Made a visit to see the LEO's this afternoon, 4 showing well. Also goldcrest, several kingfishers, and a February first for me - a chiffchaff.

There's a place near (inside) Catterick where you can photograph Water Vole and Kingfisher.

late pm visit to Swilly Ings - fantastic performing bittern visible for most of the 2 hours I was there - it even climbed to the top of the reeds for a while before toppling off.
Also at least 2 SEO's and common buzzard.
Gulls were awkward as settled in a dip at the back of the lake - when they took off there was a leucistic HG amongst (I'm reliably informed!) - dissappointing as hoping for Iceland. Neither Glaucous or Iceland seen - very friendly natives however.

2w iceland gull reported on astley lake at 2pm , most gulls are roosting at the back of astley lake on the newly formed balancing lake, also using st. aidans main lake or the causeway area . 3 female scaup's on the river near caroline bridge today.
Happy birding ..B (:

Would that be Foxglove Covert?
Any hassle getting in?

Thanks
Andy

Are they regular in any particular area? Have read that they 'patrol' the ruins..

Thanks
Andy

They have made a couple of films about them so must be quite easy. Apparently use the drainage systems. Must be better during the week

No massive rarities, but a cracking morning on the local patch (Loxley Valley) for me today. Grey wagtail and a brief view of a day-flying tawny owl were year ticks, I got my third ever site redpoll, plus dippers, jays, a teal (not too common on site), some lapwings (ditto) and various other goodies. You need days like this to remind you patch-watching is worthwhile.

Everything was posing fairly well for once as well...

Just had the most wondeful plunge-diving mr. kingfisher in Skipton Woods today.
Must have looked a right lunatic, standing on the path motionless and bins-less looking into a bush on the other side! Loads of lovely nuthatches and tits as well.

Although absolutely no dippers-wonder where they've all gone?

Just back from walking the dogs round my end of Harrogate where i found a nice flock of 46 Waxwings along the main street in Starbeck, all sat in a little bush in the primary school grounds!

Don't get your knickers in a twist. Private joke. Dicky Ticker identified himself to me on Sunday. He's a long time friend. Ok!

flamborough, a 1st winter Ring Ouzel was seen this morning (not by me unfortunately) on the cliff top footpath near next to the golf club

cheers for that
I'll be back!

I was hoping to get down to Swilly today but was stuck in the house waiting for the repair man to arrive....why when a morning appointment was stipulated do the swines arrive in the middle of the afternoon, leaving no time to do anything!
I had a robin stroking day watching the great tits and blue tits fighting it out in the oak tree, and another red kite over the house was a pleasant surprise.

Just wondering if any of the Hull locals could update me on the birds around East Park.

In my lunch hour tomorrow I'm wondering if it's worth jumping in the car and heading along Holderness Road ...... particularly interested in the Goosanders and curious as to whether the Pintail is still around.

Also if anyone would be willing to PM me the rough location of the roosting Tawny Owls from previous posts I would be most grateful

Thanks in advance

Mal Skelton

A few Goosander still recently. Also 2 drk Teal and Treecreeper around Rocky. No info on Tawny. Need it myself.
Can't access Hull Valley site today so can't give you most up to date info.
Worth viewing the above if you don't already as it often has news from East Park.

Hull Valley Wildlife group have spoken to representative of EA. The new path at High Eske/Pulfin is part of a government directive to improve access to EA land. Supposed to be a reinstatement of an old path. Have been assured that protection of the borrow will be taken into consideration [possible viewing screen or hide] and the fishing will still be discouraged from the west bank [it was banned previously but all signs have been deliberately removed].

Which Animal?
 

All those with their I-Spy Tracker Badges can you name the critter that made these?

It walked from the road down Lin Dyke all the way to the owl roost.

May be a dog for all I know.

It's been a while since I've done any detailed field study... but if memory serves, in the lower print the triangular interdigital pad is strongly suggestive of a domestic dog. A fox when walking leaves an almost linear set of prints, not splayed as this photo would suggest. My bet would be a dog... however I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people out there ?

Does anyone know where the feeding station/vulture table is at swillington ings?

Just been having a nosy at their website.

Mark.

Marcus - congrats on the latest photo of the week - a truely incredible shot that surpasses the puffin from last year. I was stunned when i saw it. You deserve many accolades for it.

Thanks James :t:
Spend all my time trying to get them sharp and it's the blurry one everyone likes ;)

Pretty certain that not everyone will love it, but it's one of those shots where even the missus went 'that's cool!'

Are you sure those are wild Black-Headed Gulls Marcus

Did Tophill this afternoon. Had male Brambling at the feeders. Possible fem Mandarin on O res but couldn't find it in heavy snow in fact left early before we got snowed in!
Trying to get a message to Barton group of Lincs Wildlife Trust but doesn't appear to be a dedicated Lincs birding thread. If anyone has any contact with them could you ask the leader of the group due to do Hornsea Mere/Swinemoor on Sunday that Decoy Bay is a private area as well as providing a refuge area so please, contrary to what they intend in their program, don't enter the area.

I'd go with that.

What's the deal with Swilly Ings, by the way? I notice it's getting a bit of coverage by the people of Birdforum this month, I take it there's a good gull roost? I'm not that far from it, but I'd say it's just about beyond easy walking distance from here. I got talking to the guy at Rodley about it some time ago and he said it was only really worth working with a scope, but I suppose I could try a peek in with the binos some day.