I think Red Kites are traditionally birds of towns and cities that scavenge food resulting from human activity, such as roadkill, game, and traditional rodent pests. I wouldn't be surprised if we start to see an increase in birds with growth problems caused by feeding on fast food leftovers from our towns and cities.

I've seen a red kite hanging around Harehills while cycling home from Jimmy's hospital, felt quite sorry for it considering the nice places I've seen them. ;)

Does anyone know if the red-necked grebe's still at Hatfield Moors?

Hi Pete, the Red-necked Grebe was still present on Sunday 31st May on Ten Acre Lake at North end. But when i saw it a few weeks back it was about 1/2 way along lake by far bank. Best bet when you get there it to keep scanning lake as you walk along near bank until you spot it, bird is a calling and displaying a lot of the time, so should be fairly easy to locate.

Cheers Gary - off to Thorne tomorrow so will have a look on my way.

Couldn't stay in last night so had a nice evening out. Didn't see too much but enjoyed what I did see. More practice required ;)

Where was this taken Michael? Did I read somewhere you had Redstart in East Yorkshire? Not breeding surely?

Richard

Flamborough
 

Long Eared Owl was showing very well perched on a fence post in the gorse field up at the lighthouse earlier this evening,

Don't think you need any more practice with SEOs. Great pics you've had recently. Do they mistake a strong West Yorkshire accent for a vole's squeak? :t:

If you really did want more practice, I think someone is giving wildlife photography workshops in your part of the world - you never know, you may qualify for a discount;)

Swinemoor and Weel Tuesday evening
 

Swinemoor 1910 - 2100 tonight:

Little egret: One bird flew south at 2045.
Redshank: Two broods (one containing four chicks, the other three) seen this evening.
Ruff: 2
Teal: 2
Lapwing: First post-breeding flock of the year - 18 adults.

Weel 2100 - 2140:
Barn owl: 1
Water vole: One swimming across a field drain.

Went to Wykeham yesterday lunchtime and had a dark Honey Buzzard interacting with a boisterous common at half two ish. Other bits included Jay, Dipper, Spot Fly, Grey Partridge & Grey Wag.

james,

where were you observing from, in the valley?

especially interested in the spotted flycatchers.

cheers mark.

Red Kite low over the garden again today, mobbed by crows. Wonder what they find to eat round here - it's pretty central Leeds.

Graham[/quote]

The population around the initial release site at Harewood is possibly now so large that they are running out of carrion, they may start scavenging in the streets of Leeds as they were supposed to do in London before the English extinction. Unfortunately all of the Lapwing chicks on Eccup Moor have become Red Kite snacks. A couple of birds are being seen occasionally over the tip near Swillington Ings - with luck they may tempt a passing Black Kite to join them!
I saw a Buzzard by Roundhay Park a few days ago - the closest to the centre of Leeds that I've seen one of those.

Bring it on, all we need now is Peregrine nesting in the city centre. I live close to Roundhay park and have been very close to adding Red kite to my garden list, the time will come.

Bransholme Sewage Works (Hull) Wed afternoon
 

Whitethroat: Two territories
LBB Gull: 14
Herring: 1
Little grebe: 1

Swinemoor 1700 - 1715
 

Starling: Impressive flock of 240
Ruff: 2
LRP: 1
Teal: 3

Good day at Thorne this morning - marsh harrier, two hobbies, at least four cuckoos singing (and one seen), sedge and reed warblers, two stonechats. Got turtle dove, but frustratingly heard-only.

Tried to get to Hatfield for the red-necked grebe, but I'm ashamed to say I couldn't find the site. I had some instructions from the Web to the Tenacre Lake car park but ended up at a dead end by some fishing lakes. Has this entrance been closed or was I being really, really thick?

Corncrake In Yorkshire
 

I found something interesting this morning; heard a bird calling with a repetitive krrr-krrr call out in a grassy field (i've got a fuller description in my notebook if needs be) . I've checked out some recordings and it seems spot-on for corncrake. As a strictly Yorkshire birder, (and never having been to the outer Hebrides) they're not a bird I've had any experience with, are there many crakes in the county?

Other birds of note for the day were black tern at Fairburn and a pair of Spoonbills at Blacktoft on the way home.

Moormonkton
 

Had great day yesterday near Redhouse woods/reservoir.Nothing exceptional but nice to watch 2 types of owl at same time!Some pics attached.Does anyone know anything of Crane and Quail at LDV??

Redhouse
 

Barn Owl ringed but wild bird !

Saw nowt of the Crane when I had a look in this morning, may've been a flyover maybe? I don't get full subscription of birdguides, but I popped in at Wheldrake on a whim anyway.

It was at North Duffield this morning where I had my corn crake actually, so the journey was worth it. Just been googling about it, sounds like LDV is one of the best spots for them in the area, so that figures.

Nice little Owl pic by the way.

Tickton / High Eske / Pulfin area Wed 2100 - 2200
 

Quail: At least one bird singing
Grey partridge: At least one territory
Red-legged partridge: At least one territory
Oystercatcher: 2
Cuckoo: One, possibly two, territories
Barn owl: At least two birds hunting

Ten Acre Lake
 

Hi Pete, Directions for Ten Acre Lake, Hatfield Moor, if you get chance to go again are;
From the A614 north end of Hatfield Woodhouse village turn left (if heading South) onto Remple Lane then after c100yds fork left onto Hollingbridge Lane follow this and after 2nd 90 degree bend turn right over a small bridge opposit a small fenced sewage works. Then follow the track (a bit pot-holed) for c1 1/2miles? until you come to the car park on your right, the lake is then back across the track on the opposit side of lane to car park.
Hope this helps, and good luck with Grebe if you go again.

If it was a Corncrake then publicising the news of such an exceptionally rare breeding species on an open forum like this is just plain STUPID!!!!!

Why not contact the site manager, county recorder or send it to the Corncrake hotline but PLEASE use common sense with rare breeding birds.

Thanks for your concern.

I was initially wary of publicisng this record, and I did not mention the location in my first post (or note the record in the log book), but subsequent research on the internet showed that crake in this area were well-known and publicised, including on the JNCC website and in local media. Even so I have not been specific, I have not given an exact location on what is a very large reserve.

If anyone still deemed this irresponsible I would remove the location from my post but at the minute I am not sure if this is necessary.I have emailed the county recorder already, I will see about the hotline.