Hi Steve

I was taken in a few years ago for A GGShrike, so not sure were we parked, but it was quite a reasonable circuit.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...0550&ay=449250

http://www.english-nature.org.uk/spe...ssi_id=1006267

Other that, I have had no news today, and my mate has been for a look!



______________________
Cheers
Darren

New Years Day is just around the corner, whats your plans, mine is to head north of Scarbourgh for a particular wheatear, then to Scarbourgh for a Black Throated Diver, should get my 2008 list of to a good start. Oh god I hope they stick!

For fulford ings, head into york on the A19 from the A64 and as the road bears right and fulford begins there is a wooded area with a height restriction barrier on the left hand side. Park in here. Follow the footpaths up toward the river and you will see the white house on the far bank. Havent been as at relatives. Jyothi, try from Whitby harbour and along the beach there. The breakwater and pier should provide some birds.

Pottering at Potteric
 

Nice to meet some of the Birdforum folks at Potteric Carr today. The Bittern was on form but the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker proved elusive. A Grand day out.

Hi Den, Nice to meet you today, Your photos are slightly better than my digiscoped efforts

Birdieboy, nice piccie of the waterail, which hide did you see it from? is it a long walk from the reception?
Den, if you want a lesser pecker it's worth trying Cut Road at Fairburn, been showing well for more than a week
cheers,
pete

The water rail was on willow pool hide, near the cafe. It's not too far from the reception

Nice rail there John, just managed to get the photoshop software up and running on my machine so no pics from me yet of the day. I will post a trip report tomorrow night.

BB, Thanks mate,
pete

Sorry Jyothi, I'm not familiar with the Whitby area, so can't advise of anywhere within walking distance. I suppose if you have got a motor then a quick trip down the coast for the desert wheatear at Scarborough is a possibility.

February at Stockton on the Forest nr York
 

Hi everyone.

We've booked a cottage near Stockton on the Forest for early February. I wonder if any locals know what could be seen in the forest itself, as it's walking distance away.

Also, if I was to have one day to myself to go birding, where should I go? I'm a relatively new birder, for example I've never seen a red kite. Should I take the opportunity to visit Blacktoft Sands?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

John, I didn't know you took shots of birds. I'd be happy with both of these. The Bittern is like my efforts at Potteric. If just in front it's too close when digiscoping for anything but a head shot. You've got it nice and sharp though despite the reeds in front which can be tricky at times.

Hi 2520years
Blacktoft is a reserve which can be great, but can also be deserted. A lot depends on the state of the tide, you generally get the best from the reserve if your visit is timed for the high tide rather than low tide. In Feb you should still have a chance of hen harrier, marsh harrier will be almost guaranteed, waders will be scarce but always a chance of something turning up on the tide. There are bittern on the reserve but they are elusive, it's got a large area of reedbed.
For red kite, the release scheme for this part of the world was based at Harewood House about 10 miles from Leeds on the A58. There are birds around this area pretty much year round. The dam wall at Eccup Reservoir is as good as any place to see them, and there ios always a chance of divers on the reservoir.

Don't know about the forest itself. If it's largely coniferous they can be a very birdless habitat. It depends on what you need/want to see.

How about Wheldrake Ings during the day for duck, finished off with Blacktoft Sands in the roost for owls and raptors?

Christmas bash report here

Thanks Keith and Lawts. I'll start planning the route straight away! I'm rubbish with raptors and you've given me a decent chance of seeing some there, so that should be a great day out. Thanks again.

Hi 2520 - Eccup - Its actually on the A61, north of Leeds I'm sure it was a typo by Keith.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.sr...0680&ay=441760


____________
Darren

Thanks Darren, I'll definitely add that to my route.

BTW, is there a way I can find out if the tide is high or low at Blacktoft Sands?

Hi 2520 - I use this site you have to register, but it is free, to get 7 day predictions..

http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide...ide/index.aspx

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Cheers
Darren

Registered! I'll do a 7-day prediction before I set off and aim for the highest tide. It should be good for the Wirral too when I get home.

Thanks very much.

Yes Parkgate, had a cracking high tide roost there quite a few years ago, 2 Spoonbill, few Little Egrets, Jack Snipe, Merlin Water Rails & Pipit, plus 4 SEOwls in the same scope view - Great Stuff!! Great when you can hit it right.

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Darren

Oh boy...whatta mistake to make! My apologies on not knowing which road I'm driving along.

Potteric carr today!
 

hi all, great Bittern pic Den! went to Potteric today with mikejack82 and his dad, (unfortunately we didnt see the Bittern or Water Rail) :(

had a really good walk did the full reserve got 43 species in all as follows;

Little Grebe,Cormorant,3-4 Grey heron,Mute Swan,Canada Geese,a lonely ShellDuck,Mallards,Gadwall,Teal,Shoveler,Poachard, Pheasant,Coot,Moorhen,Lapwing,BHGulls,LBB Gull,Wood Piegeon,Kingfisher (by the pumping station),Greater Spotted Woodpecker,Dunnock,Robin,Blackbird,Starling,Goldcr est,Long Tailed Tit,Willow Tit,Coal Tit,Blue Tit,Great Tit,Magpie,Plenty of Jay(near feeders at Field centre)Jackdaw,Carrion Crow,Chaffinch,Siskin,Bull Finch,Goldfinch,Reed Bunting.

Raptors inc; 4-5 Kestrels Throughout the day,2 Sparrow Hawk and the HIGHLIGHT for us was the FEMALE HEN HARRIER!! Showed twice while we were there in a ten minute period was a lovely bird in great condition.

We didnt see a wren in the 4 1/2 hours that we was there and the 12km we covered to our amazement! and was only in the car park on return that we got Pied Wagtail! which We had also been missing! and not a green finch to be seen either!

Mugshots
 

Thanks Pete for the info on the Lesser pecker. I hope to get to Fairburn this weekend. Spent a while in the warden's car park at Potteric trying for the siskins but it was not to be, they stayed in the top of the Alder trees. Here are a few pics of some of the other Potteric suspects though. Hope to see you at the next meet.

Den, there are siskin (or at least were) around the visitor's centre at Fairburn. I was down there on the 17th and the RSPB website hasn't updated the sightings there since the 18th but they still could be around. Hopefully the lesser pecker is still around as it showed really well on that day despite the eye numbing greyness of the sky and water.