Yesterday I was part of a large group of birders gathered at Parkgate on the Dee Estuary and waiting for high tide. These high tides can sometimes cause spectacular flooding of the entire saltmarsh causing small mammals and all birds to flee from the rising water. Yesterday wasn’t a very spectacular show but we had some good birding with Pinkfeet, plenty of waders, and Marsh Harriers continually in view. Also both adult male and ringtail Hen Harriers were seen, a Peregrine stirred up the Starlings and waders, we sheltered from the hail and rain with our friends from the RSPB and a snowstorm of Little Egrets was accompanied by a smattering of Great Whites (egrets not sharks).
Some of us might have seen more birds if we had spent less time chatting and eating chips and more time looking over the saltmarsh but it was an enjoyable and sociable occasion.
On Saturday afternoon I was on the other side of the Pennines (the drier side!) where a Red Kite was over the car park at Wetherby racecourse. From its height it could see more of the hills to the northwest than I could from ground level, but the Nidderdale AONB was shining in the sun. That Red Kite might have been tempted to fly off to the hills but it was better off circling over the racecourse than risking a visit to Nidderdale (see Raptor Persecution UK blog here, here, here, here, here, here). Wisely, it stayed to watching the second race on the card, the Bet365 novices’ hurdle.
I didn’t have a bet in that race (and it was an ‘almost-winning’ day overall, despite backing the winner of the big race) but I notice that at least one horse ran true to form. This horse’s form was described as ‘well beaten’ in its last race and ‘needs improvement’ if it were to trouble the scorer in this one. The horse in question showed no improvement and surely won’t be seen for much longer in public, finishing ninth of 16 starters. Full marks to its owners though, for giving it a very appropriate name. The slow horse in question is by Mountain High out of Go to Blazes and its name…Heather Burning. Top marks for naming!
I don’t think we’ll see too much more of heather burning if you sign Gavin Gamble’s e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting and for an idea of how lovely heather burning is here is a recent scene from the North York Moors.
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Photo in the Times on Saturday; the caption:
“Fire drill: Simon Brooks, a gamekeeper, burns heather in North Yorkshire to stimulate new growth and attract wildlife”
So that’s why they do it. What would the country’s wildlife do without them!
I always thought his name was Brook not Brooks. Mark has met Mr Brook with me Chris and the two Ruths. I think we might all describe him as Mr Angry! Yes that was Mr Brook, a man who’s “beat” is surrounded by dots on a map where Red Kites have been found either shot or poisoned.
I have always wanted to go to Park Gate on a big tide but never quite got round to it, I really must. Is that young Finn in the photo?
Paul – your ID is spot on. We should meet up there some time.
There’s smoke coming from the moors north west of Sheffield today – I could see it from hills to the south east of the city.
Meanwhile much further north a new committee is to be organised to sort out the problem of Red Grouse moors. Some thing which could not happen in England!
When we were there a few years ago the rising tide sent lots of voles scurrying up the beach, even round the tripod legs, and several Short-eared owls had a feast day!
You could brighten that picture up a bit Mark, or have you gone for the ‘atmospheric’.
many many years ago a fellow ringer from that area told me that he had once caught by hand a Water Rail that was escaping the rising tide. Once I move house in the new year I will be 90 minutes away rather than nearly 150 minutes it is now so it becomes more of a possibility.
Another brilliant day with some rain thrown in.
Only just discovered why you should click on the red names!!