Lower Ure Conservation Trust
Nosterfield Bird and Natural History Review June 2023
by Andrew (Andy) M Hanby
Snipe gently built up throughout the month of June Photo: Nathan Beer
The month started slowly, but with indicators of many of the usual trends, including the midsummer rise in Little Egrets, but no sign of a Great White Egret so far.
Little Egret Photo: Gareth Jones
Osprey were seen on eight days throughout the month, but no evidence that they were from nearby pairs was evident. Two were present on 19th - indeed a breeding pair was timed at the nest at exactly the same time that one was over Flasks Lake.
Osprey Photo: Christine Weaver
It is clear that there is again, a pool of non-breeders floating around the area. Continuing the raptor theme, Peregrine was seen on four days and Hobby on nine, with a maximum of three birds on 9th. Marsh Harriers were also regularly seen and documented on six days, with two on 14th, which comprised an adult male and two females.
One of the themes of the month was initially subtle, but became more apparent as the month went on. In 2022 Black-tailed Godwit was recorded as single birds on four days, probably involving two different birds. June this year has been different, with birds being present on nine different days and a total of 33 bird days, including a maximum count of 14 on 28th. As I write this trend continues into July. These observations tie in with coastal observations, with over 300 through Low Newton in Northumberland over a four day period and 121 south past Spurn on 30th June. Discussion with Peter Potts, who has specialist knowledge of the species, indicates that this is likely to reflect a poor breeding season in Iceland as a consequence of a prolonged, cold northerly airflow in May.
Nearly all Black-tailed Godwits were summer plumaged adults Photo: Mike Smithson
Fecund Mandarin Photo: Tim Jones
If Donald Trump was a birder, he would say the Mandarins crop was 'bigly', with five seen on 3rd, a day when two Grey Plover were discovered on Kiln Lake. These stayed for the next few days.
Fecund Shoveler Photo: Tim Jones
A Sanderling was discovered on Langwith Lake on 4th and excitingly Corn Buntings were seen again at the South Henge, with two singing males. Fingers crossed for full recolonisation of the area by this species.
Corn Bunting Photo: Adrian Wetherill
The 7th was good for wader diversity, with Sanderling, the two Grey Plover, five Black-tailed Godwits all in the area and, to top it off, a Sandwich Tern made a fleeting visit.
Mandarin continued to take the limelight, with a female and six young providing evidence of the first local breeding in the recording area. At the time of typing these all remain hale and hearty into July.
A Spotted Flycatcher was briefly around the dipping pool on 10th and eight Bullfinch on the same day was a good count.
‘I missed the bus’ Pink-footed Goose Photo: Tim Jones
Some birds never read the script and a notable example was a Pink-footed Goose which appeared on Flasks Lake on 14th and was present again ten days later. Arguably, the Little Stint at Flasks Lake the next day was of more interest.
A count of 150 Rook in the North Lake area on 18th was a welcome count of this often overlooked, but commonly persecuted species - all credit to the counter. As another observer noted, their local farmer shoots them and puts them in a great big pile.
Returning to the unseasonal theme, a Wigeon appeared on 20th and a possible Scaup, although the photographs of this distant bird were not conclusive.
Wood Sandpiper Photo: Tim Jones
The 23rd witnessed a count of 57 Curlew, the most for several weeks and a Wood Sandpiper was found on the Reserve. The next day saw a fledgling Tree Sparrow on feeders in a Nosterfield village garden and a collective sigh of relief as this species had not been seen for several months in the recording area. Subsequently an adult and two young were present.
On 24th, a single 'Billy no mates' Common Tern appeared and was seen on and off over the next few days, trying to make friends with the plastic Common Tern decoys on the reedbed platforms.
Visible migration was generally weak through the month and notable on only two days. On the 2nd, 42 Swifts headed north. Towards the month-end, 25th was more impressive with 806 Black-headed Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and two Common Terns moving south-east. Additionally, also moving in the same direction were single Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail, five Little Egrets and nine probable Crossbills (there is an irruption of this species starting at the moment). Also present that day was a Quail briefly singing on the Reserve, whilst two adult Mediterranean Gulls, which have been seen on and off throughout the month, were also present.
And so to July….
Unrequited Love Photo: Tim Jones
Andrew Hanby 4th July 2023