Late afternoon at Swillington Ings today. Med gull back again loafing around on Tern Island, no signs of glaucous though. Talking to a regular it has been coming in after 6pm, I had to be away at 5.30 at the latest so didn't really expect to see it. Nice bird to see was a short-eared owl just before I left, distant views as it was over towards the dragline but very satisfying all the same as it has been a while since I last saw seo.

Great little video here from the BTO http://www.bto.org/home/tawnys/clip8.htm

I tried for the glaucous at Swillington a couple of weeks ago when I had time off. Unfortunately it was one of those murky days and by 5pm it had become difficult to see anything then it started to rain so it really ruined the visibility. It remains a bogey bird for me. I had hoped for SEO too as there are four of them knocking about but no sign of those either. The weather's been great since I went back to work it'll be rubbish again when I'm off at the end of the month.

Assuming Marcus is still following this thread, and there is only one ebirder (photographer, tour guide, etc.), congratulations on sponsoring Dotterel for the 2007-11 BTO Bird Atlas. I hope we can look forward to some stunning photos of 'your' bird this summer.

On a more general note, looking at the BTO Atlas website it is surprising how breeding evidence is missing or incomplete for many of the common species, let alone the rarer ones, in the Leeds area 10km squares at least and probably elsewhere in Yorkshire. Even if you don't want to do timed tetrad visits any casual observations (roving records) of breeding activity, e.g. birds carry food, faecal sacs or nesting material, young calling from nest sites, adults giving distraction displays, would be useful and can be submitted via Birdtrack. There is only this summer and next year to go to fill the gaps so any help would be appreciated.

To any 'Swilly' members ...

Just filled in my application form and was wondering if I can send a cheque to the gent named on the form or should it be made out to anyone in particular?

Thanks very much.

Dave, I made it out to the gent on the form when I first joined, now just stick the form and a fiver in an envelope and pop it in the box in the hide. It's emptied daily so no worries about theft etc.

Thanks Keith ..

First migrant this evening with a wheatear up at Scammonden. Little else up there, some Golden Plover in summer uniform looked interesting but very distant.

Dipper sites, Hebden Bridge
 

Does anyone know of any reliable Dipper sites near Hebden Bridge? Cheers.

Not Hebden Bridge, guaranteed at the Strid though.

Cheers Keith, I forgot about the Strid.

You don't have brief directions do you? The info is for a friend, and I've only been to the Stid once! Can't remember how I got there (after 13 hours none stop at work I can only just remember my name!).

A59 to Bolton Bridge, turn right roundabout, follow road to Cavendish Pavilion car park, on right after passing the Bolton Priory church. I think the car park is £6.00 per vehicle but not sure on this years charges, as it's free during Jan and Feb. On bridge by the Cafe look upstream and there's usually a bird around, if not walk upstream to the aqueduct over the river and again there are birds there, also seen quite easily if you cross the river by bridge opposite cafe and walk upstream to a point by the island, very low level path here almost at water level the birds can be seen tazzing around here quite easily. Again on this side of river they like the area on the river where the Valley of Desolation enters the river.

Whilst you can park free at Barden Bridge, further upstream than Cavendish Pavilion, if you aren't there very early then there's no spaces.

Mike(Skink),if the £6 car parking puts you off drive up the valley a little way to Barden Bridge and you can park at the side of the road for free and walk downstream to the sites Keith mantions,I have often had Dippers from the bridge at Barden looking upstream,the Strid Woods are a great area to walk no matter what birds you are hoping for,enjoy your trip.

One point in favour of the Pavilion car park, the beer battered fish and chips in the cafe there are effing brilliant. Nearly as good as the Brid fish and chips after the Skua cruise!

Dipper also easy at Richmond, but that's probably too far. Used to be regular in Knaresborough and Scotton, but that was back in the day - might still be the case though.

Week Off
 

Had a great week off work with some excellent photography weather.

Sunday: Some nice shots of the just out of county Ring-necked Duck at Cowpen Bewley, plus saw the regular weasel at Saltholme.

Monday: Stayed local and went for a walk - a stoat or weasel very briefly.

Tuesday: Again just out of county, the Red-necked Grebe is well worth a look at Langold. My best views ever. Will be nice if it stays into summer plumage.

Wednesday: The photography targets of Whooper Swan and Pintail didn't disappoint at Martin Mere. There's only the Swan hide that offers photography opportunities, but with really close views and excellent light. The American Wigeon was a bonus.

Thursday: Went up tp the "Woodie" watchpoint. One Woodie but wouldn't display in perfect conditions which was frustrating. Also Sprawk and Buzzard. Forge Valley was poor - reason, no food. I should have taken some, but it's usually well-stocked. Still several Marsh Tits. One adult and two second-winter Med's at Scarborough made light work of my "free" BOGOF hot cross buns.
Then timed it to be the first person on the Brigg after high tide. Some lovely Turnstone, and Purp Sand. shots. A bull Grey Seal off-shore - massive. Before I could get to the Knot, the first chavs had leapt across the still potentially dangerous receeding channel of sea to spook them. The cloud then rolled in with some nice shots across the bay over Filey of the changing skies.

Friday: Plan is Potteric but weather forecast not good. Can't complain though. Over 700 phot's to go through so may need some computer time!

Are they travelling from Hebden Bridge? If so the Strid is a long way for birds on the doorstep. Try Hardcastle crags, the back of Walkleys mill or Todmorden town centre. There's plenty of places along the calder up there. I'd do Hardcastle crags, nice walk and unlike Bolton Abbey the car park fees go to something worthwhile, the National trust

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main...ttingthere.htm

EDIT: Good luck in Spain the pair of you!

Nice one, let us know what you think of the place. Might run into you one day, hopefully not with the bike.

Cheers for the info everyone. Much appreciated.

Just wondering if anybody would be kind enough to help with locations or additional information for the Snow Buntings at Stone Creek

I live around there but have never tried Stone Creek before - I might have a spare couple of hours in the morning and would love to try and track down Snow Buntings ( I realise it's hit and miss though )

Thanks in advance

Mal Skelton

Potteric today. Parked myself in the Willow Pool Hide:

Jay
Sprawk
Water Rail
male and female Great Spot
Willow Tit

were highlights.

In the unlikely event of you not logging into Birdguides, there's a Police request regarding a missing person there.

Leave Thorngumbald at the junction which says to Stone Creek, I think it's called Bellcroft Lane. This is a windy road but it goes to Stone Creek via Cherry Cobb Sands - ignore the no-through road sign. You know you're there when you reach a really bad road, which can take you thro' to Sunk Island. You can park up at a bridge & gate on your right just before the bad road & if you explore that area on foot that's Stone Creek. http://www.multimap.com/maps/?lat=53...419248&zoom=14
SEOs have been seen there recently, as has a male Hen Harrier & Barn Owls are obligatory in late afternoons. It's a good place for waders near high tide & you should be able to see Common Seals hauled out of the mud. A Kingfisher is occasionally under that bridge when the tide is out. You can walk along the flood embankment either way, but if you head towards Spurn, crossing a bridge & then over another dyke you can sometimes see good stuff in the fields on your left in Stone Creek Battery. That whole area: Keyingham Marsh/Stone Creek, Sunk Island/Patrington Haven is a great place to birdwatch from a car in the winter, as there are sometimes also Merlins, Peregrines, as well as all the forementioned birds viewable in comfort & warmth from the car.

Hope that helps

i fully endorse the stayin in the car aspect ;)