Hi Guys, im an avid otter fan

A bit further afield, but I was at Druridge Pools last Saturday afternoon, and had fantastic views of an otter fishing for at least half an hour in front of one of the hides.

Apparently Northumberland is becoming very reliable for otters of late, and anyone wanting to see one would do well to give it a go. This particular one even got out of the water and was rolling around for about 5 mins on a tiny floating island (probably scent marking its territory). This was in the last 1/2 hour of daylight, very few people about too, which is perhaps why it showed so well.

The only other places I've seen them is western Scotland, but nowhere near as well as this. I went along with a friend who lives locally. He reckons a colleague of his has also seen them well there recently, so this definitely wasn't a one-off sighting.

Steve

Hi Steve

I have a friend who goes to Druridge Pools practically everyday and sees otters on most/all occasions! Probably one of the most reliable place in the NE???? I think there are some good photos on the Northumberland thread pages.

Andy

Hello otters, welcome to the Yorkshire forum.

While were all on about otters, what chance of seeing them in Arkengarthdale in a fortnight? The otter trust had a centre not too far from there.

See this thread may explain things - or not...
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....59#post1118559

A trip to Druridge Pools it is then. Thanks for the info guys.

Not I'm afraid. The bird in question was not a Waxwing but a Great White Egret that flew over our house. The direction it came from it won't have been too far from the waxwings and it drifted West. Thanks anyway.

Losh
 

Just back from an hour down on one of my bird atlas squares- the one that includes losh.

Highlights included:

1 Barnacle Goose
1 Canada Goose
99 Grey-lag Geese
1 Mute Swan
199 Lapwing
157 Golden Plover
3 Little Grebe
42 Mallard
12 Coot

Has anyone else had Barny there before (Lawts?) A bit of a suprise!

Cheers

Andy

Went upto Barden today and it way to cold. A four or five mile trek in 6 inch snow was very bracing!

Twite, Redpoll, Stonechat, Red Grouse, and two cormorant

More on the blog...

I/we also scored with Otter @ Druridge Pools, last year within 10 mins of getting into the hide, took that Short-toed Lark in first on the Long Nanny.

Derby's again today for seconds at Cromford to see Hawfinch, single bird showing well, tree top style, in song just (well if you have heard one, you will know what I mean..), Fudge & Long-tailed Duck also in Derby's, cracking Little Owl showing well, behind Fairburn's visitors centre late afternoon..


____________________________
Darren

Had a lifer at Fairburn Ings this aftrnoon - Tree Sparrow. Spent a good couple of hours there with my 8 year old son.

Nice one Richard. How busy was it down there? Did you see anything else?

I remembered a previous post:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread....364#post996364

Was quiet - didn't get there until about 2.30.

There were loads of Goldeneye. Also had Teal, Pochard Tufted Duck, Cormorant on the water. Lots of Goldfinches & Long Tailed Tits on the feeders. Had lovely view of a male Bullfinch near the Cut Hide towards dusk. No LSW unfortunately.

Richard

A bit closer to home Mike, I've been hearing from different sources that early morning at Burton Riggs could be fruitful for Otter. Nowhere near as bang on as Northumberland, may be worth a bash first light one morning if you're struggling to sleep.

Thanks Ben, that clears that up then! No Snow Goose this time though!

Cheers, Andy

Golden Plover new though Andy - 81st Losh bird! On the deck or in flight?

Hi Lawts, they were in the fields behind the water, they have sheep and beet tops (by the look of it) on them, both sides of the A1, they did fly over the actual water part of losh on several occasions (just incase the other fields aren't in your recording area!). They were very flighty and spooked very easily, could well have under-recorded them as it was blowing a bit by then and was a very cold wind! Also seemed like a lot of Stock Dove around too. No sign of any Corn Buntings tho, have they been seen recently???

As an aside one of my friends had the Mealy Redpoll in York today.

Andy

Harlow Carr Bird Week
 

Just to let everyone know that there is a 'Birds in the Garden' week at RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate from February 9th-15th. Lots of activities going on for the whole family (e.g. nature trail walks, bird-box building etc, and RSPB will be there too at somepoint).

I will be in the bird hide in the garden from 11-3 on Sat and Sunday 9th and 10th pointing out birds so if your free please pop along!

They seem to be having some good birds coming to the feeders such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Siskin etc... all showing well. Other birds possible around the feeders/garden at this time of year include Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Crossbill, Marsh Tit, Tree Sparrow, Dipper, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling etc... with Red Kite possible over the gardens....

Cheers Andy

Andy are those dates right? Did you mean Feb?

Cheers James, edited post so it is now correct - good job i'm not doing their marketing or anything like that!

Very interesting. Will give it a go. Certainly nearer than Northumberland.

otters
 

hey if anyone is interested there is a programme at 4:55 on bbc2.

AN OTTER IN THE FAMILY
BBC2 4:55!


LAST U.K LIFER : HAIRY-NOSED OTTER bogey ASIAN SHORT-CLAWED OTTER

Hope this helps,have any of you seen that yorkshire birding forum? its o.k similair threads to as we have here on this yorkshire-otters thread.

OTTERGUIDES.COM FOR SIGHTINGS PLEASE :eat:

Thanks Andy. Had a quick look today (without having read your response!) Did have a quick look in the field you are referring to, but didn't look closely. No look, but did see a Buzzard go across Losh, plus for the mammal recorders this year, nearly killed a Hare that ran out in front - fortunately I missed him.

I did see a group of GP's whilst driving back to Wetherby today, perhaps circa 50, two fields south of the Ramada. They often used to be in the first field next to the Ramada, but the farmer may have changed the crop in the last couple of years, as I haven't seen them there.

Losh looked fairly quiet - Mute Swan, Mallards, Coots, but only a five minute view. Three Grey Herons together in nearby fields.

Chris Johnson - all a bit cryptic but Chris if you read this can you pm me please. I've lost your details and just want to check something.

Thanks.