Steve, I have updated the PD thread. Basically unless something more organised is arranged its going to be madness.

Cracking bird though...

Details already posted in the other thread Steve |=)|

Two days since you summonned all yorkshire birders to check out there patches. something you know and we dont???

James, your incident with the woman - was it yesterday afternoon? Did she have a green coat on? If so I think I was there at the same time. Did it then fly on to the wasteland?

I decided to go back for seconds yesterday afternoon. I picked up the Firecrest as well after about a two minute search which was very lucky. I can imagine it being quite tricky, especially in strong wind as yesterday was at times.

I still can't get over the A. Robin site. It really could have been anywhere. Did you get the diver then? I hope so. I'll be there at dawn before work.

Just back from seeing the Diver, it was interesting, there were about 5 people there when i arrived (with a Sibley birdguide!) and by the time i left there was at least 35! Glad i live so close to it as it will be a nightmare as crowds increase!!!!

I could only manage a rubbish record shot..

Quite a good Yorkshire bird!

At what point can we start singing Yorkshire anthems. I am currently delirious with all this glamour biriding. 2 lifers in Yorkshire, 1 first for the WP. And a new Rodders bird this weekend.

Gonna put a white rose in me collar for the rest of this week!

Yorkshire Yorkshire!!

Marcus

I'm scopeless. Is there any point in turning up with just binoculars or is it too far away?

I notice you're closing in on 300. Have you got plans for bringing it up in style?

Jon

You will see it with bins (not well I grant you), and there will be loads of poeple to give you a blast through their scopes I am sure.

300? Wow yes can't wait! Would love it to be down at Rodley or here at Sicklinghall. Osprey is a real possibility for both I think. Mabe Ferug duck at Rodders, or night heron.

Saying that another first for the WP wouldn't go amiss!

It's the new Scillies

I'm Yorkshire born and bred, birded for nearly 20 years in the glorious county and moved further north so I could bird on the NE coast (oh, and cos I married a Geordie lass!). Now there's an American Robin and wintering Firecrest within walking distance of my old office, and a first for the W Pal somewhere I could get there and back in my dinner hour. What did I see thrashing around Shipley area in my time there - nice views of a Kingfisher etc etc... Sick as a parrot.
But good for you lads! I'll join in with a bit of Yorkshire singing - as long as my new Durham mates don't hear me!

I thought id had a good day knocking off Barn Owl for the year and then getting Smewlicious at Tophill with 2 white nuns and a redhead. Specific Diver, ne'er heard of it! Will be there after my IT lecture though tomorrow! See you there whoever is coming. What a county.

Let's hope it's still there on Thursday, no chance me getting there sooner.

Just managed to Jam in on birds within an hour round journey of the office. When I first saw north Yorks I thought oh it'll be miles. Knaresborough and good god, adrenalin is brown.

You watch keith the next will be down ponte way and I'll be stuffed, or Yorkside.

With all these megas being found in Yorkshire, its only a matter of time before one of us finds a first for the WP

Yeah I reckon I've probably overlooked American Woodcock in my garden. Probaly roosting under the BBQ

Managed to leave work early and get the diver. They had just opened Treves when I arrived. A bit of panic as it moved round the corner before I'd seen it, as the light began to fail. Fortunately it returned.

A very interesting bird. Structuraly So different to Black-throated Diver. I'd have put it as smaller than Red-throated although I see the literature suggests otherwise. It looks like a BtD that has been shunted from the front and back, with a much smaller grebe like bill.

I do hope access can be properly sorted out. I was speaking to a senior rep. from Treves, who seemed a decent chap who was happy for birders to see it, but was naturally concerned about safety with all the large trucks moving in and out. I got a hard time from a couple of yellow coats earlier for not signing in at reception. In my defence I wasn't aware I had to, as birders coming away had just told me to follow the path down. A charity bucket has been opened for St. Gemma's which is good.

Once again I'm puzzled with the local bird group who work Farnham; 1) I'd have thought they would have spoken to Treves first and tried to sort access arrangements out before news broke, and 2) Why hadn't it been put out as BtD in any event if it can be viewed from the road and it's been there two weeks? More suppression!

Anyway, I'm enjoying this purple patch for inland Yorkshire. I might even get Goldeneye on Loshpotts! This diver could have been on Loshpotts...what a thought.

I checked out another little YWT reserve today on my way back - Upper Dunsforth Carrs - I was half-expecting a major rarity! Flushed two Woodcock and got wonderful sunlit views of the first as it flew up and away - what are the distinguishing features of American Woodcock, Marcus?

And can any other BF members who see a 6' 5" fat man, all in green, in his mid thirties with thinning blonde hair (or a brown hat) please make themselves known. My only BF tick at all these rarities has been Marcus - he's there just before me every time!

Graham

The other thread had me chuckling... wooo some people are just SO serious :-O

What a find though. If I had more spare time I'd almost be tempted.

Cheers,
Bob.

hehehe, stranger things have happened...

* goes out into backyard to look for burrowing owls *


Cheers,
Bob.

Bob, I think that was me. May be I am guilty of taking it too seriously at times. I'm not sure. Strikes me I buy optics to look at birds through. It seems a bit pointless if the birds or news of the birds is not forthcoming, when there is no good reason not to spread the news. It's being seen today without any hassle and it sounds like by sharing the news a lot of people are enjoying this unique event.

I could try to lighten up by going to the cinema where they don't actually show a film, or perhaps take up golf without using a golf ball, but I think I'll stick with birdwatching where you watch birds.

I guess I must be more of a Twitcher. No wrong or right in my book, just different emphasis on our shared hobby.

Good birding.

It wasn't.


Not forthcoming... you've just seen an American Robin in Yorkshire, FFS! |=)|

I get your point though, it does seem to have been handled rather poorly. It'll be interesting to see what the 'official' story is.


Absolutely, and long may it continue, in harmony |:d|


Cheers,
Bob.

Not forthcoming... you've just seen an American Robin in Yorkshire, FFS! |=)|

I know, I'm getting greedy, and a bit giddy. This is inland Yorkshire.

Just got back from seeing both the American Robin and the Pacific Diver. Great views were had of both birds so I'm a happy bunny. Maybe the next Yorkshire rarity will turn up on the East Coast or do they prefer inland sites now!
Thanks to the BF members that helped me with the Robin directions. Still managed to get lost in Bradford for a short while! (bloody diversions!).

Well done Mike, Bradford is a bit of a nightmare to drive round isn't it?
I hope the loon is still there on Thursday, first chance i've got of going.

Got to see the Diver between 8 & 10 this morning. Crowd was bigger when i got there than when i left! Also Peregrine flying over and (unbeknown to me) Little Grebe were year ticks. Went home. Got some brekkie and then went on a year tick bonanza with Whooper Swan, Ruff, Dunlin, Blackwit, Marsh Harrier, Stonechat, Stock Dove and to finish it all off a corking ringtail Hen Harrier. What an ace 3 days. Got some really pants pics of the Diver (rubbish camera/scope on full zoom at half a mile) but the views were actually pretty not bad, i didnt even care about going into Treves. Hope you all have enjoyed the Yorkshire inland megas. I see somebody in Lancs thinks it would be an idea to steal the thunder and tries to string a Thayer's Gull!

James Imagine if you were sat wrong side of the penines looking into a landfill site, hearing of all the beauts in Gods County. I might get creative too ;)

May go across to Flamborough if anyones interested this Saturday/Sunday??

Any good yearlisting yorkshirefolk wanting full value for their £10 shoudl note that there's an adult female scaup on the nature reserve pit (not the boating lake). Do not, however, expect access to the hide, even though you've parted with a tenner! Also GSW, Kingfisher, Yellowhammer all in the vicinity of the hide - Oh, I got my money's worth alright!

Sorry about the hassle finding the Robin, Mike. What I meant to say was, to get to Dowley Gap you don't want to set off from Farnham Gravel Pits.

Flamborough at the weekend good, but if I work hard now I might get there sooner. Mike talked it up a treat today.

Graham

Would be free Saturday afternoon or Sunday for Flamborough. The Lapland Buntings are still showing, although I've missed them twice now! Did get great views of Peregrine, SEO, Barn Owl, RL Partridge all on the headland though. Also there are still GN Divers at Filey.

Could do sunday pm at flamboro. Am ringing on sun morning & sleeping saturday.

I've told it to hang about until you've been Keith - looking pretty impressive today!

Sandra

Glad you got it Mike. We got lost too coming from the other direction, near Bingley. I had visions of us having to come home without seeing the robin when we'd only been about 2 mins. away!

Sandra

Thanks Sandra, I was a bit of a wally today, went in to work with toothache, came back to visit dentist but forgot to pick up my work equipment when I left Pontefract....so i had to go back to get it as i am not in Pontefract until next week and will need it before then. Pillock I am...I could have rung in after the tooth extraction with some old rubbish and been over at Farnham today. Too blessed honest that's me.

Have managed to find 3 house sparrows this month, yesterday in fact, this is my worst monthly total for this species in the whole 25 years of active birding. Has anyone else noticed this decline?
I've seen more tree sparrows than house sparrows, I've actually seen more woodpeckers than house sparrows.

Im fairly lucky keith, good numbers of House Sparrows near me.

10 in my garden here in suburban Bradford. I'm starting to think it's not so bad living here what with the firecrest, american robin, shorelark and pacific diver - and it's only January. Is it always like this? (it's my first year birding!)

That would be a no.

I cannot remember the last 1st for Britian that was in Yorkshire. I doubt there's ever been a first for the WP. Keith you normally know such things, so I'll consult the oracle on this one.

Here goes Marcus, been doing a bit of swotting.

Great winged petrel at Flamboro' in 1986 is the only first for the WP...if accepted. It's still being considered.

Other firsts for the UK in Yorkshire are...
Herald Petrel at Flamboro' in 1982...still being considered
Definite accepted firsts for UK

Red-necked stint, Blacktoft, 1986
Stilt sandpiper, Easington, 1954
Hudsonian godwit, Blacktoft, 1981
Ross's gull, Tadcaster, 1846
Rufous turtle dove, Scarboro' 1889
Marmora's warbler, Langsett, 1982
Spectacled warbler, Filey, 1992
Orphean warbler, Wetherby, 1848
Penduline tit, Spurn, 1966

Not accepted
Mugimaki flycatcher, Sunk Island, 1991

Just back from another good look at the diver, it looks better 400m closer than the last look i got!

Re House Sparrows, plenty of them in Spofforth at the minute, plus a good Starling roost.

Re: 1sts, how about the Flamborough Taiga Flycatcher?

Cheers

ANDY