DAVID'S BLOG

24 AUGUST 2009

WASP SPIDER HEAVEN………………and HELL

I was delighted – and amazed - when Graeme Smith announced that he’d found a huge ‘colony’ of Wasp Spiders at Southern Country Park, St. Michael’s Mead, Bishop’s Stortford comprising in the region of 60 plus spiders – almost all concentrated along three sides of an enclosed field. It was a massively important site, at least for Hertfordshire.

When I visited the site on 24^th August I found a total of 80 individuals, I was in my element, and although it was difficult to actually obtain some good photographs – due to the vagaries of the terrain and the fact that (as has been the case for most of the year) there was a substantially strong westerly wind, I persevered and did the best I could.

So, when Graeme also announced a few days later that the entire site had been decimated – the whole enclosure had been removed, fences and all and the grass mown – it was a devastating blow. I rather imagine that the info about the spiders had been received too late to prevent the work taking place – and maybe it was merely a lack of communication between the Park authorities and the working party concerned. But it was a great disappointment.

Here is a small example of the photos obtained before the site was obliterated!!

NORTHUMBERLAND 30 MAY – 5 JUNE

It was 2003 when I last visited this part of the UK; the highlight on that occasion being a visit to the Farne Islands to see the seabird colonies.

This second visit was planned basically as a two-tier holiday: 1 - to revisit the Farnes and make a first visit Bempton Cliffs in North E Yorkshire; not only to see the superb seabird colonies again, but to attempt to get some better photographs given that I had recently up-graded my camera to a Canon 450D – the potential for some excellent shots was obvious, and possibly with a little additional birdwatching thrown in for good measure; and 2 – a photographic assignment if you like – to endeavour to obtain some interesting atmospheric shots of Holy Island; Bamburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle.

Gary Raven and I had rented a small cottage in the village of Beadnell, just 3 miles or so from Seahouses, from where one could take a boat out to the Farnes, assuming the weather conditions were favourable (which, fortunately they were); we’d actually planned to take two trips to the islands, though in fact it didn’t quite work out largely on the basis of cost (of which more later). There isn’t much to say about the cottage itself except that it was functional; yet good enough for our purposes.

Bamburgh Castle (near Beadnell)

Eiders offshore from Bamburgh

Lindisfarne - Holy Island

We’d heard that the weather forecast was good for the first few days, so on the off chance the forecast might be a touch awry (as some forecasts had been of late) we decided to take the first of our two planned trips to the Farne Islands, promptly booking a boat for Sunday, 31 May.

Unfortunately, we’d underestimated the costs involved – a 5 hour trip taking in the two main islands was £25 plus £5.80 ‘landing fee’ for each island (courtesy of the National Trust ……………it was free for members!). The reality of the situation was that making two trips was going to make a big dent in our finances, so we ditched the second planned trip.

Birdwatchers arriving on the Farnes; not our boat though!

The sea was glassy and blue, with hardly a swell – absolutely perfect conditions for sailing; the sky was as blue as blue could be with hardly a cloud, the sunlight strong – arguably less favourable conditions for photography it must be said. Yet the boat was full…………………… well, to be honest far too full for my liking (though doubtless within the relevant guidelines for safety etc); full of eager birdwatchers and photographers – and far too many of the latter were sporting ‘high-end’ digital cameras with accompanying ‘high-end’ telephoto lenses. The ‘competition’ was about to get fierce ………………….though really I wouldn’t be able to compete. But that wasn’t what it was all about was it? I guess I was kidding myself!!

Of course, it goes without saying that being right in amongst the seabird colonies – though to be fair far enough away from the birds in most cases to avoid disturbance (as the majority were nesting) – was an absolute privilege; yet because we were allowed a mere two hours on each island - first Staple Island and then Inner Farne - it was perhaps inevitable that the photography took precedence over the birdwatching as such. And so it was that almost an entire boatload (well probably several boatloads if the truth was known) was crowded around the puffins; the shags; the guillemots and razorbills with a view to getting the best possible shots with their available equipment. And Gary and I were no exception.

But it wasn’t exactly a breeze. For a start due to the extremely bright conditions, the lighting wasn’t the best it could have been – and in the vast majority of cases (at least on the main island) we were shooting directly into the sun. And then there was problem of the birds’ plumage – mostly white in the case of the Kittiwakes and terns; mostly dark crown, nape and back for the Auks such as puffins, guillemots, as well as the shags and cormorants. And add to that the degree of difficulty in getting a good or even half decent flight shot of puffins and the like, and maybe one begins to appreciate the problem.

I can only speak for Gary and myself, but really we could only begin to scratch the surface in getting decent shots of the birds given the prevailing conditions for photography. Yet in the final analysis we both fared reasonably well and gained some perfectly reasonable results, the average photographer would be pretty pleased with; though I guess it goes without saying that even then were weren’t entirely satisfied with our efforts – par for the course for the discerning club photographer.

The undoubted highlight came on Inner Farne, where we came up against sustained attacks from Arctic Terns, intent on protecting their territories at all cost (most birds were nesting close to or even directly on the paths we had access to); but no serious injuries ensued – except maybe for a serious dent in ones dignity! But it was a superb experience nonetheless.

A brief look at the Grey seal colonies both on the outward and return trip, together with an outlook on the seabird colonies as seen from the boat, gave the outing a additional twist; an excellent day all round.

The rest of the holiday was taken up with visiting various places of interest, including Holy Island; Bamburgh Castle; Dunstanburgh Castle and Anwick Castle but in all honesty none had the atmosphere we were attempting to achieve in our photography. Maybe this was due to the fine warm, sunny weather (with virtually cloudless skies throughout) and the additional problem posed by the large number of general tourists, but although we tried hard, we were never successful in obtaining any atmospheric shots we’d craved for – and what this holiday was largely about. It was hugely disappointing in that respect.

Near Dunstanburgh Castle - where a Quail was heard calling in the fields.

A balmy evening near Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunstanburgh Castle (with 'added' atmospheric sky)

A garden in Craster - near Dunstanburgh

On the final two days we visited Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay on the N Yorks coast - both of which were tiny communities full of character and potentially just what we needed for photographic purposes; yet once again we were thwarted in our efforts. Staithes was potentially the more attractive of the two, mainly down to one very famous viewpoint, overlooking virtually the entire community from the hill above, with a small sheltered harbour; but on the morning we chose to make our visit, the prevailing conditions were hardly favourable, the sky being dull and grey with the threat of rain. Robin Hood’s Bay was similar in that it was a tiny coastal community set on the side of a steep hill, with a stunning coastal vista. To be fair the weather did clear somewhat into the evening, but again although the potential was there, somehow it didn’t quite materialise for us.

Staithes from the harbour

Staithes

Over Staithes - from the 'famous' viewpoint

Staithes rooftops

On the final day (on the way home) we took in the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs where, once again we were in our element, with the major draw being the seabird colonies, and in particular the wonderful experience that was the gannetry, where one could get reasonably close to the gannets breeding on the cliffs, and in particular literally gorge oneself on the superb photographic opportunities offered by the updraft over the cliffs and where the air was full of wheeling gannets, fulmars and auks.

Bempton Cliffs

More photographs can be found in MY GALLERY on this site.

10 May 2009

I’d been put on to a pair of Yellow Wagtails which had taken up a territory in a field of rape near Matham’s Wood, and where I was virtually assured of an excellent photographic opportunity.

Later in the morning – and with absolutely nothing new in the way of meaningful migration (no other pairs of Yellow Wagtails; no Turtle Doves; no Corn Bunting even……………) I was drifting along across the old airfield near Allens Green – when I noticed a Muntjac which had just emerged from the margins of a rape field …………… and promptly spent the next few minutes watching and photographing it at fairly close quarters; something I’d never previously had the opportunity to do.

9 MAY 2009

For this month’s bird group meeting the choice of Lakenheath, Suffolk was made, and that was where most of the day was spent trying to see as many migrant species as possible; there were just five participants on this occasion.

Now, the RSPB Reserve at Lakenheath is a very large, well spread out reserve, which can at times test ones endurance to its limits; but there are of course several species which, if seen well, can make it all worth while. One such is the Golden Oriole which has a tentative foothold in the Poplar plantations, and many birdwatchers visit the reserve from near and far in an effort to gain even a glimpse of this enigmatic bird, or even just to hear the hauntingly beautiful fluting song of the male – possibly best heard in the early hours after dawn.

We’d tried our luck with just the odd tantalising smidgen of song being our only reward; but the birds were giving us the runaround and we hadn’t connected with any actual birds. An effort to see the Cranes proved fruitless (apparently they hadn’t been seen since the very early hours) - although some compensation came in the form of a couple of ‘booming’ Bitterns and impressive numbers of Hobbies - so a return to the original plantation - where small crowds of eager birdwatchers had been present all morning – was thought necessary; for we could hardly leave without at least trying again could we?

Our first attempts failed miserably, with the usual tantalising snippet of song in the middle distance; but then we hit the jackpot with excellent views of two males courting a female in the canopy of a polar – which were probably my best ever sustained views of the species. In the excitement I failed to even think of the possibility of trying to get a photograph; something one tends to do on occasions.

The conditions were also ripe for emerging dragonflies and damselflies with mating pairs of Hairy Dragonfly, and several singleton Four Spotted Chasers being the highlight. Azure; Variable and Large Red damselflies were also observed. Perhaps this was one reason for the large numbers of Hobbies being present?

Other highlights included a Roe Deer; 3 Garganey - two drakes and a duck; more ‘booming’ Bitterns (one of which was observed in flight by only one of our party); and of course good numbers of breeding Marsh Harriers.

Sedge Warbler

Roe Deer

Chaffinch

Hairy Dragonflies mating

Hairy Dragonfly

Hairy Dragonfly

The day ended at nearby Lackford where Turtle Dove; Garden Warbler and Nightingale all tantalised with song, but which all failed to show themselves.

3 May 2009

By way of a complete contrast to our recent photographic ventures Gary had suggested a day out at the National Water Sports Centre for a spot of White Water canoeing; the only drawback was that it was at Holme Pierrpont near Nottingham, so would require the best part of a two hour drive to get there.

It wouldn’t normally have been my cup of tea, but given that I was attempting to diversify somewhat in my photographic prowess, I was happy to fulfil an earlier promise to Gary to give it a go; and anyway the birding of late hadn’t really set my world on fire and it was a touch too early in the year for photographing dragonflies and butterflies. So, off we went, with some trepidation that it might not work out the way we’d hoped.

Luckily, access to amateur photographers was considerably better than either of us had anticipated, as we were able to gain excellent vantage places along the course – in fact closer even than on proper competition days when Press photographers would gain the upper hand in that respect. All we needed to do was make our presence known at reception and complete a ‘standard’ form to allow us permission to take photographs – as long as it wasn’t for professional purposes; all for free.

Fortunately it transpired to be an extremely interesting and rewarding experience, which culminated in both of us achieving our aim of obtaining some decent sporting shots of a sufficient standard, not only for personal satisfaction, but also to warrant entry in future Club competitions (we are both active members of the Bishop’s Stortford Photographic Society).

Here are a few of my efforts.

20 April 2009

Another one of those ‘Purple Patch’ occasions arose recently at Thorley Wash.

A purely social occasion – a drink at a local pub with Stephen Patmore - culminated in a walk along the Stort Navigation towards the winter roost at Tednambury; prompted by the sighting of a Common Buzzard from where we sat in the pub’s garden.  Almost immediately as we passed the point where a Nightingale was heard by at least three separate birdwatchers (one of whom was yours truly) two weeks later, we were on to a Red Kite – my first along the river environment. A really good start; but was it about to get better?

Later, we took the decision to wander back north up to Thorley Wash to listen for possible Grasshopper Warblers ………………..and promptly heard three reeling males at the southern end where the footpath transects the marsh, just as dusk was falling.

Continuing along the footpath to its central point, Stephen noticed a movement amongst the willows in the southern enclosure. Something had dived into the long grass; something on the large side. Suddenly it was up again and as the light continued to grow dimmer, we were watching a species of owl flying purposefully through the willows; then it alighted on a fencepost a mere 60 metres or so in front of us. It was a stunning Long-eared Owl!

The bird was in full view for about two minutes, merely taking in its immediate environment, in the course of searching for prey, when it took to flight again, only to alight on another fencepost in the central enclosure, somewhat closer than the first and where it remained for a further magical minute or so – still swivelling its head as only an owl can do – during which we were able to take in all salient features of the birds plumage, including the ear tufts; the dark facial disk, and those stunningly beautiful bright orange eyes.

Stephen and I were transfixed, hardly daring to breathe – except that I was aware that the odd whispered exclamations emanating from within me! But then the bird was suddenly gone and all we were left with was – well, quite frankly, an almost deafening silence between us as we began to realise just what a privileged sighting we’d just enjoyed.

I painted this picture of a Long-eared Owl at Fishers Green from life some 20 years or so ago and I include it here because it illustrates virtually the pose our owl took on the fence post at Thorley Wash. It would have been fantastic to have some photographs but I had to be content with using binoculars on this occasion. Just one of those things I guess!!

I’d had one previous sighting of a Long-eared Owl at Thorley Wash - on 8 February 2007 – but whilst I was confident that I’d identified it correctly (since it was a distant sighting in failing winter light), this latest record helped me to conclude that I was indeed correct on that occasion; and that was really satisfying.

I only hope that readers of this will understand why we had to keep the sighting quiet for a while, until we were reasonably sure that this was not a chance encounter with a species that was possibly breeding in the area, since Thorley Wash is certainly a prime habitat.

Without question, this was my single most satisfying natural history ‘event’ since moving to Bishop’s Stortford in 2002; indeed, it is way up there with the very best natural history encounters of all, especially given that it was on my ‘local patch’.

28 February 2009

The second Bishop’s Stortford Bird Group outing of 2009 proved a virtual 100% success in terms of the species targeted; something of a rare occurrence for us.

An early start – at 6.30 a.m. – five participants in two cars – saw us begin our endeavours in the Brecks (Norfolk and Suffolk depending on where one stood!).

It had been suggested that we try for displaying Goshawks at a site none of us had previously visited; but it was thought that the birds might not be in situ so to speak until mid-morning; so, to while away the time until then we concurred to begin the day at Santon Downham – our main target species being Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – which was supposed to be a synch.

There was already a sizeable contingent of birdwatchers along this track and that, waiting diligently for the species to appear; but it seems it wasn’t to be as simple as that. However, an hour or so in - and in glorious warm sunshine - the familiar drumming of a couple of Great Spotted Woodpeckers resounded through the woods, followed a little later by the arguably less familiar drumming of a distant Lesser Spotted. Slowly but surely the sound echoes closer and closer until, eventually, the said bird (a female on this occasion) was seen in flight, briefly alighting atop a leafless Poplar before disappearing before most had it in sight. Luckily, it wasn’t too long before the rest of our party had a superb male in their binoculars – and a resonant sigh of relief pervaded for a while. Other birds of interest here were several Nuthatches; two separate sightings of Treecreeper; a Marsh Tit and a Grey Wagtail. Then it was off to try for Goshawk.

The Goshawk site – not a million miles from a former hunting ground at Mayday Farm – required a lengthy trudge along an open forest track for about a mile, where 20 or so eager watchers were waiting for a sign. Some display had already been witnessed at about 9.30 that morning so, almost two hours later, we were surely due for more. Meanwhile, a trio of three Crossbills (a male and two females) gave reasonable views, together with okay views of a couple of displaying male Woodlark. The male Yellowhammers here were strikingly glorious in their Summer finery – a testament that British Birds can often hold their own against foreign competition.

A female Sparrowhawk gave us false hope for a moment, but then suddenly a large female Goshawk appeared over conifers along the horizon, and we were locked in awe at this magnificent Accipiter as it slowly soared round and round, higher and higher in the sky; pity it was a distance away. And a short while later two birds were observed – at an arguably shorter distance away, but this time almost overhead at times – the consensus being that they were probably two males, presumably vying for the attentions of the female (which by then wasn’t to be seen). The views weren’t exactly the closest we’d enjoyed over the years, but one couldn’t deny that seeing ANY Goshawk these days is a privilege indeed.

Later, a trip to Lynford Arboretum brought us a suspect (in terms of origin) drake Ferruginous Duck (albeit at a distance); a flock of 11 Common Crossbills; but the highlight was undoubtedly a trio of Hawfinch (though two of us had four) in the ‘usual’ location.

Crossbills

We ended the day at Lackford with nothing of any great interest to add; although Mark had by then high-tailed it to Brancaster where apparently he enjoyed goods views of a Black-necked Grebe which had been wowing birdwatchers throughout the week.

So, whilst we didn’t achieve a long list of goodies, those we did see were of the highest calibre, which made the trip extremely worthwhile indeed.

10 January 2009

It is almost two years since we enjoyed a local flock of Waxwings in Bishop’s Stortford; so when the call came that at least 10 had to all intents and purposes been encamped beside a residential block of flats for the past week or so, I couldn’t let the opportunity pass.

I hadn’t been able to get to see them during the week due to work commitments, but when Saturday came, Gary and I found ourselves ensconced in and around the relevant garden/s (with the owners’ consent of course), waiting for the birds to reappear on the one remaining Cotoneaster (?) capable of providing the necessary berries for gorging.

Regrettably, the promised sunshine didn’t materialise, and the conditions remained very cold and grey throughout the time we were there, with the result that once again I was unable to get the kind of photographs I’d been hoping for.

The views however were very reasonable, given that the birds were really quite flighty – somewhat at variance with my previous encounters with the species; and it was a delight to hear that wonderful high trill reverberating through the greyness.

Many thanks to the residents who were extremely helpful and welcoming; and without whom Gary wouldn’t have seen Waxwings for the very first time.

3 January 2009

The first Bishop’s Stortford Bird Group outing of the year was on the whole a disappointing affair, mainly from the point of view of the lack of species recorded.

A full account will eventually be found on the BS Bird Group website at: www.btinternet.com/~bsbirdgroup/

There is little point in reiterating the events of the day in detail, except to say that both Hunstanton and Titchwell (in particular the latter) were to all intents and purposes ‘ghost-towns’ in terms of the numbers of birds present. Maybe we lost out because we were trying something a little different from previous ‘first outings of the year’ by omitting both Snettisham and Holkham, although one really has to doubt whether the total species count would have been substantially greater anyway, because it was apparent from the outset that we were never destined to see as many species as we’d expected, or in fact was traditionally the case.

There were however several highlights:

At Titchwell, the tide was just on the wane, so the coastal strip was lacking good numbers of waders and wildfowl (although on the reserve itself there were excellent numbers and therefore relatively good views to be had of drake Northern Pintail in particular (always an absolute delight to see at any time). On the beach, virtually scurrying around at our feet were two Sanderling which at times were surprisingly hostile to each other – one bird seemingly ‘bullying’ the other into submission – behaviour that I do not recall witnessing previously in this otherwise ‘gentle’ wader. The following photographs hopefully convey the circumstances only too well.

We also enjoyed superb close views of a Water Rail (or maybe there were two in the ditch at the same time), and although regrettably, the available light wasn’t at all conducive to good photography, some half-decent photographs were obtained.

At Sculthorpe Moor later in the day, several Bramblings; a few Marsh Tits and a singleton Willow Tit (which in fact was only seen by one of our party) were enjoyed from hides, although the main attraction for me was ‘ghostly’ form of a superb Barn Owl hunting over a one of the reed beds – always a magic sight.

My personal tally of species for the day was 71 (which was markedly down on the total count for the group as a whole that day of around 85); I can’t deny I was disappointed with that – though, of course, there is always next month to catch up!!