Scarborough Field

Naturalists’ Society

Founded 1889

May 2012

 

Mike Pearson has sent in some more photos.

Bullfinch

 

Blackcap, whitethroat

 

And a night heron at sunset

 

John Hume has posted a few updates:-

A green hairstreak butterfly has survived all the cold, wet weather on Brown Rigg Moor, on the 8th, maybe the same one initially seen at the end of March (see below).

At Castlebeck Woods he came across a complete skeleton of a roe deer

 

In Forge Valley and Yedmandale Woods, on the 16th, there were a number of flowers showing well, including bluebells, early purple orchid, herb paris

 

Herb robert, forget me not, speedwell

 

 

Red campion, stitchwort, wood avens

And birds nest orchid was just coming into flower

 

At Filey Dams, on the 11th, there was a fox and cub, the former having caught one of the many swallows that were flying about.

 

 

Ian Glaves reports ‘There was a nice Northern Wheatear female at Seamer Tip Pool area this morning (16th) It was quite a big, upright bird, which makes me think it could be the Greenland race passing through’.

At the same site, a nice male Reed Bunting posed on a very un-reed like gate. A picture of a female taken in Norfolk gives a better impression of true habitat.

At the weir in Forge Valley, a pair of Grey Wagtails is showing well. Just park by the roadside and watch from the car. They were both out together, which suggests the female is not sitting on eggs yet. She was content to sit on a log and preen

A drive up Crosscliff gave fleeting views of a male Common Redstart, but I was unable to re-locate it. However, in the nearby field, a Mistle Thrush was feeding. Normally they are shy, but this one was quite confiding

 

 

Trevor and Sue Beere have sent in an update on their badgers, ‘My badger has been visiting regularly for supper each evening as you know.   I ascertained it was a she because it was obvious that she was feeding babies.  I did not expect to see the fabulous site last night about 11 p.m.  We were looking out of the kitchen window and in came the badger with my best dream  3 cubs.  They stayed for some 15 minutes rolling around, feeding and playing.  I suspect that our badger was an outcast initially and that is why we used to see her in daylight and managed to capture on the mobile phone.  I am waiting for an upgraded night camera.  I am very protective of our woodland creatures and need to be vigilant now.  Of all our garden visitations - this was magical.

 

Mike Pearson had this chiffchaff singing in his garden at Flamborough

Pauline Popely was in Langdale Forest on the 2nd and in a small pond discovered some amorous newts.

 

 

John Hume couldn’t resist another photo of the tawny owl.

 

 

April 2012

 

John Hume went to Forge Valley and photographed wood anemone, wild garlic, herb paris, jew’s ear fungus (I think), early purple orchid, toothwort, violets, marsh marigold, green hellebore, skylark, lapwing and chiffchaff.

 

 

 

 

In his garden over the weekend (21st and 22nd) the tawny owl was roosting in the trees.

 

 

 

 

 

Louise Thompson says ‘I was walking in a wet sheep meadow (Hutton Buscel) today (21st)when I came across about 20 freshly opened pheasant eggs in a small area - I presume the work of a fox. In the same field I saw a flock of 50+ fieldfares which landed in trees before flying off. Also seen a linnet and blackcap’

 

Trisha Scott reports ‘This morning (Thursday 19th April) saw a possible Woodcock flying over Sainsbury's car park. I say "possible", as at first, I thought that it was a pigeon or a Collared Dove, but I noticed that it had faster wing beats, and as it turned and flew off side-on, a long straight bill was also noticeable. I may be wrong with the identification, but maybe someone else saw it in the area? (The only other Woodcock that I have seen was one flushed from undergrowth, so I was able to get a better view of that one!)
Our own feeders are still being visited by several pairs of Starlings, a pair of Jackdaws, who enjoy the fatballs, and the occasional Blue Tit. Goldfinches continue to be rather thin on the ground, with just the odd one or two coming to feed on the niger seed. A couple of weeks ago however, I observed four of them in the tree, being kept from the niger by a seemingly psychotic Blue Tit!! Two other interesting birds and a first in my little patch, were Rooks. They didn't feed, but were in the tree for several minutes before flying off. Not sure where the nearest rookery is to Falsgrave?

 

Louise Thompson says ‘Today (18th April) I walked from Hutton Buscel to Forge Valley returning via Yedmandale. I found lots of rain and mud but also 42 species of plants in flower. These included red campion, greater stitchwort, bugle, early purple orchid, wood goldilocks, toothwort and crosswort.’

Photo of toothwort

 

Tim Burkinshaw reports from the Carrs Wetland project.

 

17th April late afternoon Folkton Bridge 8 swallows. Flotmanby Carr  2 roe deer, 2 brown hares, fox scat and mink droppings. 2 singing Willow warblers, I buff tailed bumblebee. Generally, many of the sluiced ditches on wetland farm sites have been marked by Otter spraint,  e.g. especially at Star Carr, Cayton Carr and Flixton Carr. A plank bridge near water level on Cayton Carr had possible water vole droppings a few weeks ago, unfortunately I did not have a camera. A reliable place for Otter spraint is under Flixton Bridge for those who have never seen it. Also the confluence of Black Dike drain with Hertford Cut at Star Carr where I took this picture.

16th Apr  Staxton Carr - a Snipe has been regularly seen in wet ground west of Staxton Carr lane. This area also frequented by a pair of Curlew with a territory extending to Willerby Carr pastures to the west where I counted 7 prs of Lapwing, (at least 4  birds appeared to be sitting on nests). This area also holds 2 prs Greylag, 1-2prs Mallard and I saw 2 linnets. 2 meadow pipits and heard a Willow warbler by the railway . The level of standing water and scrapes is currently very good on Willerby Carr, thanks to a pipe sluice and the rainfall, the picture was late March.

 

The large cow shed on Ings Lane Staxton has over 20 nest boxes on or built into its eastern end. Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, Starling and 2 prs Stock Dove are already nesting.

 

This showery weather must be improving prospects for Song thrush, which seems to be an event to see one nowadays. I had one in a field at Ings Lane Staxton on Monday and another this morning by the road verge in Yedingham. Do they fare any better in suburban gardens than rural farmland I wonder.

 

Trevor and Sue Beere have told us about the wildlife in their garden.

I am a member of the north riding badger trust and I am lucky enough to have a garden teeming with all manner of wildlife. I have foxes, squirrels, robins, – a visiting pheasant, tits, finches etc., etc., I am very fortunate to have a badger that visits us for supper most evenings – and of course foxes – we have also Deer in the copse behind us. Magpie, rooks, crows and so on. Oh and a little shrew! As you can imagine – my woodland garden (where I feed my creatures) is largely for them! and is consequently - quite natural and so sustains wildlife. I also have bats, owls frogs and newts. I don’t need to go anywhere! the only thing I can honestly say I haven’t seen is hedgehog. I have a night vision camera that gives me hours of fun.

 

Currently the badger is visiting between 11.00p.m and midnight – but has been here earlier. We are unsure as to whether or not this badger lives in the outlier or main sett . Some people regard squirrels as vermin – I do not and have the babies visiting a the moment. When the badger first visited we were concerned as to whether or not it was hurt or had been cast out by a clan because it was daylight! but it was very healthy and active. We have a night vision camera that we watch more than the tv! I am hoping to get more pics or videos. Any genuine people would be very welcome but there are no guarantees of a siting on any one night. The badger has now established that he has supper and the fox(s) take what’s left. My daughter was lucky enough to see the badger last night and was absolutely thrilled. My grandson has now seen the badger 3 times and we are all members of the badger group and check the sett regularly. I am told that the probable reason for my lack of hedgehogs is my badger and fox visitors. The deer can surprise us at anytime i.e 5.00a.m. or it can be 1.00a.m.   I am currently logging times of visits and thankfully they are before midnight and not 2, 3 and 4 in the morning! The badger is not at all bothered about our outside lighting, whereas the fox remains wary. My husband has seen 2 fox cubs playing on the back wall. I would say the badger is viewed by us from our window as closely as 5 ft! I will keep you updated.

 

 

 

 

Field Trip to Langdale Forest & May Moss, 14th April 2011

Leader,  Brian Walker

 

Despite being a cold and occasionally damp day 14 members met at the entrance to Langdale Forest on West Side Road not far from Birch Hall for a tour of the forest.

 

The first stop was just north of Warsman Head where the group were able to look across Hipperley Beck to Maw Rigg.  Brian explained the terms used to describe the different stages in forest growth and talked about the archaeology of the area.

 

The second stop was near to the Bronze Age burial mound of Bracken Howe.  The group walked down to a small mire at the head of Hipperley Beck recently exposed by forest operations.  The group examined recent work carried out by the Forestry Commission to install wooden ‘dams’ in the streams and drains to slow down the flow of water and allow Sphagnum and other bog species to reclaim the site.

 

The group then moved to Robin Hoods Spring on the south side of May Moss where 70ha of forest are being returned to bog and heath.  Monitoring equipment in Long Grain was seen and Brian explained that the sensor recorded water depth, turbidity (cloudiness) and ph.  Three different species of Polytrichum moss were seen, P. formosum and P.juniperinum by the roadside with large mounds of P. commune very visible down Long Grain.

 

The final stop of the day was at May Moss where the group walker out onto the bog.  Caterpillars of a northern eggar moth were seen.  A red grouse was put up and despite the cold weather a juvenile adder was basking and a common lizard was recovered from a very cold pool where it must have darted in panic.  Cranberry with berries on was examined.

 

Other wildlife noted during the day included, crossbills, siskins, chaffinch, blackbird, song and mistle thrushes and a single kestrel over Hipperley Beck.  Several roe deer were seen, on West Side Road, near Bracken Howe and near Broad Head.

 

 

The group at Warsman Head: the head of Hipperely Beck: marsh violet

 

May Moss, northern eggar caterpillar, common lizard, cranberries and an interesting lichen.

 

 

 

And if all else fails why not bring your own!!!

 

 

Mike Pearson has sent in three photos of birds at Forge Valley, and one of a grey squirrel

 

 

Trisha Scott says that ‘Last Thursday morning, whilst walking through town, I came across a couple of Herring Gulls, just outside Ryman's stationers, having a real set-to, with one bird, who was having the worst of the brawl, pinned under its opponent, who was gripping the other's shoulder with its bill. They were totally oblivious to anyone or anything nearby. I thought I'd try and split them up, and pushed at them gently with my foot, which resulted in the one being bitten on the shoulder having a go at my foot! (Fortunately, it had no effect through my trainer!) They then carried on with their unseemly battle, before another push with my foot finally seemed to make them decide to call it off, which they did, both flying off in different directions!
Starlings and the occasional Blue Tit have been coming to our feeders, along with a Jackdaw, which has been enjoying the fat balls. Goldfinches have been present, mostly in the sycamore tree, and have shown little interest in the niger seed provided for them, unlike previously, when they have flocked to it. (I can't help wondering whether this may be due to the fact that the seed dispenser is all but impossible to clean properly, and there may be some tainting of the seed inside of it. I have now bought a new one, and hopefully, the Goldfinches will be back.) Several House Sparrows also in the tree, some collecting white feathers from next door's pigeon loft, for nesting material. The Sparrows rarely visit the feeders, except when they have young. The Tree Sparrow we had last autumn has not returned since.

 

 

March 2012

 

Belinda Robson reports ‘Nest-building has started with a vengeance in my garden, with three pairs of house-sparrows occupying nest-boxes, two of which are adjacent to each other, tree-sparrows in a fourth box, and investigating a fifth, a blackbird building in a beech hedge, and a wren seen with nesting material in its beak. The pair of herring-gulls on my neighbour's chimney-pots last year seem to have taken up residence again. It has been a good week for butterflies with several Small tortoise-shells, a Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood and male Brimstone. Warm days, however, mean cold nights, but several species of moths have visited the trap including Small Quaker, Water Carpet, Shoulder-stripe, Diurnea fagella, Agonopterix ocellana and Agonopterix heracliana. A Chiff-chaff has been singing in the garden on three consecutive days, and the pond is very well supplied with frog-spawn Ladybirds are abundant, and there are large numbers of Honey Bees, Bumble Bees, queen Wasps and Drone Flies. All in all the end of March has seemed more like summer for numbers of insects and wildlife generally.’

 

Comma, Water carpet and small quaker

 

 

Diurnea fagella, speckled wood and shoulder stripe

 

 

Belinda Robson has been exploring Throxenby Mere and came across lots of wildflowers,

Hawthorn, barren strawberry, blackthorn, cuckoo pint, dandelion, green alkanet, honesty, round-leaved speedwell, sallow, violets and wood anemone.

 

 

 

 

 

Ian Glaves reports ‘There have been two Common Cranes on Ruston Carr for the last few days, feeding on a field seeded with corn just to the south-west of Ruston Carr bridge. The birds feed in the morning and evening, and spend the middle of the day on private land at Potter Brompton Carr. One bird is almost full adult, and the other somewhat younger, showing more brown in it's plumage, and less well marked around the head. The birds are quite flighty, so viewing from the adjacent road is advised. Also in the same area, in the evening, a Short-eared Owl is patrolling the hedgerows.

 

 

John Hume went into Castlebeck Woods, Harwood Dale, were he saw a fine display of wild daffodils. The male tawny owl was back in the horse chestnut tree at the bottom of his garden. He wonders if it is trying to get a female to nest there.

 

Kathy and Steve Bushell ‘Yesterday (27th) we saw 5 buzzards on one column of thermals at Turgate plantation North of Allerston.  Today spotted a Goshawk taking off an adder from forest track just behind (West) of Givendale Head Farm’

 

John Hume went to Brown Rigg (on the 27th), behind the Flask Inn, to see if there was any sign of the green hairstreak butterfly yet. It seemed to be rather early, but with the warm sunshine there was always the possibility. He was rewarded with one very flighty individual.

 

A dishevelled peacock butterfly and a common lizard were also seen.

He also had a tawny owl in his back garden last night (26th).

 

John Hume paid a quick visit to Forge Valley this afternoon (26th) and photographed primroses, violets, wood sorrel, wood anemones, marsh marigolds and butterbur.

 

Also seen was a greater spotted woodpecker, blue tits, great tits and a buzzard over Hackness.

 

Kathy and Steve Bushell saw a pair of nuthatches  in a large old tree next to St Margaret's church ruin in Harwood Dale on the 23rd.

 

Mike Pearson has seen male and female stonechat (breeding), skylark, and a wheatear on migration at Flamborough.

 

Louise Thompson reports ‘15 whooper swans spent the morning in a corn field on 16/3 just north of Hutton Buscel.

I walked from Hutton Buscel to Forge Valley today (18/3) and spotted 18 species of wild flowers blooming-including primroses,wood anemones,sweet violets,golden saxifrage.marsh marigolds and a good size patch of green hellebore. Spotted one butterfly -a red admiral. Also saw scarlet elf cup fungi in the woods.’

 

Tim Burkinshaw has sent in an update on the Carrs. ‘this morning (16th) at Flixton Carr, a sluiced ditch on Mr Chapman's west of Flixton Carr lane, with a decent standing water body held frogspawn and a number of toads. A new clump of water violet appears to be in the ditch too, a new site possibly brought in on ducks' feet?

I counted about 24 clumps of frog spawn, and 8 common toads, but no toad spawn yet.

Another drainage ditch parallel to the Hertford to the east held 21 toads, some mating, but also no spawn. I also found an otter slide and some old spraint where this ditch outfalls to the Hertford. Recent cleaning by the IDB has made it very clear to see toads on the peaty bed.

8 brown hares were on Flixton Carr together with 53 lapwing feeding on spring tillage (Woodhouse Farm) and at least 3 prs displaying. Recently a local person reported 3 mink on this stretch of the Hertford and an active fox den is also present on Cayton Carr between wet grassland fields and these are a major concern for ground nesting birds on the restored fields.

 

Belinda Robson has caught another two moth species, Early Grey and Early Thorn

 

John Hume walked along the cliff path (on the 11th) and saw a small tortoishell butterfly just north of the Long Nab lookout point, a patch of stitchwort at Cloughton Wyke and wild daffodils in the woodland between Cloughton and Hayburn Wkyes. Skylarks were singing in the fields along the path.

In his garden a couple of weeks ago there was this little bank vole.

 

 

Paul Richardson writes in to  report ‘sighted my first skylark of the year (11th) singing and flying over the rugby pitches at Silver Royd Rugby Club, Scalby. Its probably not unusual but its my earliest.’

 

Belinda Robson says ‘the best night for moths so far this year on the night of the 9th. I had 17 moths in the trap -six species, including these three (dotted border, common quaker and clouded drab). Also had two Small Tortoiseshell butterflies in the garden and my first queen wasp today (March 10th).’

 

Steve Bushell reports seeing ‘ a male hen harrier coasting over farmland between Snainton and Cockmoor Hall at 8a.m. March 9th. Saw it again at 4pm same day north of Malton Cote Farm. Also Little Owl seen in Campers Field on way to Ebberston Common Farm 9.30pm March 8

 

Mike Pearson has sent in some beautiful shots of a starling.

 

Kathy Bushell reports ‘Yesterday  (5th)was a good day for seeing things form my car! Saw a stoat just north of Givendale Head farm at about 8am. Then in the evening we saw a barn owl fly over the main road just East of Brompton on the main road. And 2 hares on the road between Snainton and Cockmoor Hall.’

 

John Hume visited Seamer Road Mere and saw a red crested pochard and great crested grebes among the canada geese, coots, moorhens etc.The grebes were having a half-hearted attempt at courtship. A Mediterranean gull was seen at Holbeck.

 

Belinda Robson has caught some more moths, Hebrew Character, Brindled Pug and Satellite

 

Mike Pearson, at Flamborough has also been catching moths, in this case a chestnut moth.

 

Tim Burkinshaw  has sent in his latest report from the Carrs.

‘Supervising wetland groundworks, I have spent time on Staxton Carr this week.

On 1st March counted 40 house sparrows in thorn hedge on Ings Lane, just opposite the Staxton School. With the colony of Tree Sparrows at the barns a little way down the lane, this is a key place for both LBAP species.

I have also enjoyed first signs of territorial waders, with Lapwing displaying and Curlew calling over Willerby Carr Lane. A male Yellowhammer and Reed bunting singing in hedges and ditches around Ings Lane. New scrapes are slowly filling by seepage but are still much lower than we would like to see.

1st March during an afternoon check at Potter Brompton Carr spotted a female Peregrine near Bogg Hall. Same visit I saw first Common toad of the year in a reed bed pond beside the railway and fresh remains of another which may have fallen victim to the Brown Rat I encountered on a ditch side some 100m downstream’.

 

 

February 2012

 

Stephen and Kathy Bushell saw a male adder sunbathing at Rosekirkdale.

 

Belinda Robson writes in to say ‘Spring arrived very suddenly in my garden today (Feb 28th). After a very long spell of inactivity, everything seemed to come to life, and what a pleasure it was. There was the first sign of frogs in the pond, and there seemed to be plenty of them, judging by the amount of noise and disturbance to the water. The rockery was teeming with insects, in particular the winter-flowering heather, which was literally buzzing with honey bees -far too many to count, drone-flies, bumble-bees, several small hover-flies, and dozens of 7-spot ladybirds. Every heather plant had its ladybirds. Presumably they had hibernated among the foliage. Celandines were out for the first time in the garden, and red dead-nettle was much in evidence. Bird-song was wonderful too with wren, dunnock, robin, great-tit and chaffinch to name but a few. I was particularly pleased to hear a song-thrush singing, as there have been none seen here for months. Two moths were caught in the last week - Early Moth and Emmelina Monodactyla. Also a March moth. With the Garden Moth Scheme recommencing on Friday, I am hoping that this mild spell will continue for a while, so that more species will be on the wing.’

John Hume, on the 28th, walked along the old railway line from Scarborough to Hayburn Wyke and back along the cliff path. Along the way he recorded lesser celandine in flower, the first truely wild primroses (on the cliffs near Cloughton Wyke), a small tortoiseshell butterfly between Cloughton and Hayburn Wyke, long-tailed tits at Hayburn Wyke, a goldfinch, chaffinch, wren, robins, blue tits and loads of ladybirds. Skylarks were singing in the fields along the cliff path.

 

 

John Hume visited the red kite roost on the Wolds on the 19th and ‘shot’ a number of birds!!

On the 26th he visited the Carrs below West Ayton and filmed the hares, there were also a lot of skylarks in the fields singing merrily away. At Hilla Green there was a quick sighting of a dipper. At the bird feeding car park in Forge Valley there was a large number of woodland birds present; chaffinch, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, coal tit, robin, nuthatch, treecreeper, and blackbird.

A walk through Raincliffe Woods showed that spring is on its way, with hazel catkins and coltsfoot in flower. Another sign of spring is that the primroses on Peasholm Island are now flowering as well.

 

Stephen Bushell reports ‘On Thursday Feb 23rd I saw a male sparrowhawk at Wilton hunting amongst the traffic and eventually setting on a garden hedge. On Friday the 24th a female sparrowhawk crossed the road going up to Givendale Head Farm out of Chafer Woods Ebberston.
A heron is around Hern Head at the top of Troutsdale (Feb 19-25th)
Flock of goldfinches (about 10) on grazings at the top of Troutsdale near Fen.
4 Common Buzzards playing over Rosekirkdale afternoon of Feb 25th.
Also possible sighting of Jack Snipe in Troutsdale Fen Monday Feb 19th, but cannot confirm.’
 

Tim Burkinshaw has sent in his latest report from the Carrs.

‘On Folkton carr yesterday afternoon(23 Feb) while checking wet grassland stewardship fields (which are very short of water for the time of year) I encountered 9 Common Snipe in a wet flush and 5 Skylark on one farm site where ditch levels have been held by sluices all winter so although standing water is absent the water table is close to the surface. A couple of fresh Otter spraint marked one of the sluices and a Brown Hare was also present. A small Lapwing flock (12) passed over and and a Curlew called from fields to the west.

Also on Folkton Carr, an adjoining farm which has just raised its water sluices had 2 Grey Partridge and a Wheatear, then as dusk fell a Woodcock and as I left a Barn Owl which took a vole and alighted on a fence post to eat.

Generally the Carrs are very short of the splashy surface standing water that waders and wildfowl are attracted to, after an exceptionally dry year, but re-wetting is very promising at Potter Brompton at the moment and also some full scrapes at Willerby Carr thanks to a sluiced ditch there. Those fields dependent on rain fed ditches to re-wet for breeding waders are faring less well, but new groundworks (sluice installation and wader scrape excavation) is underway on three farms in the Wetland Project area.

 

Ian Glaves reports ‘The Peregrines are active on the Castle Headland now with the pair bonding for the coming season, and looking for a nest site.

Crossbills in Wykeham Forest yesterday (17th) are already nesting, and this male was watching his mate from this perch whilst she fed on the ground.

Nuthatches are also actively seeking mates and their calls can be heard easily at the Forge Valley car park.

These two Greater Black-backed Gulls were fighting over a dead fish in the harbour yesterday. Eventually one won and swallowed it whole. Does anyone know what species of fish it is?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both Mike Pearson, at Flamborough and Janette Draper at East Ayton have had fieldfare sightings on the 10th and 11th.

 

John Hume finally managed to get a decent photograph of a bullfinch on the 10th on the old railway track at Scalby. There were 2 males and 2 females. Also a greenfinch and a robin.

 

 

Callum McPherson, one of the organisers of SHrUBs at the University in Scarborough, reports ‘Me and Robert (Drummond-Smith) went out this morning (05/02/2012) for a walk along Queen Margaret's Road, onto Seamer Road then up Edge Dell and the footpath up there and over past GCHQ in the snow. We saw a variety of birds; blue, great and coal tits, robins and dunnocks. However our favorite were 4 treecreepers, 2 on the mount side of Queen Margaret's Road and then 2 next to the Ford dealership on Seamer Road (see photos) as it was a first for us.

Up from Edge Dell road we also saw 3 roe deer from the footpath, however there was still thick mist in the dell so I couldn't get a good photo.

 

 

 

John Hume had a drive round some  of the back lanes below Ayton, Brompton and Snainton

On the 3rd. Hares were visible on a number of fields, two kestrels were seen. At Brompton Low Hall the winter aconites are out, along with snowdrops and some, presumably, garden daffodils. Two flocks of fieldfare were seen between Brompton and Snainton and there was also a short-eared owl. More hares were seen on fields on North Moor Road up from Wykeham.

 

 

 

Tim Burkinshaw writes ‘Last Saturday (28th Jan)in Low Marishes area I got a great view of a long eared owl (pic) and five roe deer on rough grassland adjacent to the Derwent.  

 

Star Carr (1st Feb) today had 2 grey partridge, Brown hare and lots of molehills, probably at least 500 across the 40 acre site.Water levels are still low as everywhere on the Carrs with only a small amount in the centre of the two large scrapes (pic) Encouragingly the middle ditch, benefitting from reprofiling, fencing and a soil bund in HLS is holding water all year now, with a range of water weeds appearing in very clear water. Phragmites is expanding nicely up the graded slope doubling the width of this stand. Any botanists may be interested to tell me what aquatics are in the ditches  - theres a patch of water crowfoot I think half way along which wasn't there before and other interesting arrivals’

January 2012

 

Jane Payne reports seeing a garden slug on the 13th.

 

Trisha Scott of Falsgrave writes in to say ‘ I have seen very few Sparrowhawks over the past twelve months, but today (17th) we had a surprise sighting of a female. We live in a second floor flat, and this afternoon, when I answered a knock on the door, the lady from the top floor informed me that there was a bird caught up in the netting above her flat. She thought that it was "some sort of hawk" as it had what looked like a hooked bill. I went upstairs to check it out, and there, fluttering around between her window and the netting, was a very fine female Sparrowhawk, a little agitated, obviously, but it didn't appear to be injured. Calls to various bodies, the RSPCA, the Fire Brgade and the managing agents for the building were made, and eventually, a builder turned up, checked the situation, then went to fetch his ladder. He returned a few minutes later to find that the Hawk had flown (I understand that it had been stranded for about two hours by then) leaving behind a pigeon carcase!! I can only assume that it had flown through a hole in the netting after the pigeon, and was unable to escape afterwards, that is, until its rescue was imminent!! Other than this little episode, we have had very few birds at our feeders, apart from the occasional Goldfinch, Starlings and Blue Tits.’

 

Tim Bircumshaw writes in to say ‘ On 16th Jan I visited Flotmanby Carr to inspect new scrapes which are partly excavated in the wet grassland creation fields. Sluice construction is planned shortly on ditches serving these Carr fields of Lingholm Farm. As dusk fell I encountered 2 brown hares and 9 grey partridge as well as 4 Roe deer and a buzzard in rough set aside land adjacent. 4 curlew came in, calling, silhouetted against the last glow of the sky. In the dark as I drove away past Folkton Manor by the Hunmanby turn off the distinctive shape of a Tawny owl caught my eye in a roadside tree.A site visit to Haybridge, Ganton at the Hertford / Derwent confluence on 18th Jan revealed fresh otter spraint and prints at the confluence and under both bridges nearby. 3 brown hares shared a field with 7 greylags south of the Hertford, while a mixed finch flock were in and out of a wild bird seed crop. I counted 40 greenfinch, 30 chaffinch, 10 linnets and a couple of goldfinch. Meanwhile on the Hertford a little grebe, 2 moorhen, 13 mallard and 3 teal were disturbed. I was surprised to find a song thrush anvil in the edge of a winter wheat field, pictured. A sparrowhawk took off from riparian alders on the Derwent and a pair of Buzzards were perched on fence 500m west, in field 1215. At Bogg Hall Barns on my way out 6 Tree sparrows and 2 fine male Bullfinches added to the tally.’

 

 

Belinda Robson in Newby has been running her moth trap over the relatively warm nights and has captured  Winter Moth, Chestnut and Dark Chestnut

 

 

 

December

The last report for 2011 is from Belinda Robson who reports that ‘I  celebrated (Xmas) by looking for Winter Heliotrope at Church Becks , Scalby, and found masses of it in flower, plus quite a few daisies. Also of interest during the last two days were a Dark Chestnut moth one night and a Satellite (my first ever) the second night. I wasn't going to put the trap out until March, but the mild weather tempted me. Somehow, though, you don't expect to find a new moth on Christmas Eve!

 

Winter Heliotrope and satellite moth

 

 

Mike  Pearson at Flamborough has sent in images of a common buzzard and a short eared owl

 

 

 

 

John Hume had a flurry of commotion in his back garden this morning (5th) and for the first time managed to grab a shot of the culprit, a sparrowhawk.

 

November

 

Tim Burkshinshaw has sent in an update on the Cayton and Flixton Carrs Wetland Project

‘I saw a load of shaggy inkcaps recently at Star Carr field on the grassland. I counted about 30 on 6th Oct, then by 5th Nov there were 150 in several large rings. Not seen them there before. Also large roost of great black backed and herring gulls on the wing, west of the tip near Star Carr.

 

Wetland scrapes across the farm sites are refilling with autumn rains (eg pic of Manor Farm Willerby Carr on the 2nd Nov). I recorded at least two Common Snipe and a Marsh Tit whilst I was there plus a Corn Bunting was perched on telegraph wires near the farm house.

We now have over 200 temporary ponds and scrapes created on farms between Ganton and Muston through the Wetland Project, and still counting. Varying in area from 8 -2000 square metres the total now tops 5 hectares (50,000m2 or half a million square feet in old money!) Other recently reported sightings from the Carrs include Green Sandpiper and large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover between Binnington and Marishes. ‘

 

 

 

 

John Hume walked around the North and South Bays in Scarborough on the 9th. Sightings included flocks of widgeon at Scalby Mills, the peregrines on  the headland, red throated diver, great crested grebe and turnstones in the harbour.

 

Nick Addey of Scarborough Birders reports ‘Two White-beaked Dolphins went north past Long Nab today (6th). Harbour Porpoises have been almost daily there this summer/autumn, mostly less than five daily but up to 20 in a day. Steve Wignill saw a Minke Whale and a Dolphin sp on 17th July.’

 

Belinda Robson in Newby continues to catch moths in her garden moth trap

Silver y, Emmelina monodactyla and december moth

 

Dark Chestnut, feathered thorn and spruce carpet

 

November moth agg., angle shades and large wainscot

 

Mike Pearson Flamborough is continuing ringing birds and also capturing moths.

 

Black redstart, firecrest and snow bunting

 

Treecreeper

 

Chalk carpet (only the 3rd record for Yorkshire since 1999), november moth agg, and feathered thorn

 

 

October

 

Ian Glaves  -Here is a picture for the website of one of the two olive backed pipits that were at Filey Country Park today and yesterday. This one was sick and may not survive. The other wasn't and flew away! It's a Siberian breeder that's lost it's way south to southern Asia. The little dark patch on the ear, the white supercilium and the slightly olive coloured back feathers are diagnostic.

 

John Hume paid a visit to Low North Camp in Harwood Dale to photograph the autumn colours

 

 

But also found a slime mould and a southern hawker dragonfly

 

 

Mike Pearson has sent in some updates from Flamborough and the Yorkshire Wolds.

Green-brindled crescent and male and female brindled ochre moths

 

Red-flanked bluetail, a scruffy bullfinch, sparrowhawk and yellow browed warbler

 

And finally red kites

 

 

Belinda Robson has sent in some more photos of moths from her garden trap in Newby

Green-brindled ranunculus,  feathered ranunculus and FR-hiding

 

Yellow line quaker, brimstone and rusty dot pearl

 

Final photos is of a caddis fly larva.

 

 

Janet Ford reports that there were 50+ RED ADMIRALS on Ivy flowers,public footpath off North Street,Flixton on the 2nd Oct

 

Ian Glaves The Black-tailed Godwit in summer plumage was taken at Seamer Tip Pool on 20th August, the Spotted Redshank also at STP on 1st Sept. There have been quite a few Ruff at Filey Dams - I took these yesterday (1st Oct), and the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Long Nab by the Coastguard Hut yesterday. There have been a lot of B-b S's in the country, mainly on the west side, blown over from America by the recent hurricane. It's rare to get one on the east coast.

Black-tailed godwit, spotted redshank, ruff

 

Buff breasted sandpiper

 

 

September

 

 

John Hume had a walk (30th) along Outgang Lane at Thornton Dale, back down Whitecliffe Rigg and ended up at Pexton Ponds. A much more rewarding day then yesterday (see below).

Plenty of red admiral butterflies, a speckled wood and a brimstone.

 

There was a pair of buzzards, a flock of crossbills, flocks of goldfinch, a small flock of long-tailed tits and a couple of great tits.

At Pexton ponds there were a number of southern hawker and common hawker dragonflies flying around, but none settling to be photographed. A common darter, however, did pose for the camera. There were still many grass of parnassus in flower, but evidence that there had been a lot more.

 

 

John Hume walked along the River Derwent from Langdale End to Low North Camp and back through the Langdale Forest (29th). It was a disappointing day wildlife speaking. Only things of note a dead shrew (possibly pygmy) and some fly agaric

 

Mike Pearson has sent in another report from East Yorkshire

Male stonechat, lapwing

 

And the following moths;

Beaded chestnut, black rustic, brick

 

Centre-barred sallow, dusky-lemon sallow , orange sallow and pink-barred sallow

 

 

Trisha Scott reports ‘Today, 28th September, seen at our own feeding post (outside our lounge window) - 1 Jackdaw, which was feeding from the fat ball feeder (we had seen 2 of these birds over the past few days, apparently working out how to get to the fat!) At least 6 Goldfinches on the niger feeder. I was glad to get these back after re-siting the feeder, out of the way of the feral pigeons which had been taking advantage of the free food. (I refuse to feed these pests!!)  There appeared two family groups of Goldfinches, as there was quite a bit of squabbling over the seed, with 2 or 3 of the birds being driven off by a display of yellow wing bar flashing!! 1 Blue Tit, which came for a bath in the water which we provide in an improvised drinker-cum-bird bath. 3 or 4 House Sparrows, which fed on the fat balls and the mealworms. The prize sighting though has to be a Tree Sparrow, feeding on the fat balls. That is a first for our lounge viewing area, and it is certainly one of the shyest birds we have had visiting. Hopefully it will return.’

 

Belinda Robson says ‘ I agree about the large numbers of ladybirds this year. I have several tall Nicotiana plants which have been covered in them. Two days ago I counted 13 on one plant -all 7-spots. Here are a few moths, a butterfly or two all together, and a very small frog. There are at least 3 Speckled Woods resident at the top of my garden still.’ She has also sent in these photographs;

 

Blair’s Shoulder-Knot, silver Y and green carpet moths

 

Centre-barred sallows, straw dot and sallow moths

 

A tiny frog, small tortoiseshells and red admiral and a comma butterfly.

 

 

John Hume visited Bempton Cliffs and photographed even more ladybirds (!), a small tortoiseshell butterfly and some gannets.

 

And had a wonderful sight of a kestrel on the way back

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roe deer

 

A neighbour of Belinda Robson brought her this caterpillar of an elephant hawk moth

 

 

Tim Burkinshaw - This morning (1st Sept)I had site visits at Staxton Carr bridge and Flixton Bridge/ Star Carr.

At Staxton carr I saw a kingfisher along R. Hertford and curlew or possibly whimbrel calling. Also Yellow wagtail calling but couldn't see it to confirm. Buzzard over Willerby Carr. Late morning a female Marsh Harrier was quartering over Flixton Carr, at Star Carr almost certainly a Whimbrel  plus Snipe on a ditch. Again possible Yellow wagtail calling? Also on Star Carr ditches were blue tailed damselfly, common darter, froglets and toadlets and flowering plants included purple loosestrife, fingered sedge and water figwort. Common reed is colonising well on reprofiled ditch sides, some water now in scrapes due to very high river levels, but EA machine is at Staxton, working upriver clearing north side weed growth, so this may be short lived. A colony of Water Violet is now established at Flixton Bridge in the North Delph drain, resulting from a transplant of this LBAP species from ditch cleanings at Folkton Bridge in the spring.