All round that hide is the best place for Redpolls and Siskins up to the gate where the Green Woodpecker is often present. Have been grilling the Redpolls for a mealy all autumn.

Im feeling very itchy about this, at the moment im thinking a tentative yes but it all depends if it hangs around and how well revision goes over the next 2 days

I know its a long shot but does any one know directions to Burton Riggs, Seamer, near Scarborough please. Wouldn't mind checking the area out, especially if the White-fronted Goose stays.

first part of trip report here

Called in at Rodley today - pretty sure I saw a bad backed Keith Dickinson lurking about - was it you??

Managed some pics of a kingfisher too.

For Burton Riggs, head towards Scarborough on the A64 from Staxton, straight on over the first roundabout (signposted left for Seamer & Ayton), and at the next roundabout for Morissons, MacDonalds, etc turn left, and immediately left again down a bumpy track to the carpark at the end.

From here follow the footpath under the bridge to the first smaller lake (scaup & white-front on this pool yesterday), with the larger lake a bit further on (black-throat on this one yesterday). A footpath runs alongside the lakes all the way around.

Hi Dave, we met at the Pallas's - good to see yo on here :t:
Marcus

Cheers Marcus, see you've taken plenty of good shots since.

Thanks Dave,
Called in this afternoon for twenty minutes (didn't have much time to spare). Had great views of the Black-throated Diver but no sign of the White-front. There was a wierd little goose with the Canada flock that had white above the bill and I would be interested to know it's genetic make-up. It was about 1/2 as big as a Canada Goose.
Also had a Marsh Tit.

Burton Riggs seems a great little reserve worth a visit if in the area. Unfortunately is does look like a bit of a chav-magnet, although I saw none today.

It was me Marcus, I thought it was your car when I got back to the car park but I was pushed for time otherwise I'd have come back to find you.
Did you see the yellowhammer in manager's garden?
No kingfisher for me though.

Got to North Cave but didn't see the Mealy Redpoll- managed to find a couple of Lesser on Dryham lane. I saw the green woodpecker again which makes it at least five consecutive visits that I've seen it. A lot of birds out in the maize field including an unusual female reed bunting that had me thinking (like yesterday's meadow pipit!). A pair of goosander on Island lake and all the usual.

Is this the goose you're talking about Mike - no idea what mixed parentage it is.

Another question if I may? Does anyone know the best place to look for the Water Pipit around Cromer Point, Scarborough? I've been a couple of times lately and worked the area from the Desert Wheatear carpark up to what I think is Scalby Mills Pond. Does the bird favour the pond near the water treatment works or the smaller one nearer the car park. All I've managed so far is Rock Pipit, Stonechat and a Northern Wheatear. Also what time of day is best to look?

I had Water Pipit on the area of flood at the corner of the field before the uphill bit to the main pond.

Do you know where I mean?

I see the WP has been reported at Catterton again today so as i have a viewing on my house tomorrow, i may go and have a look in. Also gonna get some wellies so that the White-fronts at Wheldrake can be accessed

North Cave Wetlands
 

Left work early today for a quick visit to North cave got the following:

Great Crested Grebe,little grebe,2 Grey Heron,several Mute Swans,100+ Greylag,Shell Ducks,Mallards,Shovelers,Pochards,Tufted Duck,Pair of Goosanders,Pheasant,Coots,Moorhen,Blackheaded Gull,Wood piegeon,Green Woodpecker,Pied Wagtail,Dunnock,Robin,Blackbird,20+Long Tailed Tits,Coal Tit,Blue Tit,Great Tit,Magpie,50+ Jackdaw,200 + Carrion headed into a large tree to roost,Starling,20+Tree sparrow,Chaffinch,Green Finch.

No Yellowhammer or siskin for me today nevermind.Blowing a gale on there dont think the raptors fancied playing out in the strong wind either!!

Also while scanning the flock of Greylag came across a BAR-HEADED GOOSE absolutely cracking looking bird and a pleasure to see it to be honest!!

The Water Pipit is reasonably mobile - I took a few shots of it early December on the small flood by the fence mentioned by Marcus, which was the favoured spot for the Desert Wheatear. Most sightings seem to be on Cromer Point Pond (just up the hill to the south of that point), or around the treatment works, and on any of the tracks inbetween the two.

The easiest way to get there is to park in the layby just north of the entrance to the treatment plant, then walk back to and along the access road, keep to the left hand side of the buildings when you get there - from here you can see Cromer Point Pond. It's a 5-10 minute walk, mostly on tarmac.

None of the local birders have had problems using that route - obviously it was a bit of a different position when the Desert Wheatear was there, when birders starting parking at the actual entrance, and lorries were struggling for access..

Thanks Marcus and Dave for the Pipit info.
I know exactly where you mean with the small pond before the hill. It was near to there where I had Rock Pipit, also Northern Wheatear at the weekend.
Its nice to know there is an easier (less muddy) way to get to the Water Treatment Pond. I did wonder about that path but I seem to remember reading about the problems caused at the Desert Wheatear twitch so thought I wouldn't risk it. Is there a similar path to Scalby Mills pond?

Thats the one! Tiny little fella, especially when next to the Canada flock. Cheers Dave.

Id been wondering where Scalby Lodge Pond was. Is it accessed by the left just before the valley over Scalby beck (headed South on the Burniston road). Cant find it on any maps etc.

That goose looks like a Barnacle * Greylag to me. I think. Maybe.

Face patch on the goose is closest fit to Barnacle Goose.

For Scalby Lodge Pond, head out of Scarborough on a A165, past the Scalby Mills turnoff, over the bridge that spans Scalby Beck, and as you climb out of the dip, there's a public footpath 200-300 yards further on, on your right hand side. There's enough room to park off road for three or four cars here (mostly used by dogwalkers), just be careful not to block the gates giving access to the fields. Head along the path towards the coast, after 300 yards, a track leads off to the left - walk along here to view, or carry on to the coast (another 200 yards), and head north to view the pool.

As alternatives, if you're at Cromer Point Pond, head south along the Cleveland Way for 5-10 minutes, or if you're at Scalby Mills, head north along the same footpath for 5-10 minutes. It gets some very good birds, but views can be fairly distant, so a scope is recommended.

May be worth looking at Google Earth - all on the pools show up on there.

Attached a shot of the pipit.

Hmm - that looks v.similar to one I've seen a couple of times over the last year with the Greylag flocks in upper Hull valley... deffo some Barnacle in there.



Cheers,
Bob.

Or x Canada, hard to say.


Cheers,
Bob.

Another rogue who's been touring the county over the last couple of years!


Cheers,
Bob.

That bar-head has been residing at North Cave for he last four months or so. Got out today and resaw the Water Pipit at Catterton. No other pipits with it this time. Also the first pipit of the year for me. Went down to Wheldrake which was flooded, no matter, todays purchase of wellies (just) got me down to the first hide. The juv peregrine was still knocking about and a few Pintail were nice but the water was too high for geese so i assume the White-fronts are feeeding off the reserve and coming back to roost. Nothing of note in the gull roost by the time id left although there were thousands of gulls still to come in. Anyone else noticed masses of Bullfinches about- there seem to be loads this year.

I saw the Bar-Head for the first time yesterday. Nice to see, but would've preferred a few wild White-Fronts.

New Years Resolution!
 

Having practically given up birding in the mid-90s, I got the bug again in 2005 and last new year I made a resolution to spend one weekend every month birding my old fave spots in upper Hull Valley area. I used to live there, and my father and brother still do so I'd be over occasionally anyway...

Alas the resolution failed due to missing a visit in September but what better excuse to try again!

There isn't a lot of interesting habitat to work with but I was pleased with a total of 110 species in 2007. As a target, I suspect I got lucky with weather so it'll be a tall order this year... a fair few species I only saw once but 100 is doable, anything past 105 a bonus.


Cheers,
Bob.

Yep same for me too (well, in 2007).


Cheers,
Bob.

Off to see white White Crowned Sparrow tomorrow, God I hope its there, has anyone seen it?

Went to North Duffield yesterday and saw a male Brambling amongst the chaffinches. First year tick that i didnt get last year! Also came across a flying group of Grey Geese east of Wheldrake, near Melbourne. They looked small but flew away over farmland very quickly. DOH! Am headed to Norfolk tomorrow to releave revision madness. Fingers crossed!

Good luck to those going for the WCS tomorrow. Remember not to park infront of driveways!

Will be OK "got False Plates on the Car" 3:-)

WcS
 

Good luck Dave/James although I'm sure you won't need it. I got it yesterday. It looks pretty settled.

And its still there!! Lastest RBA update this evening!!;)

Good luck guys. Bit for to go for an escape for me ;)

Have you also heard about the mass breakout of Cresties in Scotland - very tame apparently. They pose for 'photos, and some of these can subsequently end up on the Birdguides weekly round up.

Well done again Marcus.

Thanks Steve. Your accont of the WCS was very exciting. Got my thinking about being so excited that I have run for a rare as follows;

Brown Fly (me and Hotspur trying to catch up on day one)
Ross's Gull (Fleetwood same day as BF Bunting and one of my dream birds)
Desert Warbler (Blakeney reports that is had gone were misplaced!)

Great write up and a big kick start for you in 2008!

Sleddale
 

Does anyone know how best to work Sleddale. I know it's a huge area, but I assume there must be a road running through it, where the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen from.

If it's going to hang around I'm tempted to give it a go - needed for Yorkshire. I may even get Raven into the bargain.

Thanks.

I beleive there is a road to the hut where they filmed parts of 'withnail and I' bt not sure how that relates. I have worked the area to Keld, and it was part of the C2C so I have walked across it too, but not sure of best spots at all I'm afraid.

And its still there this morning :t:

(only slightly gripped)