A trip to Clumber yielded dividends for once!
Fairburn Ings
Visited this afternoon and saw a Water Rail - a lifer for me - thought I saw one at Adel Dam last year but couldn't be sure.
We didn't go to the Lin Dyke end and as Keith has said not much in the way of waterfowl. Plenty of birds on the feeders though. I did see a Kingfisher through the spotting fence (do they have a proper name - the fences with the holes in?) and just past this on a gated off path a deer - closest i've ever been to one and I believe a Roe Deer. Not a bird I know but pretty exciting! We did see a Peregrine over that end too.
Not the most exciting of birds but pretty good for me :t:
2 big stubble fields on the cliff top at buckton held 200 corn bunting... 700+ skylark...
Try the area around Broomhead Res near Sheffield for crossbills. They take a bit of finding, but if you wander around the area I've marked on the Google Map below you should come across them eventually - listen out for them chupping. I got stunning views of 30+ at the weekend, opposite the houses on Lee Lane.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?oe=U...d=108592966571871668457.00047ac7280362f080a34
SEO I'm not too sure about this year - last year they were ten a penny around Leash Fen/Beeley Moor area, but there's been very few reports this autumn and winter. If you find anywhere let me know as they're one I wouldn't mind getting before the year end!
Just a thanks, was eavesdropping for a decent crossbill site, they've been my last truly embarrassing bogey, despite doing the local sites to me.
Anyway, found loads of them in that area around Broomhead (#227 on the life list), mostly in a clearing just below Wigtwizzle, difficult to say how many because they were commonly mixed in with goldfinch and siskin, I'd agree with the 30 figure though.
Some entertaining tits flocks around with the usual assortments, heard a raven and briefly stalked a tawny owl that flew through the woods around midday. Took pity on a robin in the parking place at the bottom of the main track and it let me hand feed it a bit of my cheese sandwich.
Nice place, really quiet, enjoyed the visit.
This map shows parking the black dots ,the lime green line is directions to millfield lagoon from pugneys roundabout.Park between the offices and the swan and cygnet in the layby ,room for three cars otherwise park in the pub car park near the entrance.There is a footpath from millfield lagoon through to the other lake under the motorway ,At the lagoon park to the left as you go under the railway bridge rather then through the gates as anglers can lock the gate so youd be stuck if you havent got a key its mostly open but you could get caught out.Hope this helps Phill.
Just in from a walk round Roundhay Park
Evidently the nerves got to you and you couldn't bear to watch the Mighty Whites thrashing that lot from over there. 3