On a visit to Bempton Cliffs I picked up a brochure extolling the delights of the Yorkshire Nature triangle and one of the places it recommended was just round the corner from the B+B I was staying in. It said Thornwick Pool was a good place to spot Yellow wagtails a bird I'd not seen before so off I went. The pool is quite small but has two hides (only one was open) and although very quiet when I arrived there was some shelducks and mallards on the water with an impressive display of flying from some sand martins. In the middle of the pool I spotted a small bird which I recognised as a plover but wasn't sure which one. I've only ever seen them at a great distance so was very happy when it f
At this time of year many birds will be starting on their second broods after having been busy raising and feeding their first family. As soon as they hatch the parents begin an endless round of food collection and feeding. When I was watching the woodpeckers raise their young I counted them flying in with food 31 times in an hour! I sat on the river Wharfe recently and photographed some busy parents collecting a variety of insects for their offspring. This dipper was nesting under a tuft of grass halfway up the span of a bridge. Close by a grey wagtail was also busy hoovering up the insects to feed the family. And this pied wagtail was obviously trying to set a new record for the number of
Well it looks like I missed the first brood fledge as the kingfishers were getting friendly again on the river this morning. The female was sat on her usual perch when the male arrived with a freshly caught fish. She ignored him for a short time before finally starting to show some interest. He carefully presented the fish to her which she took , smacked on the branch to ensure it was dead and then maneuvered for swallowing. Hopefully his attentions paid off and the second brood will be underway soon. Fabulous to witness and great to think that if everything goes well there'll soon be more kingfishers to enjoy watching.
As the name suggests these are generally coastal wading birds however there is a good breeding population on the Yorkshire moors and in the Dales. These were spotted close to Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire and included at least one pair with two chicks. They are a striking black and white bird with the most distinctive orange red beak and bright scarlet eyes. They are about the size of a magpie or jackdaw and at the coast will feed on a diet of molluscs such as cockles and mussels (I'm not sure if they actually eat oysters). However inland they will feed mainly on earthworms or insects. They are a monogamous bird and have been recorded using the same nesting site for up to 20 years. They la
Great morning sat watching the local kingfishers. Both parents were to and fro to the nest with fish (please note the nest is a long way from where I sit up a tributary to the river, so no danger of disturbing them) and I don't think it will be long till the offspring fledge. Hopefully I'll be sat near by when they do finally emerge. However for a small bird though they don't half have big poos!! The female certainly let rip!
