Thanks for the directions [and Keith & Ingsbirder too] they were spot on. It showed very well for about 20 mins - stretching & preening - fantastic !

When did you go?
I was there yesterday for a couple of hours and got nothing...not a sausage.
Toying with taking my optics to work tomorrow and stopping off on the way home.

Dropped in this evening and like you didn't see a thing so went for a walk along the river - on the way back at about 6pm just saw some movement and out it stepped onto a branch. Just lucky. Good luck.

Is this a wild bird. Would representa UK tick for me. I know we can never be sure, but what's the consensus?

I'm going for insurance purposes Marcus....if it is declared a tick I'll have got it, if it isn't then I haven't travelled far as I work in Castleford/Pontefract so now extra carbon footprint generated.
Personally...I reckon it's a garden ornament but you never know...

My sister in laws cat bought a Grass Snke into their house in East Hull today. Scared the life out their 4 year old girl!!

Thanks Keith, reckon you're right. Young 'un in spring represents the best chance of this I guess.

Marcus...when's the walk?

End of July so still some time to harden the soles before then. I'm at the cricket this week so it must the tykes Norfolk trip. I am already thinking I've made an error, but I wish you lot all the best luck.

The thought of more wlaking is already hurting!! Still reckon I may see some good birds on the way.

Keep working those feet, and all the best on the trek. You can do it.
& Yep...Norfolk on Sunday. Hoping for the weather, and I'm hoping that I can crack the ton...last time I missed the only blackcap seen on the day...
Most of the action in Norfolk is over the other side of the county Bonaparte's, etc, I might canvas opinions on Sunday as to who would like to visit Minsmere...3 purple heron there at the moment. Only about an hour further to drive.

Similar trip in the 90's called in for spoonbills on day list at minsmere and there was a marsh warbler and 3 (three!) broad billed sandpipers. Ended up staying for three days. It was the year of the oriental pratincole so a long time ago now.

Turned up 'with' the escapees (ie adults with rings in the NE), has hung around since then, and is most likely an escape in my personal opinion, but that's my view, which counts for nowt. There's been no obvious arrivals this spring and this bird has no credentials to suggest otherwise (but the YNU records committee might vote otherwise).

However, it's your list, you decide what you want to include/not include, or go to see/don't, don't worry about anyone else :))

Better than a rummy juv night heron thats escaped from a collection is a summer plumaged Spotted Sandpiper at Swilly Ings. Hope it was you Graham.

Was the snake dead or alive? Doesn't your niece realise how lucky she is having Grass Snakes in the vicinity?

On the subject of cats, I was making a delivery this morning at a local cafe and I noticed the owner's cat eating a freshly killed female House Sparrow. 10minutes later I was getting back into my van and the same cat had the male bird in it's mouth! Put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

I did try to relay the significance but to no avail.[quote][Was the snake dead or alive? Doesn't your niece realise how lucky she is having Grass Snakes in the vicinity?

/QUOTE]

Did try to relay the significance but it fell on deaf ears. Saw the Spotted Sandpiper at Swilly Ings. Nice little wader.

Just returned home this evening from a dismal trip to Norfolk. Set off Friday, and was intending to stay until Monday/Tuesday. It wasn't really a birding trip but I was hoping for Nightingale, Nightjar etc. as were close to Salthouse. The weather was that bad every day and we were camping, we've had to abort and come home.

Managed to see a couple of Tem. Stints at Cley, but no consolation for missing the Spot. Sand. which I needed for Yorkshire!

As for the Night Heron, with it originally turning up in February, I don't think its credentials are particularly good but you never know - I don't think I'll be bothering.

Hi Steve
I was in Norfolk yesterday...report here. Agree about the weather but the birds did put in an appearance for us. Gutted myself about the Spot Sand, I travel along Bullerthorpe Lane on my way home from work, which is where I was an Saturday. If I'd known about it I'd have called in.

Was in West Yorkshire yesterday so decided to say hello to the Night Heron at Methley Bridge. Was quite supprised to see several other birders despite the rain and the fact that the bird might be on the run from Flamingo Land.

I got very good views of the Heron and was pleased I had made the effort to see it. However, I must admit that the Spotted Sand would have been better.

Does anyone know when are we likely to find out the decision on the heron by the YNU Committee?

BTW Glad you enjoyed Norfolk Keith. Enjoyed reading your report.

http://www.ullyotts.co.uk/search.php...ropertyArea=16

... bit of a trek to the local pub though :cool:

Cheers,
Bob.

Think of the 'Seen from garden' List you could get. I'm off to the estate agents tomorrow to swap my house.

Stupid question, but has anybody come across any feral turkeys around Harrogate?

So Mike, you managed to get the night heron I'm still trying for it, and that is despite me working less than 5 miles from the stupid thing...lol.
Cheers for the comments on the report. It was a difficult day, as we were thinking about maybe pushing on to Minsmere to catch up with the purple heron. Might have been dryer, but we'd have missed that sea at Cley. I've never seen it so rough down there, you'd have sworn it was the middle of December at Scarborough.

Went for an early morning patch walk looking for the local Tawny Owl. No luck but I topped it by finding a lesser whitethroat (patch tick) and a whitethroat singing in adjacent trees. Nice.

I did a similar thing last night - with success. Tawny Owl calling from a tree and seen well in silhouette (if that makes sense!) was a lifer for me, as was Lesser Whitethroat within the last week too: Both on my local patch.