Yorkshire Birding (2 Viewers)

[liverpool_bob]

Where was the Mink James? I've never seen a Mink before, unless I count a 'probable' a few years back.

At one time they were fairly numerous in the Hull valley but they seem to have been controlled - it's become fairly easy to see Water Voles which I gather is a good sign Mink aren't around.

but never seen an Otter in the UK.

There was a piece in the Driffield Times some time last year about Otters being seen at the Frodingham end of the Driffield Canal... certainly there's loads of trout to feed on so it's possible... I'd be totally made up seeing one around there |:d|


Cheers,
Bob.

 

[Hotspur]

Where was the Mink James? I've never seen a Mink before, unless I count a 'probable' a few years back.
I mentioned a couple of days ago that I had Water Vole from the hide at N. Duffield. I've also seen Roe Deer, Grey Seal, Harbour Porpoise and the usual rodents so far this year. Foxes are elusive around E. Yorks (I see far more in Essex). I've been luckily enough to see plenty of Badgers over the years, but never seen an Otter in the UK.

Mink was at Fariburn along cut lane whilst i was looking for the LSW.

 

[mcapper]

Of interest to anyone in Leeds and surrounds, there is an RSPB Aren't birds brilliant! project in Roundhay Park for the next few weekends until 24th Feb.

Drop in anytime on a Saturday or Sunday between 10.30am and 3pm.

Also three guided walks that people can go on - the first this weekend for an hour on Saturday at 12.30 pm.

It all takes place at the Bandstand overlooking the Upper Lake. Details from the Mansion House Visitor Centre.

Cheers

Matthew

 

[chris3871]

Chris

219 & 229 - Stand 8 - Every twenty mins..

_______________________
Darren

Right, thanls a lot. I'll see.

T'other Chris, I've got the OS, so I could have a go at biking it, but I took a short one today in the wind and it was murder. I got caught in all the hailstones. Think bus is a slightly safer bet, if it weren't for the weather i'd've give it a go.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Got the waxwings this morning, remarkably obliging birds.

 

[mikejack82]

ID help please.

Came across this odd duck in a local park, it stood out from the other ducks, me and kempy83 didn't know what it was, so I took a few snaps.
After having a look in a decent bird book, the only thing it seems to closely resemble is a adult female Red-crested pochard.
Can anyone confirm or disregard this identification.
Cheers,
mikejack82 & kempy83.

 

[chris3871]

Came across this odd duck in a local park, it stood out from the other ducks, me and kempy83 didn't know what it was, so I took a few snaps.
After having a look in a decent bird book, the only thing it seems to closely resemble is a adult female Red-crested pochard.
Can anyone confirm or disregard this identification.
Cheers,
mikejack82 & kempy83.

Looks like a Red-crested pochard to me too.

Saw the waxwings this morning. It was absolutely nithering but worth it (wouldn't have been too pleased if they weren't there though!). They were opposite the MARS site down Oakwell way as Den said.

 

[darrenward]

Came across this odd duck in a local park, it stood out from the other ducks, me and kempy83 didn't know what it was, so I took a few snaps.
After having a look in a decent bird book, the only thing it seems to closely resemble is a adult female Red-crested pochard.
Can anyone confirm or disregard this identification.
Cheers,
mikejack82 & kempy83.

RCP - Looks good to me, East Park per chance??

______________________
Darren

 

[mikejack82]

RCP - Looks good to me, East Park per chance??

______________________
Darren

Yes Darren, East park.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Got the waxwings this morning, remarkably obliging birds.

Some record shots. Usual excuses; too close, too tame etc

 

[Mike Richardson]

At one time they were fairly numerous in the Hull valley but they seem to have been controlled - it's become fairly easy to see Water Voles which I gather is a good sign Mink aren't around.



There was a piece in the Driffield Times some time last year about Otters being seen at the Frodingham end of the Driffield Canal... certainly there's loads of trout to feed on so it's possible... I'd be totally made up seeing one around there |:d|


Cheers,
Bob.

There have been Otter sightings at Tophill Low so they are about. Seeing them is another matter.

Water Voles are common around N. Frodingham so I agree that Mink numbers must have declined. If I remember correctly, Water Voles are the first thing to suffer from the invasive Mink.

Going back to Otter, I think one was shot in the Hull Valley last year. Not sure of exact location.

 

[mikejack82]

Otter was shot at Frodingham Beck, near Driffield. April 2007.

 

[liverpool_bob]

Otter was shot at Frodingham Beck, near Driffield. April 2007.

Oh dear... I guess that was the driff times story.


Cheers,
Bob.

 

[schiffornis]

Otters

Speaking of Otters...


In todays Harrogate Advertiser (pp15) the following:

"At Spofforth a party of 4 Otters playing and somersaulting in the River Crimple during daylight"

I might go try looking, the parents-in-law live there!

I also remember another article in the same paper (last year?) about one being found dead on the Harrogate bypass near the River Crimple Crossing (I think).

Interesting stuff if its true!.....

Cheers, ANDY

 

[Keith Dickinson]

This month's Dalesman has an article about otters in Yorkshire. Apparently a dead dog otter was found in Skipton a year or two ago, which was a first for the area.
I have seen a single otter at Fewston reservoir in daylight but it was about 12 years ago, I used to drive round with my youngest son in the back of the car as it was about the only way I could get him off to sleep, one day I was driving across the dam wall at Fewston reservoir making towards Timble, when an otter came out of the hedge on the Fewston side at the end of the dam wall and made it's way across the road to squirm through the hedge on the other side, and it then made it's way down to Swinsty reservoir. Thankfully I was driving slowly and was able to get a good look at the animal, I'd not realised until then how big they were, I'd always thought they were about stoat sized...how wrong I was.

 

[otters4ever]

Hi Guys, im an avid otter fan

 

[SteveClifton]

A bit further afield, but I was at Druridge Pools last Saturday afternoon, and had fantastic views of an otter fishing for at least half an hour in front of one of the hides.

Apparently Northumberland is becoming very reliable for otters of late, and anyone wanting to see one would do well to give it a go. This particular one even got out of the water and was rolling around for about 5 mins on a tiny floating island (probably scent marking its territory). This was in the last 1/2 hour of daylight, very few people about too, which is perhaps why it showed so well.

The only other places I've seen them is western Scotland, but nowhere near as well as this. I went along with a friend who lives locally. He reckons a colleague of his has also seen them well there recently, so this definitely wasn't a one-off sighting.

Steve

 

[schiffornis]

A bit further afield, but I was at Druridge Pools last Saturday afternoon, and had fantastic views of an otter fishing for at least half an hour in front of one of the hides.

Apparently Northumberland is becoming very reliable for otters of late, and anyone wanting to see one would do well to give it a go. This particular one even got out of the water and was rolling around for about 5 mins on a tiny floating island (probably scent marking its territory). This was in the last 1/2 hour of daylight, very few people about too, which is perhaps why it showed so well.

The only other places I've seen them is western Scotland, but nowhere near as well as this. I went along with a friend who lives locally. He reckons a colleague of his has also seen them well there recently, so this definitely wasn't a one-off sighting.

Steve

Hi Steve

I have a friend who goes to Druridge Pools practically everyday and sees otters on most/all occasions! Probably one of the most reliable place in the NE???? I think there are some good photos on the Northumberland thread pages.

Andy

 

[James Thomas]

Hi Guys, im an avid otter fan

Hello otters, welcome to the Yorkshire forum.

While were all on about otters, what chance of seeing them in Arkengarthdale in a fortnight? The otter trust had a centre not too far from there.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Will look out for it dropping in somewhere near by.

I can confirm the Waxwings (2) are still present today. Took some poor shots in gloomy windy weather. Going again tomorrow lunch in hopefully better conditions. Still only two, but I defo saw three on Friday. May be the original one is the one that has left - i.e. 3-1=2.

See this thread may explain things - or not...
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1118559#post1118559