hello does anyone having any info on the storm petrel ringing sessions this weekend? or do i have the wrong end of the stick ..

Hi any more info on the white rumped sand at Beacon ponds,was thinking about going to Spurn in the morning anyway and this would be a nice bonus,cheers.
Mick

The Honey Buzzards (3) showed well at Wykeham this afternoon, along with at least 4 Goshawks (3 juvs), 2 Hobbies and a Marsh Harrier.

It's at South Landing tomorrow night. I think you need to book with the YWT in advance.

I suspect it won't be too productive unless the winds change but you never know.

Present early evening - view from south side. Not sure where south side is in relation to hide but if you make your way down the track I'm sure you'll get some gen.

Dumb question time - what would be the most optimal weather for attracting storm petrels in to Flamborough? The forecast at the moment looks to be cloudy with winds from the ESE.

It may seem a bit odd but you need westerly or south-westerly winds. Now you might think that would keep the birds out at sea and easterlies would be better, but you need it to carry the sound out to sea from the gheto blasters that play the birds' call.

Whitby
 

The habitat along the coastal path from Kettleness Point in the north, right through to Robin Hood's Bay in the South is fantastic habitat for migrants. Walk along the coastal path (the Cleveland Way?), or explore the network of paths across the inland fields and keep your eyes peeled for migrants.

I'd have thought most of the birds would have been off the moors by September, especially later in the month, but the area to the North of Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside is good if you want to try, although I suspect there is as good closer to Whitby.

Wykeham forest is worth a look at the raptor viewpoints for goshawk, crossbill etc

Let us know how you get on at Whitby

Ollie

Long tailed skua reported at Wintersett, any further information?

Birdguides says till early afternoon then flew north

Thanks, not the news I wanted but never mind.

Just come back from a weekend at Filey and Hornsea. Was hoping for a high tide tern roost at Filey Brigg (ideally including Roseate) but nothing doing, just some Sandwich and Common Terns flying over. How reliable is this roost? I was wondering if the weekend disturbance was a problem, or do they only roost in the evening (high tide was around midday).

A few Little Gulls at Hornsea but only single figure counts and all tatty as hell (even the adult summer present). Got a few shots from a rowing boat but nothing special.

The waders on Filey Brigg on Sunday morning were really good though. Three obliging Knot, two Sanderling, a juv Purple sand, plus Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and Redshank. I've known for years that Filey is good for close views of waders but that's the first time I've ever had any real success.

Indeed I will and thanks for the advice.

another viewpoint
 

Three weeks in Spain and fascinating stuff. non of the birds below had the locals in a flutter but they were very impressed with goldfinch, great tit and the star bird was Blackbird !!! (how we take these for granted!)

Wasn't expecting to see a Turnstone in that sequence. I'd hazard a guess, based on no knowledge whatsoever, that it's a good record. But there again I know little of their summer distribution

oops forgot this one!
 

one more....

Astley Lake 18/8/12
 

Hi - a rather hot and humid afternoon on Saturday down at the bird hide overlooking Astley Lake (my Dad is a member of the Swillington Ings Bird Group so we go in with him)

3 Marsh (not March as I originally put!) Harriers flying around annoying the lapwings, including a rather scruffy looking one (pictured - I am slowly getting the hang of digiscoping!)

A Hobby landed in the field on the hill (at the back of where the geese normally are), might have been seen later down over the reeds as well.

A Turnstone (not seen one inland before, thought they were coastal) pottering around one of the chain islands

Also more common birds around such as a Common Tern, a Goosander, Buzzard, Gadwall etc

Michael

March Harriers seem a little unseasonal ;) Turnstone are annual if rare inland visitors (no idea why)

I'd red kite over the Swillington Park area Friday am on my commute to Castleford, buzzards are common around there as well. Hobby would have been a nice one for me. Yet to get one in Yorkshire this year.

more pics of the Marsh Harriers at Astley 18/8
 

more digiscoped pics of the marsh harrier yesterday.

Yes, thank you Ken for spotting my typo!

Did a bit of swatting on the turnstone, turns out they are circumpolar navigators (if you believe wiki) and can be found as far away as South Africa and Australia.

Had a strange one today Starling chick being bombarded by up to 20 birds in the garden this morning culprit below never seen anything like it before, did not think they were so aggressive!!

Osprey - Lockwood Beck
 

Still present yesterday evening. It seems fairly reliable for anyone who needs Osprey for Yorkshire. Judging by the shots on Birdguides it can show very well at times as well.

Pretty sure I had a Merlin whilst doing the circular walk of the reservoir but it was on to a group of young Willow Warblers and mixed Coal and Great Tits so fast I nver got on it properly.

Steve

Where's this beck Steve?

Lockwood Beck Res near Saltburn adjacent to the A171 west of Scaling Dam

Sod that then. Already got osprey for Yorkshire, not gonna drive that far for a year tick.