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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Recent content by Pete Mella

  1. Pete Mella

    CONFUSED! Teals

    There's a certain type of birder that hangs round all flagship reserves that knows a little bit, but likes to play the expert to people who are less experienced than them. They'll make huge mistakes, but say it so authoritatively that people presume they know what they're talking about. When...
  2. Pete Mella

    Mandarin Duck

    Quite a few in Sheffield now too, with a quite major population just over the border on the River Derwent in Derbys.
  3. Pete Mella

    Hoopoe

    How long does it generally make people wait before it shows? May get chance to get down at the weekend (if it's still there) but may not have a lot of time to hang about.
  4. Pete Mella

    What yellow bird is this in Leeds Guiseley?

    100% siskin, they are quite small birds.
  5. Pete Mella

    Tawny Owl confirmation (Pic)

    If you're serious about learning about the birds in your area, you really need to check out the local information networks... Having a scan at the recent sightings there will give you a good idea of the kind of things you can expect to see, when and where.
  6. Pete Mella

    Tawny Owl confirmation (Pic)

    Definitely a SEO (among other things, a Tawny has all-dark eyes). A nice find - SEOs are quite a lot less common than Tawnies. Tawnies are much harder to see, though, as they hunt after dark, but are very common in north Sheffield in most woodland. The best chance of seeing a Tawny Owl is...
  7. Pete Mella

    Yorkshire Birding

    Filey's probably a good bet in November, always chance auks, divers, grebes, seaducks, etc. Parking is at the Country Park, but be aware the walk down to the Brigg from there is really not too advisable... ;) The sea's scope-able from the cliff tops.
  8. Pete Mella

    Yorkshire Birding

    As other have said, it's probably not the best time of year to make a big journey there (although it's always worth a look). If you did go, then if you fancied a quick detour I always find the fields near the Boston Lake car park at Hatfield Moors quite reliable for Grey Partridge (but not...
  9. Pete Mella

    What Winter Visitors to Look Out For..?

    You're in Hillsborough aren't you if I remember right? In which case Hillsborough Park gets good counts Goosander, and chance of Redwing and Fieldfare (and Waxwing in the right years). If it's a Waxwing Winter, Hammerton Road police station is also worth a look for them. The best place I know...
  10. Pete Mella

    LBBG or YLG UK

    LBBG - mantle's way too dark for YLG.
  11. Pete Mella

    New Bird and question about scopes

    I had some Bushnell H20s for ages and they were absolutely fine with my specs - not the greatest bins but good value for money.
  12. Pete Mella

    Aquatic warbler?

    It would be unlikely for an aquatic warbler to be eating fruit, as it's an insect-eater. Also, even if it was a warbler, have you ruled out the far-commoner Sedge Warbler?
  13. Pete Mella

    Birdlist for (South) Yorkshire - What Next?!

    So it is - missed that. Plenty of HMs in the Hillsborough area, just a matter of time...
  14. Pete Mella

    Birdlist for (South) Yorkshire - What Next?!

    In which case you're very near a lot of that stuff. I'll send you a PM at some point with some specific locations. As I say, there's a nailed on spot for Green Woodpecker near there.
  15. Pete Mella

    Tick criteria for you?

    It's all down to what you feel comfortable with, and what you consider your list to be. Is it a list of birds you've had the skill to ID? Is it a list of birds you know you've seen (including those IDed by others?). Is it a list of birds you've recorded (in which case certain heard-onlies would...
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