[Keith Dickinson]

Originally Posted by 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.

I can remember back in the mid 80's, having snuck out of work for a smoke, I was sat in the churchyard here when a peregrine took a feral pigeon not much more than 20 feet away from me. Sadly some of the ever present winos in the churchyard spooked the bird before it could have a decent feast.

[DOC REED]

Plenty of Golden Plover /lapwing today.Reservoir 4 Goosanders only birds of note.But owls still performing well at Redhouse(Barn) and Poppleton(SEO and Barn).Also 4 corn buntings at Poppleton, 2 Grey partridge also .

[andy hood]

Originally Posted by dauurica

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

I had them in off the sea while at south landing

[Hunsletlad]

There was an American Wigeon at Anglers Country Park today are they considered scarce ?

[gary1957]

Originally Posted by DOC REED

Plenty of Golden Plover /lapwing today.Reservoir 4 Goosanders only birds of note.But owls still performing well at Redhouse(Barn) and Poppleton(SEO and Barn).Also 4 corn buntings at Poppleton, 2 Grey partridge also .

Hi. Where is Poppleton and when is the best time to catch the barn owls?-haven't seen one in ages!

[schiffornis]

http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/...ting_1_4273816

[Chris-Leeds]

Originally Posted by Hunsletlad

There was an American Wigeon at Anglers Country Park today are they considered scarce ?

It's actually been there for some time. It still takes up the "scarce square" on Birdguides. I saw it a month ago but I think it was there before Christmas though I may be wrong.

[Hunsletlad]

Thanks Chris

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by gary1957

Hi. Where is Poppleton and when is the best time to catch the barn owls?-haven't seen one in ages!

Gary i'm at work, will try and pm you directions tonight

[metcow333]

Just a reminder that Barn owl is a schedule one breeding species, and we are coming in to the breeding season now. Egg collectors are active in the York area, and at least a couple of clutches of eggs were known to be taken last spring. With that in mind, it is probably not a good idea to be publicly sharing/asking for breeding sites of scarce and often targeted species on a public forum (not that I'm accusing garry1957 of anything at all personally), it is probably best entirely private if you know the people you are sharing info with, or only shared with county recorder.

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by metcow333

Just a reminder that Barn owl is a schedule one breeding species, and we are coming in to the breeding season now. Egg collectors are active in the York area, and at least a couple of clutches of eggs were known to be taken last spring. With that in mind, it is probably not a good idea to be publicly sharing/asking for breeding sites of scarce and often targeted species on a public forum (not that I'm accusing garry1957 of anything at all personally), it is probably best entirely private if you know the people you are sharing info with, or only shared with county recorder.

Give it a rest!

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by metcow333

Just a reminder that Barn owl is a schedule one breeding species, and we are coming in to the breeding season now. Egg collectors are active in the York area, and at least a couple of clutches of eggs were known to be taken last spring. With that in mind, it is probably not a good idea to be publicly sharing/asking for breeding sites of scarce and often targeted species on a public forum (not that I'm accusing garry1957 of anything at all personally), it is probably best entirely private if you know the people you are sharing info with, or only shared with county recorder.

I'm sorry Ollie but the above mentioned person on your mail should take offense.You constantly knock these postings , I just feel that you are too idealistic.The above person has been regular on here for years , and no bad word has been said against him.What gives you the right, to come into York area, and start sputing off like this?I feel so insulted(again!).Please ,wind your neck in and grow up a bit!I'm fed up of this.

Redhouse is MY local patch,you have been there,because I make reports of my sightings.I admire your ideology, but my reckoning,after being on the planet many more years than you, is that 'the more that know,the better'.99% of birders look after the environment and 'our' birds.We all know about the issues you keep raising,I think we are all aware.

Please Ollie, i hope you can accept my point of view.Gary;in light of this i will not be giving you directions to owls.

i'm sorry.Ollie, i hope this doesn't ruffle your feathers!

Paul

[gary1957]

Originally Posted by DOC REED

I'm sorry Ollie but the above mentioned person on your mail should take offense.You constantly knock these postings , I just feel that you are too idealistic.The above person has been regular on here for years , and no bad word has been said against him.What gives you the right, to come into York area, and start sputing off like this?I feel so insulted(again!).Please ,wind your neck in and grow up a bit!I'm fed up of this.

Redhouse is MY local patch,you have been there,because I make reports of my sightings.I admire your ideology, but my reckoning,after being on the planet many more years than you, is that 'the more that know,the better'.99% of birders look after the environment and 'our' birds.We all know about the issues you keep raising,I think we are all aware.

Please Ollie, i hope you can accept my point of view.Gary;in light of this i will not be giving you directions to owls.

i'm sorry.Ollie, i hope this doesn't ruffle your feathers!

Paul

I seem to have opened a real can of worms here. I posted the request in all innocence as I have never been to Poppleton/Redhouse and it often appears on the forum with interesting sightings. I would never dream of endangering breeding birds but given the locality of barn owls is often posted on RSPB reserve sightings I did not think it would be a problem-just this week the Blacktoft page was extoling us "to catch the barn owls from the Xerox hide".(I was there last week and didn't see one from that hide or anywhere else!).Given the fact I have spent a fair amount of my time this week reporting a possible poisoned raptor to the RSPB, I found the reply to my original request quite offensive.

[Mark Newsome]

Originally Posted by schiffornis

Cirl Bunting Whitby?
http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/...ting_1_4273816

I think the quotes in these type of stories can be quite revealing.
"We’ve had everything you can imagine and I know them all....You name it, we’ve had it..."

Well, I could probably imagine a few species that haven't been seen in Runswick Bay. But the bloke obviously is very confident in his abilities, so maybe it was one. Stranger things have happened, perhaps worth someone checking.

[northernloon]

Originally Posted by Mark Newsome

I think the quotes in these type of stories can be quite revealing.
"We’ve had everything you can imagine and I know them all....You name it, we’ve had it..."

Well, I could probably imagine a few species that haven't been seen in Runswick Bay. But the bloke obviously is very confident in his abilities, so maybe it was one. Stranger things have happened, perhaps worth someone checking.

Strangely enough that was the quote I picked up on. I'd be interested in hearing what he has to say about the rump colour.

As you say, stranger things have happened. Wasn't there a Rock Bunting at Bolton Abbey last year?

[northernloon]

There are no egg collectors, just thieves. And let's not forget these twonks have good field skills and can find their own nests to rob.

[James Thomas]

Still on the Runswick Bay bird, given the time of year, location etc, how about a Shorelark?

[melodious]

Originally Posted by metcow333

Just a reminder that Barn owl is a schedule one breeding species, and we are coming in to the breeding season now. Egg collectors are active in the York area, and at least a couple of clutches of eggs were known to be taken last spring. With that in mind, it is probably not a good idea to be publicly sharing/asking for breeding sites of scarce and often targeted species on a public forum (not that I'm accusing garry1957 of anything at all personally), it is probably best entirely private if you know the people you are sharing info with, or only shared with county recorder.

I completely agree with your sentiments. Loose talk does cost lives, ask any raptor worker in the Peak District and i'm pretty sure they would agree. Clearly wardened reserves are a different matter entirely. I don't think anyone should take offence about a reminder to put the birds welfare first, this is after all a public forum and not everyone who is going to view it will have thought the matter through before. i regularly get information about Schedule One species because of the work i do, often from people who know me well and they will frequently add something on the lines'make sure you keep this to yourself'. Why should i be offended by someone reminding me of the right thing to do even though we both know i would do it anyway?

[melodious]

Originally Posted by DOC REED

Give it a rest!

Don't give it a rest, do keep banging on about it

[schiffornis]

Originally Posted by DOC REED

Give it a rest!

Check out this haul of eggs... This is what these people do...

This is an interesting blog I follow. Would be interesting if there was a Yorks version of this so maybe people in the local area would be quieter with their shouting out about Annex 1/ Schedule 1 species during the breeding season. Would also be good to publish mugshots of the faces of those known eggers etc so that we can all keep an eye out for them.

EDIT: this evening there has been an update in the above case: see here. The egg-collector in question has recieved an asbo preventing him travelling to scotland for the next 10 years...

[arthur heaton]

To change the subject-I've been out watching aircraft for the last couple of days at Linton on Ouse-the hedges are are bouncing with Blue and Great Tits Chaffy's and the usual suspects.Pair of Siskins and a Reed Bunting yesterday, and a big mixed flock of Rooks and Jackdaws seem to appreciate the RAF's grassland!Buzzard and Kestrel all day today, and the highlight was a pair of Skylarks singing their heads off fighting for territory:and the pair of piebald crows hatched last year have survived the winter-unfortunately:they're camera shy!

[Ingsbirder]

Originally Posted by James Thomas

Still on the Runswick Bay bird, given the time of year, location etc, how about a Shorelark?

Given that it was in the car park at Runswick Bay then this solution seems unlikely? There are 2 car parks, neither of which abound with Shorelark habbo.

Having said that, from a Yorks perspective, Shorelark seems far more likely than Cirl Bunting

[DOC REED]

Originally Posted by schiffornis

Check out this haul of eggs... This is what these people do...

This is an interesting blog I follow. Would be interesting if there was a Yorks version of this so maybe people in the local area would be quieter with their shouting out about Annex 1/ Schedule 1 species during the breeding season. Would also be good to publish mugshots of the faces of those known eggers etc so that we can all keep an eye out for them.

EDIT: this evening there has been an update in the above case: see here. The egg-collector in question has recieved an asbo preventing him travelling to scotland for the next 10 years...

Andy

All the evidence says the 'law' is useless.And i've seen nothing from your post that convinces me otherwise.I am a gp, i've just had patients that have received jail sentences for badger baiting , and so on. I live in the real world, getting birders around birds is THE only way to protect them. The law ,in a famous qoute is an ass!

Please respect local birders who use this site before posting comments;I don't think this is the place for ideolical points of view.I am working with Redhouse estate to provide nest boxes and more public access etc.

Eggers will be eggers,if I find one one on my patch,I'll be unresponsible for my actions.

I just feel a bit hunted down at moment from comments posted on here,those that know me know I love my local patch,love birds;but I am happy to share them with others,I give respect and benefit of doubt until proven otherwise.

Lets be sensible about this,please suggest a code of conduct to apply re reporting rare birds/birds of prey/owls/ sensitive breeding birds etc.Make it clear please what your thoughts are;what pics should be published on here?Waxwings in a sainsbury car park in Sheffield?No shots of owls at all??

Please state your exact thoughts, because if your statement is met by agreement ,by all or most on here,I won't post images again.As to whether others follow ,its up to them.

I am totally confused now, but I think this site isn't what it was when I joined;it used to be fun, a place to talk about birds in Yorkshire,share local experiences etc, show pictures.Now through people like yourself/Ollie etc, seems the actual birders are being persecuted.Its just how I feel;sorry if that upsets you.

No doubt this is a rant!As a gp i'm used to complaints, and I take my time, do a draft reply,have it vetted, ammend it, then send it.No opportunity on here to do that, so my words are instinctive,from the heart.

Paul xx

[melodious]

Originally Posted by DOC REED

Andy

All the evidence says the 'law' is useless.And i've seen nothing from your post that convinces me otherwise.I am a gp, i've just had patients that have received jail sentences for badger baiting , and so on. I live in the real world, getting birders around birds is THE only way to protect them. The law ,in a famous qoute is an ass!

Please respect local birders who use this site before posting comments;I don't think this is the place for ideolical points of view.I am working with Redhouse estate to provide nest boxes and more public access etc.

Eggers will be eggers,if I find one one on my patch,I'll be unresponsible for my actions.

I just feel a bit hunted down at moment from comments posted on here,those that know me know I love my local patch,love birds;but I am happy to share them with others,I give respect and benefit of doubt until proven otherwise.

Lets be sensible about this,please suggest a code of conduct to apply re reporting rare birds/birds of prey/owls/ sensitive breeding birds etc.Make it clear please what your thoughts are;what pics should be published on here?Waxwings in a sainsbury car park in Sheffield?No shots of owls at all??

Please state your exact thoughts, because if your statement is met by agreement ,by all or most on here,I won't post images again.As to whether others follow ,its up to them.

I am totally confused now, but I think this site isn't what it was when I joined;it used to be fun, a place to talk about birds in Yorkshire,share local experiences etc, show pictures.Now through people like yourself/Ollie etc, seems the actual birders are being persecuted.Its just how I feel;sorry if that upsets you.

No doubt this is a rant!As a gp i'm used to complaints, and I take my time, do a draft reply,have it vetted, ammend it, then send it.No opportunity on here to do that, so my words are instinctive,from the heart.

Paul xx

I don't think anyone is being picked on here. And i don't think referring to yourself as the 'the actual birders' is helpful either. I've been birding for over 30 years and work in the field full time. This does not make me any more an 'actual' birder then anyone else. I don't know it all and neither do you. But i am prepared to challenge opinions and actions that i think are wrong. This is not an ideological point but a practical one; i don't want to see endangered and sensitive species harmed either by accident or design.

Firstly i think you are wrong about the law. What evidence are you presenting that the law is useless? The RSPB's opinion is that the imposition of custodial sentences has significantly reduced egg collecting. We wouldn't have any Great-crested Grebes without bird protection laws. Hopefully a vicarious responsibility law (please everyone sign the petition) will similarly reduce the amount of raptor persecution on shooting estates.

Secondly i think you are wrong about the notion that birders being around is necessarily going to protect birds. Recent breeding attempts by Hen Harriers have seen the male birds killed over-night by 'lamping' gamekeepers. So if a site has been revealed would you consider organising the round the clock wardening that is then required? Many game-keepers in the region are quite adept at finding birds of prey but why make life easy for them? The same goes for egg collectors.

Thirdly I agree that sharing knowledge about local birds is an essential thing to do, the more people know about there local environment the more likely it is to be protected. However i don't think that this should be a principal that over-rides everything else (which of course would make it an ideological point). All i would ask is that if birders really care about the birds they watch and photograph then they should educate themselves about local bird protection problems and be prepared to listen to those with experience in the field. There is already an excellent Birdwatchers Code but i agree that opening up a debate about the specifics would be a good thing. Problems will obviously vary from area to area, and i'm certainly not knowledgeable about your patch. Based on my local knowledge i would suggest a few initial things i think are worth considering;

Never talk publicly about birds of prey on or near shooting estates. Avoid visiting them unless you are actively engaging in raptor protection work. Particularly concerning are Goshawk, Hen Harrier, and Peregine near grouse moors. This applies year round. If you are near a site consider carefully what you say to people that you meet. I personally have had notorious local gamekeepers and there relatives trying to solicit information through a 'chance' friendly chat. They will also check web-sites and patrol areas neighbouring their estates. And no i don't think all grouse moor keepers are criminals. But most certainly are. We used to be more open about raptors locally but then most of them got killed (e.g. Derwentdale down from 8 pairs of Goshawk to one)


Don't approach or attempt to photograph the nests of any Schedule One species. There are obvious exceptions such as an Avocet or Osprey nests visible from a hide on a bird reserve.

Many species can be regarded as sensitive whether specially protected or not, and whether breeding or not. In my area i would have serious reservations about revealing the locations of Barn, Long-eared and Short-eared Owl, Nightjar, Black Grouse, Quail, Merlin, Red Kite, Hobby, and Firecrest. There may well be many situations where news can be revealed (such as wintering Firecrests away from breeding sites) but i would really think the potential problems through first. So be aware of what your local problems are and act accordingly

I hope you do not take this in anyway as a personal attack, it is not meant to be. But i feel strongly about this problem, applaud anyone who raises the issue, and feel obliged to do so myself

[Q@Spurn]

So Derwentdale still has a pair of Goshawk eh? Don't think you should be posting that on a public forum, you never know who reads it...