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This is the current blog for the 2024 season, updated daily, giving recent activity.
The main aim in the new season is to write a book on Honey-buzzard, using my experience in British Isles, continental Europe and Africa, dating from 1993. Field work in 2024 in Northumberland will complement this task, filling in gaps and reinforcing findings. No lengthy trips are in mind abroad for 2024, with concentration on the study area. Broad headings for book are: Motivation, Historical Records, Rediscovery in Britain, Migration Patterns, Arrival and Display, Breeding Activity, Habitat, Dispersal, Wintering Grounds, Four Identification Models, Value of Field Experience, Further Studies, Bibliography. The initial costs of publishing the book in hard copy, running to perhaps 250pp, are well within my means. Some supplementary material may be published online.
Welcome to the new Notice Board, for 2024. Kenya and Georgia updates will continue to be applied under their historical dates in the 2023 Notice Board at 2023, and full accounts provided in due course.
April 27th: maximum 9C, minimum 3C, light NE, mainly sunny, early frost. Had good lie-in after exertions of past few weeks. Went in on train with M and later came back with him. We both walked the HLB in both directions. The kick-off time at the Sage was 3pm, same as Newcastle United who thrashed Sheffield United 5-1. So city and travel was very busy. Met some partners M/S/T/L for late lunch. Concert was all Mozart with 2 PC played by AH in the first half and a symphony (Prague) in the second half. Found the 2 PC very restful, glad I came, and the symphony rousing. More to follow … Much later made DoW4g4s with D/D for gr8 chat.
April 26th: maximum 7C, minimum -1C, light N, cloudy morning, some sunshine later, cool out of the sun, frost early-on. Made the Big Sing by Hexham Amateur Stage Society at Hexham High School; lots of familiar show items all sung with great gusto, including Rodgers & Hammerstein, Wicked Choral Highlights, Chicago, Miss Saigon, Showboat, Jersey Boys, King and I, Hairspray and Mamma Mia! They held the event in the school rather than at QH as the QH’s charges have gone up. May need to up my modest grant as patron to help a bit more. HASS are doing the Pirates of Penzance in November at the QH, subtitled Workie Tickets of Whitley Bay! Funds were +11k this week and sit just below high. Do hold some AAL so benefiting here from takeover approach by BHP. Thinking of moving my web site nickrossiter.org.uk from BT to Namecheap. I’m Finding BT are very inefficient and not up to date with latest techniques like SSL and TSL; they’re also much more expensive; Namecheap have just launched a Stellar range of packages including unmetered disk space on SSD. 2moro into Sage for Angela Hewitt on the piano in the afternoon.
Following on from the Reformation Symphony performance last Friday, where I was amazed to hear in mv 1 a very close correspondence to Wagner’s Parsifal main theme, here’s two quotes on the resemblance. But Mendelssohn wrote his piece in 1830 and Wagner his in c1875 so there’s no doubt who came first. It is a nasty trick by Wagner to rubbish someone’s work as in his treatise on Mendelssohn and then use the criticised work for your own purposes. This tactic is all too common in peer review in all walks of life today.
Listen out for Mendelssohn's premonition of Wagner's Parsifal in the first movement of the Reformation Symphony, numbered as 5: both make use of the so-called Dresden Amen (a 19th century Saxon church melody and cadence), and I think you'll be shocked – if you know your Wagner but not your Mendelssohn – at how closely Mendelssohn's string scoring of the theme resembles Wagner's harmonisation and treatment of the melody in his last opera. For all his splenetic, toxic criticism, Wagner knew how much he owed Mendelssohn: he privately admitted to his wife in 1879 that, decades earlier, he had nicked some of Mendelssohn's Calm Sea and Prosperous Overture for his incidental music to Theodor Apel's play Columbus. Guardian recordings
Finally, we’re destined to hear the Dresden Amen differently than Mendelssohn did; it’s used in later music as well, most notably Wagner’s Parsifal and the Finale of Mahler’s 1st symphony. It's hard to know what to do with that information. To my ear, the Dresden Amen’s appearance in the works of an anti-semitic composer, Wagner (both Mendelssohn and Mahler were Jewish by blood), and in that of one of the last figures (Mahler) to cling to the Romantic style that Mendelssohn helped create, gives its use a poignancy that the "Reformation" symphony’s composer could not have anticipated. As triumphant as the work is, we know that history had a more complex fate in store for such ostensibly straightforward celebrations. MICHAEL LEWANSKI, CONDUCTOR
In Wagner’s defence (See Wikipedia, which also has a short audio clip of the Amen) it could be said that the Dresden Amen was widely known and since he lived in Dresden for a while, it would have been naturally in his repertoire. The original composer of The Dresden Amen was Johann Gottlieb Naumann (1741–1801) for use in the Royal Chapel in Dresden. Such was its popularity that it spread to other churches, both Catholic and Lutheran, in Saxony. So Mendelssohn was not the originator.
The theme was also used by Richard Wagner, most notably in his last opera, Parsifal. Wagner was a Kapellmeister in Dresden from 1842 to 1849, but he would probably have learnt the motif as a boy attending church in Dresden. It was incorporated into one of his earliest operas, Das Liebesverbot, and also appears in the third act of Tannhäuser.
Anton Bruckner used the Dresden amen in several motets (Christus factus est WAB 11, Virga Jesse WAB 52 and Vexilla regis WAB 51),[1] the finale of his Fifth Symphony and the adagio of his last symphony, the Ninth, while Gustav Mahler incorporated it into the last movement of his first symphony, "Titan". Manuel de Falla quoted from it in his incidental music for Calderón de la Barca's El gran teatro del mundo.
April 25th: maximum 7C, minimum 1C, light N, cloudy morning, some sunshine later, cool out of the sun. Today had smart meter installed by E.ON, based on 4G, needed to ensure economy 7 continues after signal 2G is switched off next year. Didn’t take long to install as had new meter put in recently; will see how it goes! Made T4m4l with M; we then went to an organ recital at Hexham Abbey, which was stirring, played by Robert Poyser, Director of Music at Beverley Minster. He played pieces by Lefebure-Wely, Vierne, Yon, JS Bach, Buxtehude, plus an impressive improvisation. Had chat with son on FB video at ttime and then off to G4g4s with A; was going to take frail P but he cancelled 30 min before collection as feeling poorly. Not too much else done today except organising R teams for next year which is very time consuming.
April 24th: maximum 9C, minimum 3C, light NW, cloudy morning, sunny afternoon, cool but better in the sun. Had 3 Osprey at NE Hexham, 2 displaying (a tight pair) plus 1 moving decisively W at 16:57. A Black Kite joined in the fun with a male Kestrel and a total of 4 Common Buzzard were seen. Not a bad day! Piccies to follow … Funds are +11k wtd after shading a bit since Monday’s rise.
April 23rd: maximum 9C, minimum 2C, light N, a few sunny spells, mainly cloudy. A good social day, making QHC4s4l with the fit S on, and MR turning up from R – very smart! Later met M at Cnt4g4s 4 good chat. Did though find time to make Prudhoe Dukeshagg late afternoon 16:10-17:35 and did find another Black Kite, the third for this season, perched at the top of a fir tree for some while around 16:30, just like the one at Ordley on Saturday. It might be a trait of theirs to survey the territory while a little knackered from the migration. This bird did get up in the air for a little glide and float around. Other raptors were 2 Common Buzzard (one up over Black Kite site patrolling, another up hunting over field to W) and a Red Kite soaring towards Hyons Wood. Had 16 bird-types in all, plus a Kestrel male hunting at Styford E. At Letah Wood at 18:15 saw a Brown Hare and 3 Yellowhammer. Piccies to follow tomorrow. So 3 single birds at 3 sites in survey to date.
Here’s the Black Kite piccies from today 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.
A few more Black Kite nationally [BirdGuides]:
18:50 23/04 Black Kite Isles of Scilly St Mary's one flew over Lower Moors towards Longstone [11 further reports from Scilly on 24/4 and 25/4 up to 10:39]
17:59 23/04 Black Kite Norfolk Horning 13:45 one reported in field north of Norwich Road then flew off
20:52 21/04 Black Kite Dorset Ringstead Bay one reported this morning
April 22nd: maximum 10C, minimum 4C, light NE, very gloomy, occasional rain interspersed by long spells of drizzle, felt cold. Busy day at R, setting up projector and sorting a few problems with speaker’s Mac, acting as front of house, chatting up a couple of waitresses, eating my meal, chairing Admin Team meeting, indeed there from 12:05-14:55. Sorted out Black Kite piccies as below from Ordley 20/4 and added them to BirdTrack. Completed processing Batumi 4/8, next up is 8/9 at the raptor migration point. Did make G4g4s where g back on, thanks to L sorting out the gas pressures!! Had 4 rabbit and a hedgehog at Ordley on way back from pub. Funds at new record today, more than recovering last week’s loss.
April 21st: maximum 7C, minimum 5C, light N, sunny morning, then cloudy for rest of day, feeling cool. A rather raw day. Stayed home, did have an adult male Sparrowhawk flying low-down over nearby field and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming to S. Worked hard on Batumi Botanical Gardens records, completing 3/9 and labelling 4/9; do feel Honey-buzzard did breed near the Gardens. Also sorted out financial issues for portfolio, registering a 15k decline last week, during the worst week for 6 months in global equities, after worries the Iran-Israel conflict was escalating. Back to R 2moro. Made G4ncl-br4s with g off and replaced by Newcastle Brown for me; had good chat with R/A with L on!! Added final Dorset records to BirdTrack.
April 20th: maximum 9C, minimum 2C, moderate NW, sunny morning, then cloudy, sunny again by tt almost dry. Had 2nd Black Kite of season, one sitting in a larch tree from 14:30-14:50 (latter time, still there) in the middle of its territory at Ordley, clearly just arrived back and a little knackered as it sat there with a Red Kite and a pair of Common Buzzard circling overhead! Have got a decent set of piccies, showing its white head and slight fork in tail when perched! Had a good day, staying local and doing an extended walk around garden and field, building up a local list of 26 species, after all the recent travelling. Also had waders --- 2 displaying Lapwing, single Oystercatcher and Curlew – plus singing Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush and migrants – 2 Swallow N and 1 Sand Martin N. Numbers of Chiffchaff have reached 4 = 2 pairs with much singing and calling. Converted the Festival site to secure status with https protocol; will raise its esteem! Made DoW4g4s with D/D 4 gr8 catch-up. Detected major and very welcome change on Sky News in Gaza-Israel conflict. Last week it was non-stop pro-Hamas propaganda. Now much more balanced again, even in favour of Israel, after the Iranian intended bombardment of Israel and the obvious hate (anti-Semitism) shown by the Palestinian marchers towards Jews.
Here’s the Black Kite piccies from today 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.
April 19th: maximum 9C, minimum 2C, moderate N, few heavy showers, some sunny spells. Checked out from Wrea Head after 2 days b&b+dinner, cost £388 including a few bevvies! Given lift to SCA station by our President! Then back on train via York to NCL and HEX. Notice loads of orchestral players, complete with small instruments in my carriage: yes it was the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on their way to the Sage to perform later that day, where I would be in the audience. Got home at 14:00 and out again to Wylam late afternoon for a scan from Wylam Bridge: on arrival had a Red Kite floating over Wylam village on E side – pleased with that! In total of 17 bird-types had a pair of Goosander downstream, 4 Sand Martin, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Siskin,. 1 Grey Heron, 2 LBBG ad, 1 GBBG 1s. They charge for parking at Wylam Station now so plenty of space there. Then in on train to NCL and walk across HLB to Sage, where had enjoyable tea and chat with some of the partners. Concert was all Mendelssohn – S5, S3, and PC2. They were so expressive and incisive, and my feelings towards the composer have changed for the better. More to follow … Made Br4g4s for old time’s sake! Then last train to WYL and home!
Another Black Kite:
07:01 19/04 Black Kite East Sussex Sheepcote Valley 12:30 18/04 one reported flying east to west early afternoon yesterday [18/4]
April 18th: maximum 10C, minimum 7C, light W, dry cloudy morning, rain later. After breakfast went for walk around local village Scalby, seeing 3 Common Buzzard at 2 sites and a displaying female Sparrowhawk. Total was 30 bird-types including 2 Nuthatch, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 singing Song Thrush, a Coal Tit, a Sand Martin N, a singing Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, a Canada Goose by a pond with a Moorhen. We’re on the edge of the North Yorks National Park so can see the pine forest and woods close to Wykeham, the well-established Honey-buzzard site. Evening was very sociable, getting on very well with some key R members.
April 17th: maximum 10C, minimum 3C, moderate N, heavy squalls, some sunshine. No peace! Off to Scarborough via NCL and York at lunchtime for R jolly! Staying in Wrea Head Hotel, a very nice venue on N edge of Scarborough. Trains went well and took taxi to hotel from station at Scarborough. We had introductory group meeting at 18:15, dinner at 19:00, and nitecap at 22:00. All very sociable.
April 16th: maximum 10C, minimum 1C, light W, sunny, cool. Plenty of pressures on this one day between visits but out from 16:00-17:05 at Bywell and did have a Black Kite at 16:21 gliding behind wood to NE – marvellous sight, maybe indicating that the influx noted in the south below from 13/4-14/4 can lead to birds reaching us about 2 days later. Also had 6 Common Buzzard at 4 sites and a soaring male Sparrowhawk. 2 Swallow flew N. On way back at 17:20 had an Osprey floating through the trees at NE Hexham. An Orange-tip male was at Houtley at 15:30. Went to Cnt4g4s with M – gr8 chat! Also made QHC4s4l but heroine S not back yet from her Guernsey triumph!! Delighted to hear of new arrival!! Love creative/energetic women!! Did participate in Lawrence auction in morning in Somerset and bought over Auctionet an Exeter 1707 Ag dognose spoon for £400 hammer price; they had a few technical difficulties delaying sale twice!
April 15th: maximum 9C, minimum 2C, light NW, sunny, cool. Long trek back from Lyme Regis, Dorset, to Hexham. Left Lyme Regis at 10:00, big sis drove me back to Ealing, where had afternoon tea before going by Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road, Northern to Euston and brisk walk to KGX where caught the fast 19:00 to Edinburgh, reaching NCL after just 2 stops at York and Darlington, but then had to wait for last train to HEX after quickie in Vic&Cmt. Got home at 23:50.To bed at 02:00 after getting washing on and long soak in bath! Did get some work on Batumi 3/9 on train, doing indexing of most piccies.
Another Black Kite, in Ireland:
17:11 16/04 Black Kite Waterford Drumcannon 16:55 one flew high east over R685
April 14th: maximum 12C, minimum 9C, light SW, veiled sunshine much of day. Big family reunion at Dunkeswell today in Devon with 2 nephews and families and we 3 siblings. Was a very good do. We had lunch and I had a walk around Richard’s wood that he has purchased, amazing business-skills! Did discuss family history of the Friends with sisters. My younger sister said that after my father died my mother used to meet 2 men in Teignmouth, jewellers from Golders Green, who were Jews. She said they were my father’s relations. Time to follow up Vera Friend on Ancestry, whose daughter VK is 2nd cousin to me on DNA and is recorded as having DNA associated with Ashkenazi Jews. Back home 2moro. Plenty of Black Kite, including Channel islands:
18:53 14/04 Black Kite Jersey Câtillon de Haut 18:51 one this evening
15:00 14/04 Black Kite Guernsey Vingtaine de l'Epine one flew south from Ronez towards Saumarez Park mid-afternoon
09:19 14/04 Black Kite Guernsey Colin Best NR 07:42 one flew over
16:52 15/04 Black Kite West Sussex Cissbury Ring 13/04 one reported on Saturday [13/4]
19:19 13/04 Black Kite North Yorkshire Boroughbridge possible circled over
13:56 13/04 Black Kite East Sussex Brede Levels 13:50 one flew low over A28 bridge over River Brede
12:52 13/04 Black Kite Cambridgeshire Stretham one flew east
12:15 13/04 Black Kite Guernsey St Martin's 11:44 one flew west over Fermain
16:03 12/04 Black Kite East Sussex Eastbourne 11:30 one flew over Meads
09:30 10/04 Black Kite Nottinghamshire Epperstone 17:30 09/04
April 13th: maximum 15C, minimum 8C, light to moderate W, dry, cooler from late afternoon as cold front moves through. Completed processing Batumi 2/9 and 7/9, next up is Batumi Botanical Gardens 3/9, starting on Honey-buzzard in the area. Nice spring weather this morning encouraged 5 Common Buzzard to display over high ground between Lyme Regis and Charmouth, around Lyme Regis Golf Club. Also had a Tawny Owl calling at our cottage in the evening. We had lunch at the Pilot Boat, sea bass again, with Richard and Anthony (R’s son) joining the three of us. We had a good time and are meeting again tomorrow!
April 12th: maximum 15C, minimum 10C, light SW, dry, sunny often with very high thin cloud, sea almost calm. A brilliant spring day with fantastic raptor sightings, totalling about 12 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk (male and female displaying at Abbotsbury), 2 Marsh Harrier (pair displaying at the Swannery), 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby (female moving E with 2 Swallow for company at Fleet), as restless birds and new arrivals were very conspicuous. First Swallow were seen (2 birds). We had tour further E to Abbotsbury: the subtropical gardens, the Chesil Beach at Fleet, and the Swannery. We bought a day ticket for the two main sites online and had lunch at the gardens. It was a great day out with many good bird sightings, much more to follow. 21 species at Abbotsbury Subtropical included a Golden Pheasant, a Raven, a Jay, a singing Nuthatch, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap. 15 species at Fleet included the Hobby E, 2 Swallow NE, a Raven and 2 Common Buzzard. 32 species at the Swannery included many waterbirds , new for the year: 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Scaup, 11 Common Tern, a Black Swan, 26 Shelduck, 8 Teal, plus the pair of displaying Marsh Harrier, a singing Cetti’s Warbler and a calling Ringed Plover. Around 600 Mute Swan were present – 500 non-breeding birds and 48 active nests, with 31 Tufted Duck, 12 Cormorant, a Little Egret, an Oystercatcher. Nephew Richard is coming round tomorrow to ours and on Sunday we have a big family reunion at R’s on Devon/Somerset border with 2 nephews’ families and us! Funds rising strongly this week at +37k on rise in commodities. Biden is not going to like this, expect a kick-back but they’ve already sold most of their Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is required for security and not for price manipulation. Net zero is driving up copper prices, as copper is used in electrical wiring. Completed processing large number of piccies for 1/9 at Batumi. Next up is Batumi 2/9 and 7/9 before starting on the fascinating Botanical Gardens.
April 11th: maximum 13C, minimum 10C, moderate SW, dry but much cloud and mist with a few slightly brighter spells, sea a little rough on onshore winds. We went out to Burton Bradstock where a recent cliff fall had taken place (last weekend) and actually found some fossils (2 ammonite and a few others) near the fall – amazing; we took them back to our ranch! Had a pair of Peregrine on a nearby cliff and 4 Fulmar Petrel around the cliffs and on the sea, plus 6 Linnet, a Rock Pipit, a Kittiwake adult E, 2 LBBG 1w to E and a Sandwich Tern W. Then onto West Bay where had 11 Fulmar Petrel around cliffs to E, a Moorhen, a Cormorant adult, a Pied Wagtail. West Bay was used for various film ventures. All is going well, no issues! Very pleased to hear from someone!!!
April 10th: maximum 12C, minimum 11C, moderate S, heavy rain morning, then foggy as wind became light, sea moderate as wind turned onshore. We had leisurely morning then out in afternoon for walk along prom at Lyme Regis. Some seabirds: 20 dark-bellied Brent Goose in flock moving W, a redhead Red-breasted Merganser moving W, a Kittiwake adult fishing offshore, a Rock Pipit on sea-wall, a Sandwich Tern heard, a Cormorant on top of post in harbour, 2 LBBG ad and 2 GBBG ad, many more Herring Gull, perhaps 70, plus 2 Goldcrest in some bushes. We had late lunch at Pilot Boat, a good pub with dining area, nice staff, sea bass (beautifully cooked), not too expensive c£90 for 3, including drinks and few sundries at end. Much R business done today. Have labelled and resized Batumi 1/9 records; need to index them now.
April 9th: maximum 14C, minimum 5C, fresh NW, sunny spells, few light showers, sea very rough further out. On the Jurassic Coast today with sis at Charmouth and Lyme Regis, seeing hundreds of people looking for fossils, particularly at the former and mainly on the beach at low tide, not near the cliffs which are unstable and where you can be cut-off by the rising tide. Visited the amazing Visitor Centre at Charmouth with its display of local fossils and local people (not the same!). We had lunch at Cobb Hotel in Lyme Regis, very tasty f&c+mp, followed by stroll along prom near harbour. A wild day weather-wise but lots of people around, many taking their kids for outings during the holiday break. Birds included a Turnstone in the harbour at Lyme Regis (10 types in all) and a Cormorant at Lyme Regis (8 types in all). Must write to someone dear soon, must have happened!! Funds +10k wtd with commodities still strengthening as economies appear more robust; fall in interest rates now looking to be postponed a bit.
April 8th: maximum 14C, minimum 7C, light S, sunny spells, dry. Set off from Ealing for Lyme Regis at 11:30, not getting there until 17:00 via M25, M3, M27, A35, A31, A3052. Quite a lot of traffic, took a wrong turning near end of M27 with Google Maps satnav error! We’re getting ready for a big storm overnight here as Pierrick powers in. But outlook for rest of week not bad after next couple of days. On way down had 1-2 Red Kite at 8 sites, Common Buzzard at 1 and Kestrel at 1, with Ring-necked Parakeet in Ealing, and Greylag Goose and Collared Dove also noted. Our ranch is perched high-up giving great views of surrounding countryside but a little way from the sea, which is an easy drive. Younger sis already here so 3 of us had gr8 reunion, complete with ww and birthday cake. Brief visit to rooftop veranda yielded 6 displaying Greenfinch, 4 nesting Jackdaw, 4 nesting Herring Gull, 1 singing Collared Dove, 2 Woodpigeon.
April 7th: maximum 12C, minimum 5C, moderate SW, sunny spells, dry. Did make R do at Jesmond Dene House, quite posh, very nice atmosphere; it’s amazing how many circles she has: bridge, arts, RNS, Brundibár, and more! I was mentioned in her speech as keen supporter of RNS. Was a leisurely affair, going from 12:30-past 15:45 when had to leave to catch train NCL-KGX followed by tube to EAL to stay with big sis overnight. Got Uber to/from Jesmond Dene and Central Station.
April 6th: maximum 17C, minimum 7C, moderate to fresh SW cloudy morning, sunny wild afternoon, rain later. Finished processing Kenya 19/12 with running total:
86 of 86 species from 167 records, 4 complete lists, 13 places
That leaves 5 more safari days 14/12-18/12 to do. Back to Batumi now! At Ordley had 2 Sand Martin N at 14:30 and a Barn Owl and Tawny Owl at 23:10, on way back from pub, where had a great time with D/D. 2Moro it’s R Share’s birthday celebrations in Jesmond, followed by NCL-KGX-EAL.
April 5th: maximum 13C, minimum 4C, moderate SW, mainly dry, temperature shoot-up did happen after dawn as wind moved from SE to SW. Had hair-cut with the effervescent Jd at JG at 10, usual cost £20+5.50 tip. Then completed Mara at Fairmont 19/12, still need to do drive to plane strip ex-Mara. Made QHC4s4l where S in good form!! Major run coming up for her in Guernsey (marathon). Then drive to CAL, giving L a lift, on way to concert at GH, where Philharmonia playing an overture by Carl Nielson, the Helios Overture, Rach 2 PC (soloist Bruce Liu) and Sibelius 5; the Sibelius has a marvellous finale, played brilliantly tonight. Sat next to a Chinese lass (student) who was really impressed by it all, particularly the end of the Sibelius. Conductor was the dynamic Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Very stirring concert with lots of lovely brass in the Sibelius and Nielson and romance in the Rach. Funds finished week +4k after 0.8k withdrawal; TLS kept prices down right to the end.
April 4th: maximum 7C, minimum 3C, light E, mainly dry, very gloomy, cool. Ground is so wet outside. Had gr8 T4m4l with M/R, very good chat about AI, other computer issues. Had walk around Sele afterwards getting 17 bird-types, including 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull ad NE, 2 Nuthatch singing,1 Song Thrush singing, 1 Dipper on Cowgarth Burn on S edge of Sele (new species for year), 3 singing Chaffinch, 7 occupied Rook nests. I’ve liquidated my isa holding of US treasuries this week, putting proceeds into oil/mining stocks as inflation looks likely to get a new leg-up soon and it’s tax-loss selling (TLS) week as investors dump stocks they have losses on, to offset gains made elsewhere, giving the odd bargain! This finishes tomorrow, the end of the tax year. Between 07:00-08:00 temperature forecast now to rise 4C tomorrow (from 6 to 10) as wind changes from SE to SW : marvellous! Did make G4g4s with A/R/P 4 good chat; I fetched P as still frail and dropped him off home later, then Shell garage for petrol £56 and still time 2 c L!!
A relatively long-staying Black Kite in Notts:
03/04 12:30 Nottinghamshire : Black Kite, Langford Lowfields RSPB one at Phase 3 (12:27)
03/04 16:10 Nottinghamshire : Black Kite, Langford (village) one at Holme Lane late afternoon, plus 3 further sightings to 4/4
April 3rd: maximum 8C, minimum 3C, light NE, heavy rain morning, murk and light rain in afternoon and evening. Ground is so wet outside. No effort today to get out! Almost completed ½ of 19/12 exit from Mara, doing the final hours at the Fairmont Camp. Watched Titanic on Film 4 in evening; so sad but nice if you like seeing water out of control and the exposure of the horrific class divide on the boat between upper and steerage. Gloomy weather continues for one more day tomorrow but then spring, albeit wet, appears to arrive with temperature rising by 3C in an hour in morning of 5/4 as wind goes from E to SW.
April 2nd: maximum 8C, minimum 3C, light NE becoming light NW, wet morning, dull afternoon with drizzle from time to time. Have started my weather-hopping, choosing a part of the study area which appears to have the better weather when it’s grim out there. Today made Prudhoe S from 16:05-17:35 as looked to be slightly better to E both in forecast and in scanning the sky. Well it was dry with a little brightness, certainly better for the observer. Highlight was a male Goshawk picked up flying W towards Hyons Wood from Dukeshagg; the only other raptors were a Common Buzzard perched on the top of a tree to the SE and a Tawny Owl making a couple of calls. Migrants in flight included 3 LBBG ad to N, a Chaffinch E, 2 Skylark SW, but also had 25 Fieldfare in a tree, and 150 Common Gull flying in a large V back S to Derwent Reservoir. Had 5 singing Song Thrush, 4 singing Blackbird and 3 singing Robin, with 2 further local Skylark, a drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Siskin. Total was 21 bird-types. South Park field was amazingly muddy but out in walking boots again so not too bad. Completed processing Batumi 10/9, finding a passing Osprey on the shots of the migration area! Now onto 19/12, drive out of safari area in Mara for flight out. Earlier made QHC4s4l to make up for last week’s absence: stimulating chat with S!! 3LBBG adult were at Hexham, circling as if rather lost in murk before heading off N, so probably significant LBBG passage to N today. Funds +5k wtd as commodities recover, particularly oil and copper. Started new directory Nikon 2024 to hold this year’s piccies. With a 4-way USB-A adapter, can attach up to 4 devices to the new PC.
April 1st: maximum 6C, minimum 3C, moderate NE, wet and very dull. Did have a moderate local walk from 19:15-20:00 as rain stopped but no real fieldwork; had 12 bird-types including 3 singing Song Thrush, 3 singing Robin, 4 singing Blackbird, a Bullfinch, a bubbling Curlew, 2 Stock Dove; did give new boots another outing, very comfortable. Completed processing Kutaisi 31/8 and Batumi 11/9. Next up is Batumi 10/9 and Kenya 19/12. Made G4g4s with R/A 4 good crack; gr8 2 c L/A!! On way there had a Hedgehog at Ordley and a Roe Deer at Newbiggin. Did do more work on Irish Rosseter in 1590s, looking at a wardship case, with a four-year old John R inheriting a fortune; his mother claimed him but thwarted under Feudal laws favouring male custody!
March 31st: maximum 12C, minimum 4C, moderate NE, sunny periods until late afternoon, almost dry, cool breeze, nice sunshine. Out in the study area, getting new season under way in earnest, following last weekend’s Osprey at Hexham. Today made Stocksfield Mount from 13:20-15:05 for good views over surrounding area, including Bywell. Good numbers of Common Buzzard and Red Kite in the sunshine on moderate cool breeze. Common Buzzard comprised 3 birds at Ovington, 2 birds at Bywell Cottagebank, Short Wood, Merryshields, 1 bird at Mowden Hall, Stocksfield Mount, so total 11 displaying adults at 6 sites. Red Kite comprised 2 birds at Ovington, Stocksfield (where pair nesting in trees in a large garden, rather like in Chilterns) and 1 bird at Merryshields, so total 5 displaying adults at 3 sites. No other raptors were seen; breeze was quite testing. Migrants seen were 45 Pink-footed Geese in a field, 15 Common Gull adult E down the Tyne, 1 Chaffinch E, 2 Herring Gull adult E. Total was 22 bird-types, including 2 singing Nuthatch, 2 singing Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaff (1 singing), 1 Siskin. Also had 7 mole, 1 dead rabbit, plus 5 bumble bee. At Ordley at 13:00 had 2 Common Buzzard displaying and a Grey Heron moving N low-down. Made G4g4s with A/R, where pretty riotous as has become the custom for Easter Sunday. Very pleased to meet CA again and to have M on. On way back from pub at Letah Wood at 23:30 had 3 rabbit, a badger and a weasel. Completed Mombasa 26/12 and so all coastal records for Kenya. Next up is Kutaisi-Batumi on 31/8 from Georgia. Have 14/12-19/12 to do for Kenya, including the safari. Bigger chunk left for Georgia: 1/9-12/9 with the fantastic Batumi raptor passage on some days.
One more Black Kite on BirdGuides:
20:19 31/03 Black Kite London Hampstead Heath 09:40 one circled over Hampstead then flew north-east
March 30th: maximum 11C, minimum 1C, light S, sunny spells, almost dry. Bit of a recovery day. At Ordley had a pair of Common Buzzard up at Peth Foot, with singing Nuthatch and Chiffchaff. Had lovely stroll around garden and field in the sunshine; primroses in the orchard are the highlight. A few bumble bees are around in the sunshine and a few moths at night. Daughter’s family at last moving into their house in Dubai, not completed but habitable. Might get a visit there later in the year! Court case underway against their builder. Main task today was writing Plans for R Teams in Hexham for 2024/2025: mainly strengthening Admin Team after seeing the vast amount of work involved this year. Cool tonite, lit coal fire!
Two more Black Kite on BirdGuides making 6 for ytd:
17:36 30/03 Black Kite South Yorkshire Stainton 17:20 one flew east over Stainton Quarry this morning
09:25 30/03 Black Kite Bedfordshire Willington GPs 09:21 possible flew south
March 29th: maximum 10C, minimum 5C, light S, sunny spells, heavy showers afternoon. Up at 08:30, gr8 fried breakfast at hotel, Skype chat with N/D for 35 min, then 10:57 NCL-HEX; really pleased I’d stayed overnight to relax a little, was £60 well spent. Had 5 Goldeneye drake on Tyne – 3 at Farnley, 2 at Ryton, clearly an influx, plus 2 Common Buzzard displaying over Corbridge. At lunchtime out in garden with 1 Chiffchaff singing, an LBBG ad NE, 1 Common Buzzard displaying. Completed Mombasa NE 25/12 and Airport 26/12; just need to do Mombasa NE 26/12 now to complete the maritime part of trip. Son has had a brief trip to Madrid, seeing Weinberg’s opera the Passenger, which he said was absolutely brilliant. On Wednesday he was at Wigmore with Mahan Esfahani, the harpsichordist, another gr8 concert.. Donated £50 + gift aid (+£10 cash yesterday) to funeral fund in aid of Hospice at Home.
March 28th: maximum 9C, minimum 2C, moderate SW, heavy, driving rain in SW England, with west Wiltshire a stand out, with temperature down to 4C in squalls. Up at 06:00, then given lift to Devon by Julie, my niece, and her husband Matt. Weather was lovely at start as went down M3 into early parts of Wiltshire Downs, but soon changed to heavy, driving rain. Stopped for coffee at Costa and 2nd breakfast at Honiton Brightside with cafe serving black pudding as well as toasted avo, evidently after rich Cornwall property owners and heavy lorry drivers! Made East Devon Crematorium on time for sad funeral service of my brother in law David R. Sat next to my 2 sisters on front row. Event was lightened from doom-laden to more positive by my nephew Andrew, who was giving the eulogy, not being able to find his notes in his many pockets! Had very good chat to lots of relatives, in a very good turn-out, at Honiton Golf Club. Of course some of us are meeting again in Lyme Regis in April where my 2 sisters and I have booked a holiday cottage on airbnb, with relatives in Devon very welcome to visit us. Caught 15:55 HON-WAT with son; it was a little late on arrival but got much later (40 min) around Salisbury with appalling weather, including flooding. So had to re-book my train north from KGX from 20:00 to 21:00, by moving booking from 20:00 to 15/4 return from Dorset trip and booking a new ticket for 21:00; cost £10. Just re-booking in a panic for 21:00 would have cost £80 more! Got in at 00:30 29/3 where checked into usual hotel (pre-planned) and took a rw + some choc bars as a nitecap! Funds are +9k wtd, likely to be final figure as Good Friday 2moro. So a poignant day which, as funerals often do, brings families closer together.
Ticked off quite a few Red Kite sites as moved W through Surrey, Hampshire and Wiltshire: 9 birds at 8 sites, plus a Common Buzzard and a Kestrel, all recorded directly into BirdTrack via the app with automatic GPS for sites. Then the rain came in. The previous day, had 2 Red Kite at 2 sites in Cambridge area, logged from the train, plus Ring-necked Parakeet at Acton and Ealing Broadway.
March 27th: maximum 10C, minimum 7C, light SE, murk cleared, much brighter. Some interesting birds on the Tyne including at Wylam a Little Egret and 13 Goosander (10 drake, 3 redhead). Train to KGX ran to perfect time but then slow Elizabeth Line to EAL. Staying at big sis’, off W 2moro. Working on piccies 25/12 and 26/12 Mombasa.
March 26th: maximum 5C, minimum 3C, light NE, murky, heavy rain overnight, dull daytime, cold again with temperatures more appropriate for late November. Completed processing Mombasa 24/12, just 2 days to go here, then will do transit day Kutaisi to Batumi in Georgia. Also added some original sources to Col. Thomas Rosseter of Rathmacknee, Wexford, 11 generations from me in a straight line, who lost his property to the protestants after joining the Catholic army against Cromwell. Lots of contact with family members over funeral on Thursday, travelling down tomorrow for short break. Funds unchanged wtd.
March 25th: maximum 6C, minimum 5C, light SE, murky, light rain in morning becoming heavier by ttime, cold again. Main event of morning was trip to dentist (JG) in Corbridge to do more permanent repair (bonding) on upper right fractured tooth; temporary repair had held and bonding with resin was used to give a stronger repair; drilling was minor with water jet being mainly used to clean out loose fragments and decay; took 30 min and cost £96 (private) but care/quality was of high standard. Made R at 12:45 just as meeting started and speaker arrived; helped him to get started later and his talk on Northumberland National Park was well received. Work continues on Irish ancestry in 16/17 century, adding members Philip, Alexander and Walter Rosseter (that’s how the Irish lot generally spelt the name) to Margaret in the Slevoy branch in Co Wexford, who married my straight-line ancestor John Rosseter of Rathmacknee, Wexford, in c1608, who is 12 degrees (clicks, in this case generations) from me, as of course is Margaret. Made G4g4s with A/R 4 gr8 chat. Foggy on way home; had a Barn Owl and 3 Rabbit (1 road kill) at Ordley.
March 24th: maximum 10C, minimum 2C, light SE, sunny periods, coolish breeze but a lovely early spring day. What a contrast to the last 2 days. Reason we’ve started a new NB today is the exciting return of an Osprey to the Hexham NE site, overlooking the Tyne, being seen at 17:20 flap-flap-glide over the trees attended by all and sundry! It was a good afternoon with a Common Buzzard and a Red Kite up over hill to N at 15:39. Another summer migrant arriving was Sand Martin with 2 seen briefly over the Tyne. Also had a Grey Wagtail, a Pied Wagtail, 3 displaying Oystercatcher, 4 Goosander below bridge (3 male, 1 redhead), 1 Grey Heron, in total of 27 species. Pairs of Long-tailed Tit and Blue Tit were visiting probable nest sites. Made SB4c4t to complete break while cleaner S was working at home.
Recent relevant references: (more reading here)
Shaw, KD, McInerny, CJ, Little, A, Little, K, Nadin, JS, & Goater, R, An exceptional season at a central Scotland Honey-buzzard study area, Scottish Birds 37(1) 3-13 (2017).
Forsman, Dick, Separating Common Buzzard and European Honey-buzzard, at p.302, in: Flight Identification of Raptors of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Christopher Helm (2016).
