When I went up to look for the Corncrake, I saw a couple of Cuckoo. Yellowhammers doing well in Kirk Deighton/Wetherby area - audiable from house and often visit bird table in late winter. red Kite and Buzzard recently added to garden list.
I think at times I underestimate what might be present in my local area. I'm sure Eccup reservoir must turn up more than is reported. The trouble is it is so hard to work. Does anyone know the best way of working it -key vantage points other than the south side where all the dod walkers file past?

Hmm not sure. keith dickinson works that area I think so he my be able to help.

The whole section between harewood and wetherby isn't touched. I think I may dig out an ordnance survey and see where I end up. The number of small copses must hold some good stuff I'm sure. Most of the birds I've had at Sicklinghall are flyovers or clling so can't be missed.

Here are some photo's from Rodley. Hope you like them :t:

Rodley
 

Where is Rodley? Location and directions would be appreciated
Malcolm

Malc,
Rodley is the centre of the universe, well mine anyway!

Here is the location map for Rodley http://members.lycos.co.uk/rodleynaturereserve/

Marcus

Hi Marcus,
Is the Rodley reserve only open Wednesdays,Saturdays & Sundays ?
Regards Stan.

Yeah, annoying huh. I've passed other days and it's been open, but these are the only official days. It says 10-4, but most days it's open about 8 to 6

Blacktoft Visit 29th July
 

Hi

I was asked to give a bird list for this visit to Blacktoft with the RSPB group. I have included report that appears on Ex Beebers Forum and listed any other birds seen at the reserve or on adjoining land. I would say at this point there is some disagreement about the Kittiwake, and there was on the day. I must say I agreed it had a look of a Kittiwake but agree it is more likely to have been a Common Gull in that area. No one was able to view it well when I was in the hide.
Blacktoft Visit.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi all

It was the annual RSPB group visit to Blacktoft RSPB reserve yesterday, and what a day. We left Newcastle in the warmth and sun and arrived at the reserve in even greater warmth and sun. It was a day for shorts and suncream for some members. Neither for me! I thought the hides and my hat would offer enough protection from the sun. Before I move onto the birds let me say the place was buzzing with insects and Butterflies, especially, where all over the place. With my limited skills I reckon I picked out lots of Red Admirals, Peacocks, Small Whites and Large Whites, then there was also a few Commas, Painted Ladies and Meadow Browns. No doubt I missed some. Lots of less attractive insects too but I seem to have managed to escape serious bites on this occasion.

I made right away for the hide where 2 Spoonbills where recorded. I wasn't disappointed and had great views. There had been some discussion as to whether or not these birds which have been seen at Blacktoft over recent years might be escapes. I think not, as I have read recently that the birds are breeding so well in Europe they are now visting the east coast of Britain regularly. On this particular pool there were several Grey Herons, and good numbers of Ruff, in various stages of plumage, Dunlin, Avocets, Black Tailed Godwits, Snipe, Redshank, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. Also spotted amongs the gulls was a Kittiwake???. I assumed this had flown inland up the Humber. Moving on to the farthest hide to the right of the centre, the pool was found to be fairly quiet but we did have good views of Marsh Harriers. Some in the distance, some much closer. I love watching these birds in flight just above the reeds and grasses and their plumages were picked out well by the sun. I reckon I saw at least 2 pairs today and probably more. I watched one male fly over the pool directly in front of one of the hides.

The hides were not comfortable places in the heat and with the numbers of insects, but keeping the doors open with our bags helped let in some much needed draft. It wasn't long before we found pairs of Green Sandpipers. Of course there was lots of Lapwings about. Sedge Warblers were heard although there seemed to be a scarcity of smaller songbirds around. I did manage to see 1 Reed Bunting in flight and 1 Willow Warbler and parties of Goldfinch were also seen. Other members saw the Tree Sparrow near the carpark and the odd Reed Warbler but I failed with those. The hightlight of the day was perhaps watching 2 Bearded Tits on the edge of the pool just behind a Little Egret. The Bearded Tits were showing well, climbing the reeds and then coming out onto the mud. This is only the second time I have seen them. Ducks included Mallard, Teal Gadwall, Shoveller and Ruddy Duck. The latter two species not seen by me. There were 1 or 2 Great Crested Grebe about and a Little Grebe was seen by some members.

I walked up to the wetland area at Ousefleet knowing it would be bone dry. There was a large flock of Lapwings which look stunning when they took off and circled in the sunlight. Looking down towards the pool we got close up views of a pair of Green Sandpiper and watched large numbers of Black Tailed Godwits fly over. By now, mid afternoon there was a bit of a breeze geting up and it was a grand feeling. I suspected this was bringing the storms from the west. It remained dry and hot however. At this point I saw one of the Spoonbills in flight in the distance. Having a slow walk back we paid a further visit to one or two hides. It felt strange to find one of the pools which had been so busy with birds on our arrival to be now almost deserted, except for the odd Grey Heron, Moorhen and Coot.

This is a truely wonderful reserve as many on this forum already know. Amongst my favourite places to visit. There is such a good selection of bird species, some of which are rather rare in my part of the north east. I have said before, that in my opinion, it beats Leighton Moss hands down. I can never quite understand why it is always so quiet. Not that I am complaining about that. I dont especially like doing my bird watching from busy hides. Perhaps it is because the reserve has no tearoom. I can only say I hope that it stays that way!

Group total for the trip was 62 species incuding birds seen on the journey and heard only. I'm afraid it did not include the Hobby which had been reported just before our arrival. My own total was 48, with 8 of them new for the year list. A quality day indeed. Thank you Yorkshire!

Other species seen

Turnstone
B H Gull
L B B Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared dove
Swift
Swallow
House Martin
Pied Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (some uncertainty here)
Wren
Dunnock (heard only)
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Blue Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Rook
Chaffinch
Greenfinch

So glad you and your Group enjoyed the day, Brian. We've been there in all kinds of weather and always thoroughly enjoy it. One day immediately springs to mind - it was winter with it being a lovely cold day with blue skies at our end of Yorkshire - near the Lancashire border - and at Blacktoft it was freezing with all the water having a covering of ice. The two main birds we saw were bittern and water rail which had come out onto the ice searching for food. The rail was slithering right out in the open. Must have been the day we saw the least number of birds, but what quality!

Sandra

Hi Sanda
I have never been to Blacktoft in Winter as it's usually been around this time of year. Perhaps i will get the chance to visit in winter in the future. I would like to get to Weldrake Ings then too, I think. I have never seen a Bittern. |=(|

some photo's taken at blacktoft last week...

Great report Brian. Glad you had a good day. Blacktoft certainly is a magical place at all times of the year.
My favourite memory from the reserve was last winter, while watching the raptors roost. After a couple of Marsh Harriers and a Sparrowhawk, we were lucky enough to see an adult male Hen Harrier, along with a couple of Ringtails. Worth freezing my backside off for any day!
By the way, nice photos Jimmy2faces.

red-necked grebe at Hatfield Moor
 

Saw the red-necked grebe at Hatfield Moor today - beautiful bird in summer plumage and well worth a visit.

You can't legally do anything other than walk the path avoiding the dog c**p....but there are places where the fence is a little low and it is possible for a scally to get over the wire and have a quiet wander through the plantation and settle down near the water to scan the ducks......this is what I have been told..honest officer. I would never do that...LOL
You can also legally walk over the golf course as there is a public right of way....this can turn up both GS and Green woodies as well as a good number of warblers...willow, whitethroat, chiffs etc.
I haven't worked the Eccup area for a couple of years but used to turn up bullfinches in good numbers along the path, jays round the pummping house, willow and coal tits in the conifers, have had tawny owl round the back of the plantation.
Almost always got a sparrowhawk over the plantation, usually female oddly enough very rarely saw a male, and of course the kites used to be very numerous, max i have had there was 14 in the sky together but there have been larger counts.

[quote=Sandra (Taylor)]So glad you and your Group enjoyed the day, Brian. We've been there in all kinds of weather and always thoroughly enjoy it. One day immediately springs to mind - it was winter with it being a lovely cold day with blue skies at our end of Yorkshire - near the Lancashire border - and at Blacktoft it was freezing with all the water having a covering of ice. The two main birds we saw were bittern and water rail which had come out onto the ice searching for food. The rail was slithering right out in the open. Must have been the day we saw the least number of birds, but what quality!

Blacktoft holds fond memories for me as my early boyhood interest in birds was rekindled with a trip there in 1983. The day started with me arriving on the wrong side of the river, (the actual village/hamlet of Blacktoft is on the north side)! Having relocated to the south, as soon as I entered the Xerox hide, (one of only two or three back then and with no vegetation built up around them) the chap next to me immediately announced "Spoonbill in flight there" and I managed to get good views as it flew off. I also added Cuckoo and Marsh Harrier as new on the day.

My second trip a couple of weeks later was much more bizarre. I arrived to find the car park heaving. I joined a queue to see a bird I'd never heard of. I had no rarity info. and had just turned up to do some general birdwatching. A couple of hours later I was watching a Hudsonian Godwit, (on my list before Bar or Black-tailed). In a packed hide waiting for the godwit to show, I remember whispering "Stock Dove" under my breath to my brother as one landed in front on the mud and this was also new for us both, although I'm sure it wasn't for everyone else in there!

It is a great reserve but be warned it can also be quite dead on occasions. When the waders have gone but the winter birds such as Hen Harrier haven't arrived, I've had plenty of trips where the highlights have been a Shelduck and the odd Coot!

As for the Spoonbills, there is no reason to suspect they are escapes. Spoonbill is annual at Blacktoft, and often one or two linger througout the summer. I've had dutch ringed birds there before today.

Bitterns are now being seen at Blacktoft, although a better place to see them in Yorkshire is Potteric Carr. There can be several there in winter and they can be quite showy. The small reedbeds at Wintersett Reservoir and Pugney's C.P. usually hold Bittern in winter as well, and one usually scores.

Cheers Steve. I had heard that Potteric Carr was very good for Bittern. I have yet to visit. It's on my list though.

That report fulfills a contractual obligation with Sandra ;)

It was part of the conditions of being allowed into Yorkshire that we provided a report lol.

Seriously my first visit, and a great reserve - probably less than 140 mile.

Steve

Winter visits for the bittern Brian....my first visit to Potteric in January this year gave me one of the best, closest and longest views of bittern that I have ever had

went down to Rodley again today, but there was nothing there.

There was a gorgeous 20 somthing walking round the reserve though so it wasn't all bad :t:

Had a wander down to Hellifield Flash tonight,was quite surprised by the amount of water that was still there.
Birds seen:
Lapwing 100+
Starling,loads
Pied Wagtail 30+
Canada Goose 50+
Oystercatcher 5
Greenshank 2
Mallard
Teal
Swallow
Snipe
Jackdaw
Crow
Goldfinch
Little Ringed Plover 1 Adult,2 Juveniles.

hi
 

hi james
new 2 this site
spotted abird ive never heard b4
light brown body /size of a sparrow/ a yellow cap with a tuft on its head/
song wheeet wheeet wheeet 4 about 10 mins
any ideas not a yellowhammer
been driving me mad
have recorded it on a little dictaphone but dont know what 2 do with it
regards marion

Thorpe Marsh YWT
 

This seemed very neglected yesterday. It hasn't actually been vandalised but there were no readable maps or signs.
There seemed to be kestrel and sparrowhawk, but we thought it was very quiet.
Does anyone here visit this site?

Rob

Blacktoft - Sunday
 

Am I likely to bump into any of you tomorrow at Blacktoft Sands? Going with a small group and hope to be there c10.00am.

Sandra

Can't promise Sandra....but i'll do my best to get there. High tide is about 10am tomorow so your timing is perfect

Oh, perhaps we should try to get there a bit earlier then. Will watch out for you in case you can make it.

Sandra

Gates not open till 9.00am Sandra.....if i can get there is your hair still the same colour as earlier in the year?

Went down to Rodley NR as usual yesterday. There's some problems with the water levels down there too. However snipe has returned to the reserve pic attached and there was also gspecker and quite a lot of other commoner birds - off there again now actually.

Did blacktoft in the afternoon, it such a great place. There were over 10 greenshank, 5 green sands, comman sand, 10 spotted redshank, water rail, marsh harrier, garganey, blackwit, barwit and great views to boot. Worth a visit at any time I reckon - I was there at low tide!

Off to Rodders now...

BLACKTOFT SANDS - Sunday
 

Visited Blacktoft Sands today. Arrived at high tide so lots of waders around. It was just being reported that a spotted crake was visible from Marshland hide. Needless to say the hide was chock-a-block when we arrived so couldn't get in. Went to the next nearest which was empty and saw a pair of barn owls hunting over the reeds beyond the pools. Went back for spotted crake but it had gone for its dinner! We were with 4 friends and this is the group list (4 group members saw the crake!):

Barn owl
Mallard
Teal
Gadwall
Greenshank x 2
Marsh harrier x 4
Avocet x c200
Tree sparrow
Chaffinch
Sedge warbler
Bearded tit
Redshank
Spotted redshank
Shelduck
Golden plover (big flock over-flying)
Dunlin
Little stint
Spotted crake
Water rail
Moorhen
Coot
Ruddy duck (sh!)
Black-tailed godwit
Pied wagtail
Grey heron
Dabchick
Great crested grebe
Snipe
Lapwing
Turnstone (with Dunlin)
Shoveller
Wood pigeon
Collared dove
Magpie
Green sandpiper
Ruff
Sand martin
House martin
Swift x 6
Swallow
Great tit
Blue tit

I usually miss some species off our lists so this may be amended!

The weather was atrocious with lots of heavy showers amongst the infrequent dry periods.

Sandra

Hi everyone,
Had a quick look in at Filey Dams this evening and was very glad I did. Two Wood Sandpipers gave superb views as they ran along the scrapes, along with a Snipe and five Dunlin.
Nine Curlew were also present, as were Gadwall and relatively large numbers of Stock Doves. A Barn Owl sat in the entrance to it's box the whole time I was there.
As usual I was the only person in the hides for the majority of the time. I was wondering if any other local forum members visit the Dams?

Usually have a look in at Filey Dams when I'm over that way,not a bad little reserve.

Went back down there and there was good number of kingfisher on the reserve. i counted at least four seperate birds.

Everything else same as previous day. There has been reports of wood sandpiper, but the regulars are a little dubious...

Sandra,

Where do you need to look from Marshland hide to see the crake? Is it within photography range?

Thanks
Marcus

[quote=jimmy2faces]Sandra,

Where do you need to look from Marshland hide to see the crake? Is it within photography range?



Didn't see it myself - hide was too crowded then it didn't show. But it was close to the hide - on the far left hand side where the reeds are flattened. It kept coming out onto the reeds but my friends said it was difficult to see because it blended in so well. Well within photographing range. Good luck. Hope you see it well.

Sandra

Apart from Marcus's true love, Rodley, and Eccup, are there any other good sites around North Leeds which are worth a look?

Jon

Hi Marcus...here's a pretty grotty pic of the bird from Sunday morning. I did manage to get into the hide but had difficulty with digiscoping due to the crowd
As Sandra said the bird was generally down to the left in the corner of the flattened reeds. It had been visible for upto 5 minutes at a stretch. Didn't seem bothered by the tooing and froing in the hide

Depends what you want to see. Within striking distance is New Swillington Ings and there are some good birds there. I also like Bolton Abbey but that's more a nice place to take the missus on a Sunday. the peaks in that area hold good numbers of moorland birds grouse, ousel plus nice woodland and uphill river birds.

Nice shot Keith. I went there tonight and saw it. Whilst everyone was looking down there I spotted (nice pun) it on the far right hand corner, and everyone was really complimentary as I picked it out at some distance. We saw it again 20 minutes later being chased by moorhens.

Still good numbers of passage waders also barn owl, spoonbill, marsh harrier and bearded tit to cap off a nice evening.

My fourth spotted crake, but a Yorkshire first! Alas beyond the means for worthwhile digiscoping.

Nooooo Sonic....B S isn't the only place I visit..but it's the only place i've been since i got my digital camera. We're up for a trip to the coast early September, and i quite often get up into the Dales birding. Don't get over your way at all as i haven't clue where to go from a birding point of view. Give us a clue and i'll get over there.

I've posted a fiar few Rodley soghtongs....