The Arctic Redpoll was reported from Allerthorpe Common again today - it came onto Birdguides late this evening, does anyone know anything about this sighting?

Cheers, Andy

Ian Andrews posted on York site yesterday.He is a ringer.I asked if any photos and the answer is no.I am not doubting his observation....but I personally would love to see some photos.!!So initial sighting was single observer.
Not sure if record being put forward to county.I don't know who has reported it today.

Slavonian Grebe at Swillington Ings
 

Pic of today's Slavonian Grebe just to the left of the causeway taken this afternoon.

Dave

Hi

Arctic Redpoll at Allerthorpe

I have only just joined this forum, but I reported this bird. It was there again today, from 9am until midday. It is in a flock of 100 or so Redpolls, the vast majority of which are flammea. On the ground, with pale flammea, there is no comparison...it is a very white bird. Two days ago, when I watched it at close range, it showed no streaks on undertail coverts and the rump is pure white and extensive up the back onto the mantle. The whole ground colour is very white indeed.

There are several birds within this flock which you could consider for some time on the basis of their white rumps, but this bird is obvious! It is instructive just to see the vast variation within the Redpolls of this flock...some appear very large indeed. Unfortunately, they did not reach my nets, today...I would be interested to get an idea of the relative size and colour of birds within the flock.

The flock seems to appear at the south side of this tiny reserve and then works its way to the top left corner, before fading away into the forest to the west. I saw no sign over lunch today, and gave it up for the afternoon.

Ian

Thanks for the info Ian, and welcome to the best bit on bird forum! I'm going to head across tomorrow to take a look.

Cheers, Andy

Nice one Dave, hope it stays but I'm not holding my breath.

Yes thanks Ian

I can't get there till saturday..desperate to see it.....to compare to redhouse polls been watching all winter.

Paul

Nice shot Dave, well done!!!

Drake Smew on far side of Flasks Lake at Nosterfield Quarry this afternoon as per Grahame Bentley from Richmond and Hambleton RSPB local group.

Sun at last
 

started out at Thixendale superb display by 6 buzzards all interacting with each other plenty of hare's and partridge. then onto top hill low when light was good birds went AWOL when light was poor birds seemed to return.GSW showed well,plenty of brambling at the visitor centre, smew and goldeneye on the D pool plus dabchicks x 2 and 6-10 gadwall.

Hi Ian,

Met you there today with my daughter, never saw the Coue's. Gutted I missed it by an hour or so, shouldn't have filled my belly at Langlands first! Thanks for showing us the Adders by the way, was a cracking day all the same! :t:|:D|

Hope to get back there early next week as too much on over next 3 days :-C

Richard

Morning all. Can anybody offer a location for Allerthorpe Common? I presume it's in Allerthorpe?! Cheers

North up the A1079 past Pocklington and turn off left down Sutton Lane (for Sutton-upon Derwent) opposite Hewson and Robinson garage. Carry on until first turning on left for Thornton. Take that and carry on down to main, signed, FC car park on right. Enter forest across the road from there and walk straight on, on path beside field, until you reach the fenced off reserve. Grid ref: SE761475

Ian

In other words...No, it's not in Allerthorpe!!

No, it's not in Allerthorpe!

Allerthorpe Common Grid reference SE 753 473 Post code YO42 4
Take the A1079 from Market Weighton towards York. DO NOT follow the signs to Allerthorpe. Carry on past the Barmby Moor turn off and turn left at the Esso garage (care may have changed hands) following the sign to Sutton-on-Derwent & Thornton. Carry straight on and take the left turn signed to Thornton. After about ½ a mile turn right into a car park. (You can also park on your left just before the left hand turn to Thornton - from there YWT reserve is a short walk).

thanks for above. Glad I asked! Cheers

Just out of interest how many Adders did you see? Numbers seem to have dropped quite alot in the reserve over the last couple of years.

Thanks

Viperae
 

In my experience, numbers have not dropped. However, with the increased clearings created over the last few years, the animals have spread out more. Yesterday, I counted 8, in one small area near the YWT reserve. There are areas with more than that, though, and last March/April I was regularly finding 20+, as I wandered around in search of early season hoverflies. If you know where to look, there are certainly large numbers to be seen.

There were quite a few Lizards around, yesterday, as well.

Ian

Any news on the arctic redpoll at allerthorpe today?? My first chance to get there tomorrow.

That's good news.

I have seen Adders in other parts of the forest (including several basking on the main paths) but the actual reserve is where I have always actively searched for them.

In recent years I’ve noticed an increase in other snake watchers (at least at weekends) while at the same time, Adder numbers have appeared to decline.

It’s good to know Allerthorpe still has good numbers elsewhere in the forest.

Didn't get down there today. Probably have a look in the morning, so might see you there?

Hi Ian

Local knowledge would be great...would be lovely to meet,,,not sure if you have followed 'my quest' for a local Arctic, check out 'yorkshire redpoll' forum!!

Desperate to see genuine article...yes, could have gone to Durham etc, but not my scene really, into local birding mostly.
Hoping to get down tomorrow am...hope u r there, need to talk to you about ringing..firstly re redhouse redpolls, secondly am interested in learning myself, need advice.

If we don't cross paths could I PM u re latter??

Paul

Had several Adders plus 1 Lizard along bank of same ditch..

No sign of any redpolls today before 11 am, when I had to leave. :-C

Sorry I didn't bump into you, Paul

By all means PM.

Ian

Yesterday (Friday) a third of the flock (not containing the Arctic) were feeding on the ground, possibly on heather seeds in the southwest corner of the YWT reserve. There were some very pale Mealies among them. It took us 2 hours to find them!
Cheers
Jono

Shore Lark reported again on reserve today with Water Pipit and drake Smew at nearby quarry as per RBA.