Pratincole still present at 20.30 so looking good for tomorrow

Open day at Tophill Low NR on Monday. No entry charge! Infocus and Waxwing books selling their wares as well as displays by Hull Valley Wildlife Group, East Yorkshire Bat Group etc. Also Bird, Flower and Insect walks. They'll be several 'friendly people' on site to help anyone wanting help with ID.

Arrived on site at Swilly just as bird flew off at 8:45. Still no sign by 9:30 and just as we were fearing the worst it returned hawking over the islands and showed for the final stragglers until the light disapeared. Phew.

You get everywhere don't you Marcus?
Can I have your job?
Get any pics?

Hi Mick,

I assume you were the chap still present when I (and my other half) left Wykeham just before 12.30. Did you see the Goshawk again, or was your sighting earlier in the day?

A wonderful site Wykeham, and a much nicer vista at which to sit and watch from than either Swanton Novers or Great Ryburgh (Norfolk).

Mark

I don't think those inverted commas are doing their intended job. Are these the kind of people who pay 'friendly visits'?

Graham

You live up your name! Must admit "Rottie" ,the bloke you'll encounter if you try avoiding paying, can be more like your meaning of the phrase but as I said no payment on Monday so we'll try and keep him on his chain!

Mull trip report finally on the blog

Short? Don't think so. ;)

Swinemoor Sunday morning
 

Swinemoor 0530 - 0755 this morning:

Garganey: One drake
Little egret: 2
Wheatear: 1
Kingfisher
Yellow wagtail: 2
Lesser whitethroat: 1 singing
Lapwing: 8 young visible from four separate broods
Snipe: 2 drumming

3 Hobby flew through Stone Creek between 7 & 7.40 this morning, seen in brilliant light. Fantastic! No pics, camera on my knee for Yellow Wags, but they were just soooo quick.

The pratincole is still at Swilly this morning along with whiskered tern. Hope they stick around for tomorrow as it's unlikely I'll get there today, I'm already flagging and I've still got the gym to go to.

'bitter and twisted?"

Is it on the lake infront of the hide?
If not where is the best place to park?

Cheers
Stu.

Stu head to the hide. The bird is mobile. Parking is easiest there though.

Thanks mate. Glad its there, its the bit I know how to get to.

I'll get off.B (:

Feeling a little sordid after a dirty twitch, great bird though. Didn't see the tern but met a Skink and sidekick on their way to Norfolk and Matt on his way to Spurn. Had a walk at Fairburn (quiet) and on 27, also quiet but nice to find three of four nestboxes occupied.

Not long back from completing my BBS survey over at Thorp Arch, very pleased with at last finding a song thrush in my square, only 7 years to get that record. Yellowhammer numbers same as last year and linnet numbers up.
Called at Swilly on the way back after visiting work to pick up my mobile which I forgot yesterday.
Was there when the terns landed in front of the hide, totally gutted as I'd left the camera behind and they were sat there for several minutes. Gave up on seeing the pratincole and was heading back to the car when the shout went up that the bird was in the air, rushed back up to the river bank and had a few minutes of the bird swooping around over Astley Lake.
Now off to bed to get some shut eye as I'm cream-crackered, the 4.00am starts are starting to tell on me.

Was it busy? May go out for seconds

Car park was pretty full at 8.30, didn't go in the hide but it looked full, and there were about a dozen birders on the footpath watching Astley Lake and I know that roughly the same number had walked down river to scan St Aidan's from the fence.

Good grief a second twitch in a day, the Woodchat shrike is a belter.

I know it is at Pugneys but whereabouts is the bird Jim?

Calder wetlands across the road, the estate isn't on the map but the arrow is about right

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x...ay=417937&lm=0

Cheers Jim, know exactly where you mean. I think I'll pop down there tomorrow sometime

Hi Mark. Earlier in the day, I visited an area I know within the woods and had a male Goshawk intercepting a flock of pigeons flying overhead. Yes a great site but we were very lucky I’ve spent many a day there with no views of Honey Buzzard. Just nice to know their back, let’s hope the weather is favourable for them this season.
Mick.