Talk to In Focus at Denby Dale, they are well up with Opticron gear

You defo can. I got one for the 20 - 60 direct from Opticron.

Watched the first few overs and despite what was happening I managed to nod off and woke at lunch.

Chris A63 near Travellodge but I didn't get there so don't know if still on.

mystery gull?
 

This fellow was hanging around with the black-headed gulls on the river in wetherby-juvenile?
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and the goosanders are still about,and a pied waggie walking about on the ice in the middle of the river-never miss an opportunity to feed!

Nice picture of a young common gull. To be strictly accurate the bird is in first winter plumage, juvenile plumage would have no grey on the back(mantle) and have a much less neatly defined change in colour on the bill.

Thanks,Kieth;that will settle an argument!

30+ waxwings at Wetherby 8.00am this morning. In the trees at the end of the wooden fence beside the A168 between Stonebeck and the services roundabout. They pose for pictures, but you have to ignore the nice waggon drivers tooting their horns when they see you taking photos.

Sandbeck not Stonebeck. D'ohhh!

Had a quick look this afty and couldn't see any - Stephanie were they feeding in the hawthorns - couldn't see any Rowans or other berry trees?

A few still present this morning at Colton Retail Park by the Travellodge.

I am SO pleased, today I went shopping for Christmas decorations in Leeds market, didn't find a single thing I wanted there but I did happen to step outside and see around fifteen "pale-looking starlings" which flew over my head and into a berry tree next to one of the stalls.....
AT LONG LAST! WAXWINGS!!! I literally started jumping up and down shouting "OH MY GOD, WAXWINGS!!" at my partner who was giggling away, random passers by also stopped to look at what all the fuss was about, I don't think they understood..!

There goes my planned waxwing hunt for tomorrow, not that I mind of course!

Thankfully I have been completely on the look out for anything starling-shaped these past few weeks so my eyes locked onto them immediately, then I noticed the colour and then finally they landed infront of me!

Anyone who wants a nice, central place to see waxwings, try the back part of Leeds market! You can always have a wander around the stalls and buy some things while you're searching.

I'm amazed at just how much they look like starlings, they even mixed themselves amongst starlings in a tree and the only way to tell them apart then was the crest!

Cheers Steve, didn't get the chance today. Hopefully they'll be there tomorrow and I can nip up.

They were in the taller bushes, I presume hawthorns, they were occasionally dropping down into the small berry bushes almost at ground level. Right where the wooden fence ends, you might have seen my welly prints in the snow at the end of the fence. Lots of redwings there too.
Stephie

Nice one! It's lovely to hear how someone seeing a new bird can be so exciting and really make them happy.

Cheers for help RE eyecup, Denby Dale not too far away so might have a ride out.

No Pom Skua or Little Auk at Flamborough yesterday but did pick up Lapland Bunting and thoroughly enjoyed a good seawatch so by no means a wasted journey. Again, report on blog.

A Leeds Victory, a KP double century and winning a bit of money at the bookies made it a bloody good day!

[quote=Secret Twitcher;1996893]Cheers for help RE eyecup, Denby Dale not too far away so might have a ride out.

I believe In Focus at Denby Dale is shut on a sunday - check out their website first before travelling.

Had a go for the Colton waxwings this morning but failed to see any. Tried the travel lodge area, fast food joints and the business blocks before visiting the shops for Christmas presents. Ok for thrushes and finches but that was it, still the walk warmed me up for the gym.

Ace day today. Up early to see the end of the days play, obviously rained off so got the highlights and discussions.

Knowing the clear water was by the roadside I set off to Mirfield for the RBG hoping it would be a bit closer and I'd get a reasonable shot. No joy on arrival but after about 40 minutes in -4 deg it dropped into the water for a wash (always bathing that bird). It soon hopped onto the ice giving excellent views, much closer than I'd previously seen it. Tried it with a bit of bread and after a couple of slices of coop medium cut white it slipped off the ice and came over for a look joining a swarm of BHG. Three teal, female pochard and a fly over RBM were nice.

Went onto Horbury and soon found the smew with a group of goldeneye. These were interesting in that the four males were in diffent plumage, full eclipse, near full eclipse, almost out of eclipse and fully out. Add to that females and juv all at fairly close range it's as good a selection as you could want. Two Sparrowhawks were in the treatment works harrassing the mipits and pied wags, both were sat on the same carousel at one point. Making my way back to the car I stepped off the path to get a branch free angle on the smew and flushed a bittern which was on the waters edge under the tree, about 8' away when it took off. Wish I'd seen it first!

Took the eldest up onto the hills to play in snow drifts and finished the day with Snipe and Red Grouse. Ace, photos to follow.

Ace day reprise
 

having froze for two hours in soccer city made way through Mirfield to Sands Lane GP where the Ring billed Gull had just flown in, early pm, but surprisingly it took no interest in cold McDonalds fries!

Can you believe it? no waxwings to be seen anywhere in Huddersfield, Mirfield, Dewsbury or Tingley en route to the 62..so on to Fairburn and joined the pilgrimage to the LEO fest at Lin Dyke. My youngest managed to throw himself into the frozen pond both the air and his legs turned blue in the ensuing panic!!

safefly back in the car with said son warm and wrapped in sleeping bag and puffa jacket made a final call at Swillington, a day for old haunts and faces! Just missed a bittern out in full view on the ice but saw the female Hen Harrier in the late afternoon sunshine.

then back into the hills and snowdrifts..no blog so no pics..use your imagination

Bittern showing on Flask Lake at Nosterfield Quarry this afternoon,according to the info boatd up to 3 birds seen in last couple of days,also present were good numbers of the usual waterfowl and at least 5 Whoopers.

If it had just dropped in I'm guessing it will have been bathing, got stacks like this - have one on me!

Is that diagnostic Jim?

11 Goosander on the river at Boston Spa this morning from the bridge. Perhaps even more unusual was a female Tufted - not seen Tuftie on this stretch of the Wharfe before.

Absolutely, as is the head under the wing preening look, fortunately it fancied that bread.

about a dozen this morning on colton lane at the junction with school lane.

Winter magic!
 

Had an out of county wander into north Lincs at weekend andself found some waxwings near North Cotes.No camera, and by time got back, light had gone.But they were feeding in the snow!Awesome.Rewarded with late hunting Barn Owl.
Today, with a day off , Redhouse woods, with redpolls now numbering 500+,siskins,woodcock,little owl and a day hunting Tawny.I guess many of these birds are struggling , but great to see!

Am convinced I have some unusal redpolls, but so high up.Will post further on id section, still feel some are good contenders for other than Lesser!