[John Cantelo]

I was casually browsing through the September reports in ‘Birdwatching’ magazine when a report of Honey Buzzards caught my eye. This set me thumbing through the whole section to check reports for that species for the whole of the month. The results (although I’ve probably missed a few!) were interesting:-
SW England - 2 reports
SE England - 6 reports
East Anglia - 9 reports
Midlands - 6 reports
Wales - Nil
NW England – 3 reports
NE England - 11 reports
Scotland - Nil

Most reports were of ‘one day birds’ at a wide spread of sites. Not surprisingly, the majority of sightings were from coastal sites. Only four sites had more than one bird throughout September; one site had two sightings on different days and two sites had two on the same day, but one site managed to better this on two separate dates. This apparently superb, and somewhat surprisingly, inland site clocked up 10 birds; 3 on 12/9 and a remarkable 7 on 21/9. (Nowhere else reported such an influx either of these two dates). Where is this site? It’s a place called Slaggyford up in the Pennines just east of Carlisle in Northumberland …… now call me cynical, but I did wonder who the observer(s) were!

John

[tom tams]

Hi John,
I spent the next day searching the Slaggyford area, for raptors, my tally was eight Common Buzzards, one Peregrine and two Kestrels.
Not a sniff of a Honey Buzzard, which did not surprise me

Tom

[Andrew Rowlands]

Hi both,

I had to open Autoroute too! No surprise to me that it's a stones throw from Hexham either. Sounds like a fair spot for Commons though. Maybe the Northumbrian birders should stake it out next year?

Andy.

[cuddy]

Its already heavily watched Satrow, it is a great valley good for raptors and migrant raptors.

I have seen Honey Buzzard there, i believe these where migrant scottish birds.

I also checked the area the next day, in the company of two experienced birders and like Tom saw similar birds.

Osprey can be found here during migration times.

[Andrew Rowlands]

Hi Cuddy,

It looks a good north/south route. The area needs to be checked May - August. Several six hour plus stints are probably required to establish their presence. Established birds may be back earlier than you think! Try to get to SJR's talk later this month. I'm sure it will be useful.

Cheers,

Andy.

[cuddy]

Your right Satrow its a cracking area, got to admit its usually August / September when i get up there and Lambley Viaduct is a great viewpoint but there are many other areas giving good views.

My Holy Grail is Hobby which i have never seen in Northumberland but have occassionally been recorded in this area, maybe next year.

When im there Its an all day job its such a great area and its a great escape from my usual coastal site, sorry Dont know about SJR's talk ?

[Michael Frankis]

Hi Cuddy,

Guess what - I've seen several Hobbies, but never a Honey yet in Northumbs!

S J Robert's talk is at the North East Raptor Group - by invitation only, us lesser mortals can't attend

Michael

[Andrew Rowlands]

re the secret society - have you asked? I went to his talk in Hampshire a year or so ago, no one was frisked at the door!
Maybe you guys need to complete your twelve year apprenticeship first :-)

Andy.

[cuddy]

Ahh Satrow the legendery Northumberland Raptor group if Michael cant get in i have no chance.Though i was lucky enough to be in the presence of one of them when i saw my first and only sighting of HB's.
Been birding awhile and i go my own route so thing is as long a my day out is fullfilling i am happy, i live in a good birding county that offers lots of opportunities to see a good crossection of species but i am a not a great birder just an enthusiast so given time i hope to learn and grow.