Birding by Car
 

[quote=malskelton;1325053]That will be the hedge at the end of my street then !!

How come I don't get to hear about Waxwings less than 100 metres from my front door ;)

I was supposed to be going out last weekend but I'm struggling at the moment with my foot, may be doing some birding by car !

You're in the right place for it. If you do the loop from Thorngumbald to Stone Creek, then over the potholed road to Sunk Island, taking in Keyingham Marsh on the way, at this time of year in late afternoon you can see 10 different individual Barn Owls if you are lucky - after several wet/windy nights is best. You can also get good views of Merlin, Peregrine, 40+ Roe Deer, Little Egret, Fieldfare, Redwing & Golden Plover. Some years there used to be Short-eared Owls, but they've been absent for the last few.

If I see any Waxwings in Thorngumbald again I'll let you know, it was probably c5 years ago!

Today's Spurn blog has been updated!
Cheers

Got my November visit out of the way early. Plenty of winter thrushes about, I guess all new in, esp the Blackbirds seemed to be in loose groups rather than spread out, a dozen or so in the same hedgerow and then none for a while. About 400 Fieldfare over the weekend, though only 50 or so Redwing mostly odd ones with other thrushes.

Other winter goodies; a female Brambling in a garden, 2 Jack Snipe together, 300+ Golden Plover, plenty of Teal on the field ditches and streams, a couple of Green Sandpiper feeding around a wet and muddy cow drink (in the past the ones appearing this late have stayed for the winter), and 2 Corn Bunting with a small Yellowhammer flock (very disappointing amount of finches/buntings in general though).

Surprise of the weekend was a 1st winter Kittiwake flying low but purposefully NE on its own. Yearlist now 117 - well yeah, but I'm happy with it |=)|

The 'Nordic' Jackdaw photo on your blog doesn't look especially striking, did it look more so? I saw several at the weekend looking fairly similar to this one, but had them as just within the usual variance of local birds. I saw one in spring that was 'classic' Nordic (yes, I know it's not really safe to id them in the field). Woud love to get Hooded Crow on to the patch list!

Maybe worth watching Autumn Watch tonight. Some tyke birder has recently been contacted for some pictures ;)

Trek round flam today produced sibe chiffer, waxwing and a few bramblings plus a late surge of goldcrest and thrushes.

In addition I heard the South Landing Dusky call 5 or 6 times over a two hour period having dipped out yesterday, and three times previously. So a new bogey bird. Expect some good stuff on the East coast is my prediction. It was getting messy out there...

Not in tonight but I'm taping Autumnwatch and will watch it tomorrow. Bill Oddie kinda bigged it up last night.
I wonder who's pictures you mean Marcus.:-O

Scotland Holiday
 

Just returned from a week in Speyside and whilst this is clearly not in Yorkshire I thought I would share my experiences. It was not soley a birding holiday but manged to do a fair bit.

Managed to pick up a Ptarmigan whilst coming down cairngorm on the Funicular railway. At the viewing platform it was 60 mph winds and snow blizzards so no chance of anything so thought my chance had gone. Decided to have a walk some of the way back up but could not relocate it. Did have a dipper fly past me at 800m, that is surely 'extreme' dipper activity!

Had a walk in the woods behind the cottage we were staying in near BOG and accidently disturbed a male Capercaille, for its size it soon disappeared not to be seen again.

Anyone after Crested Tit? there is a feeding station on main road into BOG off the A95. I was only there a minute before one tunred up. I believe this is a reliable place for them. Also saw them around Loch Morlich.

Best morning was spent in the Findhorn Valley. Great views of 2 peregrines - put on a bit of a show one flying down valley dropped some food - mouse or something and the other bird caught it in flight. A little while later a Golden Eagle appeared over the mountain ridge, being harrassed a little by a crow, the difference in size is amazing. Best view Ive ever had of one. If you ever go down here expect hundres of Red Deer and also keep an eye out for the 'wild' mountain goats.

Also managed to pick up a pair of Red-Breasted mergansers on Loch Garten.

Despite having walked through several areas of wodland in the area the only crossbills I came across were in the car park at the Landmark Centre near BOG. They did not make a sound so I could not say whether or not they were common crossbills or Scottish Crossbill. Anyone else out there have any thoughts on which they woud have been at this site?

We made a couple of attempts to see Pine Martins & Badgers at what we called Bill Oddies hide - the speyside wildlife one. Unfortunately, I think because of all the snow we had this week, we only had a brief vview of a Martin come & collect an egg before disappearing. Other than that we only saw a Wood Mouse! Next time.......

All in all a great week picking up most of the scottish specialities including 2 lifers - Ptarmigan & Caper. If anyone wants any info on places I visited feel free to ask.

John

I agree the 'Nordic' Jackdaw doesn't look at all striking, which is why I used the inverted commas. However, it was caught & ringed & lots of measurements taken, so hopefully those in the know at Spurn will be able to confirm later for sure if it was a Nordic! I have seen Hooded Crow 2 years ago at Stone Creek & Burton Constable many years ago, so we do get them from time to time!

Cheers

Ooooh the luxury 8-P

I'm sure there must be loads about, shame they're not easier to id... although if there were the tickers would be shouting for a dodgy split!

Was that your Flycatcher on today's prog then, or are they going to show something tomorrow? Prog going out at 7pm Weds, so surely won't include your excellent X-rated Red Deer when kiddies are watching, will they? ;)

Cheers

I was in Scotland a couple of weeks ago and had a male Caper at Loch Garten- cracking bird. Other highlights included Peregrines fighting Raven at Findhorn, Otter on Skye, Golden Eagle and possible Wildcat on Ardnamurchan.

We had a smashing holiday in a cottage at B.O.G. a few years ago, arrived 3 days after Ospreys had left, still haven't seen one.
Went to the hotel just up the road on the Saturday night, asked the barman what time they closed, he said "It's my day off on Wednesday, we're open till then!!!
pete

Our son and his family just returned from a week in Boat of Garten - staying in a cottage behind the post office. Last Friday they had a waxwing in the top of a birch tree from the cottage window - probably the first for that area. Had a male caper near Tulloch on the track early one morning and a black grouse - and that was their first full day so the pressure was really off them then. Like you, they had good views of a golden eagle and peregrine down the Findhorn valley. (I have a report to post yet but this will be out of date as it was early October when we were there).

Sandra

Blink and you miss it!

I thought that Nordic Jackdaw could not be separated on measurements? Bill of spermologus is heavier than Nordic and has a longer toe but these are probably more subjective in the hand? (see BWP).

Nordic Jackdaw is surely not a rare bird in Yorks (or along the east coast in general) it's just that the news services seem to think they're of interest and seem to harp on about them now. Only a small number of people probably look through Jackdaws and of the 'Nordic Jackdaws' present only a small proportion of them will appear obvious. A fair proportion of wintering birds will be 1st-years and therefore not IDable and there will be adults that will also lack the pale neck collar and can be overlooked. So those suspected of being Nordic are simply those at the very obvious end of the spectrum.

Russian Jackdaw C. m. soemmeringii will be the one to look for being probably much rarer. It has further to come, is more migratory, and probably occurs later than the Nordics that will be arriving now - though most will probably be 1st-years…….

Did you get out yesterday Keith?

See two barred crossbill made it to Yorks.

Sick

I got out ....for a couple of hours only though. Managed a quick run down to Potteric to dip on the bitterns, but was worth it as the paths round the new wetland area are in place along with a new hide down there. Should be excellent there in the right season.
Didn't have the time to run out to the coast... things to do first thing and then I had to be back at home for 3.00pm to take delivery of a parcel.

As a parrot?

Too bad, never mind - spring soon!!

Too bad or is that two barred?

Had a trip to Spurn today, absolutely brilliant,waxwings,mealy redpoll and woodcock on Beacon Lane.Hawfinch,Dusky Warbler,Black Redstart,Merlin and Snow Bunting at Spurn and Pallas's Warbler at the Crown.Plus loads of redpoll, siskin,a few brambling and hundreds of thrushes.
Brilliant day.
More details and pics on the blog.

Top commute tick tonight, Lesser Pecker flew over the car heading towards Troydale, Pudsey.

Where would be best tomorrow, Spurn or further north?

I was at Spurn today. Managed yet another Pallas's at Crown and Anchor along with usual stuff Bling finch, siskin, redpoll, about 5 woodcock. Another 10 Woodcock at Easington where the Raddes was, I saw a sillhouette move throught the brambles as the bird called. Tickable? Not for me, but likely the bird. Went off to Holmpton two self found Pallas's (Graham if you're reading it was on that footpath running next to the Paddock that you found in spring) near School Lane. Also 'Asianish' Lesser White and 5 more Woodcock. Flushed a LEO from the brambles and then at about 3PM no fewer than 5 barn owls came out! Not sure if anyone else has been to Holmpton this week, but it goes to show...

Who knows what's still lurking out there...