[Hotspur]

My practical has just finished at half 4. No chance of getting there in time. Nightmare. My tutor was arranging for me to meet the ringers that are busy there at the mo as well. Bugger.

[skink1978]

Hi everyone.

Just got back from a great week in Scotland with the girlfriend. A number of lifers were seen including White-tailed Eagle, Capercaillie, Crested Tit and Pine Marten. Also saw Golden Eagle and loads of other cool stuff. Hope to write a brief trip report in next week or two for those who are interested.

Had today off work so I could un-pack and catch up on some boring household chores. At least that was the plan until on the way back from an errand to Hull I ended up at Spurn Point (must have taken a wrong turning or something!!). Nothing much about apart from loads of Redwings, some Stonechats and a Black Redstart.

Decided to drive back to Brid to finnish my Jobs, but missed my house and somehow ended up at Filey Country Park! Arndale Ravine was my first port of call where I had some great views of Two-barred Greenish Warbler. I then walked up to the top scrub where after walking around and waiting for half an hour, I got some decent views of the Radde's Warbler.

Think I've probably used up my birding luck for the next year or so. Back to work tomorrow and back to reality!

I sincerely hope the warblers stay around for the rest of you- good luck!

[djprest]

hi jimmy two faces
thought it was you at fairburn on sunday did you get any good shots of the cattle egret? i met you first at spurn in may(gargeneys on the canal pool and red backed shrike at the riding school),though thinking maybe at fairburn last year.cannot belive your girlfriend was asleep in the car at fairburn!

[Lawts]

Originally Posted by ukbenny

Hi everyone, I posted the following info in an ID thread in conversation with Graham, but would probably be more suited to this thread:

--------------
Hay-a-Park (Knaresborough)

Hay-a-Park was great for me as a kid, as it was just a 5-minute walk from the house where I grew up, but whilst it's not the greatest site in the area, my lack of expertise probably prevented me from seeing a few good spots. Back then it was relatively unspoilt, but well kept. Earlier this year I popped in for a quick look, but it all seemed a little neglected. I've heard that there's a large housing development in the area too, which probably won't help. One year, my dad and I spotted a very large raptor circling high in the area on thermals. It was too far away for us to determine what it was, but later that year we heard that a White-tailed Eagle had been in the area at that time.

When I was a kid I found the best spots to be around the far (big) lake, which was always far quieter and didn't get so many fishermen. It also took longer to get to. The approach that I used to take to get to the big lake was from the gate under the railway bridge on Park Lane (via Chain Lane) and take the paths around the smaller fishing lakes. When you come out at the big lake there is a small island just offshore if you take the clockwise route. This was the best place to see the commoner water birds, but also good for migrants. The downside is that there's a country-lane entrance close by and it's a popular spot for locals "feeding the ducks". In the anti-clockwise direction you'd pass over a "dam" made of large boulders and onto a small meadowlike hill, which provides great views of the site. I've attached a crude map based on the OS map of the area in case you ever need a reference. The area behind this, and furthest from the roads, provided the best overall patch (overlayed with green on the map); although maybe not so for the water birds.

I'll try to dig out my old notes from my parents' loft, but from memory:

• The small fishing lakes used to be the best areas for Little Grebe and species that like reed beds/bullrushes.
• The area around the "dam" and hill used to be best for other divers with Great Crested Grebe and Goosanders quite common, and Black-necked Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser possible.
• The island area has had White-fronted Goose and Pink-footed Goose during winter, and I also saw Whooper Swan there, but more commonly (I think) within the green area.

We also had flocks of 20+ Waxwing and Redwing in our garden nearby, so these are probably possible there too.

In all the times I visited, I never once saw another birder, but I was inexperienced and maybe looking in the wrong places or couldn't pick them out in their camouflage Since neither me or my dad entered the BirdGuide sightings, at least one other person is/has been watching the site.
--------------

Although not on par with the great places many of you report on, it was my local patch as a kid. Have any of you visited the site? If so, did you see anything of note? I don't live in Yorkshire anymore, so I no longer visit, but would still be interested in hearing of anything seen there.

I live in Wetherby and visit Hay-a-Park from time to time. It is a damn good local patch, and well-watched. It has a good selection of winter duck. It's a good spot for Lesser Whitethroat in Spring. Little Owl is also regular. I still park just after the bridge near the rugby pitch. Now and again there's the odd nutter there being a nuisance, but compared to some places (e.g. Skelton Lake) it'a as safe as houses.

It gets its good birds as well. Within the last few years I've seen Slavonian Grebe and two Red-rumped Swallows that spent several days. Going back a bit further I had a drake American Wigeon viewed from the pylon, and of course the Penduline Tit some years back. I remember a Spotted Crake there as well but I dipped on that.

I just wish it was a few miles nearer so I could nip there regularly.

[Lawts]

I'm a definite shade of green at the moment. Everyone seems to be seeing stuff, and it's all going on around me. This happens to me every year. I think I'm on top of the situation and handling it, then October erupts and I lose control.

I was thrown of course last weekend when the Canada Warbler went. All week I'd been planning to go but fortunately I'd waited before booking my flight and also had kind of agreed to hang on until this coming weekend to go with my brother. Anyhow, I can forget that little gem.

I just have to tell myself that not everyone is seeing everything. It's like that even when visiting Spurn or Flamborough in a single day. You look at the list of birds seen and think what was I doing, then realise very few people if anybody has clicked with it all, and probably had a similar day to you.

I got the Great White Egret last week, (very distant) and Cattle Egret on Sunday but hardly compensation for what has been about.

Fingers crossed I'll get out this weekend somewhere. Here's to low cloud, drizzle and an east wind - long may it continue.

One bright spot for me last night. Don't get me wrong I'm Yorkshire through and through except for....footie. For some strange reason I've followed Leicester City all my life. The rest of the family are Leeds. A very enjoyable 90 minutes in the away end! I'd swap it for a day of good birds though!!

[bitterntwisted]

Originally Posted by Hotspur

My practical has just finished at half 4. No chance of getting there in time. Nightmare. My tutor was arranging for me to meet the ringers that are busy there at the mo as well. Bugger.

James,

Did you get to Filey today? Looks like everything was still there waiting, plus a white-rumped sand as well!? I may head tomorrow - could hopefully get on the road at 11ish - rain should have cleared up when I arrive and there may be more stuff to find!

I have been down south and compeltely offline for a week. Shame I didn't get to see the Cattle Egret at Fairburn - I missed two at Lodmoor while I was down in Dorset also. But I was very happy with the following acheived, in 3 days, with my own eyes and ears and without birdguides or other birders assistance: Black Redstart and several Ring Ouzels at Portland. A Merlin doing a camouflage flight to catch a finch during an impressive vis mig at Hengistbury Head (Kestrels, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk all hunting also). 2 Redstarts, a Greenland Wheatear, a Black-Necked Grebe and a Peregrine at Keyhaven Marshes. Raven, Spoonbill, Willow Warbler, 5 Red Breasted Merganser, 2 Dartford Warbler, 181 Little Egrets at Arne/Studland. (plus the expected Avocets, 1000 Blackwits, 200+ Brent) Finally best ever views of Bearded Tits at Radipole Lake and a found Cetti's at an LNR in Buckinghamshire on route back. I must say I found being offline and relying entirely on my own skills very enjoyable - I did see the Marbled Duck at Stanpit Marsh (very tame unfortunately) - but I can't be all purist and anti-twitch - I really hope that the two-barred greenish warbler and friends are still there tomorrow.

Graham

[Ben M]

Originally Posted by Lawts

I live in Wetherby and visit Hay-a-Park from time to time. It is a damn good local patch, and well-watched.

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear it's well watched, I wonder how well it was when I used to visit (late 80s, early 90s)?! I certainly never saw any of birds you mentioned there, but I'll put that down to inexperience In fact, all but Little Owl would be firsts for me! I still have family in Knaresborough, so might pop down for a look this winter.

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Originally Posted by sonic

hi jimmy two faces
thought it was you at fairburn on sunday did you get any good shots of the cattle egret? i met you first at spurn in may(gargeneys on the canal pool and red backed shrike at the riding school),though thinking maybe at fairburn last year.cannot belive your girlfriend was asleep in the car at fairburn!

Heather would like to inform you she wasn't alssep she was reading! Saying that I once caught her snoozing at blacktoft whilst pretending to look into her binoculars.

She's great very understanding ad long as I dont take the proverbial!!

She's seen some grea birds too!!

Roller, Barred Warbler, Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Semi p sandpiper, Green Heron, Black winged stilt and others! She'd rather see a kingfirsher down at Rodley though, and why not!!!

[skink1978]

Originally Posted by jimmy2faces

She's seen some grea birds too!!

Roller, Barred Warbler, Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Semi p sandpiper, Green Heron, Black winged stilt and others! She'd rather see a kingfirsher down at Rodley though, and why not!!!

I think your Heather must have a better UK list than mine. Most of those would be lifers for me!

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Originally Posted by skink1978

I think your Heather must have a better UK list than mine. Most of those would be lifers for me!

She saw a flock of 300 collared pratincoles in Spain this year, but insisted on watching the yellow wagatails humping!!!

[Hotspur]

Had some Rouzel action at Bempton today. Which was nice. No big rare for me.

[skink1978]

Originally Posted by jimmy2faces

She saw a flock of 300 collared pratincoles in Spain this year, but insisted on watching the yellow wagatails humping!!!

Thats women for you.

[skink1978]

Originally Posted by Hotspur

Had some Rouzel action at Bempton today. Which was nice. No big rare for me.

Where abouts exactly did you see the Rouzels? Was it the actual reserve or Hoddycows Lane? Wouldn't mind checking them out myself if they hang around. Cheers

[Keith Dickinson]

Yesterday I took Delia, one of the Mods on BF, around a couple of the reserves in Yorkshire. We started at the Old Moor RSPB in the morning and then moved up to Blacktoft Sands in the afternooon.
Old Moor held several thousand golden plover which were a bit flighty initially but settled down on the mud by the Wath Ings hide. Along with the goldies were a slightly smaller number of lapwing, a couple of dunlin and a common sandpiper. There were the usual suspects from the duckworld on the wather as well but what was noticeable was the lack of finches and tits, the feeding station had a solitary goldfinch. On previous visits the feeders have been packed with greenfinch, goldfinch and both blue and great tits with an occassional coal tit. I hope this isn't a symptom of a trich infection on the reserve.
Blacktoft blew me away ...I have never seen so many snipe in my birding life. From the Ousefleet hide I tally counted 71 birds....and that was probably seriously under the correct total. The marshland hide held about 2 dozen birds, whilst there were at least 5 birds at the Singleton hide. The other wader were fewer as we arrived on a falling tide but we still managed a little stint, several hundred dunlin...none of which could I make into a curlew sandpiper...and a few dozen black'wits. We had a nice fly past by a female marsh harrier, just about 50 foot off the ground, as we walked back from Ousefleet. Delia also managed to see the kingfisher from Singleton...I only heard the flight call.
All in a nice day out...no rareties but good numbers of birds.

[Hotspur]

Originally Posted by skink1978

Where abouts exactly did you see the Rouzels? Was it the actual reserve or Hoddycows Lane? Wouldn't mind checking them out myself if they hang around. Cheers

The Dell, by the Car Park

[skink1978]

Originally Posted by Hotspur

The Dell, by the Car Park

Thanks. Seems the place for migrants at Bempton. Also a lot of reports come from Hoddycows lane, which starts at Buckton pond (next village to Bempton) and ends up at the reserve.

[bitterntwisted]

[quote=Keith Dickinson]Old Moor ...what was noticeable was the lack of finches and tits, the feeding station had a solitary goldfinch. On previous visits the feeders have been packed with greenfinch, goldfinch and both blue and great tits with an occassional coal tit. I hope this isn't a symptom of a trich infection on the reserve.
QUOTE]

I wouldn't worry, Keith. I noted ">100 Greenfinch" on 12/10/06, as well as the same array of goldfinch, tree sparrow, tits (inc willow), collared dove etc. I can't imagine they've all gone down in the space of eight days. I suspect the culprit may be a Sprawk sitting in the garden, although evidence is circumstantial. While I was watching on the 12th the garden suddenly emptied. I sat tight for over 20 minutes hoping to see the culprit, then tried searching from in the shop and eventually peering onto the hide roof as the last blind spot, but no sign, but I reckon this must be it, as the station was very, very busy immediately before.

Glad you had a good day out with Delia. I know she was disappointed at missing the Roller at Beal. Blacktoft really is a superb reserve - always something to see - I try to make sure always to stay until evening when the Water Rails usually show and the Barn Owl hunts.

Graham

[bitterntwisted]

Originally Posted by Keith Dickinson

Old Moor ...what was noticeable was the lack of finches and tits, the feeding station had a solitary goldfinch. On previous visits the feeders have been packed with greenfinch, goldfinch and both blue and great tits with an occassional coal tit. I hope this isn't a symptom of a trich infection on the reserve.

Update... mystery solved,.. plenty of birds on the feeders when I took my parents today. garden emptied and stayed empty on two occasions. culprit both times appeared to be Kestrel which flew over and then landed in tree visible only from round the back by the education centre bit, therefore visible from feeders but not from either hide or reception.

[Keith Dickinson]

Thanks Graham, did wonder about the finches, annoying to think that there was a raptor above us which we didn't see.

[JRE]

Flamborough Head 28/10/06
5 Twite, 3 Purple Sandpiper, Sooty Shearwater, 15 Pink-footed Goose, and well, not much else.

[skink1978]

Originally Posted by The Firecrest

Flamborough Head 28/10/06
5 Twite, 3 Purple Sandpiper, Sooty Shearwater, 15 Pink-footed Goose, and well, not much else.

Nice one mate, wouldn't mind seeing some Twite myself. If your still in the area there is a nice little Barred Warbler at South Landing (just before you get to Flam. Head). I caught up with it last wed evening in the pouring rain.

[bitterntwisted]

Originally Posted by The Firecrest

Flamborough Head 28/10/06
5 Twite, 3 Purple Sandpiper, Sooty Shearwater, 15 Pink-footed Goose, and well, not much else.

Not much else! That not good enough for you, young man? All the first 3 were lifers for me this summer. When I was 13 I lived in Bedofrdshire, was chuffed with Little Grebes and my parents wouldn't take me beyond Tring reservoirs. (And I went to that coast 3 times this year failing to find Purple Sand before I found one on his lonesome on Hilbre. Still have to find an east coast one on our Yorks meet-up as apparently they are different subspecies, and of course a Yorkshire bird will be better.)

Seriously, hope you enjoyed the day Jyothi, (and got there before all the tourists?) Sorry you didn't find a YBW, but now you've been to Yorkshire you'll be back. There shoudl have been a few Redwings and Fieldfares and Brambling around, which I guess haven't reached Devon yet?

BTW Skink, don't mention the Barred Warbler. I figured out I walked past it twice in the 24 hours it was there before it went out on Birdguides. Would have been a lifer also.

2 Jack Snipe, a Greenland White-Front, and a Hen Harrier for me today. (Wheldrake and St Aidans)

Graham

[skink1978]

Originally Posted by bitterntwisted

Not much else! That not good enough for you, young man? All the first 3 were lifers for me this summer. When I was 13 I lived in Bedofrdshire, was chuffed with Little Grebes and my parents wouldn't take me beyond Tring reservoirs. (And I went to that coast 3 times this year failing to find Purple Sand before I found one on his lonesome on Hilbre. Still have to find an east coast one on our Yorks meet-up as apparently they are different subspecies, and of course a Yorkshire bird will be better.)

Seriously, hope you enjoyed the day Jyothi, (and got there before all the tourists?) Sorry you didn't find a YBW, but now you've been to Yorkshire you'll be back. There shoudl have been a few Redwings and Fieldfares and Brambling around, which I guess haven't reached Devon yet?

BTW Skink, don't mention the Barred Warbler. I figured out I walked past it twice in the 24 hours it was there before it went out on Birdguides. Would have been a lifer also.

2 Jack Snipe, a Greenland White-Front, and a Hen Harrier for me today. (Wheldrake and St Aidans)

Graham

Hi Graham. Jack Snipe AND Greenland White Front would be lifers for me so I have absolutely no problem gripping you off about the Barred Warbler

It did amaze me with its ability to hide behind a single leaf for minutes on end and could easily be missed, even with information on its exact location.

Glad you had a good days birding. I spent my only full day off work playing lego with my niece and nephew while trying to get over the worse hangover ever. No more alcohol for me... ever!

[JRE]

When I said not much else, I meant there were very few common migrants around, just a few Redwings. South Landing is an incredibly frustrating place, I'm sure there was a YBW there somwhere, but it was very windy. Twite was a year tick, the other three were lifers.
I'm not complaining!!

[Hotspur]

Originally Posted by bitterntwisted

Not much else! That not good enough for you, young man? All the first 3 were lifers for me this summer. When I was 13 I lived in Bedofrdshire, was chuffed with Little Grebes and my parents wouldn't take me beyond Tring reservoirs. (And I went to that coast 3 times this year failing to find Purple Sand before I found one on his lonesome on Hilbre. Still have to find an east coast one on our Yorks meet-up as apparently they are different subspecies, and of course a Yorkshire bird will be better.)

Seriously, hope you enjoyed the day Jyothi, (and got there before all the tourists?) Sorry you didn't find a YBW, but now you've been to Yorkshire you'll be back. There shoudl have been a few Redwings and Fieldfares and Brambling around, which I guess haven't reached Devon yet?

BTW Skink, don't mention the Barred Warbler. I figured out I walked past it twice in the 24 hours it was there before it went out on Birdguides. Would have been a lifer also.

2 Jack Snipe, a Greenland White-Front, and a Hen Harrier for me today. (Wheldrake and St Aidans)

Graham

Argh, gripped immensely-Wheldrake is my local patch and all would have been patch and year ticks.