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Flamborough Foot-it Part 3: Honey and Habitat
Mon 22nd Sep, 2014
2014 has been an excellent year for migrant Honey Buzzards at Flamborough. The southern cliffs have seen several records this week of individuals dropping low into the fog over Bridlington Bay. Their habit of flying low on migration makes them tricky to see and even more difficult to ‘twitch’. So it was with relief that I saw one drift into distant view over Old Fall on the 15th. This record, together with Wood Sandpiper and Hawfinch on the same day, turned the day into my best of the week.
This was also the week we started spending my sponsorship money so far! Flamborough Bird Observatory has now been able to form a management agreement with East Riding Council for Old Fall plantation, allowing us to design and create habitat for birds and other wildlife.
On the 16th I spent the day in Old Fall with our local digger specialist Chris Mumby, restoring the pond. At the base of the plantation there is a wet area formed by the stream running down into the old chalk pit. Several years ago we started work on this area; initially by hand with spades and sweat! It was great to be able to do the work with a machine thanks to the generosity of my sponsors. We removed the build-up of silt brought down by the stream over several years, restructured the sides of the pond and secured the sluice area to reduce water loss.
The result is a restored pond area with space for us to put in some aquatic plants. We would also like to create some drinking areas around the head of the stream area for songbirds to use. Hopefully by next year there will be some great migrant bird habitat, not only improving opportunities for migrant and resident birds to feed and drink from the pond area but also bringing some great species into view for birders!
For all the latest Flamborough sightings, keep an eye on the Flamborough Bird Observatory web site here:
Richard Baines
Flamborough Conservation Working Group