[zing]

Originally Posted by schiffornis

A few birds at Bubwith Bridge this afternoon: Little Grebe on the river, plenty of waterfowl on the floods and a flock of 150+ Pink-footed Goose flying through. Full details/usual rubbish photos etc here!

Nice one Andy, seems to be lots of blackbirds and thrushes this year but not many redwings,Skylarks were very abundant monday this week 20+ and very vocal. (nightmare posting a comment on your blog!! maybe i am a robot?)

[Richard G]

Had a very productive walk around Burley with the dog this morning - Bullfinch, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Blue, Coal & Great Tit, GSW & flushed a Sparrowhawk out of a front garden carrying off it's meal.

Keith, thanks for the map - think I know where I'm going now. Just hope I can get the car back from Kwik Fit before lunchtime.

Richard

[schiffornis]

Originally Posted by zing

Nice one Andy, seems to be lots of blackbirds and thrushes this year but not many redwings,Skylarks were very abundant monday this week 20+ and very vocal. (nightmare posting a comment on your blog!! maybe i am a robot?)

Thanks for trying Zing, sometimes the blogger thing seems to have a major hissy fit with the comments section. I've tried to add comments sometimes on other blogs with no joy too, but other times it works first go!!

Nice to see some water finally!

[Richard G]

What a brilliant afternoon at Nosterfield!! Not only did I connect with the Common Crane (thanks Keith & others on site for directions) but we managed a 2nd lifer in the shape of an Iceland Gull (again thanks to others on site for putting us on to it).

With a supporting list of around 20 other species me & the kids had a brill couple of hours!!

Richard

[HydeParkDave]

GF talked me into a walk around Eccup reservoir, pleased she did. Pretty much same situation as reported by Kieth Dickinson & lioner. Arrived at Golden Acre around 11.30am. Walking in we saw around 9-10 Red Legged Partridge. On the fp to the west of the reservoir 200+ Lapwings in adjacent field. Couple of Golden Plover in with them. Fields west of Goodrick Lodge were thick with Greylag geese. GF tried to talk me into believing there were some White Fronted ones in the middle distance, but couldn't make them out.

Water and banks of reservoir just after the lodge very busy. 200 - 300 Widgeon, and smaller number of Teal. There were 3 cormorants plus a 'mystery' diver we couldn't id. Plodding on birds began to thin out. Good views of a pair of Gooseanders (but going to Pauls Pond means we're spoiled with them usually) then to round things off a very close view of a male Goldeneye, which chugged off diagonally away from us.

Weather closed in after that and put the scope away. Completing the circuit three hours later, the Partridge were more or less in the same spot.

[schiffornis]

Anyone noticed an influx of Woodcock the last week or so?

[Brough Birder]

Haven't been to Nosterfield for a few years now, just wondering where Flask lake is?

Any help much appreciated, thanks

[Richard G]

Originally Posted by Brough Birder

Haven't been to Nosterfield for a few years now, just wondering where Flask lake is?

Any help much appreciated, thanks

I can answer this - was there yesterday.

Flask Lake is not actually at Nosterfield Reserve - it's amongst the Tarmac works a bit further down the road. Instead of turning off the B road down to the reserve, carry straight on (it's not very far) & there is a car park on your right. Park in there then follow the path around the fields by going through the gate in the left hand corner. You need to walk for about 10 minutes & you'll come to a metal gate - go through this & cross the grass track through the stone wall. You're now looking at Flask Lake.

This was were we picked up the Crane yesterday. Keith produced a Google map for me a few posts back which shows the car park I'm referring to.

Richard

[Brough Birder]

That's great, thanks for your help.

[Keith Dickinson]

Glad you caught up with the crane Richard, if I can I might just have a scoot up Nosterfield way tomorrow, nothing like another year tick.

[Richard G]

Originally Posted by Keith Dickinson

Glad you caught up with the crane Richard, if I can I might just have a scoot up Nosterfield way tomorrow, nothing like another year tick.

Thanks for your guidance Keith, the kids were mightily impressed with the sight of the Crane.

Just a word of warning - there is no way back on to the A1 south from the junction where you come off northbound. We had to go miles north until there's a junction you can get back onto the A1 southbound.

[eagle golden]

Hi Keith I am going to nosterfield tommorow, maybe will meet up. I think there was a bad accident on A1 today.

[Keith Dickinson]

Originally Posted by Richard G

Thanks for your guidance Keith, the kids were mightily impressed with the sight of the Crane.

Just a word of warning - there is no way back on to the A1 south from the junction where you come off northbound. We had to go miles north until there's a junction you can get back onto the A1 southbound.

Richard - can't you get back across the A1 to the roads on the East? Only ask as there is a connection via one of the villages East of the A1, saves having to trek North.
Eagle - might see you, can't promise as a relative is in hospital and things might kick off for me.

[joespy]

Easiest way Keith, is to contiue past the reserve to W Tanfield join the A6108 south to Ripon ..... around the ring road and pick up the B6265, past the Racecourse, to A1 sth.

I'm up there tmrw and may call at the reserve etc..... if time allows and will follow this route.

Joe

[Lapland mull]

Originally Posted by Richard G

I can answer this - was there yesterday.

Flask Lake is not actually at Nosterfield Reserve - it's amongst the Tarmac works a bit further down the road. Instead of turning off the B road down to the reserve, carry straight on (it's not very far) & there is a car park on your right. Park in there then follow the path around the fields by going through the gate in the left hand corner. You need to walk for about 10 minutes & you'll come to a metal gate - go through this & cross the grass track through the stone wall. You're now looking at Flask Lake.

This was were we picked up the Crane yesterday. Keith produced a Google map for me a few posts back which shows the car park I'm referring to.

Richard

The Crane was on the main lake opposite the screen at the Quarry visitor centre yesterday late pm giving excellent views.

http://youtu.be/5YUMwOrsjGM

[schiffornis]

A few bits on Bubwith Ings yesterday here

[Richard G]

Decided to head off for Bempton today with the family in tow. Gannets galore - best of today's efforts attached!!

Richard

[joespy]

Nosterfield

Crane was back on Flask lake at 10am today along with a GN diver, there were also 3 Pintail (2m/1f) at Marfield wetlands.
Joe

Nearly spun off the A1 before Boston Spa exit when a large female Peregrine flew straight across us........

[schiffornis]

Kingfisher was a nice find on a field drain near the house today.

[TonyTwinTwine]

Had a walk around the Yorkshire Sculpture Park today, lots of birds about. Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Long Tailed Tit.

on the Upper Lake, Tufted duck, a few Goosander, Teal, a pair of Gadwall and best of all a solitary Scaup. Had to look it up on my British Birds app as I hadn't seen one before. On the lower lake a pair of Great Crested Grebe.

[schiffornis]

Originally Posted by TonyTwinTwine

Had a walk around the Yorkshire Sculpture Park today, lots of birds about. Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Long Tailed Tit.

on the Upper Lake, Tufted duck, a few Goosander, Teal, a pair of Gadwall and best of all a solitary Scaup. Had to look it up on my British Birds app as I hadn't seen one before. On the lower lake a pair of Great Crested Grebe.

Nice one on the Scaup! They're great birds!

[schiffornis]

First singing Corn Bunting back on territory today

[dauurica]

Just had 85 pink foot geese over the house ( at Flamborough ) heading North west.Looks like s0ring well on way.

[Florence]

First visit to Tophill Low yesterday with the Craven U3A group. An impressive site with some good birds. Finally made 200 for the UK list with two female Smew

Good views of a Short-eared Owl as we arrived and a nice pait of Lesser Redpoll late in the day. A bit bleak this time of year but will definately be back in the spring.

Graeme

[HydeParkDave]

20+ Waxwing mid morning in grounds St Johns, off new Briggate Leeds (churchyard locked). Passable views for ten minutes, before they flew west. Also checked Joseph Well car park, Woodhouse Sq, Park Sq and Mabgate with no luck (but have seen recent close photos from Park Sq). Struck me, not for first time, that much more likely to see Goldfinch nowadays than sparrows. 15+ in Woodhouse Sq, poss. as many in Mabgate, and 10+ in trees off Belgrave St.