Red Kite over Flixborough

I have always dreamed of having a Red Kite over the Park and this afternoon came very close as a Red Kite floated over my car as I approached the next village along from Normanby - Flixborough.  Unfortunately no camera but scope on front seat meant good views were had as it drifted over Atkinson’s Warren and over to Scunthorpe.  As it was just outside the parish boundary I can’t count it as a parish tick but fingers crossed it may hang around and drift back over Normanby. Luckilly I saw it inbetween showers and in full sun so it looked stunning - interestingly I couldn't see any wing tags on it.

Great Grey Shrike at Alkborough

It was freezing down on the Flats this morning but plenty of migrants now in with Swallows, White and Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears and a dramatic chase between a Merlin and a Skylark with the poor Skylark coming off worse ie he is no more, and of course this Shrike.

 

Sparrowhawk with Collared Dove

Taken by my Father in his garden this morning – a regular scene at the moment!

Sacred Ibis at Alkborough Flats

Sacred Ibis at Alkborough this morning is probably the same bird seen yesterday in the south of the county as both had metal ring on left leg.

Video of Thayers Gull, Elsham, N Lincs

Probable Thayers - Wayne thinks not?

Twite singing!

A flock of 55 Twite have been at Alkborough and are occasionally heard in song as displayed in this little video filmed by Neil Drinkall.

More from Neil …

Here’s some images taken by Neil Drinkall – all digiscoped.  All taken in the last 12 months starting with

Spoonbill at Alkborough

Local Little Owls

adult and juvenile

Peregrine recently fledgedRuddy Shelducks at AlkboroughLong Billed Dowitcher at Freiston ShoreCommon Crane at AlkboroughGrey Phalarope at AlkboroughWheatear at AlkboroughMed Gull at BartonThe duck we don’t mention!Ferruginous Duck at BartonLesser Yellow Legs at AlkboroughRuffGreenland White-fronted Geese with one Eurasion at AlkboroughTundra Bean Geese at Ferriby

Slavonian Grebe at BartonLong Tailed Duck at BartonGarganeys at Barrow Haven

Normanby Park spring felling/pruning up date

Well following my post dated 20th March, I have had a reply from the council with a clause at the bottom saying the information is for the addressee only so I can’t publish verbatim their reply however in a nutshell the Park is for recreation and Health and Safety is paramount.

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North Lincolnshire Council and bird conservation in Normanby Park

 

Two weeks ago I watched a singing Nuthatch in this oak tree….

it was prospecting this nest site which is sadly no more..

Two years ago I watched Nuthatches successfully nest in this tree..

and last summer one day I was watching a nest full of nearly fledged Sparrowhawks and the next day this was what was left of its nest…

For three years in succession Nuthatches nested in this hole - following the removal of large branch above hole the Nuthatches have not used this site again.

Today the staff are strimming lower branches of every Lime Tree along the Lime avenue - just what you need to be doing on the first day of spring with a Wren and Long-Tailed Tit actively nest building just yards from you.

Need I say more…. probably yes!  I’m told Normanby Hall comes under the Leisure Dept so I’ll send them this link and wait to hear from them.  No-doubt the phrase Health and Safety will come into play as so many people in Scunthorpe have been killed by falling branches! I am told that as soon as a tree has the slightest sign of disease it has to be taken down but at what cost - Normanby Park use to be the stronghold in Scunthorpe for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers but since the continuous removal of trees they have abandoned the area and I can only see the same happening to the Nuthatches - if only the Council could recognise the importance of what they control and how their decisions affect the wildlife and don’t even get me started on Central Park….

Goshawks Galore and the odd Crossbill

If only this was Lincolnshire but this household is still firmly of the opinion there are no breeding Goshawks in Lincolnshire so we left the county for the annual dose of Goshawks and at a conservative estimate of 8-10 birds there was plenty of activity to see throughout the day and when the Goshawks were quiet Crossbills took over.

 

Common Frog (Rana temporaria)

Probably Britain’s best known amphibian, these images were taken by my Father in his small garden pond - we have counted nine in total and spawning has begun so the pond will soon be crammed full so if anyone needs some frog spawn you know where to come!

Ring-necked Parakeet video