Hi Marcus, There has been a Pallas at East Newton near Alborough for the last couple of days though no reports today, also 80+ snow buntings

Well the long tailed duck is still at the pond. Watched it this morning for about 45 minutes before the rain got too much for me. Had it down to just a few metres as it was feeding and mooching along the edge of the pond. Great views when it flushed a water rail which flew across the pond before disappearing into the reeds.
Fieldfares numbers were high but I wouldn't want to even guesstimate them more than saying there must have been in excess of 500 birds at one point. As I approached the pond I thought I'd found a raptor in the top of tree further down the path. Then the bird stood up and I realised it was a grey heron.Odd how you get conditioned to seeing a bird in a certain type of location and it is nearly unrecognisable when it isn't in that location.
Here's a couple of my digi-pics from today.

Must have just missed you Keith. I walked around the pond and flushed in totoal 31 (poss 2) snipe!

A couple more of yorkshire's most photographed LTD

Now a Pallas's in Arndale at Filey, just out of striking distance when i found out - will be dark before i can get there. Not sure about going for the bird at ?Newton? in a wheat field?

Was driving through Burton Fleming this afternoon when I noticed a drake Mandarin Duck among the Mallard on the pond. I'm ashamed to say this is a Life Tick for me, but for some reason it seems wrong adding this bird to my list. Perhaps it was the setting or the fact that the bird is plastic; but apart from that is this duck still as tickable as the Mandarin anywhere else?

I doubt anyone around there would have released it so it will likely have made it's own way... and if I'm not mistaken there are Mandarins somewhere in the Scarborough area?? That said, it's chosen a village pond...

There was a drake Mandarin on Burton Agnes pond for at least a year around 89/90. Very pretty, though very tame. And very much on my local list :t:


Cheers,
Bob.

There as a population on Hackness pond near forge valley so that would seem a likely source.

Well thats the first lifer I've found myself while working! Don't think I'll rush to change my signiture.

Pipit is too far, Marcus. I would be interested in looking for a Pallas' Warbler, too. What's your plan?

Graham

Graham, Dave and anyone up it! I plan to leave leads at 6ish AM and head to the coast. Can't decide whether to try Filey as there has been some good stuff knocking around or keep a promise I made to myself and head to Holmpton north of Easington where I found some yellow brows earlier in Autumn. Think it would be a good spot for something good - maybe even something big!

Have toyed with the idea of Far Ings, then the other lake with the GND and then Donna Nook as the seals should be pupping. Will check the focus last thing too.

Stuff in Homtpon in November - the most underwatched spot on the coast (probably!)

Added Species Area Site Present
13:23 27/11/05 Snow Bunting E Yorks Holmpton 12:30
45 in cliff top setaside north of village early aftyernoon; also 2 Stonechat
10:58 20/11/05 Pipit sp. E Yorks Holmpton 09:00
large pipit flushed in clifftop setaside north of the village this morning but not relocated; also Lapland Bunting and 19 Snow Bunting south
16:18 01/11/05 Richard's Pipit E Yorks Holmpton 16:10
two in clifftop set-a-side, 850m to the north of village late afternoon also 2 Stonechats
14:39 01/11/05 Richard's Pipit E Yorks Holmpton 13:15
one in clifftop set-a-side, south of Neville's Farm; 17 Whooper Swan south
22:32 09/11/03 Hume's Leaf Warbler E Yorks Holmpton
one plus 2 Pallas's Warblers and a Yellow-browed Warbler along bridlepath this morning
14:49 08/11/03 Long-eared Owl E Yorks Holmpton 14:25
one at end of Taylor Lane this afternoon
14:40 08/11/03 Pallas's Warbler E Yorks Holmpton 14:00
one in sycamores behind church

If you are looking for scarce phylloscs then the pickings are slim, but how about somewhere even more underwatched than Holmpton - Whitby? The disused quarries at Sandsend to the northwest of the town could be a possible spot for a lurking scarce phyllosc, or there is the collection of ravines down towards Hawsker. There is a sizeable Common Scoter flock off the east side of the pier at present, which has had Velvets in the past few weeks, plus there's the possibility of white-wingers in the harbour.

I am up for most things and I am desparate to twitch the "pipit" But I am in Lancs on Sunday, (Martin Mere) so will have to be at home Saturday, BUT could do the pipit on Wednesday, if more are interested.

Probably doing the coast on Sunday, tides look fairly decent this weekend.

Thinking of lesser visied sites, Hayburn Wyke could be good, plenty of tress there. Anyway make sure you post tomorrow night, I want some suggestions where to go!

Marcus' Long-tailed Duck seems to have gone, at least I couldn't find it, but had a pleasant hour along that footpath at sunset. Got stunning views of Barn Owl and Kingfisher, also Woodcock and Siskin over, c400 Fieldfare, 3 Snipe, 2 Teal, Kestrel, Song Thrush, Goldcrest, a beautiful full moon and cloudless skies. Well worth knocking work on the head early for.

Graham

I've decided against it for tomorrow. A few things; the full moon, the complete change in weather taking place overnight and what that might do, the fact it wasn't playing ball today, likely poor viewing conditions, and 12 hours driving!

However, if it sticks possibly thinking of going sometime Tuesday, staying over and driving back Wednesday.

I won't be with you guys on the coast either tomorrow - keeping powder dry for pipit. I was going to do a quick re-visit on the LTD but Graham is saying that has gone - will visit Losh - hoping for Goldeneye, Goosander as patch ticks.

It was still that are 2PM bt was tucked in asleep and would have been invisible if a full circuit not completed.

I didn't realise you could walk right round the pond Marcus. I thought you had to stick to the path, I was waiting for quite a while yesterday for the bird to show as it was in the bit that you can't see from the path.

Cheers Marcus. I'll give it a go then - may see what weather is doing and try Sunday morning to benefit from sunlight. It's supposed to be the best of the two days.

The path goes all the way round. You can flush all the birds if you don't take your time. The sun seems to have stirred the bees so be careful too!

I tend to sit diwn in the reeds and just wait as most birds do a circuit

I sat still with the sn behind me and was treated to many treats today (in one hour). And the reddest redpoll ever!

Is the redpoll Mealy? Im not good on seperateing them but it looks quite pasty.

Hi this is a photo of a Mealy that I took recently, good find Marcus

I started my day determined to find a Pallas's at Holmpton. I arrived a bit later than hoped at 9AM, and found out it was pretty cold. Spent a few hours searching but alas I could not find a phyllo. I did however find a very smart male firecrest, and was pleased that I had at least tried! Reports came throught at the target was still at Filey so I swallowed my puide and headed up the coast.

I called at Hornsea and got some goldeneye and a med gull. On to filey and the bird showed straight away. The light was poor but I managed to get some record shots, and decided I would go back there tomorrow and give Filey a good going over - anyone up for it??

If you'd posted a couple of hours sooner I would have been a free man and could have gone with you Marcus, as it is I have sold my soul to the devil....t'wife's got me down for some chores tomorrow and I won't be able to wriggle out of them.

Well done with the Firecrest Marcus. Saw it on Birdguides and wondered if it was you that found it.
No birding for me this weekend. I was going to go and see the Pallas Warbler at Filey yesterday but the 'mother in law' was rushed to hospital so had to make a mad dash down South. Fortunately she is ok now so got the long drive back up to God's Own today (minus the Girlfriend). Did get a nice Buzzard from the M25 yesterday so all was not lost.

Did my first TTv for the bird atlas today, not masses doing but fantastic numbers of Blackbirds in the little park behind my house, made out about 40 in there! A couple of Goldcrests and a female Bullfinch were the highlights.

Nothing from me this weekend either. The upstairs lights have gone completely, followed by the central heating, then my wife broke two ornaments, so pretty sure I'd have dipped if I'd gone for anything! Did get a beautiful Sparrowhawk in the garden.

The "Uncle" was venturing over the border into bandit country for Glossy Ibis et al, so not sure how he's got on.

I am now off Tuesday and Wednesday for respective workmen (rather than for a pipit), but if they get things done early I may be able to sneak off somewhere - LTD perhaps.

Back home this weekend so decided to do some birding on more familiar territory. Went to North Cave first but could not find the White-fronted Goose that's been seen. Went to Broomfleet and Faxfleet after that, saw Marsh Harrier and found Bearded Tits in the reedbeds. There were a couple of goldeneye on the ponds near Broomfleet.

Moved round to Blacktoft sands later with the hope of finding a SEO. No such look, no merlin either, but more marsh harrier views. Also a whooper swan and the usual.

Am gonna have a subversive try for the warbler tomorrow. Am off sick but feel better - not allowed back to work for 48 hours - may as well take advantage.

Get yourself over the bridge to Worlaby Carrs if your after SEO, I went on saturday and a had 5 SEO, 3 Barn Owls a Buzzard and a Ringtail Hen Harrier

Sounds good. Will definitely give that a go. Has there been a rough-legged buzzard there in recent winters?

Not for a couple of years I believe

Time flies John, over wintered RLB was 2002 into 2003, I had 4 visits, great show, My Jan 2003 sighting was after the Blyth’s Pipit on Gringley Carr - Notts

Not been once since, I'm sure I would have gone down...


__________________________
Cheers
Darren

Went to have another look for Marcus' LTD at Dunkeswick just now but no sign even with a full lap of the pond - guess it really has gone or succumbed this time. Awesome views of the Barn Owl, though, plus 2 Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 2 Goosander, 11 Snipe, 9 Stock Dove, 100+ Fieldfare, 5+ Redwing, 1 Willow Tit, and Redpoll and Siskin over. Alright for an hour's lunch break.

Wasn't well over the weekend but got to Filey by lunchtime Sunday and got superb views of the Pallas' Warbler as well as a Grey Wagtail (unusual?) in Arndale Ravine. Barely tickable views of Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck, a few Little Auks around, c40 Pink-feet over, lots of Sanderling on the beach. Met Marcus, whose early start had already got much better views of all the same birds plus a Pom, and fed the Med Gulls at Scarborough, then saw Black-throated and Red-throated diver and very confiding Rock Pipits in the harbour. Have you posted the photos, Marcus - some looked superb? Went round to North Beach at sunset just to watch the waves with a 6m high tide and an onshore wind - really spectacular - and got soaked in spray.

Good to see you there yesterday. Unfortunately I had my wallet nicked last night and have already had an account withdrawn, which was a sad way to end the weekend.

On a brighter note here are the pictures from Sunday. Graham has summed up expertly what was around. A classic late Autumn haul!

And the meds deserve their own post. Thanks to kingsmill for these.

LOL This getting monotonous but...Crackin' pictures Marcus. Especially the male LTD, wish I'd been able to get out there with you, sadly I was shopping with t'wife.....soft furnishings etc, I had a most enjoyable afternoon...NOT!
Bad luck with the wallet, hope the b'stards don't get any more of your dosh.

Went to Filey looking for the Pallas's Warbler- complete dip. What I didnt dip on Mike though and we had a fairly successful meander along the brigg. A (the?) Grey Wagtail was present in Arndale. In the bay a Little Auk close in was a surprise but a couple of Common Scoters were more expected fayre. Another Little Auk was seen flying out of the bay.On the Brigg itself a number of Dunlins and Purple Sandpipers with the usual Turnstones and Oystercatchers. 3 or 4 Rock Pipits kept us compant as we ventured briefly onto the further reaches of the brigg. I say briefly but it would have been much longer if Mike had kept looking at the 2 male Long-tailed Ducks and the Velvet Scoters present with the Scoter flock, as we narrowly avioded being cut off by the tide (2 waves worth of time!!). A Great Northern Divers flyover was a worthy way to polish off procedings.

Sorry to hear your bad news Marcus.

Thanks for the info. on the LTD Graham. I might not blast over there now tomorrow, (if I get chance) although the supporting cast from this cracking little "reserve" isn't bad.

If my workman finishes early tomorrow and there's enough light left, and it re-appears, I may try for the Desert Wheatear - would be a Yorkshire tick for me.

News from the "Uncle" - he managed to get the Glossy by the skin of his teeth - one brief flyby view, so was very lucky. Also picked up Merlin.

Also, keep your eyes peeled amongst flocks of Redwing in the Leeds area. Dave saw a peculiar pinkish thrush in his garden briefly a few days ago amongst a flock of Redwing, but immediately had to go away on business, and it hasn't reappeared. From the description we both think it kind of points to Naumann's. Interstingly the local Blackbird made a beeline for it, but wasn't bothered by the Redwings, (hence the all too brief view). It had a super, but not a noticeable moustachial which I think fits in looking at Lewington. I'd love a long-staying rare winter thrush (notwithstanding this year's American Robin). I've always imagined one on the Stray in Harrogate.

Anyway, the lack of heat will shortly drive me from the PC to watch the mighty blues in the one warm room! Born and bred in Leeds but a massive Leicester fan for some strange reason. C'mon City!

Was a good afternoon even though we didn't get the Pallas's. Also missed the SEO at Flamborough. I hope the bird found dead at the weekend wasn't the only SEO on the headland this winter. I did get the reliable Stonechats, a Kestrel and a Hare.

If we had gone for the Desert Wheatear we probably wouldn't have found the site and located the bird by 3 PM, in act I'm sure we wouldn't have.