Back to Blog
2014 Review of the Year, Part I: Birds
Wed 24th Dec, 2014
YCN REVIEW OF YEAR 2014
When we look back over 2014 we remember many wonderful moments involving both wildlife and adventures with our clients. These are our highlights, but if you have any of your own please email, Facebook or Twitter us: we are keen to know what you enjoyed most!
We were very pleased to welcome in a mild spring in 2014. This really got our resident birds off to a flyer! By mid-February many species were either displaying or nesting. This was certainly the case with our Northern Goshawks. A count of ten birds by Dan, Nick and Mark over several locations in the Great Yorkshire forests on 21st February was a fabulous beginning.
Northern Goshawk North Yorkshire © Richard Baines
Wading birds arrived back on the moors early, with many species in full breeding condition by the end of March. April was awash with waders. This was a memorable time for Richard as he conducted breeding bird surveys for the North York Moors National Park. On the early date of 2nd May he discovered a family of Golden Plover with two chicks! By early June Curlew, Snipe, Lapwing and Red Grouse were all tending to their families. On the coast five Bee-eaters originally found by Richard near Old Fall Plantation graced Flamborough village for several days.
Golden Plover, North York Moors © Richard Baines
Golden Plover chick, North York Moors © Richard Baines
Curlew chick North York Moors © Richard Baines
The heather moors and ancient woodlands of North Yorkshire provided the location for one of our best National Park Safaris of the spring on 18th May. The sight and sound of Whinchat, Redstart, Tree Pipit, Pied Flycatcher and Ring Ouzel on their breeding grounds as well as many other African migrants has to be one of the highlights of an English year! And on this tour we also managed close-up views of the rare Duke of Burgundy Fritillary!
Ring Ouzel chick North York Moors © Richard Baines
By midsummer we were all at sea! Our small boat tours from Bridlington focused on the 200,000 seabirds on Flamborough Headland and our trips from Staithes on migrant seabirds and cetaceans. After the warm spring, many species were doing well with Puffins in good numbers alongside huge numbers of Gannets, Razorbills, Guillemots and Kittiwakes. The spectacle of swarming auks filling the sky beneath the towering chalk cliffs was a firm favorite of many of our clients.
Razorbills and Guillemots Flamborough Headland © Richard Baines
Further north and into July the first migrant seabirds had been sighted. Our Forest and Sea tours in partnership with Real Staithes provided an ideal opportunity for everyone to see how wonderful seabirds look in their natural environment. Manx Shearwaters, Fulmars and a Storm Petrel graced our safaris. On 13th September a Sooty Shearwater arrived to feed on the chum only a few metres from the boat - an experience we will never forget.
Sooty Shearwater Staithes © Richard Baines
Deep in the North Yorkshire Forests, August proved a fantastic time for raptors. The nesting Honey Buzzards never let us down, appearing on most of our visits. Even better were the two nearby juvenile Goshawks which on one date decided to have a play fight at the same time as a male Honey Buzzard was passing by, looking decidedly nervous!
September was all about migration. Our three-day birding tour at Highfield Farm was a huge success. After an excellent evening walk around the farm we spent the next day at Spurn National Nature reserve where we timed our visit perfectly for one of the best birding days of the year. Masked Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-breasted Flycatcher and many common migrants were on show. We love to combine the best of the coast with the best of our forests and moors on our tours and the second day of this tour we saw Peregrine, Goshawk, Common Crossbills, Marsh Tit and Kingfisher!
Masked Shrike Kilnsea © Dave Aitken
Watching Raptors in the Great Yorks Forest © Richard Baines
The prize for the most popular bird of the year on our tours must surely go to the Grindale Rough-legged Buzzard. This amazingly tame bird gave fabulous views along with a Grey Phalarope at nearby Filey on a Birding Discovery Day to remember. It looks as if the Rough-leg may spend the whole winter here as it was still present well into December. To see photos, click here!