Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
A highlight of our walk along the Holbeck this morning was finding three reed bunting territories. This handsome bunting is associated with damp meadows and marshland and some agricultural land. Our small stretch of the beck clearly suits them well. We heard a lesser whitethroat again this morning, the first time for several weeks. It was singing only 50 metres… Continue reading June 4th- reed buntings, house martins and swift diary

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Swift Diary Yesterday we had an evening of steady moderate to heavy rain. Although in the short term the weather for swifts is rather tough being cool, windy and sometimes wet I think the rain will help the insect population which will of course benefit swifts and many other species of bird. Little to report from our swifts. They are… Continue reading June 5th- rain and swift diary

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Marsh tits have been bringing their fledglings to the garden several times a day. They are slightly smaller than their parents with dull sepia caps and much fluffier plumage. The parents don’t have a moment of peace as the fledglings follow them everywhere, begging constantly. It is great to see that they have bred successfully in the area. Gilling woods… Continue reading June 6th- marsh tit fledglings, house sparrow and swift diary

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
We have been busy building a substantial pond in the garden. The digging is almost done and this has been beneficial to the local blackbirds. Each time we retreat for a rest or refreshment they explore the bare earth and enjoy the bounty. We can’t wait to take delivery of the pond liner now and see the pond filled. The… Continue reading June 8th- blackbird and swift diary

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
We went for a walk on the North York Moors this morning- the first time for many weeks. We were immediately greeted by the sound of a cuckoo. What a beautiful sound, we listened mesmerised. It was accompanied by a snipe ‘drumming’, curlew calls, crossbills, skylark, willow warbler and meadow pipits. A really special moorland chorus and one which I… Continue reading June 9th- cuckoo and swift diary

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Swift Diary Tolly and I had a trip out to try and find hirundines and swifts feeding in the rain. We found none at either Castle Howard Lake or Newburgh Priory. We would love to know where non breeding swifts go to in poor weather. They have been missing from here since the evening of June 3rd. Other swift watchers… Continue reading June 10th- swift diary and North Yorkshire Open Studios Online

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
Tolly and I had a very early trip to the North York Moors this morning. We went to see pied flycatchers and redstarts. We were lucky to see both very well. The male pied flycatcher is a little black and white gem. They contrast so well against fresh green foliage. The male was busy feeding young with his mate. Both… Continue reading June 11th- redstarts, pied flycatchers and swift diary

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
North Yorkshire Open Studios online You can view some of my work and my studio on the NYOS website at 12.40pm tomorrow. Follow this link  https://www.nyos.org.uk/ To see my work available through ooen studios please see https://jonathanpomroy.wordpress.com/welcome-to-yorkshire/ ? Swift Diary Our weather station has recorded more than 28mm of rain in the last 24 hours. Our monthly total now stands… Continue reading June 12th- swift diary and NYOS 2020

Originally posted on Jonathan Pomroy:
I’ve had very little slee! Tolly and I had a wonderful socially distanced evening with Nathaniel and Phil Dargue watching nightjars. We are fortunate to have them very close to Gilling East, a species that is doing very well locally in clear felled forestry areas. Nightjars are nocturnal, emerging at dusk. They have an incredible churring song, which really needs… Continue reading June 14th- nightjar, tawny owl and swift diary