Yes, the Hawfinches at Scrayingham were over 20 years ago, but since then I can only recall occasional records in the valleys of the Wolds (the Nunbernholme records were last winter). Maybe these are the areas that birders should concentrate their efforts for this superb finch - I don't know of anyone who watches the valleys of the Wolds as a 'patch' but could be wrong?

It always used to be a species that I'd see every year without much effort around York, often including birds during the breeding season. However, I've seen only one recently and the York area as a whole probably averages about one winter report per year - sadly.

For South Yorks types... the Sheffield Bird Study Group has just completely revamped its website, and it's got some good stuff on there including some good site guides.

http://www.sbsg.org.uk

There are currently 42 waxwings outside my window feeding outside 'Castle Keep' on Scott Lane, Wetherby.

15+ waxwings with starlings in access road between Salisbury and Shaftesbury Ave's in Roundhay - still present 4 ish. Breakaway splinter group from your mob Keith?

106 Waxwings on Harrogate Road, junction of King Lane and Stainbeck Road at 4PM. All feeding on a single Rowan at the side of the road. Cr@p photos later. Just how many are there in W. Yorks at the moment!?

Graham

Left the scope in the car, and so the below are digi-binned travesties. Good birds for a lunch-break, though.

Graham

A few Turnstones, purple sandpipers, sanderlings, common gulls, redshanks and oystercatchers on brid south shore this early afternoon, 1 canada goose and 5 tufted duck among the mallard and domestic geese on burton agnes pond, 7 tufted duck and 2 mute swans on nafferton pond , bewicks swans still at north frodingham, 9 redwing on the outskirts of kelk ,

My personal experience of the area I study is that Tree Sparrows are very locally distributed. They can be common but equally I could walk all day without seeing a single bird but in villages where they're regular seeing double figures might be expected.

They do seem especially drawn to gardens with feeders and also ones where House Sparrows aren't dominant. The gardens around my old mans house have lots of House but few Tree Sparrows (and their visits are irregular). In the next village there are less House but the largest no of Tree's locally. Gardens with big overgrown hedges and plenty of adjacent cover seem to be preferred too, though that might just be a coincidence.

Also, they seem to have recovered somewhat in recent years, where House Sparrows have declined. By late 90s Tree Sparrows were quite tricky to find (or perhaps it was just me being unobservant - equally likely!) but I've been seeing more each year in 2005-8 since starting birding again proper. By contrast House Sparrows numbers are less than 50% what they were 20 years ago.

Im not quite sure i run with that Bob - as far as ive noticed out this way its a case of they are pretty inobtrusive and vaguely reliant on the presence of people and arent keen where house sparrows are present but if you check the local feeders be it on a nature reserve or just a local house and you'll see them, especially around stand alone farm houses. For me they are a bird I see everyday without trying (and that was prior to having feeders out) - if a sparrow flies i assume its tree sparrow and then work back to house sparrow.

I think we're broadly in agreement, though you clearly see more than I do, but I can only speak for my local patch.

There aren't many feeders that I encounter and most of those aren't easily visible (fancy putting feeders hidden away in your back garden, how inconsiderate!) and if I'm honest I'm not a big fan of standing around watching them.

There was a large flock at Foston last winter that frequented stubbles with finches/buntings - I think the peak was about 45 birds. To me that's a remarkable count, locally.

I cant say i blame you - im not talking with 100% confidence as i just dont take much notice of them anymore.

There was a flock of about 30 birds in the same area today, around 3.15pm. Went top get my camera from home but by the time I got back they'd gone. According to a householder on King Lane they'd flown down Gledhow Valley Road but I couldn't refind them.
This is getting ridiculous, I go from bemoaning the fact that I haven't seen a waxwing for several years just before the new year, to now getting waxwing fatigue a month later!

With so much interest from photographers it's a wonder there aren't hoards of angry under-exposed celebrities turning up at Waxwing twitches and forming a "British jobs for British workers" protest ;)

How about 'British Berries for British Birds'?

Unofficial, non-union endorsed pickets from mistle thrushes and blackbirds. That'll be next!

This afternoon at Welwick salt marsh.
3 short eared owl, 2 barn owl, 2 ring tail hen harrier, 2 merlin.

Ah - that would be a Reds-backed Strike then.

Thanks Andrew. Would you be able to share viewing arrangments and wether a scope is needed. Thanks :t:

Just in case Andrew doesn't check this thread too often. I would take a scope, but you can get very close views of Hen Harrier if you are lucky. There used to be (haven't been for a couple of years) an old tree washed up & have seen Hen Harrier on there twice - actually 2 out of 3 times. Someone on the course who lives nearby checked up on it recently & says its churned up. It's bleak - flat saltmarsh habitat, but can pay dividends at this time of year - as my calendar states!

It is accessible to the public at all times, but kids use illegal motorbikes there, so it may be bad for that at weekends - probably OK early on in the day, as they won't have got up then!
Cheers

Thanks Michael.

Think this may relate to displaying Woodcocks which were described to me as fanning their tails like a turkey.

I'm a well known stringer don't trust me!

Someone at Tophill mentioned the feeders at Allerthorpe Common. Could that it be the site? Haven't been for years so can't help.
Went to High Eske this afternoon. If Andy Gibson's viewing, I spoke to the contractor from EA. Are building a path around the west side of the pit starting at the north end with a bridge over the outlet then along the back of the pit [as far as I'm concern this is tricky as there's a very narrow strip between Eske and the largest 'pond' on Pulfin}. I was assure that most of the bushes will remain to screen Eske. Don't know the exact boundaries of High Eske/Pulfin but you inferred that YWT had no involvement/knowledge of the project but this must have some long term affect on both sites.
Had a Whooper Swan on site, 3 Pinkies and a Jay [rare bird, my be first for me} . I admit I strung the Whooper as a Bewick's last week.
Still 11 Whoopers on Arram Carr but had to walk as far as Leven Canal to view. However had a male Stonechat by the canal.
No sight of Bewick's N.Frodingham this afternoon.
Both Smew still Tophill y'day on Watton NR.

I wonder if East Wind should really be called East Wind-up. I think it all may be a jokey reference to the visit a few days ago to Tophill of Andy Walker aka Schiffornis, whose avatar looks like a Turkey, unless he really resembles a miniature elephant man - no offence intended!

Cheers

I believe Andy's avatar shows a Bluethroat being ringed - just takes a bit of magic eye. East Wind may well be a wind-up but stranger things have happened.