17.506+00:00Snow Day - Filey, 18th Jan '24 (pt 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAnXo7-uDVVKnHhvQsphdBDZl9F8TcQzl8WWWBtRO-cUNrvXzhdc32fut7cNqDdFpQ-PCcGtLl0si3pUFqpXsGcQATbWTSPPdXbhI4U71wYF-dG-K9g6jix2HHu-N4-bkwoHjjtK9969pf7KSytWCWfWRFSMAYibZIUvSi8ba5l8Mpbj-E6xa4ekIV9k/s2904/eKN6A5774.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2036" data-original-width="2904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAnXo7-uDVVKnHhvQsphdBDZl9F8TcQzl8WWWBtRO-cUNrvXzhdc32fut7cNqDdFpQ-PCcGtLl0si3pUFqpXsGcQATbWTSPPdXbhI4U71wYF-dG-K9g6jix2HHu-N4-bkwoHjjtK9969pf7KSytWCWfWRFSMAYibZIUvSi8ba5l8Mpbj-E6xa4ekIV9k/s600/eKN6A5774.jpg"/></a></div>
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It's a rare thing to have snow here at Filey these days, and so when it comes, ideally you make the most of it; fortunately, today's fieldwork was sensibly postponed, and so plan B it was pretty much all day birding. Over five hours and 10 kilometres later, and some primetime mid-winter birding had been very much appreciated.
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Snow flurries continued for the first hour or so, and temperatures remained well below zero throughout, with a biting NW wind; from late morning, however, the sun shone and the wind dropped a little, and conditions were even better than earlier. From home, I covered Church Ravine, the Country Park, Carr Naze, Top Scrub, the Top Fields, Long Lane and back, and cold weather movements were evident throughout.
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After slipping on snow-covered ice and landing on my camera (thankfully just a smashed filter and a bit of slapstick to show for it), it got plenty of use - hence dividing the session into two posts: for this one I'll stick to passerines (but see the next one for plenty more). Of the former, there was some incoming and southbound movements and a bounty to enjoy in the Tope Fields / Northern stubbles:
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168 Skylarks (124 in off, mostly in a couple of large flocks, and 64 Top Fields), lots of Redwings, Blackbirds and a few Fieldfares, plenty of Robins in the scrub, plus Brambling and Siskin in off - but, as has been the case several times lately, it was the buntings that stole the show.
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Lapland Buntings were well represented, with two on Carr Naze, one in off, and (at least) eight with the feeding flocks in the fields; once again, there could be more scattered across the fields, but at least they played ball much better this time by actively mingling with the Snow Buntings (of which there were at least 56 - 38 in the fields and 18 south first thing). There were also lots of Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers, and all species were often side by side.
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More to follow in the next post.
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Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-47437173191230119512024-01-11T19:32:00.004+00:002024-01-11T19:37:32.983+00:00Review of the Year, 2023 - part three<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduLs11AHCR_TdPWtDjEy2A17Ux6ujAFMRuheJ3GQYgA-EO2o0zaVigBBcN2ZO2LvDkHfpan7i1XLNxxlsd2Vc78a-X55WrXORAVowkG5xKC9Fxga4Hi4g-loQRfLiHfzxLqcgXAQxBRekTnd-tRQLqiGwAH3zhOkHCiqmxAhf5_EAAglr_hVf7a3mFOo/s3000/Lanner%20Tarifa%2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1933" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduLs11AHCR_TdPWtDjEy2A17Ux6ujAFMRuheJ3GQYgA-EO2o0zaVigBBcN2ZO2LvDkHfpan7i1XLNxxlsd2Vc78a-X55WrXORAVowkG5xKC9Fxga4Hi4g-loQRfLiHfzxLqcgXAQxBRekTnd-tRQLqiGwAH3zhOkHCiqmxAhf5_EAAglr_hVf7a3mFOo/s600/Lanner%20Tarifa%2023.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Lanner, Tarifa, August</i><div><br /></div><div><b><i>This post covers August and September 2023. See previous posts for earlier in the year.</i></b> </div><div><br /></div><div>As has been the norm for some years now, late July signalled the beginning of our <b><a href="https://yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/category/79/seabird-whale-adventures-2024" target="_blank">Yorkshire Coast Nature Seabird and Whale Adventures</a></b> out of Staithes on the North Yorkshire coast, which continue through to the end of September. It was another season of great sightings (including many whales, <a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/07/north-yorkshire-pelagics-late-july-23_31.html" target="_blank">dolphins</a>, quality seabirds and <a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/07/north-yorkshire-pelagics-late-july-23.html" target="_blank">huge Common Scoter passage</a>), but one of the standout highlights was a close-up Ocean Sunfish (a rare species in the North Sea). </div><div><br /><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ocean Sunfish right by the boat in this afternoon's <a href="https://twitter.com/YCNature?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YCNature</a> pelagic out of Staithes, North Yorks! Not often the Minkes play second fiddle..... <a href="https://t.co/ScjFirq8EN">pic.twitter.com/ScjFirq8EN</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1702747841460883653?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div><br /></div>
For the latter two weeks of <b>August</b>, we headed south to the migration crossroads of Tarifa, the south-western tip of Iberia, where I co-led a <b><a href="https://yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/104/raptor-migration-spectacular-tarifa-spain-2024" target="_blank">Yorkshire Coast Nature</a></b> trip with our friends <i>Inglorious Bustards</i>. Amity and I arrived a week before the group, ostensibly on a recon, and also to enjoy some downtime in the sunshine. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54u-ab62EbQQjUGdNwZ7QcwRjMOf3M80tCO0ZtUNKZ6Nt0fHH1ix0wsz3zU-rNl0sGw-7Hhh8fmDtJTG80IKWZ9gyyp81oG42AovTTgjdaHtdcSvlwaFWY8w0UQC5RbVhhZAMd3wrRQUl1f_v0zf5-nQ7SRTmgbQwYb1lqaNl4ymgvmVyg-IJ_eb875M/s3000/Griffon%20Tarifa%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="3000" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54u-ab62EbQQjUGdNwZ7QcwRjMOf3M80tCO0ZtUNKZ6Nt0fHH1ix0wsz3zU-rNl0sGw-7Hhh8fmDtJTG80IKWZ9gyyp81oG42AovTTgjdaHtdcSvlwaFWY8w0UQC5RbVhhZAMd3wrRQUl1f_v0zf5-nQ7SRTmgbQwYb1lqaNl4ymgvmVyg-IJ_eb875M/w640-h450/Griffon%20Tarifa%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Griffon Vulture (on the wall outside our lodge front door)</i></div><div><br /></div><div>How was it? Well, both weeks were wonderful, and we (and the clients) enjoyed <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/09/tarifa-august-23-big-stuff.html" target="_blank">epic raptor migration</a></b>, beautiful scenery, rustic lodge-style accommodation and unforgettable experiences with a whole range of <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/09/tarifa-august-23-orcas.html" target="_blank">cetaceans</a></b> in the <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/10/tarifa-august-23-more-whales-and.html" target="_blank">Strait of Gibraltar</a></b>.</div><div><br /></div><div> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Aa6cxdgd5M?si=L1mNJ3Vmw6iSyg2f" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>(Happily, I'll be leading the same trip this summer, and there are still spaces left.... <a href="https://yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/104/raptor-migration-spectacular-tarifa-spain-2024" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">see here for details</a>)</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0N2tLaV_IHDXqhsZ-XLcq9HRZ7MZkEIvJQcghP48IoYLLvW6laQh4ruYlfDV9TUURBiOBSFiWtKL4E2NTIj6pLLldAdfrZ3Arq-B1C6OWERKv_S4d9lVALtdtAZC-V-innmQp1-9DfW27Sw4ttXkbx000IS894zncxXL_Iq23lZYWTGWXdSMZF6CiN0/s1890/eKN6A9063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1890" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0N2tLaV_IHDXqhsZ-XLcq9HRZ7MZkEIvJQcghP48IoYLLvW6laQh4ruYlfDV9TUURBiOBSFiWtKL4E2NTIj6pLLldAdfrZ3Arq-B1C6OWERKv_S4d9lVALtdtAZC-V-innmQp1-9DfW27Sw4ttXkbx000IS894zncxXL_Iq23lZYWTGWXdSMZF6CiN0/w640-h434/eKN6A9063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;">Little Swift, Andalucia</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>With plenty of time deliberately set aside for birding, I'd resolved to really make the most of the autumn here on my doorstep, stepping up my (already enviable) local birding opportunities and lapping up as much migration as I could, from August to, well, whenever it finally ended. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQXNJzVf6r_wRE5PGkhEU1S4h7VHSyckZyFHvKI4EYAm1CYddQ3fkf4tbwFADL6yZAWqnHfDjvq4uXCufFtwpxMutil6a8vyU1tfmmEcgGMn8oaFpwJUDgDljdGQoO2QZfxm2ulD4smzQzpZ1n1TxShKpqu7RQO-PdEpikB8z-hzDx1HCnqpj1R05t_s/s1968/Sooty%20Shearwater%20Filey%20Sep%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1968" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQXNJzVf6r_wRE5PGkhEU1S4h7VHSyckZyFHvKI4EYAm1CYddQ3fkf4tbwFADL6yZAWqnHfDjvq4uXCufFtwpxMutil6a8vyU1tfmmEcgGMn8oaFpwJUDgDljdGQoO2QZfxm2ulD4smzQzpZ1n1TxShKpqu7RQO-PdEpikB8z-hzDx1HCnqpj1R05t_s/w640-h406/Sooty%20Shearwater%20Filey%20Sep%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Sooty Shearwater, Filey</i> </div><div><br /></div><div>I hit the ground running immediately on return from Tarifa, greeted by huge feeding frenzies of seabirds, many of which were very close inshore (to an unprecedented degree, in recent times at least) off the Brigg and in the bay here at Filey. Countless thousands of birds were involved, like nothing I've ever seen here, and longer-term locals maintain it was like nothing they'd ever encountered, either - truly breathtaking scenes. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvBAu8zajb-l9FkYouiwB4SyCSQCFl7CbbmepKfp2S7s6Gtp5vc7BDam-ApmBm8Bw_4P58TV4XtEOfJRYLE47OskEXdwbe07Q8UqUOp5NV20bywH0ZiCxJHJGvRivJDZ1kZGcp0aDIg5d8aD3AB_9VMzXG1xcOEdzU3m9AfQM1GVgEUoe3HJp_rUueCE/s1024/Casp%20Filey%20Sep%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1024" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvBAu8zajb-l9FkYouiwB4SyCSQCFl7CbbmepKfp2S7s6Gtp5vc7BDam-ApmBm8Bw_4P58TV4XtEOfJRYLE47OskEXdwbe07Q8UqUOp5NV20bywH0ZiCxJHJGvRivJDZ1kZGcp0aDIg5d8aD3AB_9VMzXG1xcOEdzU3m9AfQM1GVgEUoe3HJp_rUueCE/w640-h394/Casp%20Filey%20Sep%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>One of many Caspian Gulls....</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Several days from 31st August onwards were the most consistently intense, although it continued well beyond that, and periodically intensified again throughout September. The most numerous species were gulls, terns, auks and gannets, with shearwaters and (particularly) skuas often joining the fray. </div><br /><div><i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJAUcsRjjlWSHgTSNRC4aXSXpTH84t3A7WB3BuvkJxIkiBVP5A7fXoaM5L0SmHy9CA5PkVryoOBuAmMhWpO-A5CZ1CYijMnjry739KAfNPKweSfe3EPZK_sgTvXVmjLVDsC7_6ErcSBLhIbaTfMr1eMyTfJtcHE8xEVe1TPHYOcI2z8sCWqMXMhvL8gc/s2496/Crossbill%20filey%20Sep%2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="2496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZJAUcsRjjlWSHgTSNRC4aXSXpTH84t3A7WB3BuvkJxIkiBVP5A7fXoaM5L0SmHy9CA5PkVryoOBuAmMhWpO-A5CZ1CYijMnjry739KAfNPKweSfe3EPZK_sgTvXVmjLVDsC7_6ErcSBLhIbaTfMr1eMyTfJtcHE8xEVe1TPHYOcI2z8sCWqMXMhvL8gc/s600/Crossbill%20filey%20Sep%2023.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
</i></div><div><i>Common Crossbill, Arndale, 18th Sep - a rare bird on the deck locally!</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Terns included many hundreds of Common, several Black and Little, plenty of Arctic and Sandwich, and regular Roseates (with seven on 1st Sep) - indeed, a six tern species session on 1st Sep on the Brigg was a rare occasion here. Both Manx and Balearic Shearwaters joined the throng, and skuas were plentiful - double figures of Arctics were standard, with both Long-tailed and Pomarine dropping in on several occasions (although Bonxies were notably, expectedly scarce). </div><div><br /></div><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">At least two of the seven plus Caspian Gulls in this evening's huge inshore feeding frenzy by the Brigg here in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filey</a>. If you can find more, let me know, I'm too tired! <a href="https://t.co/6TQkUE00I8">pic.twitter.com/6TQkUE00I8</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1697357321351917647?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</div><div><br /></div><div>Gulls included many thousands of Herring, big numbers of Common and Black-headed, regular Little (with an outstanding 232 on 3rd), Yellow-legged and Mediterranean, and, fantastically, many Caspians; it was a thrill to pick out a minimum of eight on 31st and multiples on many days thereafter of a species that was a genuine local rarity here just a few years ago. </div><div><br /></div><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Screaming, shitting and haranguing during a brief break on a long journey, this Roseate Tern youngster reminded me why I don't have kids 😁 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ZEISSBirding?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZEISSBirding</a> <a href="https://t.co/oRMWTUGOPH">pic.twitter.com/oRMWTUGOPH</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1697954080566489263?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</div><div><br /></div><div>A Brown Booby, intitally picked up at Flamborough, frequented the bay for a couple of days, too - amazingly flying parallel with me along the shoreline as I took my regular beach run on 4th... which I celebrated with one of many swims in the sea around this time, routinely surrounded by noisy swirls of terns, skuas, auks and gulls.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Best ROAR (Rare On A Run) ever? My usual <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filey</a> beach run had an exotic guest among the tourists today - a Brown Booby, which cut inshore and gave amazing views! Celebratory swim with Arctic Skuas and terns all around me soon followed.... 1/2 <a href="https://t.co/F0HnBFrMPz">pic.twitter.com/F0HnBFrMPz</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1698716999902228775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</div><div><br /></div><div>By the second week of September it was time for the Spurn Migration Festival (Migfest), and what a blast it was. We (Yorkshire Coast Nature) were there as always, to exhibit at our stand, lead walks etc, as well as sponsoring the lecture marquee - we've been proudly involved since day one and it's a real pleasure to see Migfest in such great shape and more inclusive than ever. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwnJH6AwRHOeXWgzJKTa264Xxbtd-hlcS7ssyuky7Z_FxUwgjU-I5vgZu9V19TiEcywQTYJUMTvnTP0xtYpdOHXHRuQa0Iyght-yrReNbJ5gbcJcyYLXfT1UydtA9CPPllt6Otncst_6BZZ6iQJspjWPNEn2SvyyD5zKczdyHufeCanV7Pci0JsZ-QQM/s2048/Migfest%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="2048" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwnJH6AwRHOeXWgzJKTa264Xxbtd-hlcS7ssyuky7Z_FxUwgjU-I5vgZu9V19TiEcywQTYJUMTvnTP0xtYpdOHXHRuQa0Iyght-yrReNbJ5gbcJcyYLXfT1UydtA9CPPllt6Otncst_6BZZ6iQJspjWPNEn2SvyyD5zKczdyHufeCanV7Pci0JsZ-QQM/w640-h422/Migfest%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Back at Filey, the sea continued to provide, and by mid-month it wasn't just about the inshore feeding frenzies - favourable winds meant lots of very productive autumnal seawatching. The 13th was particularly enjoyable, with six hours producing five shearwater species (as well as a Leach's and more):</div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The face of a happy birder, who - after years seawatching on the Yorks coast - saw five Shearwater species on the same day for the first time here y'day; throw in Leach's Storm-petrel, four Long-tailed Skuas, Minke Whales & lots more, and it was a good, good day here in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filey</a>. <a href="https://t.co/bqsOgzAfzd">pic.twitter.com/bqsOgzAfzd</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1702248341097103431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2023</a></blockquote><p>... while the 16th was also very productive, with all four skuas (including four Long-tails), lots of Sooties (over 50) and Manxies, two Balearics, more Casps and a Sabine's Gull over nine hours observations. </p> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQeubNH0GqwmGeCj9EVFcGzbBuMIgnFC0d-ZydfljbQCOUpqQwNc_GAhh3qaKL3wSHGZDh1gv4IaJmQ-zGv1tk_1ywm28xbGOoDZuORRLjYwuAwsAWBSq5L75ijF1bObzLCHXF0W9Rm1WDRJY0p5lK_vwYmzgm9_IC5qYJ-GQydvyX6w-ekSWHmFqcxo/s3000/Whooper%20bempton%2023.10.23.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQeubNH0GqwmGeCj9EVFcGzbBuMIgnFC0d-ZydfljbQCOUpqQwNc_GAhh3qaKL3wSHGZDh1gv4IaJmQ-zGv1tk_1ywm28xbGOoDZuORRLjYwuAwsAWBSq5L75ijF1bObzLCHXF0W9Rm1WDRJY0p5lK_vwYmzgm9_IC5qYJ-GQydvyX6w-ekSWHmFqcxo/s600/Whooper%20bempton%2023.10.23.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Whooper Swan, in off the sea at Bempton, 23rd Sep - one of a pair that were the first to arrive on the Yorkshire coast this autumn </i></div><div><br /></div>
But for some happily productive guiding days at Flamborough and Bempton, the latter part of the month was unremarkable, and dominated by a procession of low pressure systems and strong south-westerlies - but October was just around the corner, and full of promise..... Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-37580155277413872842024-01-08T11:49:00.004+00:002024-01-10T12:16:35.401+00:00Review of the Year, 2023 - part two<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO0vUPkAHtfsXUa7bvgLIUwGMQKGtVw6lhNegzISYSMLEw967tMY7aUUOpaDIq0NSK_QDT40c4J0IhqDTpiNYfktdVRLAx2piTLtrCr51xYB2FIkhBGN-n547W-q7Gj2eXv7MSyWAYuvIPzX5ziyL11cnSX8-SM-z2jVFEG-sVLse6i1Y1KILI-w1JVA/s3000/Crane%20Filey%20Apr%2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2019" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXO0vUPkAHtfsXUa7bvgLIUwGMQKGtVw6lhNegzISYSMLEw967tMY7aUUOpaDIq0NSK_QDT40c4J0IhqDTpiNYfktdVRLAx2piTLtrCr51xYB2FIkhBGN-n547W-q7Gj2eXv7MSyWAYuvIPzX5ziyL11cnSX8-SM-z2jVFEG-sVLse6i1Y1KILI-w1JVA/s600/Crane%20Filey%20Apr%2023.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Common Crane in off the sea at Muston Sands, Filey - 22nd April </i><div><br /></div><div><b><i>This post covers April, May, June and July 2023 - for January to March, see <a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2024/01/review-of-year-2023-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></b><br /><div><br /></div><div>Back from the warm sunshine and and free-flowing migration of Israel to the bone-chilling northerlies and barely stuttering early spring migration of the Yorkshire coast... still, plenty of time for local birding and plenty of work-related birding opportunities, and after a typically slow start, spring picked up pace on the land, on sea, via visible migration (vismig) and also nocturnal migration (nocmig). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj-Wu4ZmbbsQbAdOVrC9picEWHM4kKr5t1GxMADUYr1vQD2xWL9TsJKZuoGX6Mmtfzcgr4BUdl_2X1IqjnkyBppHDp3RXySvms8DewMF3q9JpMEwl8eMmGVk-Qt8spm_okTwMX4lsroZnOC0jtZQpzkV2XWtAIPasngdkvRvFDNCyEzFijKW4FKDtRMk/s2346/Adder%20Ravenscar%20Apr%2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1629" data-original-width="2346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrj-Wu4ZmbbsQbAdOVrC9picEWHM4kKr5t1GxMADUYr1vQD2xWL9TsJKZuoGX6Mmtfzcgr4BUdl_2X1IqjnkyBppHDp3RXySvms8DewMF3q9JpMEwl8eMmGVk-Qt8spm_okTwMX4lsroZnOC0jtZQpzkV2XWtAIPasngdkvRvFDNCyEzFijKW4FKDtRMk/s600/Adder%20Ravenscar%20Apr%2023.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Adder, Ravenscar, April</i> <div><br /></div><div>Vismig was particularly enjoyable, with a couple of notable scarcities (Woodlark, Crane) among the varied and welcome fayre of returning northbound visitors, while nocmig was as entertaining and educational as ever, and also included notable scarcities, including Bitterns and a Quail over my Flamborough recorder (see <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/07/nocmig-update-filey-january-to-june-23.html" target="_blank">here</a></b> for the Filey spring summary, and here for the <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/07/nocmig-update-flamborough-january-to.html" target="_blank">Flamborough</a></b> spring summary).
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_J7rY6RBPxfRTIXbpPK476c8xcyOyvnbnqndg7q4rM9rOpXv_W-ID0J5PyCTPtXyMjXoLcPfsDNyUt-QlfF2MHTTzUlvHEA1S30kgprKscgpzMreczUKoU7ol0JK4bNY1UxRoctYjVuGtGfXH-4sTKI-6TiN-hZsUP1ezDNXdxt2CY_vhNimMKE9axI/s2361/Stonechat%20Filey%20Apr%2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="2361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_J7rY6RBPxfRTIXbpPK476c8xcyOyvnbnqndg7q4rM9rOpXv_W-ID0J5PyCTPtXyMjXoLcPfsDNyUt-QlfF2MHTTzUlvHEA1S30kgprKscgpzMreczUKoU7ol0JK4bNY1UxRoctYjVuGtGfXH-4sTKI-6TiN-hZsUP1ezDNXdxt2CY_vhNimMKE9axI/s600/Stonechat%20Filey%20Apr%2023.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Stonechat, Carr Naze, Filey - a pair successfully bred here again last summer</i></div><div><br /></div>
</div></div></div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">An entertaining (& surprising) arrival here in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filey</a> this eve - 3 Redstarts, 2 Spot Flys, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, and at least 32 Willow Warblers (the latter wonderfully varied morphologically!) - all in small area, and in warm sunshine, too.... <a href="https://t.co/0Sb6fgFYeE">pic.twitter.com/0Sb6fgFYeE</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1655309690681585665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div><br /></div>
General migration picked up as <b>April</b> wore on in good time for a typically busy <b>May</b> and <b>June</b> - lots of local guiding and surveying, and off-the-clock birding inbetween. Guiding in May consisted of a series of my <b>Birding Discovery Days</b> at <b><a href="https://www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/108/birding-discovery-day-flamborough-headland-spring-migration" target="_blank">Flamborough</a></b> and also over the course of a week late in the month at <b><a href="https://www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/142/birding-discovery-day-spurn-migrants-2024" target="_blank">Spurn</a></b> - both a serious pleasure to deliver, as always - plus a 'Best of Yorkshire' residential group trip and <b><a href="https://www.yorkshirecoastnature.co.uk/events/148/an-evening-with-puffins-and-friends" target="_blank">new evening sessions</a></b> enjoying the breeding seabirds at Flamborough....
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSOpOhB4ouGRQvQZ5nmc_HunxaniWuxV3QJRXwwxPywg8Ij6m2REkHP8bLxEVueYPi3WwCenMfENwBNX0D42CwlNFGvuEnEo7eJP72JxT6zCUG3kmAZ9ZM44CnYmchUHgfgTB3Lq7EL8Xbq_N7yycyOi85GQobDChD5GwhbzarkrVGat4hiXRSGgQvPU/s4000/20230504_092518.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSOpOhB4ouGRQvQZ5nmc_HunxaniWuxV3QJRXwwxPywg8Ij6m2REkHP8bLxEVueYPi3WwCenMfENwBNX0D42CwlNFGvuEnEo7eJP72JxT6zCUG3kmAZ9ZM44CnYmchUHgfgTB3Lq7EL8Xbq_N7yycyOi85GQobDChD5GwhbzarkrVGat4hiXRSGgQvPU/s600/20230504_092518.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Fin Whale, sadly washed up on Bridlington beach in early May
</i><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Fantastic sunny day guiding for <a href="https://twitter.com/YCNature?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YCNature</a> in the Yorkshire forests for our residential group - Honey-buzzard, Kingfisher, Dippers, Marsh & Willow Tits and plenty more - but Turtle Doves really stole the show.... <br /><br />Digiscoped with <a href="https://twitter.com/ZEISSBirding?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZEISSBirding</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Harpia95?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Harpia95</a> <a href="https://t.co/NJ7i002eIi">pic.twitter.com/NJ7i002eIi</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1664688699534180362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div><br /></div>
... while surveying included two working week-long, very enjoyable combined wader / Breeding Bird Surveys in the wilds of Northumberland, a small wader project in the North York Moors and various ongoing surveys on the Humber as per usual.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bVKCv6AeoerkaDOV8OZ8lklWk64qISzH0nwFjYOPsUs6TDLSXFDNIl6sRKdLAD6ngrdQbwib2BJjs8dW3BfpJ9Fcl9DZ2sWLybLX3DAhMxp8x6Fk94wF-Oy_wg0HT-IyTnxygy8wxO4GTTwTIGhUzqT0QRINckIJnqWjysWe0Sc2g35Okg1Ff4Epwfs/s2376/Gropper3a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6bVKCv6AeoerkaDOV8OZ8lklWk64qISzH0nwFjYOPsUs6TDLSXFDNIl6sRKdLAD6ngrdQbwib2BJjs8dW3BfpJ9Fcl9DZ2sWLybLX3DAhMxp8x6Fk94wF-Oy_wg0HT-IyTnxygy8wxO4GTTwTIGhUzqT0QRINckIJnqWjysWe0Sc2g35Okg1Ff4Epwfs/s600/Gropper3a.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Grasshopper Warbler, Northumberland, June</i></div><div><br /></div>
The first week of July saw the Mrs, the old man and I enjoying a lovely, relaxing week on <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/08/isle-of-mull-july-23.html" target="_blank">Mull</a></b> - amazingly, the first time I've been to this beautiful inner Hebridean island, but surely not the last. A stunning place aesthetically, surprisingly rich and varied from a habitats perspective, and lots of fun to be away in such good company.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MAa4a-usxaPNkKMxOA-s3ckM3B1iJyRT2znK4mvbqiAvkYPlYh5pWFoxbJLjv2B5VwLePOhH2kBilyPIZiUa-fcyfprnkbbm41PrlwdVa7v_WhefF1WCsZvuSi53V6f3Dgfw93TnTNvOhbVdQay2WFYr7OWYwOhfJuihz2rMaRTuEIMM5ECA2iI2UmA/s4000/20230703_172559.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MAa4a-usxaPNkKMxOA-s3ckM3B1iJyRT2znK4mvbqiAvkYPlYh5pWFoxbJLjv2B5VwLePOhH2kBilyPIZiUa-fcyfprnkbbm41PrlwdVa7v_WhefF1WCsZvuSi53V6f3Dgfw93TnTNvOhbVdQay2WFYr7OWYwOhfJuihz2rMaRTuEIMM5ECA2iI2UmA/s400/20230703_172559.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>
For three days in mid-July, it was great to back at Birdfair - primarily representing Yorkshire Coast Nature, and also there to rep Zeiss Birding, the School of Birding (more on that to follow) and to do a few public events and the like, inclding a<b><a href="https://www.gobirdingpodcast.com/podcast" target="_blank"> really fun podcast</a></b> with the lovely Hannah and Erik. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYX0zYlgEVUFlx8B_eVcLgYNQjjR5obGLyJPDpMVhO16X1ndxwUob6vuKJphxbSOCnbdBp5u9wevEF6BtvflgTuOQbSx1BCZb07MdulHb4hfFhNa9vUw34e61N7g4rPA9oq45u4bKuvBngjQc2sWx5q49HumUbVm_PoQD-P1wjD0jrT6FfqpaAEe6ZdIE/s2048/Birdfair%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYX0zYlgEVUFlx8B_eVcLgYNQjjR5obGLyJPDpMVhO16X1ndxwUob6vuKJphxbSOCnbdBp5u9wevEF6BtvflgTuOQbSx1BCZb07MdulHb4hfFhNa9vUw34e61N7g4rPA9oq45u4bKuvBngjQc2sWx5q49HumUbVm_PoQD-P1wjD0jrT6FfqpaAEe6ZdIE/w400-h223/Birdfair%202023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div>As <b>July</b> ended, so autumn migration and the pelagic season began, and a memorable trip abroad beckoned - more of all that in the next post.</div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Spoonbill just dropped into <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Filey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Filey</a> Dams, and it didn't take too long before the breeding Avocets fancied a bit of it..... <br /><br />Also four Garganey, two Green Sands, trickle of Swifts through. <a href="https://t.co/mvLzCuLmpD">pic.twitter.com/mvLzCuLmpD</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1673057198837047298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br /></div><br />Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-76801978440589168392024-01-06T15:01:00.008+00:002024-01-06T15:05:44.161+00:00Review of the Year, 2023 - part one<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvgfpOX95dyFcHr-AWGL46M9A3LDg55OtUBW6z2qBXZv-gdX2WBQTzS0sm_5QV6L0AlTJ-ryAKr9U8yMf6p89tnCFPmMY3TJZR3KWn12YnBa6R2nssl5UlVGQ3AERFvIjqZ1n1LAaQCR6LiGWtgKAXeUnVVfZoF_0Dt6exK21zWtqxVBwshH1rUhWQdo/s3000/Fieldfare%20killingholme%20jan%2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2077" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvgfpOX95dyFcHr-AWGL46M9A3LDg55OtUBW6z2qBXZv-gdX2WBQTzS0sm_5QV6L0AlTJ-ryAKr9U8yMf6p89tnCFPmMY3TJZR3KWn12YnBa6R2nssl5UlVGQ3AERFvIjqZ1n1LAaQCR6LiGWtgKAXeUnVVfZoF_0Dt6exK21zWtqxVBwshH1rUhWQdo/s600/Fieldfare%20killingholme%20jan%2023.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
One of many Fieldfares along the industrial banks of the Humber on our January surveys. More <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/01/dockside-fieldfares.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><b>This post covers January to March 2023</b><br /></i><div><br /></div><div>The year began fairly quietly, with<b> January</b> involving lots of survey work on both <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/01/industrial-strength-lapwings.html" target="_blank">banks of the Humber</a></b> and bits of guiding up here on the coast, but was soon to become much busier. A full month in the USA for much of <b>February</b> and the first week of <b>March</b>, visiting family and friends across New England, was a joy:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_800EJbTx5MMGiCDNvJE7IRUR_tgt6spyZ13rWPeycstCw0MbUA71D8VCltQmHEzXb8WA2xSnAfaIlDrq5nZqxw1VE-RK1CIuIpDJcME9TEXd-NICeq5-h6LGB89_ZjkksGt1DcMJsNalbBNa9cwiuKu-W5zkP2nvbcRTVi2aD4NbPb-_C9BLRsHvtkU/s2484/RB%20Merg%20Main%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="2484" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_800EJbTx5MMGiCDNvJE7IRUR_tgt6spyZ13rWPeycstCw0MbUA71D8VCltQmHEzXb8WA2xSnAfaIlDrq5nZqxw1VE-RK1CIuIpDJcME9TEXd-NICeq5-h6LGB89_ZjkksGt1DcMJsNalbBNa9cwiuKu-W5zkP2nvbcRTVi2aD4NbPb-_C9BLRsHvtkU/w640-h414/RB%20Merg%20Main%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Red-breasted Merganser, Maine</i></div><div><br /></div><div>An initial few days back at Amity's homestead in the woods of Western Massachusetts was followed by a memorable trip to see our dear friends Kat, George and Indigo on <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/03/maine-mid-february-23.html" target="_blank">the coast of Maine</a></b>....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtYWU4OYav7WpKPln8qVU5Kbo3YmBSYRPtp40sF-13j-GJJoIR2kbseMHk2THE1EmMHvuMNId9YQtY3_T-j99ufl-FktNxvdi5jLmBhuNnrXwwyq0AQBL3uz0i_Q_lZ1ce0ZYLUhbjuDklcWsCGGlRZr7B5EfLiMFeVeiHe3-ExHaEbahkAY_UUVO828/s2307/Stellers%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2307" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtYWU4OYav7WpKPln8qVU5Kbo3YmBSYRPtp40sF-13j-GJJoIR2kbseMHk2THE1EmMHvuMNId9YQtY3_T-j99ufl-FktNxvdi5jLmBhuNnrXwwyq0AQBL3uz0i_Q_lZ1ce0ZYLUhbjuDklcWsCGGlRZr7B5EfLiMFeVeiHe3-ExHaEbahkAY_UUVO828/w640-h406/Stellers%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Steller's Sea Eagle, Maine. An unforgettable adventure - read the full story <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/02/into-stellers-overdrive.html" target="_blank">here</a></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Memorable for many reasons, not least the (still) unbelievable timing - it's hard to undersell just how lucky we were to cross paths with a <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/02/into-stellers-overdrive.html" target="_blank">Steller's Sea Eagle</a></b>, just twenty minutes away, on what turned out to be the last day of its brief visit to the area.... outrageous! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjkwRVAiwCP6DAJzUod-lAI-1Y_lpngPW3epx76-WHfl63n8umi1oIjV0BmOJAjxqoR5rFdPpWgpyIOjjd1ndC1PmzKXVwrB41BlNLMoEmltqqo936eckMjgsgIuE2ZwVC0fUJ5mj_3zgP0BpMu4bbjabBBZK1ZfEkFJ7JCNABx2m2dNNB_csCVKFXe8/s3216/Stellers%20twitch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="3216" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjkwRVAiwCP6DAJzUod-lAI-1Y_lpngPW3epx76-WHfl63n8umi1oIjV0BmOJAjxqoR5rFdPpWgpyIOjjd1ndC1PmzKXVwrB41BlNLMoEmltqqo936eckMjgsgIuE2ZwVC0fUJ5mj_3zgP0BpMu4bbjabBBZK1ZfEkFJ7JCNABx2m2dNNB_csCVKFXe8/w400-h204/Stellers%20twitch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Post-Steller's aftershocking </i></div><div><br /></div><div>After Maine, we journeyed down to the far north-eastern coast of Mass, specifically <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/03/plum-island-massachusetts-february-23.html" target="_blank">Plum Island</a></b>, where we spent a fine few days with the American Pearson clan. As it happened, it was <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/03/plum-island-massachusetts-february-23.html" target="_blank">very birdy</a></b>, both on- and offshore - lots out on the waves, and plenty of action on the saltmarsh, too.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBAiE1Gd7sVuMhyFrtZURLjL_7XgmM_JvWd7hGp50EikVyjhYSGmN_5ekje6iBUG8iIJEDY1-dyuRtSAX8Wz8Au8DEpROo_HrqsUaG7sEuivwuzoZj1DObeqtSFvqfwQHTuGAnFQl7XscfK8gfIHxl5J-sCggXRrHkfL2u_hTN-E1sYu6fZDg7_kTZ9Y/s2900/White-winged%20Scoter%20Plum%20Island%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="2900" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBAiE1Gd7sVuMhyFrtZURLjL_7XgmM_JvWd7hGp50EikVyjhYSGmN_5ekje6iBUG8iIJEDY1-dyuRtSAX8Wz8Au8DEpROo_HrqsUaG7sEuivwuzoZj1DObeqtSFvqfwQHTuGAnFQl7XscfK8gfIHxl5J-sCggXRrHkfL2u_hTN-E1sYu6fZDg7_kTZ9Y/w640-h410/White-winged%20Scoter%20Plum%20Island%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>White-winged Scoter (above) and North American Horned Lark (below), Plum Island</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccYMhoS1C5Ly7r6U-K0d1XVl1C-Md6VZzZssKswvGtDokxk6myH9WSw1rCm2WG_4lpLQwaHNotkVt_-NJIgJErPfZxDNcijHlf2hoD7TXlwHJh_HigPKx9Sl-BbsFQ3SvJt5J5K-auGDvKiCRRk1YIZatyMODJyc-syeHQnRQPfAdfvpo12ccR3OkM_Q/s2480/horned%20lark%20Plum%20island%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1744" data-original-width="2480" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccYMhoS1C5Ly7r6U-K0d1XVl1C-Md6VZzZssKswvGtDokxk6myH9WSw1rCm2WG_4lpLQwaHNotkVt_-NJIgJErPfZxDNcijHlf2hoD7TXlwHJh_HigPKx9Sl-BbsFQ3SvJt5J5K-auGDvKiCRRk1YIZatyMODJyc-syeHQnRQPfAdfvpo12ccR3OkM_Q/w640-h450/horned%20lark%20Plum%20island%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>From there, back into interior Massachusetts, where it was all about the family. Birding-wise, there were plenty of classic winter New England species <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-first-day-of-spring-in-western.html" target="_blank">in the garden</a></b> and on local walks, of course, as well as a few excursions a little further afield (including, for example, to the nearby <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/03/quabbin-reservoir-mass-3rd-march-23.html" target="_blank">Quabbin Reservoir</a></b>). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr5uOigXU8CsCax6LmHYCkm5cFr_1nvcXb3HpO2cwrEDnj0fAXkxp2rBn2YP9zLsGK2lUeqRmieGCheNpYT7DP4Q2yBukvHxvgeo98Sf0j3sAa_pNp_97uugEUDOkH6ns05U3iZgBKQGHbXeKij3a69Gg53WrhoCg4yjgKDKF_v88huJqjtFdVj5HRbQ/s3052/Dark-eyed%20Junco%20Mass%20Mar%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="3052" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr5uOigXU8CsCax6LmHYCkm5cFr_1nvcXb3HpO2cwrEDnj0fAXkxp2rBn2YP9zLsGK2lUeqRmieGCheNpYT7DP4Q2yBukvHxvgeo98Sf0j3sAa_pNp_97uugEUDOkH6ns05U3iZgBKQGHbXeKij3a69Gg53WrhoCg4yjgKDKF_v88huJqjtFdVj5HRbQ/w640-h456/Dark-eyed%20Junco%20Mass%20Mar%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Dark-eyed Junco in the garden, Warren, Ma.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>While we were in States, at the end of February I completed my <b>#ASwift1K</b> challenge - 1000km (600 running, 400 cycling) over twelve months, to raise money for the brilliant <b><a href="https://sheffieldswiftnetwork.org/" target="_blank">Sheffield Swift Network</a></b>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKDECMd9F-cD174s_aDpdVViMRN61lX_tB1HsvWd568HV_5bPG1e7aY3DvWZlPeQ0AhtfmLuPGtLt0pjTf6ZqbU74YlIa-9JF6tI4fqfOULKjURgJM0EFB5fS37-AGS2HruORX1ccx1Uuxc4aOwRpD_P-DzznPa_seC-BcowfK-8srjZqitD77GpEhfI/s3020/Bald%20Eagle,%20Quabbin%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2076" data-original-width="3020" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKDECMd9F-cD174s_aDpdVViMRN61lX_tB1HsvWd568HV_5bPG1e7aY3DvWZlPeQ0AhtfmLuPGtLt0pjTf6ZqbU74YlIa-9JF6tI4fqfOULKjURgJM0EFB5fS37-AGS2HruORX1ccx1Uuxc4aOwRpD_P-DzznPa_seC-BcowfK-8srjZqitD77GpEhfI/w640-h440/Bald%20Eagle,%20Quabbin%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Bald Eagle, Quabbin Reservoir</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Happily I raised in excess of <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-swift-1k-one-year-1000km-4200-for.html" target="_blank">£4000</a></b> (thanks to a great many generous contributions), and just to add a bit of drama, I only just completed my target, with a broken toe (sustained in Maine a week earlier) and with a killer cold (courtesy of our otherwise perfect nieces). I won't forget those last runs in the ice and snow of Greenfield in a hurry....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQxZhiZ7Lt_xvolSu240DUlNP64KwQDArGykrr4mSr9dMH-JFpt9MZMKjx1Ag0lZZrrZzHNsHu87H4LRltM0txIiB3LT_cADWywSf0jrdKxUjDzhQ3y7ktARCuQmsXrfVM3cAlKASncPstBxObQZzLw64fX-xIlXx0a33L7OfBdtvagW6Gk9nAvq1gOA/s2103/Lichs%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="2103" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQxZhiZ7Lt_xvolSu240DUlNP64KwQDArGykrr4mSr9dMH-JFpt9MZMKjx1Ag0lZZrrZzHNsHu87H4LRltM0txIiB3LT_cADWywSf0jrdKxUjDzhQ3y7ktARCuQmsXrfVM3cAlKASncPstBxObQZzLw64fX-xIlXx0a33L7OfBdtvagW6Gk9nAvq1gOA/w640-h430/Lichs%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Lichenstein's Sandgrouse, Israel</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Back home for ten days or so in mid-March (and more surveying) before our next trip, this time for a wonderful fortnight in Israel. For the last week of March and the first week of <b>April</b>, we were there for <b>Champions of the Flyway</b> and to spend some downtime further exploring and enjoying this beautiful, bird-rich country, which I've had the pleasure of visiting many times in recent years. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJUR6iLvuafasRaEYJX4MFTMiTLWTGoFOjunb7DtCHwjSNAh-lPaPSGe8gbb5FJ36qndKKTCSl5W-RNuZhx-oV-7gy6DMZAUGGHNYUqtMyD8_-s7HwxKmHzo9uKGgwpCERvFkYctTexFDSEP4FJojfIN70vQAe-BJljoqTIqzb4tsn3Yjmyb0GC-7lrQ/s3000/redstart,%20ofira%20park%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJUR6iLvuafasRaEYJX4MFTMiTLWTGoFOjunb7DtCHwjSNAh-lPaPSGe8gbb5FJ36qndKKTCSl5W-RNuZhx-oV-7gy6DMZAUGGHNYUqtMyD8_-s7HwxKmHzo9uKGgwpCERvFkYctTexFDSEP4FJojfIN70vQAe-BJljoqTIqzb4tsn3Yjmyb0GC-7lrQ/w640-h426/redstart,%20ofira%20park%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Male Common Redstart, Ofira Park - classic Eilat urban birding scenes</i></div><div><br /></div><div>There were a great many highlights (as is always the case when we're there), but some included:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/04/israel-spring-23-days-one-to-three.html" target="_blank">Guiding for the Eilat Birds Festival</a></b>, particularly on one crazy day of overwhelming migration in one small fertile patch of the desert at KM76 - enough birds to last us all year and beyond back in the UK..... </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrGep9tdq4rMG3uTgYlkQptRxoKM5LOVRdJSjmV6IayOCxzNohxtMsr9WyqPt0b23l3Bc2Kk5nzvEQP1_8VUSmkaLbu-WTQzEL758FIEGHNZZheaxotG2uEVl4E_-QD_9JfdaPKqdOBTPdxOBwdyxq0wJKPd_EAE3AxtA2oe72cxJskDoXn53p3Z27hE/s3000/Hen%20Harrier%20Israel%2023%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1901" data-original-width="3000" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrGep9tdq4rMG3uTgYlkQptRxoKM5LOVRdJSjmV6IayOCxzNohxtMsr9WyqPt0b23l3Bc2Kk5nzvEQP1_8VUSmkaLbu-WTQzEL758FIEGHNZZheaxotG2uEVl4E_-QD_9JfdaPKqdOBTPdxOBwdyxq0wJKPd_EAE3AxtA2oe72cxJskDoXn53p3Z27hE/w640-h406/Hen%20Harrier%20Israel%2023%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Hen Harrier, KM76</i></div><div><br /></div><div>The joys of Eilat, which included some of the <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/04/israel-spring-23-days-six-and-seven.html" target="_blank">best urban birding imaginable</a></b>, some fun nights out, an <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/04/israel-spring-23-bonellis-eagle-yellow.html" target="_blank">insane encounter</a></b> with a Bonelli's Eagle, and most memorably, multiple, blissful snorkelling sessions in the Red Sea..... </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivS571-xaQqnN2DXozbkJtDBCr7rsFiY37hkACpCtcMa8mLhKgPCmKmuoR5XXsPPT4JWT9Ha6fPo1xntMXnkE-41Lgv_sFRPtPg7hucENVVLNuxgeJqzbKqlQMitCQh1ft0n70dCY2m7SZd1xCTtLO7LPTFGrKtSmE7S2k6J_pF0EjB7lnXdNbNEhByY/s3000/Bonellis%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2065" data-original-width="3000" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivS571-xaQqnN2DXozbkJtDBCr7rsFiY37hkACpCtcMa8mLhKgPCmKmuoR5XXsPPT4JWT9Ha6fPo1xntMXnkE-41Lgv_sFRPtPg7hucENVVLNuxgeJqzbKqlQMitCQh1ft0n70dCY2m7SZd1xCTtLO7LPTFGrKtSmE7S2k6J_pF0EjB7lnXdNbNEhByY/w640-h440/Bonellis%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Bonelli's Eagle, Israel </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Running the comms and team support for the always-wonderful <b>Champions of the Flyway</b> - a joy, particularly after the upheavals of the previous few years, to have our international community back together and raising vital funds (this year for Red-breasted Geese); Spending lots of quality time with our dear friends the Perlmans (and <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/05/israel-spring-23-days-eleven-and-twelve.html" target="_blank">lots of birding</a></b> with brother Yoav);</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49hx_pGgbeEgXn34sKHWPpkOwvR4dqQq61mP6eQnKVXUPAySA5FS9ilQrAkefCswen4ZQm4G6_F98EtjJcEjXlZKoTuRAbsiV9iwJdwWYps2AeyysW1TZIqMD_rJFexKWXZyOd7-3q0gkSPwz1aVKV0HXNUTvL2vmtRJHZbAnDg3fwFqSjo_8jMa9bpE/s1683/Semi-collared%20Israel%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1683" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49hx_pGgbeEgXn34sKHWPpkOwvR4dqQq61mP6eQnKVXUPAySA5FS9ilQrAkefCswen4ZQm4G6_F98EtjJcEjXlZKoTuRAbsiV9iwJdwWYps2AeyysW1TZIqMD_rJFexKWXZyOd7-3q0gkSPwz1aVKV0HXNUTvL2vmtRJHZbAnDg3fwFqSjo_8jMa9bpE/w640-h452/Semi-collared%20Israel%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Semi-collared Flycatcher, Ashkelon</div><div><br /></div><div>Exploring corners of the country I'd never ventured into before, including <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/05/israel-spring-23-days-thirteen-and.html" target="_blank">the mountains and the far north</a></b>; and birding and staying with our good friend Nadav, and lapping up the birding joys of his backyard, the Hula Valley, with him. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j3vW-HwmTCvlBEYGyt-4sr4f3YsZ52aE_u6jpUF7WTGHGVu5kI9wLY4aVQrYNN_nM_ccdQBl_AL6slEx-37sb6SBoN_mkI9nA-sw0qExghiOeIENL-yOGwTwTeoE-LzTeVOIIwEpyIIk4aEHcs7EI2M1siRM_Uqg0YQlpfx8uQ9qeE4FkQ_tLzN48PU/s1333/Nadav%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1333" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j3vW-HwmTCvlBEYGyt-4sr4f3YsZ52aE_u6jpUF7WTGHGVu5kI9wLY4aVQrYNN_nM_ccdQBl_AL6slEx-37sb6SBoN_mkI9nA-sw0qExghiOeIENL-yOGwTwTeoE-LzTeVOIIwEpyIIk4aEHcs7EI2M1siRM_Uqg0YQlpfx8uQ9qeE4FkQ_tLzN48PU/w640-h288/Nadav%2023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><i>Watching displaying Demoiselle Cranes in with the commoners with Nadav, Hula Valley </i></div><div><br /></div><div>A contrasting, friend-, family-, travel- and bird-filled first part of the year, and back in position in good time for spring to kick in back home. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Part two to follow shortly</i></div><div><br /></div></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-73216745695129304392024-01-04T15:14:00.003+00:002024-01-04T15:14:12.543+00:00The first day's local birding of 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEzmMXYxtFoBMiW2PKMmvTtGCDKow37Uv9UXfXFJ0z036NMihK-yOuNDnL6mopmvKcx4hcssoEQd5pHL54SfryKTvCg-d94wB4Bqi8u9iggCpFRgbYFVJFsA4iMWEoCh6-WaF2ptEqrYH33DE0Ma3IRplR0YZLwvdvPLpL3uzFXsNgQG9KqzOUx-9YIc/s3000/eKN6A4942.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2102" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEzmMXYxtFoBMiW2PKMmvTtGCDKow37Uv9UXfXFJ0z036NMihK-yOuNDnL6mopmvKcx4hcssoEQd5pHL54SfryKTvCg-d94wB4Bqi8u9iggCpFRgbYFVJFsA4iMWEoCh6-WaF2ptEqrYH33DE0Ma3IRplR0YZLwvdvPLpL3uzFXsNgQG9KqzOUx-9YIc/s600/eKN6A4942.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
Most of the day free, and so into the field locally for the first time in a while. I started on the doorstep here in Filey, where single Lapland and Snow Buntings were on Carr Naze, and Great Northern Diver, a couple of Common Scoters, and plenty of auks and Fulmars were off it; I then continued into the Top Fields and had a good patrol of the (somewhat waterlogged, very muddy) stubbles, where the passerine activity continues to be excellent.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJUiKZoTlU_KrYq4wWxc1qHHtO6xgolRcFbUWCnrqxIblZ1ZKlWtAA92v9kOH7dTdPe17WMG46ZJWO1phUMT5haZoP835NTxSGv9sMnl_VFCyvnsKWwnUoZl-h-HO8jivTf6c2x4mbSQCJ01gJUldbhLGpmVqMZLACF6tkyCeOGUP9yW-p-ya1PW-sS0/s3000/eKN6A4955.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJUiKZoTlU_KrYq4wWxc1qHHtO6xgolRcFbUWCnrqxIblZ1ZKlWtAA92v9kOH7dTdPe17WMG46ZJWO1phUMT5haZoP835NTxSGv9sMnl_VFCyvnsKWwnUoZl-h-HO8jivTf6c2x4mbSQCJ01gJUldbhLGpmVqMZLACF6tkyCeOGUP9yW-p-ya1PW-sS0/s600/eKN6A4955.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Waxwings, Martongate</i></div><div><br /></div>
Conservative estimates of 53 Snow, 18 Lapland, one Corn, eight Reed and nine Yellowhammer made it a five Bunting session, as well as 160 Skylarks, 15 Rock Pipits, 40 Meadow Pipits and 45 Linnets - a real bonanza by recent standards, and I'll continue to check it as long as it holds good numbers of birds (who's to say the ShoreLarks aren't still around, and/or a rarer visitor might not join the flocks?).
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From there, a fifteen-minute drive to Martongate, where a small flock of Waxwings had been reported (Ta, Johnny) - unlike a few other local attempts of late, this one was a quick and easy joy.
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Quality local winter birding.
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Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-22616559628255107232024-01-03T19:33:00.000+00:002024-01-03T19:33:21.141+00:00Back on the Humber - 3rd Jan '24<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6o3_2g-SWRV09Be_-tHCDXE22-p7aiLN486BY5kF43lMSsl1rvlALr-jfXxxENgqPA0_OAUSxgHg7lxTU5dS7BIVl8IKctXCvTo_M1pP_axPMQmQIXMoAWHPZWmW1DIAVDoFlJRJY1djtMJs5brtRtg21EriTcB-EdOD84r_RC3hmBy9wGU6rDfqKlo/s3000/eKN6A4259.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6o3_2g-SWRV09Be_-tHCDXE22-p7aiLN486BY5kF43lMSsl1rvlALr-jfXxxENgqPA0_OAUSxgHg7lxTU5dS7BIVl8IKctXCvTo_M1pP_axPMQmQIXMoAWHPZWmW1DIAVDoFlJRJY1djtMJs5brtRtg21EriTcB-EdOD84r_RC3hmBy9wGU6rDfqKlo/s600/eKN6A4259.jpg"/></a></div>
Back north last night after a lovely few days in Bristol with old friends, and back to work as of this morning on the north bank of the Humber near Saltend. A mercifully calm, uneventful day weatherwise, and bird-filled, as it so often is here on the riverside - hundreds of Lapwings, Curlews, Pink-feet, Wigeon, Teal and plenty more.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnUXrT1iN0luhdyCywafUUuRhiFl1kB1W_I0bMTVQ2o14g0iEwnJ-o9Wc_KsWTlxvf5_368QWdUuLiU7q1OlnnZ4AZ8CGqHzP2fanMaP0sQja5ALAZr1VFKCEDcQjSc3TH2B4JkATLPc6C8Zg8SfkKwxQmPwHvB2QSf4ckL72qxwQQhwou8Y5OodSNYs/s3000/eKN6A4334.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnUXrT1iN0luhdyCywafUUuRhiFl1kB1W_I0bMTVQ2o14g0iEwnJ-o9Wc_KsWTlxvf5_368QWdUuLiU7q1OlnnZ4AZ8CGqHzP2fanMaP0sQja5ALAZr1VFKCEDcQjSc3TH2B4JkATLPc6C8Zg8SfkKwxQmPwHvB2QSf4ckL72qxwQQhwou8Y5OodSNYs/s600/eKN6A4334.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M3rVMiWZlFuYJV7BWvkHRHweG6BUTbwWl-CRHCmJQBMCGzwXEU4CRRgeVqviGRNHng68Q32LjPrK33WNjM_kshHjfmOUZCnKvi4rJ3JePT-9eRrhHXJm3A2wItqNLafqyOWj3CvikDcg9NteascJ0-XvSdpVod8UkfIgTs65Xwj4OhdYs5P157O-fCc/s3704/view%201.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1696" data-original-width="3704" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M3rVMiWZlFuYJV7BWvkHRHweG6BUTbwWl-CRHCmJQBMCGzwXEU4CRRgeVqviGRNHng68Q32LjPrK33WNjM_kshHjfmOUZCnKvi4rJ3JePT-9eRrhHXJm3A2wItqNLafqyOWj3CvikDcg9NteascJ0-XvSdpVod8UkfIgTs65Xwj4OhdYs5P157O-fCc/s600/view%201.jpg"/></a></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-15713379476180523822024-01-03T14:36:00.000+00:002024-01-03T14:36:03.437+00:00Nocmig Update - Filey, July to Dec '23<i>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/826811/embed" width="340"></iframe>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFwzedyO-LLlNILYdX0Kfp3suEIoB2SLY8POZaKB2jLos0ti75GrHP-x0YbPh5JIeTx1YAB1BPTiPbhN9i7eOt_DCTzoLkbMIu-K0x7fuXWo5X85vzfvqEZLbSs53uTZI8ObhJT7WBgZY3yU_Lw6SwyDaseoBbyAqhT_mo0_bbJYzoxqUJTp4w_BZ2xI/s2600/eKN6A5085.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1616" data-original-width="2600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFwzedyO-LLlNILYdX0Kfp3suEIoB2SLY8POZaKB2jLos0ti75GrHP-x0YbPh5JIeTx1YAB1BPTiPbhN9i7eOt_DCTzoLkbMIu-K0x7fuXWo5X85vzfvqEZLbSs53uTZI8ObhJT7WBgZY3yU_Lw6SwyDaseoBbyAqhT_mo0_bbJYzoxqUJTp4w_BZ2xI/s600/eKN6A5085.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
Please use headphones for the audioclips. For a summary of Filey results in the first half of the year, see <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/07/nocmig-update-filey-january-to-june-23.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>. </i><div><br /></div><div>As usual, I ran two nocmig recorders in Filey during the season - an mp3 recorder from my study window here in the town, and an audiomoth up on North Cliff. The former's employment is always opportunistic (depending on conditions, availability, and waiting for the gull colony to wind down in early-mid September), and this autumn, the latter was too - a combination of uninspiring conditions and equipment issues led to a reduced recording presence this time round.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/834834/embed" width="340"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>So how was nocmig over Filey in autumn '23? Those aforementioned uninspiring conditions were unfortunately dominant (and at times seemingly endless), but there were various highlights, plenty of good nights, and a couple of great nights (with one in particular standing out). </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Filey Town </b></div><div><br /></div><div>A total of 13 nights during <b><i>September</i></b> were quiet, with only a handful of species - <b>Knot, Oystercatcher, Moorhen, Snipe, Dunlin, </b>a few<b> Golden Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwit</b> - registering before a small wader movement on 26th included a flock of <b>Sanderlings</b>, several flocks of <b>Dunlins</b> and a <b>Ringed Plover</b>, followed by the first skein of <b>Pink-footed Geese</b> over on 29th.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/832881/embed" width="340"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Another 13 nights were covered in <b><i>October</i></b>, with - after weeks of relentlessly blocking conditions - an unprecedented flood of incoming migrants on the night of the 7th-8th. It was a nocmig night like nothing I've ever seen or heard before, which (after some time-consuming but fascinating analysis) smashed UK and European records on Trektellen for both <b>Redwing </b>and<b> Song Thrush</b> registrations. For a full summary, with context, audio and images, there's a dedicated post over here - <b><i><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-big-thrush-night-filey-7th-october.html" target="_blank">The Big Thrush Night, 7th Oct '23</a></i></b>.
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The following night saw plenty of quality migration, too, with flocks of <b>Knot, Sanderling, Dunlin</b> and <b>Snipe</b> among others, while passage continued in fits and starts for the rest of the month. Species diversity was fairly modest and expected, with e.g. <b>Snipe, Pink-feet, Black-headed Gulls, Dunlin </b>and<b> Golden Plovers</b>, plus <b>Bar-tailed Godwit</b> on 11th and always joyous flocks of <b>Whooper Swans</b> on 11th and 13th; thrushes continued to dominate, however, with <b>Redwings</b> recorded throughout (and another big night of 715 on 18th) and a <b>Ring Ouzel</b> on 22nd. A one-off night in <b><i>November</i></b> (8th) registered a handful of expected species in the shape of thrushes and geese.
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Filey North Cliff </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Coverage in <b><i>July</i></b> was almost constant, and the first week of the month featured <b>Curlews, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatchers </b>and<b> Golden Plovers</b>, with the autumn's first <b>Whimbrels</b> on 10th, the first <b>Common Sandpiper</b> on 11th, and (unusually) a <b>Swallow</b> on 12th; a similar suite of species continued throughout the rest of the month. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/833011/embed" width="340"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXMUhlyy8HTfp58mdxL-rb1c4TV7LtEk-LSig-w2COo47SVT9lszq_AN_DFN3dwqItlkB-OxeEruDM05L070srib2tm1XIIfP6iIZjxtlPkLuT9awtt9MRQrk0YghYvJkgyAlsnq0dMAVURV9kzczrP1ai6WrsiUyl_X24KipsjieaDicCa_ENASOYnc/s2084/eIMG_0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="2084" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXMUhlyy8HTfp58mdxL-rb1c4TV7LtEk-LSig-w2COo47SVT9lszq_AN_DFN3dwqItlkB-OxeEruDM05L070srib2tm1XIIfP6iIZjxtlPkLuT9awtt9MRQrk0YghYvJkgyAlsnq0dMAVURV9kzczrP1ai6WrsiUyl_X24KipsjieaDicCa_ENASOYnc/w640-h400/eIMG_0498.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Two flocks of <b>Arctic Terns</b> (with a further flock on 6th) and three<b> Redshanks</b> kicked off a muted <b><i>August</i></b> on 3rd, with <b>Redshanks</b> a regular feature of the ten night's total recording for the month. <b>Sandwich Terns</b> (8th) and <b>Common Terns</b> (10th) followed, with a further three flocks of the latter on 15th, when a <b>Green Sandpiper</b> also registered; the following night saw flocks of <b>Whimbrel, Turnstone</b> and <b>Knot </b>overfly the recorder, as well a single <b>Greenshank</b>. </div><div><br /></div><div> <iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/826807/embed" width="340"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Just six nights recorded in <b><i>September</i></b> featured <b>Curlew, Dunlin, Oystercatcher</b>, a flock of <b>Turnstones</b> (3rd), and <b>Golden Plover, Redshank</b>, and the autumn's only <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> on 2nd. Just four recorded nights in <b><i>October</i></b>, consecutively from 7th, scored highly, principally thanks to the huge thrush arrival on the first of those nights; while not quite the tally as the aforementioned Filey town count, it was still huge, constituting the fourth highest-ever European count on <i><b>Trektellen.org</b></i>. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbSOnbaVIj0DurjUlkphC55KFsDysdtHrDmhSgB75polzv0rLLQ_JhfE-Lpg3SFJlWiVZ9XM6udnBps1qH-CK0E2xjOrq7uBBhMqMrR2JtCa1FTRha8FkpN_9kWIHowbyKmowCm-vbyG-HxYE__vkJPVbXrMaO1liEUMyMAYMaFaJeNVxNRiiW-XqyEI/s610/Redwing%20record%20counts%20Europe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="610" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbSOnbaVIj0DurjUlkphC55KFsDysdtHrDmhSgB75polzv0rLLQ_JhfE-Lpg3SFJlWiVZ9XM6udnBps1qH-CK0E2xjOrq7uBBhMqMrR2JtCa1FTRha8FkpN_9kWIHowbyKmowCm-vbyG-HxYE__vkJPVbXrMaO1liEUMyMAYMaFaJeNVxNRiiW-XqyEI/w640-h528/Redwing%20record%20counts%20Europe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The 7th was a good night in general, with eleven species audible through the rain and wind - who knows what else (and how many other thrushes) were disguised behind the messy spectrogram.....</div><div>other species on subsequent nights included <b>Pink-footed Goose, Common Scoters, Robin, Water Rail, Golden Plover </b>and<b> Skylark</b>. </div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-zYSq4xjTIuFS14FJO-qNdWYSQWGdFuQdWAwtoT63Tsod55wiKJY_WxHY-Wxh1Dt4UKS2AUSBR6py0_Dk6PgvS-o3xDdmIG8s7kNVxndSMZKA0fUyfptBlvEYQoWhc6dVOsA52NmiBDz_RwB8hel_uF7qPiXHHxxboFB6TrToRw_G3uUTYsXv0kbG00/s805/07.10.23%20Filey%20NC%20trek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="805" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-zYSq4xjTIuFS14FJO-qNdWYSQWGdFuQdWAwtoT63Tsod55wiKJY_WxHY-Wxh1Dt4UKS2AUSBR6py0_Dk6PgvS-o3xDdmIG8s7kNVxndSMZKA0fUyfptBlvEYQoWhc6dVOsA52NmiBDz_RwB8hel_uF7qPiXHHxxboFB6TrToRw_G3uUTYsXv0kbG00/w640-h282/07.10.23%20Filey%20NC%20trek.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" scrolling="no" src="https://xeno-canto.org/818416/embed" width="340"></iframe> </div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-55976234338872500992023-12-31T16:56:00.004+00:002024-01-01T12:25:20.656+00:00Nocmig Update - Flamborough, July to Dec '23
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNwAP_cbazCuvcX09WxOyauJRro3PB9UWvhgXQWPuViLmPUFpdgwYlfv7NZSK-Av1rXrjskHbU2prSvp7j9i8KbLvIi7Kbbta-kz_-67ZglXVUK7qDxjL7hEcSaDVA5FxFSNiFNKD10IUN5DA7oSVWw1uciSnIavJ2zKhKQWNgcVmElCILrC3wjpkU0A/s2500/eIMG_1215.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="2500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNwAP_cbazCuvcX09WxOyauJRro3PB9UWvhgXQWPuViLmPUFpdgwYlfv7NZSK-Av1rXrjskHbU2prSvp7j9i8KbLvIi7Kbbta-kz_-67ZglXVUK7qDxjL7hEcSaDVA5FxFSNiFNKD10IUN5DA7oSVWw1uciSnIavJ2zKhKQWNgcVmElCILrC3wjpkU0A/s600/eIMG_1215.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Common Sandpipers featured through the early autumn, with the first on 14th July</i> <div><br /></div><div><b><i>For the first half of the year summarised, see <a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/07/nocmig-update-flamborough-january-to.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</i></b> </div><div><br /></div><div>But for more than a week lost to wind and rain at the end of the month, almost full coverage throughout <b><i>July</i></b> saw scant rewards - two <b>Dunlin</b> on 10th, a <b>Coot</b> on 11th, <b>Little Grebe</b> and <b>Redshank</b> 12th, <b>Common Sandpiper</b> on 14th - before a decent night of six wader species on 20th, when three <b>Redshanks, Curlew, Oystercatcher,</b> two <b>Golden Plovers, Dunlin</b> and <b>Common Sandpiper</b> were all recorded.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJGqsF0v44hKZub9zz_EavocjcZnji6YY33Dc6Wru2jRLt7JPOmOxWIRcVbG96-hTUzgEes5qAL0uHV0sjscD-_XesSe7LPZK-0v_221sxfCL81Y3qy5Z_hg4axlqvNtLCQ_ZloEnQOc6XN3IwGoHD5bDVpQqDyAtxdl7r0Up-bHW4LtQkeCMg1LsZw0/s1333/eIMG_3106.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJGqsF0v44hKZub9zz_EavocjcZnji6YY33Dc6Wru2jRLt7JPOmOxWIRcVbG96-hTUzgEes5qAL0uHV0sjscD-_XesSe7LPZK-0v_221sxfCL81Y3qy5Z_hg4axlqvNtLCQ_ZloEnQOc6XN3IwGoHD5bDVpQqDyAtxdl7r0Up-bHW4LtQkeCMg1LsZw0/s600/eIMG_3106.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>Flocks of Turnstones (and Knot) have featured in each autumn of nocmig recording at Flamborough, with 2023 no exception </i></div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>August</i></b> was more productive (as hoped), and although numbers and species diversity were generally low, most nights registered a few migrants. Waders were a main feature, with <b>Ringed Plovers</b> on 1st, 14th (two), 22nd and 25th, <b>Redshanks</b> on 7th (two) and 9th, <b>Curlews</b> on 1st and 27th, <b>Bar-tailed Godwit</b> on 26th, <b>Dunlins</b> on 13th (two) and 26th, <b>Knots</b> on 14th, Turnstones on 6th and 28th (a large flock), <b>Golden Plover</b> on 28th, <b>Whimbrels</b> on 6th (three), 25th and a large flock on 21st, and <b>Oystercatchers</b> on various dates. Other species recorded included <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> on 16th, <b>Common Scoters</b> on 18th, <b>Arctic Terns</b> on 4th (a large flock), 6th three plus) and one on 9th, two plus <b>Common Terns</b> on 7th, a <b>Sandwich Tern</b> on 25th, a <b>Grey Heron</b> on 9th and a <b>Little Grebe</b> on 26th.
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A single Spotted Flycatcher was recorded on 16th August </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Poor conditions throughout the majority of <b><i>September</i></b> made for very slim pickings, with many nights either unrecordable or blank; a large flock of <b>Turnstones</b> on 3rd (over 270 calls!), a small flock of <b>Common Scoters</b> on 17th and the first skeins of <b>Pink-footed Geese</b> on 25th and 26th were the highlights, with odd <b>Curlews, Ringed Plovers, Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Redshank</b> and <b>Oystercatchers</b> making up the (low) numbers.
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Large skeins of Pink-footed Geese were regularly recorded throughout October </i></div><div><br /></div><div>Waders pretty much dried up during <b><i>October</i></b> (with just odd <b>Dunlins, Snipe, Curlew </b>and<b> Oystercatchers</b>) reflecting a predictable drop in diversity, but there were several late autumn migratory species that troubled the recorder in impressive numbers. After a relentless succession of blocking weather systems during September and into the first week of the month, the tap was finally turned on on the night of 7th/8th, and to an epic degree...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB4XAMJSq3Ddg8WYafDSGeO48q7iFOW5l_GDSEDd1lkgIjx2QJQPNb8xWAcj1a0tX7KW3x8AClhDB-lDjiNmwCsUfvdwKdB4OodJZM72n1MCcfZzK5oSZANIaTQnlunv_Cfyy3LhceWh1kVMhJ9Xvt1tte90LAA6rm4xllWkKwuzPyLh3LCmO7wTb9jc/s813/FLA%2007.10.23%20screenshot.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB4XAMJSq3Ddg8WYafDSGeO48q7iFOW5l_GDSEDd1lkgIjx2QJQPNb8xWAcj1a0tX7KW3x8AClhDB-lDjiNmwCsUfvdwKdB4OodJZM72n1MCcfZzK5oSZANIaTQnlunv_Cfyy3LhceWh1kVMhJ9Xvt1tte90LAA6rm4xllWkKwuzPyLh3LCmO7wTb9jc/s600/FLA%2007.10.23%20screenshot.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
Thrushes flooded over in huge numbers from around 0230hrs onwards, with record numbers of <b>Redwings</b> and <b>Song Thrushes</b> for the site (a more forensic analysis of the recording would doubtless reveal more), with a supporting cast including <b>Fieldfares, Snipe</b>, no fewer than three <b>Goldcrests</b> and two <b>Ring Ouzels</b>. <b>Redwings</b> continued to arrive in good numbers thereafter, with a further seven nights into treble figures, including peaks of 383 on 27th and 204 on 8th; <b>Song Thrushes</b>, too, scored highly, with several other nights into three figures.
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Pink-feet</b> were a constant feature throughout the month, with big numbers recorded on various nights - actual migration totals were complicated by the (presumed) presence of 'local' birds making short movements over the village, however; other species that registered during the month included <b>Whooper Swans</b> on 14th and 22nd, several <b>Robins, Moorhen, Grey Heron</b> and <b>Skylark</b>. Low-key returns during seven nights recording in <b><i>November</i></b> featured nightly <b>Pink-feet</b>, small numbers of thrushes (particularly <b>Redwings</b>), and little else until the season came to a close mid-month.
</div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-42838652024526980322023-12-28T20:35:00.000+00:002023-12-28T20:35:12.066+00:00Wader wallpaper - Killingholme, Lincs, 28th Dec '23<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqWAawdGIlIXMCzcr3AB_CaAp6SXH2cFSf-Q4hS7s2CjPob5Pr06DZAGjGAVltDzNXaL5RYJXq35U9v0ji3OLlULiF8Jwu8n6jxaZHKCHzy-BomAYHDBjTTYTKHCDaPW7hO2d8pDmEExnKLWmsMW-li5U0_z_fK99dOvV1MxQUXudOcjciYkHNEaTqaM/s3000/eKN6A4164.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqqWAawdGIlIXMCzcr3AB_CaAp6SXH2cFSf-Q4hS7s2CjPob5Pr06DZAGjGAVltDzNXaL5RYJXq35U9v0ji3OLlULiF8Jwu8n6jxaZHKCHzy-BomAYHDBjTTYTKHCDaPW7hO2d8pDmEExnKLWmsMW-li5U0_z_fK99dOvV1MxQUXudOcjciYkHNEaTqaM/s600/eKN6A4164.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
Avocets and Black-tailed Godwits </i><div><br /></div><div>Back surveying on the south bank of the Humber on (another) very windy day, and the numbers of several species sheltering in a favoured area were exceptional - in a small area of saltmarsh, mud and (construction-protected) open water, dense, swirling flocks of birds included over <b>3,000 Lapwings</b> and over <b>2,300 Teal</b>, as well as hundreds of <b>Curlews</b>, <b>Black-tailed Godwits</b> and other wintering regulars.</div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2074" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFMDYOM39faDWP5r7WAvNbI8LnDsUuwGkTQeGmUtS8IXlS7jpteX8aWRCP1YUsMrio7h9RXsH70K3ZGIA6J5NJ2qNoTgU_3OiAy-_ANlQOjUIJtRHfEDps8U5WhwKFG3MpNK8r1ANZvr6bvjXxrTjqQ1QqtEw_T1OY1HVaIj6ms8b3CT3V1lXw86HiK8/s600/KN6A4070.jpg" width="600" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Black-tailed Godwits</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEt4geG-V_yxtBkwpBEwB92nCP2SlPScT4kEj3WqsefkOnC1WgkzuJZHLNdPMHVttIBtjQ8P69PbcoImh43QWG_3XJK5jDAb1RKT_Inf8HCyF0fRqN81fjwK2Tbig-7UawFjbVWP8XA8WmHFm6wk3739_eCdlDMX0hIqzsCNwEW8woQFWililkldCVzM/s3000/eKN6A4089.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEt4geG-V_yxtBkwpBEwB92nCP2SlPScT4kEj3WqsefkOnC1WgkzuJZHLNdPMHVttIBtjQ8P69PbcoImh43QWG_3XJK5jDAb1RKT_Inf8HCyF0fRqN81fjwK2Tbig-7UawFjbVWP8XA8WmHFm6wk3739_eCdlDMX0hIqzsCNwEW8woQFWililkldCVzM/s600/eKN6A4089.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Lapwings (above), Roe Deer (below)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSu4IQkf6atdgn7sapCZCzb2QNsY9ykXvTJTG1nxXk-iQKF58kbMbybDlFmDZGyYrgmnsG9Y-OKn8ExwysIdVZfN74bjk0xCqkbZdCgsTZvAuicruYYmCUvI5V1BVf6t6ZY91ZPIAR73dB4OYt3gvm_27P2oU9RBiQQDmZvzS6iXL53M7TJcRC5iDo9Y/s600/eKN6A4032.jpg" width="600" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Lapwings (above), Avocets and Blackwits (below)</i></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mES8MIyWDa9-5tOQk2OsE-wLu-DVxBw37GpmUm_9XZT1UNP5qLpq7Owgwq2sE5sJXy_L7n21uW3O1QZWp9Oyjb94ntpCAYNewKowETsUmG-_ElT-IiY-xid-bH-6uhGgWddJ6X2oXNuveyjoQOvaeO143v-6eFPhdfMGSsIy9SzAVW29rkn8iAXuF7k/s3000/eKN6A4051.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2069" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mES8MIyWDa9-5tOQk2OsE-wLu-DVxBw37GpmUm_9XZT1UNP5qLpq7Owgwq2sE5sJXy_L7n21uW3O1QZWp9Oyjb94ntpCAYNewKowETsUmG-_ElT-IiY-xid-bH-6uhGgWddJ6X2oXNuveyjoQOvaeO143v-6eFPhdfMGSsIy9SzAVW29rkn8iAXuF7k/s600/eKN6A4051.jpg" width="600" /></a></div></div></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-83884129476655527312023-12-26T21:43:00.000+00:002023-12-26T21:43:04.989+00:00Christmas birding on the coast <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe2D5d2zYQ_F7NxjX8VPIGZlXIsxzFWZcaBFpr-NK6kz_RCX61bf4amyuEHcJ7-d-K88rNc1EupbtexPlhszgir5Rxo1LN0F3MNyBna9PWg6Z7-5L_7FDyyCsUP04wJwCGqnL5G_WSsHAYgllyttf5Uz66dXltJRNrzvZ3xan4Ll8MnoTsgkkhc29r_Y/s2504/eKN6A3786.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="2504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe2D5d2zYQ_F7NxjX8VPIGZlXIsxzFWZcaBFpr-NK6kz_RCX61bf4amyuEHcJ7-d-K88rNc1EupbtexPlhszgir5Rxo1LN0F3MNyBna9PWg6Z7-5L_7FDyyCsUP04wJwCGqnL5G_WSsHAYgllyttf5Uz66dXltJRNrzvZ3xan4Ll8MnoTsgkkhc29r_Y/s600/eKN6A3786.jpg"/></a></div>
Just back from a very pleasant Christmas Day and Boxing Day at Flamborough, within which we (the Mrs and I) enjoyed two local gluttony-bustin' walks - South Landing yesterday (25th) and Bempton Cliffs today.
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Yesterday was mild, gloomy, breezy and wonderfully quiet at South Landing, with 89 Turnstones on the beach, a few divers and ducks on the sea, 22 Curlews in the fields and a timely and welcome Arctic surprise in the shape of a first year Iceland Gull sneaking north-east (below).
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Today was much brighter, cooler and calmer, and Bempton was not only beautiful but also rewardingly birdy; three entertaining Short-eared Owls, 33 Snow Buntings, 560 Pink-footed Geese, three Stonechats, 15 Rock Pipits and more were all gloriously illuminated in the winter sunshine.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">30 seconds of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flamborough?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Flamborough</a> longsword - a folk dance and boxing day tradition in my village, played out by the adult's team (half-cut) and the kid's team (absolutely hammered). <a href="https://t.co/u67rK70Kdu">pic.twitter.com/u67rK70Kdu</a></p>— Mark James Pearson (@Markthebirder) <a href="https://twitter.com/Markthebirder/status/1739750017559093669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3h3UYP2YUCGtKIImNCZEXnPFt7BwcSn3XsB7bgnpu06qnVRcNbqqYnhqWTkTZ11By0vHMGRR4dDdYKAzTPnbTCdjeGowgH4ocm_z6lQqTFC-ArhPvjRi9oZdEP55CEf65ElWzvV_MEENOZ81jqu6WAlxcSieesywvtFkV7NXc935lkwArKbjNEzVhsc/s2556/eKN6A3783.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="2556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3h3UYP2YUCGtKIImNCZEXnPFt7BwcSn3XsB7bgnpu06qnVRcNbqqYnhqWTkTZ11By0vHMGRR4dDdYKAzTPnbTCdjeGowgH4ocm_z6lQqTFC-ArhPvjRi9oZdEP55CEf65ElWzvV_MEENOZ81jqu6WAlxcSieesywvtFkV7NXc935lkwArKbjNEzVhsc/s600/eKN6A3783.jpg"/></a></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-195061329962076702023-12-23T15:49:00.001+00:002023-12-23T15:49:24.182+00:00Filey, 23rd Dec '23 <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxTLGugLH6JN0CyziN8VCc4Imsbj1S4wlOdLhUpTgjsIAsnTHmEonOjzBnvUN5nha537gahDI0kr98wyUKe4-PIHTScnXGoYqOtKofvo2oAL2Hnru4kD-h5iEdvT7pJsSwayfDf4vDyBPNTnHk0cbfhIjFYZIOTIxU6Ws9d5hagRGxiWdIkjw7oGW9kQ/s3000/eKN6A3317.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxTLGugLH6JN0CyziN8VCc4Imsbj1S4wlOdLhUpTgjsIAsnTHmEonOjzBnvUN5nha537gahDI0kr98wyUKe4-PIHTScnXGoYqOtKofvo2oAL2Hnru4kD-h5iEdvT7pJsSwayfDf4vDyBPNTnHk0cbfhIjFYZIOTIxU6Ws9d5hagRGxiWdIkjw7oGW9kQ/s600/eKN6A3317.jpg"/></a></div>
Windy and gloomy but plenty to enjoy up in the North Cliff / Top Fields area here at Filey early this afternoon - the stubbles are presently full of birds (that's what you get for, well, leaving the stubble), with the highlights being 36 Snow Buntings, 22 Lapland Buntings, 110 Skylarks and five Corn Buntings. Quality winter birding!
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Snow Buntings (above), Common Snipe (below)
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Corn Bunting
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Skylarks and Lapland Buntings
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdp2_Al5mVyF02HW8WHwQsTH0NSCjzxOKl6jhdsFNkq8zbg-1v4SPHk8H_LS-TvDdfPfd-LI04EN_Ey-Q_qfIrdfbOEUnFPzv5NdSHs6F-2FZzmb1L87Kj6ut9ckYsV4z8PsTiC4UOQE79fcXQZh79g252OGIbHWa9RhsSZV10GVbsx7WMESRx0L-1L8/s3000/eKN6A3652.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="2138" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdp2_Al5mVyF02HW8WHwQsTH0NSCjzxOKl6jhdsFNkq8zbg-1v4SPHk8H_LS-TvDdfPfd-LI04EN_Ey-Q_qfIrdfbOEUnFPzv5NdSHs6F-2FZzmb1L87Kj6ut9ckYsV4z8PsTiC4UOQE79fcXQZh79g252OGIbHWa9RhsSZV10GVbsx7WMESRx0L-1L8/s600/eKN6A3652.jpg"/></a></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-51167397795797956032023-12-20T00:37:00.005+00:002023-12-23T23:13:34.398+00:00The Big Thrush Night - Filey, 7th October 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAqzK34J-u_vdkdjxoec4s3lf0QmzV3pLptBlyChdyoNKjvrIvl0h_zFUldf0f-5lviMli5wY4MOpzeBxbD_SvMN4vHfrpygmz5opd4Mj5hRy3UFkCI2ehjIjSzCktnDr2w9gONyI_jLaqApiqL4PCFzToZgeuMcUoLZISnWnEuxxAdp2rQPZks1406E/s2121/Redwing%20Spurn%2022.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="2121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAqzK34J-u_vdkdjxoec4s3lf0QmzV3pLptBlyChdyoNKjvrIvl0h_zFUldf0f-5lviMli5wY4MOpzeBxbD_SvMN4vHfrpygmz5opd4Mj5hRy3UFkCI2ehjIjSzCktnDr2w9gONyI_jLaqApiqL4PCFzToZgeuMcUoLZISnWnEuxxAdp2rQPZks1406E/s600/Redwing%20Spurn%2022.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
It's taken a while to get there, but I've finally had the time and opportunity to fully analyse the recordings from the night of 7th-8th October - an incredible night for nocturnal thrush migration here on the Yorkshire coast, and nowhere more so than here at Filey. <div><br /></div><div>I had three recorders running through the night - one at Flamborough, one at Filey North Cliff, and one here in Filey town, in (out of) the study; all three scored highly, but it was the house recorder - trapped in the crack of the window and pointing out into the back alley in the middle of town - that really blew the doors off, smashing records in the process and providing one of most exciting nights of nocmig I've ever had.<div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zxqslOI3auY?si=k2lGielEV963572b" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>In the midst of an exhilarating 48 hours of birding here (see <b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-first-big-fall-of-autumn-23-filey.html" target="_blank">here</a></b> for the joy of the 7th/8th in the field) - I knew it was going to be a big night; a mass arrival was already underway, the winds were due to swing favourably onshore, the cloud was low, the showers were due to roll in and all the indications were good. It wasn't until I started to go through the spectrogram the following evening, however, that I started to realise just <i>how</i> good.... </div><div><br /></div><div>Much of the night was steady as she goes, with respectable numbers of thrushes, a few waders, and one or two other regular late-ish autumn nocmig migrants; until about 0245hrs, that is, when all hell broke loose. The density and frequency of thrush calls - the vast majority <b>Redwings</b>, but many <b>Song Thrushes</b> and <b>Blackbirds</b>, too (with lesser numbers of <b>Fieldfares</b> and a couple of <b>Ring Ouzels</b>), was like nothing I've ever seen.
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A quick scroll onwards showed that, far from a few intense fits and starts, it appeared to be never-ending, and I quickly realised it deserved more scrutiny and accuracy than the usual methods allowed; also, such was the relentlessness and density of the calls on the screen, there was no way of estimating the number of calls via the usual, visual counting method anyway. What to do? There was only one thing for it - I decided to bite the bullet, and listen through the key period manually, via headphones.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKpNkKfc5ksTbl_zxFUUSEq5Iszlp1coE5nO8HfcDjyomFEBz23AbTTvFDdL3NB4zMLDaJUV3_Ic5c8YZb16mTrXC9MHyIj_x7l6dqH7gDoHecUeJCDZT4CH1GYbZQb_cFYKtS3aEFEzaMyK17NUQ1lltztexVScCEc1tymyVgr6JHoYbWKvI9rJS3sA/s2034/eKN6A8533.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="2034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKpNkKfc5ksTbl_zxFUUSEq5Iszlp1coE5nO8HfcDjyomFEBz23AbTTvFDdL3NB4zMLDaJUV3_Ic5c8YZb16mTrXC9MHyIj_x7l6dqH7gDoHecUeJCDZT4CH1GYbZQb_cFYKtS3aEFEzaMyK17NUQ1lltztexVScCEc1tymyVgr6JHoYbWKvI9rJS3sA/s600/eKN6A8533.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
Long story short, I spent a lot of time analysing the critical last four hours of the night - 0240-0640hrs - in real time (with various breaks and section re-runs for different species), and analysed the preceding eight hours or so in the usual way, i.e. visually. It was a pretty challenging task, but the results were, well, very rewarding, as can be seen by the final totals:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKh1_3OwY-ET7MR0gCKdIkw-Uhk2M9yQD_3umnvyqR37XpM0mZrxN3_Yg3c5p0TCLWCWLmXJbHIFyZs1sswSYrxRBxWOJEkv4k0JbdQgDhpsRs_gj_gwgD8Pf_XdfTEfxsmQgFi8_rGGrRp21R_oHfXSDHKH3A8Kgx7hZ01zrLEwg9fzxuJ7djpkiXe0/s815/07.10.23%20trek%20entry.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKh1_3OwY-ET7MR0gCKdIkw-Uhk2M9yQD_3umnvyqR37XpM0mZrxN3_Yg3c5p0TCLWCWLmXJbHIFyZs1sswSYrxRBxWOJEkv4k0JbdQgDhpsRs_gj_gwgD8Pf_XdfTEfxsmQgFi8_rGGrRp21R_oHfXSDHKH3A8Kgx7hZ01zrLEwg9fzxuJ7djpkiXe0/s600/07.10.23%20trek%20entry.jpg" width="600" /></a></div></div><div>NB - Many calls were inevitably missed due to interference, particularly during the periods when the rain was heavier and when the wind distorted the recording; this applies especially to Song Thrushes, whose narrow, horizontal call signatures are easily lost in such a scenerio. Additionally, as can be seen by the sheer density of calls, many (especially Redwings) were obscured on the spectrogram as calls overlapped with each other.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn-3VkFmRXv3GZJbvCK21mBa5OWaVsS6ZZzeSTMv9driS-gNZLkSTHC3VZ7wrIE_Ufjh-KVQc5wPZaeoKan3koOwpFNFMz0IRdIcSekh5xSE_wo9DouV4HkiQUq8DTZsa0flR-l-PObZmsKXil0SKfbprDj6muR7uXDEhAU3LL2BtIIbIO9dH8sOieS4/s600/Redwing%20record%20counts%20Europe.jpg" width="600" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Eurovision top 20 - Highest ever Redwing nocturnal migration counts on Trektellen. Three of the top six record counts are from my recorders on the night in question. </i></div>
</div><div><br /></div><div>Also NB - the figures represent the total number of call registrations, not the total number of birds. Nocmig is an inherently inexact science, and we don't know how many birds actually migrated overhead on that night (or on any others). It's worth bearing in mind, however, that when I've compared nocmig recordings with simultaneous thermal-imaging, the audio has picked up a mere fraction of what's visible in the thermal on each occasion.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7VvpjnxgPq-wvUvTyiq_3lKLsuMoSKkuqFSgHNFUkjNh503q6IAUv-tnvRUGRDVIfYSgcTZSgQEN92-StKb6VKre9ae8MCWWr2n_7EC7vvYQ9mm_nfbbscYMliUcDiWmNSa37Av8Tny1bTbakuaObTtifmflDkWqpkvZShHNnZb5BZ5p4-8xS7zayuQ/s1237/Redwings%20sono%2007.10.23%20.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="1237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7VvpjnxgPq-wvUvTyiq_3lKLsuMoSKkuqFSgHNFUkjNh503q6IAUv-tnvRUGRDVIfYSgcTZSgQEN92-StKb6VKre9ae8MCWWr2n_7EC7vvYQ9mm_nfbbscYMliUcDiWmNSa37Av8Tny1bTbakuaObTtifmflDkWqpkvZShHNnZb5BZ5p4-8xS7zayuQ/s600/Redwings%20sono%2007.10.23%20.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
A five-minute screengrab of the spectrogram, illustrating the density of thrush calls..... </i></div><div><br /></div><div>So why was it such a special night? Well, the conditions were indeed basically perfect for a mass arrival, and the weather systems aligned in such a way as to channel a majority of the birds directly towards our section of the coast. But as to why my house recorder, here in the middle of town, outperformed both my Filey North Cliff recorder (just 1km north of here, and right on the coast) and my Flamborough recorder (which is in prime position on the Great White Cape) - we can only speculate, but we think a major factor is the location in relation to the coast and artificial light.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2gI1k0bgKTbeQ38Y8cykvUeMF9QNcg-dN2svnetIh5xK6Hpq20QL0rgCQ18cepVYfD9_5P8RuQ1WDi_4QM6sM1XGraCv5ne3jtUxLfBnlFux96pHicr_zsCGzpNxqezCAGcnxElb3J2Loh88pteECswT0r3hnzAgom06oLxvuliKOsUB5DjJk5Hcdpw/s1243/Redwing%20sono%2007.10.23%202.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="1243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2gI1k0bgKTbeQ38Y8cykvUeMF9QNcg-dN2svnetIh5xK6Hpq20QL0rgCQ18cepVYfD9_5P8RuQ1WDi_4QM6sM1XGraCv5ne3jtUxLfBnlFux96pHicr_zsCGzpNxqezCAGcnxElb3J2Loh88pteECswT0r3hnzAgom06oLxvuliKOsUB5DjJk5Hcdpw/s600/Redwing%20sono%2007.10.23%202.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><i>
... and a thirty second screenshot of the same </i></div><div><br /></div><div>My house is just a few hundred metres back from the seafront, and while Filey is hardly a sprawling metropolis, it has a density and intensity of electric light sources that theoretically create a far more attractive 'target' for nocturnal migrants to aim for than either the small, scattered sources of a village, or none at all. It may also be that artifical light stimulates the birds to call far more, and this may increase further when the density of individuals intensifies (although see above re: the thermal to audio ratio).</div><div><br /></div><div> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/exeYQcQpyvw?si=WDwQKkdcBHFMgwDK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever the causes (and it's fun to speculate, especially with so much more to learn), it stands as the biggest single night of Redwing migration anywhere in Europe (as recorded on Trektellen), more than doubling the previous UK record; it's also the highest ever UK nocmig count for Song Thrushes, with all three of my recorders that night making the top 5 highest UK counts ever. Insane! </div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pNTYGN3WPpONMvo4h97iaWJk8vp3iSn3hqiMou7HoGWtdrY-4f_PSflrkD78O46ahCKm-3XvAO6GSiv34uRZTr8UmLAXtSg6ePWJ0iWGJ_BlnH9qiGeLWmbQzcuW3_rqx9ufunOMIu5qPlK7BlWR5Bn5VWVAfaOgtXjtPiHlUBlEwTm-O9vOFXiQz0o/s743/Song%20Thrush%20UK%20record%20counts.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="743" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pNTYGN3WPpONMvo4h97iaWJk8vp3iSn3hqiMou7HoGWtdrY-4f_PSflrkD78O46ahCKm-3XvAO6GSiv34uRZTr8UmLAXtSg6ePWJ0iWGJ_BlnH9qiGeLWmbQzcuW3_rqx9ufunOMIu5qPlK7BlWR5Bn5VWVAfaOgtXjtPiHlUBlEwTm-O9vOFXiQz0o/s600/Song%20Thrush%20UK%20record%20counts.jpg" width="600" /></a>Such was the amazing intensity of calls when the floodgates opened before 0300hrs, my notes record that it took until 0558hrs - a full three hours later! - for there to be a ten second gap where no calls were recorded. Crazy scenes....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Thanks to Trektellen, the fantastic migration recording website - see more here: https://www.trektellen.org/ </i></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-46046402478098835802023-12-02T16:12:00.000+00:002023-12-02T16:12:47.499+00:00Filey, 2nd December '23<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlx0tvxmeDZA70u2Ke9TcrhzwBmvy8NEbsxLDZ7uHnHCSh8Wt73C4KZl48wd9orv4NcJX5dbhpobEeG1x0bn6IaW5B_qNZhoo0qD_bGamin2ziTQjSo666A2dHxXAg0IsLik9rFDP_beB5T5NVvImtTzyN-wX1CnopHilIw9xE3-MHPC9lUkavVZKDqA/s3000/eKN6A2706.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlx0tvxmeDZA70u2Ke9TcrhzwBmvy8NEbsxLDZ7uHnHCSh8Wt73C4KZl48wd9orv4NcJX5dbhpobEeG1x0bn6IaW5B_qNZhoo0qD_bGamin2ziTQjSo666A2dHxXAg0IsLik9rFDP_beB5T5NVvImtTzyN-wX1CnopHilIw9xE3-MHPC9lUkavVZKDqA/s600/eKN6A2706.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
I know, it's been a long time... my excuses are the usuals (busy, away a lot) but are more legitimate than ever - it's been a manic few months even by recent standards, and I'm not long back from an extended, fruitful trip to the Highlands (more on that later). This morning was the first time I've been out on the doorstep in several weeks, and it was a perfect morning for it: -3°c at first light, and everything coated in a thick, sparkling frost.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAyWUx67Y8O30cRBhH8zY1EIyl-HLx1oB3NJ4MeHvnVrdwXx4tcfgbYUKCUgkHrhJTLstcJGuzVJaUHfOx26zrwahoypPh4Sfox_Zw4pIMSONSEb74jjcHBcT-QQuFigfexTe4E-N3D2sVegPvZvSx9O_dtNLuUkkQvt2MZy-Srete_rwy0BwkfMMWn4/s3000/eKN6A2642.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAyWUx67Y8O30cRBhH8zY1EIyl-HLx1oB3NJ4MeHvnVrdwXx4tcfgbYUKCUgkHrhJTLstcJGuzVJaUHfOx26zrwahoypPh4Sfox_Zw4pIMSONSEb74jjcHBcT-QQuFigfexTe4E-N3D2sVegPvZvSx9O_dtNLuUkkQvt2MZy-Srete_rwy0BwkfMMWn4/s600/eKN6A2642.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<i>Snow Buntings - lil' angels every one</i> <div><br /></div><div>I didn't expect too much - a few Snow Buntings, maybe? - but as it turned out, a stomp around the Top Fields / North Cliff was fantastic; birds everywhere, scattered throughout the winter stubbles (a rarity in itself these days).
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukxDqs7fBeliOvLSvr0hJk0Gm8tnBzMtxM-gdkTHmzAeaxh8Vg3yxWfcMdRdNUxg48fK300Qil4CGjWGWWl8ESWF-s0OfDpGX8ZrBWUi17T-2cVQNh5g0qaLkHGW0nbwudtKMDzCTaKXkR8NeXOO3H8mg84XhH4P7WVIxvWc1Ptc-izjJHZTvl6aHUJ0/s2324/eKN6A2764.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1524" data-original-width="2324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukxDqs7fBeliOvLSvr0hJk0Gm8tnBzMtxM-gdkTHmzAeaxh8Vg3yxWfcMdRdNUxg48fK300Qil4CGjWGWWl8ESWF-s0OfDpGX8ZrBWUi17T-2cVQNh5g0qaLkHGW0nbwudtKMDzCTaKXkR8NeXOO3H8mg84XhH4P7WVIxvWc1Ptc-izjJHZTvl6aHUJ0/s600/eKN6A2764.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>One of at least four mobile Lapland Buntings</i></div><div><br /></div>
I didn't have as long as I'd have liked, but in the window I had, highlights included at least two (very mobile) <b>Shore Larks</b>, at least four <b>Lapland Buntings</b> (ditto), a minimum of 48 <b>Snow Buntings</b> (including three in off the sea), 18 <b>Snipe</b> and 75 <b>Golden Plovers</b> in off, a <b>Woodcock</b> and 185+ <b>Skylarks</b>. The most productive terrestrial winter session here in a long time....
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</div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-26248706221969465382023-10-13T17:09:00.008+01:002023-10-13T17:17:09.294+01:00The first big fall of autumn '23 (Filey)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWSUwkEx82nsQbgmpLc4gVPjntEisSUFu2QQQrGLbBz2QLeyjtt2lFC4orf3Ll2CQom-CDVKgAFdCZHpyhb-4roxqdiFh20bOAVqjoqfwlUQgohi7XG8rhV4wbQS7a1BWpDdDYB-iJG_vQYKyQOPjIPQe6AfvYRKit-RKnwEVhrzZxvKJE4bS-3oM7hc/s3000/eKN6A5870.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2031" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWSUwkEx82nsQbgmpLc4gVPjntEisSUFu2QQQrGLbBz2QLeyjtt2lFC4orf3Ll2CQom-CDVKgAFdCZHpyhb-4roxqdiFh20bOAVqjoqfwlUQgohi7XG8rhV4wbQS7a1BWpDdDYB-iJG_vQYKyQOPjIPQe6AfvYRKit-RKnwEVhrzZxvKJE4bS-3oM7hc/s600/eKN6A5870.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>A glittering little prize awaited at the finish line (see foot of post)</i></div><div><br /></div>
It's been a few days since those of us lucky enough to be here on the Yorkshire coast had the pleasure of a a cracking, classic October fall over 48 hours or so from the 7th (last Saturday). While it's been enjoyable in some respects - seawatching and vismig, for instance - this autumn has been notable for an almost complete absence of concentrated arrivals on dry land, thus far at least.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV6uN6sajUxxiurYw0mV0BHET62iSxyj-l5Zf61lNg_YBFI15OHjyViGMpTM_PK5NuJlekHVmX4MqA-uvFwaEOyfJxwj0rQbqypxlShKM-ZLGhew3_bG1b4nfzkCJXequvExU62beucecqz5rEPZXyQirIjrRO9cZnG0OhlQKnvs-42rtw1B_ocClI3s/s2852/eKN6A4978.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="2852" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV6uN6sajUxxiurYw0mV0BHET62iSxyj-l5Zf61lNg_YBFI15OHjyViGMpTM_PK5NuJlekHVmX4MqA-uvFwaEOyfJxwj0rQbqypxlShKM-ZLGhew3_bG1b4nfzkCJXequvExU62beucecqz5rEPZXyQirIjrRO9cZnG0OhlQKnvs-42rtw1B_ocClI3s/s600/eKN6A4978.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>One of at least eight Short-eared Owls arriving in off the sea over the two days</i></div><div><br /></div>
Thankfully, all that changed in a flash, and it was (of course) all down to the suddenly favourable weather conditions. A build-up of birds in Scandinavia (we'd almost no Redwings prior to the 7th, for instance) were suddenly inspired to hit the pedal <i>en masse</i>, with a tail wind, clear skies and suddenly dropping temperatures all inspiring the North Sea crossing.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTo3Wby9xnCH2w1uGA26-DpCNu6Ebt1uGwfDrCknQ3WWJl7_8EMwwIthsCR_qPVm_2ClVzWFyMDTt1xN1QdpmAAIF_uI8jy_k2uJMnuCfK9sBjaQXgtxV91zKDSrsbvjOBoHcKGdp7vyijFyrEffttrtyx-SjoYyi-sVDqdqa35mcZh5l7Ekddt4OXWo/s3000/eKN6A5430.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTo3Wby9xnCH2w1uGA26-DpCNu6Ebt1uGwfDrCknQ3WWJl7_8EMwwIthsCR_qPVm_2ClVzWFyMDTt1xN1QdpmAAIF_uI8jy_k2uJMnuCfK9sBjaQXgtxV91zKDSrsbvjOBoHcKGdp7vyijFyrEffttrtyx-SjoYyi-sVDqdqa35mcZh5l7Ekddt4OXWo/s600/eKN6A5430.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Freshly-arrived Goldcrest along the clifftop path</i></div><div><br /></div>
It wasn't all that simple, of course, and in fact the night of the 6th and into the morning of the 7th in particular must've been especially gruelling for many of them, hitting heavy storms and stronger winds well offshore. But, as always, a great many did make it, and what a thrill it is to welcome them...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W8pt5rmRQzuq75YJ2qA8sdzfJExf1TFHkIosc_I8Nc7uBcQPOgBWZmfB1nDRGeI4C6UUld6nqw4h1JFhYQzNSRCNwJCSXbh1kr4Xo9Q1JedFj2Sx8KENjtgJ5Lw1MDEAPFOXDEfI7941ILT5OOpIOZSIiR8DpHM4mnsSoPU8dEr13ygZ5iyM1M5PeIY/s3000/eKN6A4337.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1965" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W8pt5rmRQzuq75YJ2qA8sdzfJExf1TFHkIosc_I8Nc7uBcQPOgBWZmfB1nDRGeI4C6UUld6nqw4h1JFhYQzNSRCNwJCSXbh1kr4Xo9Q1JedFj2Sx8KENjtgJ5Lw1MDEAPFOXDEfI7941ILT5OOpIOZSIiR8DpHM4mnsSoPU8dEr13ygZ5iyM1M5PeIY/s600/eKN6A4337.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Redwings!</i></div><div><br /></div>
Still blessed with covid (and therefore stuck in second gear at best), slow patrols of the coastal area - with diversions into nearby cover - were the order of the day(s); tearing around and covering a lot of ground were off the agenda, but as it happened, the gentler approach was ideal for the conditions.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix87rV_a9k1i7suSxxKaBrpVWlOfU8hqK8R9jv5K8dTgakgdl0aXdAAbHWzFlZReOSWfjYvwIHzJA2s2oLDtNB6iOaVHtgg8KWqds7_kgYMTHBsZkCDPfzzCAPdiossXMTikwPEYghNKxQuydtJZXd5hOqyII6yGHhbw6bstWXOHvT23K0Bsl6_K5tFmY/s3000/eKN6A4987.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix87rV_a9k1i7suSxxKaBrpVWlOfU8hqK8R9jv5K8dTgakgdl0aXdAAbHWzFlZReOSWfjYvwIHzJA2s2oLDtNB6iOaVHtgg8KWqds7_kgYMTHBsZkCDPfzzCAPdiossXMTikwPEYghNKxQuydtJZXd5hOqyII6yGHhbw6bstWXOHvT23K0Bsl6_K5tFmY/s600/eKN6A4987.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Short-eared Owl (with Flamborough and Bempton as a background)</i></div><div><br /></div>
Come the morning of the 7th on Carr Naze, and it was actually pretty quiet - although my first Black-throated Diver of the autumn, three little Gulls offshore, and a few Pink-feet on the move were all welcome. Messages re: big numbers of Redwings and other Scandinavian migrants arriving from the south-east at Flamborough and elsewhere further down the coast weren't a huge surprise because of the way the weather system was tracking offshore, but patience was required.....
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkSQm30vsQPo__-hT10_7duz6rEq-hiKZriygd4SHs8OTjqFA3DVeHdDoZpoxiENsICSkaG43vqW0GaH3sxJK2Pc0BhHPS3fvJaQBzC3wRacDBONevau8t0wW8sANllyVB1tjRG3CF1N8QzQZ20QJX6vfo9-5OUjE7kSsz-DqYfTYybcXhCz4665HicU/s3000/eKN6A4569.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2107" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkSQm30vsQPo__-hT10_7duz6rEq-hiKZriygd4SHs8OTjqFA3DVeHdDoZpoxiENsICSkaG43vqW0GaH3sxJK2Pc0BhHPS3fvJaQBzC3wRacDBONevau8t0wW8sANllyVB1tjRG3CF1N8QzQZ20QJX6vfo9-5OUjE7kSsz-DqYfTYybcXhCz4665HicU/s600/eKN6A4569.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>A tired Song Thrush on the clifftop</i></div><div><br /></div>
By afternoon, however, the fall began in earnest here at Filey, particularly re: Redwings: 1435 by the end of a very entertaining five hours or so up on the cliffs, as well as smaller numbers of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Fieldfares, the first significant wave of Robins and Goldcrests in the scrub, Stonechats seemingly everywhere, and the first Bramblings (as well as Redpolls, Chaffinches, Siskins, Skylarks, Rock Pipits, Reed Buntings and more) incoming.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8bC-Yof0wO4VD4YTjHIEeP2Njis_llBT7tPDRzm9hF_8jd65vSfN1vlyOpcMSbgKIgotgtQu3qrA7XNhx-LvHREoz_T9D8PVSbRzbmV6YqGNPVyT7GmuwS-Z2o2GF0HHpb60FMsx3aQNas8742eIR6Zdksbodux9hrDF6Kt0WbRGuKT7oW8nOrXVuwc/s3000/eKN6A5701.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8bC-Yof0wO4VD4YTjHIEeP2Njis_llBT7tPDRzm9hF_8jd65vSfN1vlyOpcMSbgKIgotgtQu3qrA7XNhx-LvHREoz_T9D8PVSbRzbmV6YqGNPVyT7GmuwS-Z2o2GF0HHpb60FMsx3aQNas8742eIR6Zdksbodux9hrDF6Kt0WbRGuKT7oW8nOrXVuwc/s600/eKN6A5701.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Yellow-browed Warbler</i></div><div><br /></div>
Three each of Short-eared Owl and Jack Snipe also arrived in off over the waves, while wildfowl and wader movement began to pick up offshore; a good start, but, looking at the forecast, the following day (8th) looked like it might well be the real deal; easterlies, cloud, and even a few periods of drizzle? More than enough to get the blood pumping, and despite feeling physically crappy, it took zero effort to leap out of bed and get out before first light.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MJzRXev-ERtg8VAs-KmlCq4JHSJ4z3D8gJcUl8eMjyG_c7_z6U7xJYi2gKO-JNXVWH1HcN2vd4EYIjAzCIXgH4lkQGvYt8VlO1WbxL67kW5PTxCB1F5vqza9rZgLB71K6Kyyj7BCtwaGFkVy4LU_hv2LpTav7OEQmVkjZ1Beb0Flwwd6numwnDZUYKY/s3000/eKN6A4475.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1876" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MJzRXev-ERtg8VAs-KmlCq4JHSJ4z3D8gJcUl8eMjyG_c7_z6U7xJYi2gKO-JNXVWH1HcN2vd4EYIjAzCIXgH4lkQGvYt8VlO1WbxL67kW5PTxCB1F5vqza9rZgLB71K6Kyyj7BCtwaGFkVy4LU_hv2LpTav7OEQmVkjZ1Beb0Flwwd6numwnDZUYKY/s600/eKN6A4475.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>More Redwings.... </i></div><div><br /></div>
Sticking my head out of the door at 0600hrs and listening to the repetitive <i>shrips</i>, <i>ssslis</i> and <i>tick</i>s of incoming thrushes, I knew that it wasn't only going to be a good day, but my overnight nocmig recording (via an mp3 player trapped in the crack of my study window) was going to take some serious effort to analyse. That turned out to be a huge understatement, which I'll address in the next post.... <div><br /></div><div>Back up on Carr Naze, more signs of activity - thrushes, Robins, another Shorty, Skylarks, Bramblings and more in off, Goldcrests starting to appear - in the first hour or two were just the precursor to a mid-late morning flood of arrivals, and suddenly it was back into that most perfect birding state - the one where there's so much going on all around you, you don't know where to look.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq-eWW8weawOyuZxf-PGHDvmvK_CzHEaEdszeq0fxyhveW-KTSfs-kjGa2P5KAKJyzkUrC_x24ygzcdelN8Q3IwRfHLOR5lOkIJQbLxnN8_63mQ6VwzT1bt9IDr15anfK0oi7NkvxPJmK5QMKZGu6LaxrBPKRENtc6hMy23N3cyeAO0XDXAhhq3v3ikE/s3000/eKN6A4871.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1997" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq-eWW8weawOyuZxf-PGHDvmvK_CzHEaEdszeq0fxyhveW-KTSfs-kjGa2P5KAKJyzkUrC_x24ygzcdelN8Q3IwRfHLOR5lOkIJQbLxnN8_63mQ6VwzT1bt9IDr15anfK0oi7NkvxPJmK5QMKZGu6LaxrBPKRENtc6hMy23N3cyeAO0XDXAhhq3v3ikE/s600/eKN6A4871.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Snow Bunting (above and below)</i></div><div><br /></div>
Cue over 2,400 Redwings, another four Short-eared Owls, Jack Snipe, lots of Bramblings, many more Goldcrests and Robins, many Skylarks, Meadow and Rock Pipits, three Ring Ouzels, plenty of Fieldfares, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, more Stonechats, lots of wildfowl movement (including dark-bellied Brents and Pintails), waders incoming and/or southbound, Snow Bunting, an arrival of Chiffchaffs, six Arctic Skuas north.... pure enterntainment.
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A quick lunch break and then back out, this time to Gristhorpe Bay - a relatively undisturbed area of isolated coastal scrub and hedgerow a little further north-west along the clifftop - where, despite (and indeed because of) the very limited amount of cover, there were many new arrivals. By now the wind was fixed in the east and light drizzle was coming and going - perfect - and as if by magic, one, two, and finally three Yellow-browed Warblers flitted around in close proximity in the company of Goldcrests, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAF6I4AyETaRssagwNe21noYNJC-wXrUKeEf_8qNX-SB3SZ8Qblo91zEsQjKTuvE-RDWIZnqkcrzmSNC1V1MIVypFODL2L3o-fAVTZBRsoc7LBMlAERAtPiWBuyDUdQP_n0jb0JFwBawhg5f-ZZsFgb9MEzWmEShuqLHRNfP1OWr3VjgKJX6nXAvrFdE/s3000/eKN6A4703.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAF6I4AyETaRssagwNe21noYNJC-wXrUKeEf_8qNX-SB3SZ8Qblo91zEsQjKTuvE-RDWIZnqkcrzmSNC1V1MIVypFODL2L3o-fAVTZBRsoc7LBMlAERAtPiWBuyDUdQP_n0jb0JFwBawhg5f-ZZsFgb9MEzWmEShuqLHRNfP1OWr3VjgKJX6nXAvrFdE/s600/eKN6A4703.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Jack Snipe in off (above and below)</i></div><div><br /></div>
Another round of the northern coastal area was again productive and full of birds, but the light was seriously starting to fade (and my energy levels with it), and realistically it was a last roll of the die; and so to Arndale, the wooded ravine leading down to the beach, where i've had plenty of luck finding quality birds over the last decade or so.
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Lot of disturbance made me reconsider (think noisy kids, dogs etc coming back off the beach, on the only narrow track from which to bird - anathema to a tiring, ill, grumpy birder with minutes left on the clock), but there was enough activity up in the canopy to make me stay; although the light was indeed shocking, with everything effectively silhouetted high up in the black and grey, Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs were clearly fresh in and worthy of the last dregs of my attention span.
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At which point, something more interesting appeared - high up and always at least partially obscured, but enough to sound the alarm. Craning and straining to piece it together and with the ISO on full to get any kind of plumage features (and trying to block out the screams and barks beside me), the elusive little sprite eventually revealed itself as a Red-flanked Bluetail.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPDc0jMBuvnaZd-UbVa63PjDlt_xZKTYyR91CabZS8F95XE0nHOfhG4hc7jK-M1nGLNtC4SxACvVv3mUHEexcI3CVpt3MtebtncdXTsm4aJTc3qed75qXRuSRyQiDeG9Aym52LSdZkxTd4c-ol4r-Ar0-4JOsVizSdsKt31t8AlDRcc17R7WVUIpii1g/s3000/eKN6A5881.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPDc0jMBuvnaZd-UbVa63PjDlt_xZKTYyR91CabZS8F95XE0nHOfhG4hc7jK-M1nGLNtC4SxACvVv3mUHEexcI3CVpt3MtebtncdXTsm4aJTc3qed75qXRuSRyQiDeG9Aym52LSdZkxTd4c-ol4r-Ar0-4JOsVizSdsKt31t8AlDRcc17R7WVUIpii1g/s600/eKN6A5881.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
It's not often you get the happy ending to what was already a wonderful time in the field, but sometimes, it all comes together just perfectly...
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTej1v24IatyLNC3jtTkeZY_alDsobaEEqlb7yi39ydo-wkojCtQdA_rM_KEr7EpPA6DefrgyGnHKnAPKH65e-1Su-QPmRwPYZZFXv87NXEMJRoDuVJ9ai2Q1AvQTa4B4lxr0xpJE7BEQzaa0FvKLp8L8evW8dptUbqlwR3EVPIehkoTJgDn65wtF6eg/s3000/eKN6A6002.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTej1v24IatyLNC3jtTkeZY_alDsobaEEqlb7yi39ydo-wkojCtQdA_rM_KEr7EpPA6DefrgyGnHKnAPKH65e-1Su-QPmRwPYZZFXv87NXEMJRoDuVJ9ai2Q1AvQTa4B4lxr0xpJE7BEQzaa0FvKLp8L8evW8dptUbqlwR3EVPIehkoTJgDn65wtF6eg/s600/eKN6A6002.jpg" width="600" /></a>Did somebody mention easterlies this week....? </div>
</div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-21773482368276543682023-10-07T12:56:00.000+01:002023-10-07T12:56:29.382+01:00Tarifa, August '23 - more whales and dolphins<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDLkVijv9KGpTQTkQaq1PHxYMYgQDoAPSOhUewZD1dD6ymhG5d-XGEy-rkSOOcmzDqQyj9-xFgnkNpB62lT0eN3FfS8YXW_jKbMAa4Kp_nJYxjr7t0H7DcyQzrUmXa074S80vjMMG1gnnwNb1Y_BTndgy5T7NSjuHpFL-4iUTTtfILvRqzC4fu2WsQ88/s3000/eKN6A6509.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDLkVijv9KGpTQTkQaq1PHxYMYgQDoAPSOhUewZD1dD6ymhG5d-XGEy-rkSOOcmzDqQyj9-xFgnkNpB62lT0eN3FfS8YXW_jKbMAa4Kp_nJYxjr7t0H7DcyQzrUmXa074S80vjMMG1gnnwNb1Y_BTndgy5T7NSjuHpFL-4iUTTtfILvRqzC4fu2WsQ88/s600/eKN6A6509.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div><i>Sperm Whales (above and below)</i></div><div><br /></div>
It wasn't all frolicking Long-finned Pilot Whales (<b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/10/long-finned-pilot-whales-tarifa-august.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>) and Orcas (<b><a href="http://northernrustic.blogspot.com/2023/09/tarifa-august-23-orcas.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>).... we also had great, close encounters with three species of <b>dolphin</b> - <b>Striped</b> (pictured), <b>Common</b> and <b>Bottlenose </b>- and both of the big whale target species: <b>Sperm</b> (several), and from dry land on our final afternoon, a group of four <b>Fin Whales</b>, together, just offshore.
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To say it was a successful trip for cetaceans would be an understatement, and I can't wait to get back out there next August.....
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy5JpvQhqHa2c7_zB7Tl6u20KZWHt1yt_zC__ymq8bE2HDO3rtOB5ztcovjrffgovDfEcIjppp1i7nkP-w3Y0Ma0HmdXSbeBp3crPM1MsCADf6LIkwFZ70Lpm9_QM224R2bn1so-z5mKpbohwl83e2cFV8WKJShwHTk5pi3je9iKk7nMP-y71wWeF6AA/s2872/eKN6A9302.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1988" data-original-width="2872" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy5JpvQhqHa2c7_zB7Tl6u20KZWHt1yt_zC__ymq8bE2HDO3rtOB5ztcovjrffgovDfEcIjppp1i7nkP-w3Y0Ma0HmdXSbeBp3crPM1MsCADf6LIkwFZ70Lpm9_QM224R2bn1so-z5mKpbohwl83e2cFV8WKJShwHTk5pi3je9iKk7nMP-y71wWeF6AA/s600/eKN6A9302.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>Striped Dolphins</i></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxWDBcezjsOLkyCwddRAtNM2uHA9UrX999M2em1-MZlYSzRIBjWRXoo4W8i6cigRLPlU0Rv7slmy59uUTA03rSL1C7HtGnqbGMMr0R86xWlKkZpBL996CqEGyljKobn_HGZKNvPzG9cQVXqcz8cbqf90gRelawA02dfNX2Zpn1TpvMV0MBsxxNX8CJ4A/s3264/eKN6A0123.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2022" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxWDBcezjsOLkyCwddRAtNM2uHA9UrX999M2em1-MZlYSzRIBjWRXoo4W8i6cigRLPlU0Rv7slmy59uUTA03rSL1C7HtGnqbGMMr0R86xWlKkZpBL996CqEGyljKobn_HGZKNvPzG9cQVXqcz8cbqf90gRelawA02dfNX2Zpn1TpvMV0MBsxxNX8CJ4A/s600/eKN6A0123.jpg" width="600" /></a><i>A party of four Fin Whales just offshore</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZZtPek7UUsvZTzIJjH_3Eon17D4Xd5XbHO82NiHchpVfFlpT-F7S8CcZ-mmVzOtJptdTPzLyTrQsxafOMAyND6HC7jGFA6wPkusLIeRuJe5wFCrcAGrjavmE09xQ4kXsYhjrlrcagFjZL2l2LWe6dSf0GOR-Mrqy9tzGHOixKmm6pW05YPyAdWyQNmg/s3000/eKN6A0127.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZZtPek7UUsvZTzIJjH_3Eon17D4Xd5XbHO82NiHchpVfFlpT-F7S8CcZ-mmVzOtJptdTPzLyTrQsxafOMAyND6HC7jGFA6wPkusLIeRuJe5wFCrcAGrjavmE09xQ4kXsYhjrlrcagFjZL2l2LWe6dSf0GOR-Mrqy9tzGHOixKmm6pW05YPyAdWyQNmg/s600/eKN6A0127.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4H8vENrquTzj8Rqd4uacICgJ0WzCcAP4odA3Hzl3pkAHN4Zvj8QPZArNFHFbFOkc5X_q7olvOwOxysi2zh2TyQMy0KZ4kKA8U4JdGkVaWDhmKzZjPemSOat_l6bPs7B0Pg9BHqheEB2f9GmRzQJXp9iZ8xaY5SGgzenxa-Z4FrKNfjva9UAagYv5qhE/s3000/eKN6A0241.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4H8vENrquTzj8Rqd4uacICgJ0WzCcAP4odA3Hzl3pkAHN4Zvj8QPZArNFHFbFOkc5X_q7olvOwOxysi2zh2TyQMy0KZ4kKA8U4JdGkVaWDhmKzZjPemSOat_l6bPs7B0Pg9BHqheEB2f9GmRzQJXp9iZ8xaY5SGgzenxa-Z4FrKNfjva9UAagYv5qhE/s600/eKN6A0241.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4264379360699974792.post-18618692828330921742023-10-06T13:45:00.001+01:002023-10-06T13:53:54.648+01:00Long-finned Pilot Whales, Tarifa - August '23<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Aa6cxdgd5M?si=TyX9-FmKXFfc7n4d" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> <div><br /></div><div>One of - arguably <i>the </i>- stand-out highlight of the trip were these frankly bewitching <b>Long-finned Pilot Whales</b>. They were the undisputed stars of two pelagic trips (one with our YCN group, and one pre-group recon) we took out into the Straits of Gibraltar, being endlessly playful and inquisitive on both, as you can see from the videos; well worth watching if you want to need reminding just how joy-giving watching wildlife can be....</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tx-FbvbWuC0?si=-rPyJU-ECKWHButa" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </div><div><br /></div><div>Various pods are resident in the area, and are sometimes curious enough to hang out with boats (fortunately for us, on both our excursions); as if the evidence of how wonderful they are isn't obvious enough in these videos, they're also closely-knit, co-operative, matriachal societies that come together to defend each other against threats (Orcas, for example), re-acquainting themeselves with each other by touch. New favourite animal? 100%.</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jo6fqMT8_Bs?si=QSVuj3rHpinqMcXn" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQxmxR0DbWIoiGi7YYETwjkWo2nPcbQbKTErXb9aEiWtdHlPEnyIMmI9zepL6tGuXyiR2bb4x2IdogRyTNo4Cv7MWKzhDtxzaQAZzQfP3iQBHvVtwyNHNpQ56C1txK_3H-FqWTOFpNQqWcBjCaP7samGz1FEf1FLElPF2vHSdqzZ_YBi_traYEkeTxaU/s3000/eKN6A9495.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQxmxR0DbWIoiGi7YYETwjkWo2nPcbQbKTErXb9aEiWtdHlPEnyIMmI9zepL6tGuXyiR2bb4x2IdogRyTNo4Cv7MWKzhDtxzaQAZzQfP3iQBHvVtwyNHNpQ56C1txK_3H-FqWTOFpNQqWcBjCaP7samGz1FEf1FLElPF2vHSdqzZ_YBi_traYEkeTxaU/s600/eKN6A9495.jpg" width="600" /></a></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8O9R7YJntj8?si=3vMogWSgkzMhOBVd" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/09pBWLlVmqQ?si=tBJibObdAbJyz9AZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Mark James Pearsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11243356129679938013noreply@blogger.com