Yorkshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Mike Richardson]

I had to go to Scarborough this afternoon for work reasons so took the opportunity for a little bit of cheeky birding.
No Mealy Redpolls I'm afraid but I did see some interesting birds considering I only spent about 20 minutes with my bins.

First stop Filey Dams where I saw the huge Corn Bunting flock on the wires at the back of the reserve. Good numbers of Snipe and a single Brent Goose was also noted.

On the way back from Scarborough I stopped at Hackness Pond. No sign of any Mandarin. On a hunch I drove to Hilla Green and parked near the bridge. A Dipper was in the usual place. This was followed by a Kingfisher and then no less than six Mandarin Ducks. These birds were very timid in contrast to the tame birds on Burton Fleming pond. I think I can sleep easy now knowing I have genuine 'wild' Mandarin on my list.

Driving back I stopped at the place I saw the Mink yesterday and noticed a road-killed Badger. I would say it had been dead several days so I wondered if the Mink had been eating it when I disturbed it by driving past. Anyone know if Mink eat roadkill?

I ended the afternoon watching the Marsh Tits at the Forge Valley feeders.

 

[Hotspur]

On the way back from Scarborough I stopped at Hackness Pond. No sign of any Mandarin. On a hunch I drove to Hilla Green and parked near the bridge. A Dipper was in the usual place. This was followed by a Kingfisher and then no less than six Mandarin Ducks. These birds were very timid in contrast to the tame birds on Burton Fleming pond. I think I can sleep easy now knowing I have genuine 'wild' Mandarin on my list.

Good job I got a Yorkshire tick today isn't it. Also a 2 Woodpecker day. Dipped on LEOs and Little Owl at Fairburn.

 

[Mike Richardson]

8-P

Good job I got a Yorkshire tick today isn't it. Also a 2 Woodpecker day. Dipped on LEOs and Little Owl at Fairburn.

I wouldn't care much about missing Little Owl if you got Raven for Yorkshire! (However, it's one less Lifer you will get in Scotland)8-P

 

[Hotspur]

Ah but I have 20 potential lifers lined up for Scotland

 

[Mike Richardson]

Ah but I have 20 potential lifers lined up for Scotland

I'll just have to hope for Yorkshire's biggest ever purple patch while your away. June is well known for huge falls of migrants on the East Coast!

 

[KnockerNorton]

Anyone know if Mink eat roadkill?

Mustelids will eat carrion, yes.

 

[Lawts]

I had to go to Scarborough this afternoon for work reasons so took the opportunity for a little bit of cheeky birding.
No Mealy Redpolls I'm afraid but I did see some interesting birds considering I only spent about 20 minutes with my bins.

First stop Filey Dams where I saw the huge Corn Bunting flock on the wires at the back of the reserve. Good numbers of Snipe and a single Brent Goose was also noted.

On the way back from Scarborough I stopped at Hackness Pond. No sign of any Mandarin. On a hunch I drove to Hilla Green and parked near the bridge. A Dipper was in the usual place. This was followed by a Kingfisher and then no less than six Mandarin Ducks. These birds were very timid in contrast to the tame birds on Burton Fleming pond. I think I can sleep easy now knowing I have genuine 'wild' Mandarin on my list.

Driving back I stopped at the place I saw the Mink yesterday and noticed a road-killed Badger. I would say it had been dead several days so I wondered if the Mink had been eating it when I disturbed it by driving past. Anyone know if Mink eat roadkill?

I ended the afternoon watching the Marsh Tits at the Forge Valley feeders.

Based on the Birdguides messages Mike, looks like you clocked a Pale-bellied Brent today. That in itself may prove to be a tick and indeed a very useful Yorkshire tick in years to come...who knows. I still need Pale-bellied for Yorkshire - may well clock it this weekend if it sticks. I presume it appeared wild - i.e. not walking round the car park signing autographs?

 

[Mike Richardson]

Mustelids will eat carrion, yes.

Thanks Poecile. The Mink was stood exactly where I saw the dead badger today so I guess it was enjoying a spot of Sunday lunch.

 

[Lawts]

Yep, but there's still enough in the pics posted to be fairly confident that this is a Mealy without having to see the rump? I could be wrong as I'm only passing comment on a set of pics as I've not yet had time to get to see the bird(s) in question - must try to get down to do so. However, I would be surprised if the bird in the photos flew and did not have a 'white' rump...

Ingsbirder, one thing to consider is the two birds we are debating, in particular the one shown in the photographs may not represent the initial bird reported. Consequently, when/if you go to the site, I wouldn't necessarily be looking for "our" bird(s).

It may be that during the time I was there, the true Common failed to show. Do you know who puts records through from here? It would be interesting as a start to know if our bird is the same bird that kicked this off.

Scenarios could be as follows:

1) Misidentification from the outset, with the danger that everyone tries to make a bird fit even though there's never been a Common Redpoll.

2) As per 1 except that the true Common has departed, and again subsequent reports are wrong as people try to make a bird fit.

I think the latter happened at Fulford. The bird that Hotspur found was apparently stonkingly obvious, and I think you saw this as well. I think some other reports were people's best fits even though it had moved on, (save for the later (and once only) report of four Common Redpoll there.

I can't remember the alleged rarity involved but I do recall the famous case of where hundreds of birders went to see it, until someone said I can the Chiffchaff, now where's the rarity, and it was indeed re-identified as a Chiffchaff despite the masses going away with their tick - along the lines of The Emperor's New Clothes!

 

[Mike Richardson]

Based on the Birdguides messages Mike, looks like you clocked a Pale-bellied Brent today. That in itself may prove to be a tick and indeed a very useful Yorkshire tick in years to come...who knows. I still need Pale-bellied for Yorkshire - may well clock it this weekend if it sticks. I presume it appeared wild - i.e. not walking round the car park signing autographs?

I did receive the Birdguides message before I got to the Dams so I was aware it was a Pale-bellied Brent. Armed with my Collins and my very limited experience of the various sub-species of these geese I was happy to tick it as such.
The bird appeared wild from what I could tell, hiding at the back of the pools before getting flushed by a Herring Gull.

 

[Ingsbirder]

Ingsbirder, one thing to consider is the two birds we are debating, in particular the one shown in the photographs may not represent the initial bird reported. Consequently, when/if you go to the site, I wouldn't necessarily be looking for "our" bird(s).

It may be that during the time I was there, the true Common failed to show. Do you know who puts records through from here? It would be interesting as a start to know if our bird is the same bird that kicked this off.

Scenarios could be as follows:

1) Misidentification from the outset, with the danger that everyone tries to make a bird fit even though there's never been a Common Redpoll.

2) As per 1 except that the true Common has departed, and again subsequent reports are wrong as people try to make a bird fit.

I think the latter happened at Fulford. The bird that Hotspur found was apparently stonkingly obvious, and I think you saw this as well. I think some other reports were people's best fits even though it had moved on, (save for the later (and once only) report of four Common Redpoll there.

I can't remember the alleged rarity involved but I do recall the famous case of where hundreds of birders went to see it, until someone said I can the Chiffchaff, now where's the rarity, and it was indeed re-identified as a Chiffchaff despite the masses going away with their tick - along the lines of The Emperor's New Clothes!

All the above are true. I was simply offering an opinion on the bird in the photos, which to me appears to be a Mealy Redpoll based on the reasons I stated earlier though I am only basing that on the pictures available as I have not seen the bird in the field. It may, or may not be, one of the bird(s) reported from the University as a Mealy Redpoll, no doubt the finder will be able to comment on that one.

The bird at the Uni was found by the recorder for the York area, who also found the birds in Fulford at the end of Broadway - one of which I saw which was a Mealy, it was not stonkingly obvious, but it had all the features I'd expect to find in a Mealy, ie structure, basal colour to the flanks, colour of the head sides and upperparts, plus a 'white' rump though I had the good fortune to watch it over an extended period with 30 Lesser Redpolls at close quarters.

The scenario you refer to was for Paddyfield Warbler.

 

[Ingsbirder]

Based on the Birdguides messages Mike, looks like you clocked a Pale-bellied Brent today. That in itself may prove to be a tick and indeed a very useful Yorkshire tick in years to come...who knows. I still need Pale-bellied for Yorkshire - may well clock it this weekend if it sticks. I presume it appeared wild - i.e. not walking round the car park signing autographs?

Anyone wanting another potential armchair tick for the future would be well advised to go and see the adult Greenland White-fronted Goose at Castle Howard - it was present yesterday with several hundred Greylags, doubtless a wild bird and an attractive one at that - plus they're rare in Yorkshire, much rarer than typical rares such as Subalp, Greenish, Raddes......

 

[Lawts]

All the above are true. I was simply offering an opinion on the bird in the photos, which to me appears to be a Mealy Redpoll based on the reasons I stated earlier though I am only basing that on the pictures available as I have not seen the bird in the field. It may, or may not be, one of the bird(s) reported from the University as a Mealy Redpoll, no doubt the finder will be able to comment on that one.

The bird at the Uni was found by the recorder for the York area, who also found the birds in Fulford at the end of Broadway - one of which I saw which was a Mealy, it was not stonkingly obvious, but it had all the features I'd expect to find in a Mealy, ie structure, basal colour to the flanks, colour of the head sides and upperparts, plus a 'white' rump though I had the good fortune to watch it over an extended period with 30 Lesser Redpolls at close quarters.

The scenario you refer to was for Paddyfield Warbler.

Interesting. It does sound like the bird at Fulford found by the chap you refer to, was the second Common found there. James, correct me if I'm wrong but the initial record goes to you, and this chap responded to your record. The first bird did, quote "stick out like a sore thumb." A classic large frosty Common.

 

[Hotspur]

I couldnt swear blind it was the same Common Redpoll as I didn't visit subsequently but they were seen within a few days of each other and only about 500 yards apart. My bird did stick out like a sore thumb with the Lesser it flew in with. Very frosty and larger than the lesser. I didnt view the rump as it was in the tree tops but everything else was a classic adult male. I saw this bird when I was looking for the Sibe Chiffchaff (and dipping). I guess there is no reason why a couple of Mealies couldn't have been knocking about.

 

[Ingsbirder]

I couldnt swear blind it was the same Common Redpoll as I didn't visit subsequently but they were seen within a few days of each other and only about 500 yards apart. My bird did stick out like a sore thumb with the Lesser it flew in with. Very frosty and larger than the lesser. I didnt view the rump as it was in the tree tops but everything else was a classic adult male. I saw this bird when I was looking for the Sibe Chiffchaff (and dipping). I guess there is no reason why a couple of Mealies couldn't have been knocking about.

I think that although the 'top' count of Lessers at the end of Broadway peaked at 30+ there were clearly many more than that using the nettle heads as a large 'dining table' over a period of weeks. It was clear that birds were coming and going all the time whilst you were there, with distinctive birds seen and then replaced. The four Mealies seen together were photographed, so who knows how many redpolls were using the site over the period that they were present? A bit like when studies are done of garden feeders and there are never more than 10 birds of a given species present and 300 are ringed!!

Outside of obvious invasions Mealy in Yorkshire is probably a winter visitor to the county in small numbers, more frequent at passage periods, especialy autumn - plus it's under-recorded as only the more obvious birds tend to get logged as such.........

 

[Hotspur]

Went up to Kildale this afternoon to have a shufty at the Rough-legged Buzzard. It was cold, very cold. Found the chevrons on my way back from Commondale - note you can only see em coming the otherway. Met another birder (a guy i'd met at the Brown Fly twitch). Discussed the bird and he said it favoured the ridge NNW of the viewing point. After a few minutes he spotted a Peregrine working the ridge. 3 other birders then pitched up. After 15 minutes or so with the Peregrine making occasional forays onto the skyline a bigger bird came up. I called it and quickly everybody got onto it. It dropped this side of the ridge and banked showing its white rump and pale underwings. Rough-leg. A Yorks tick for me. It came into a couple of hundred yards eventually and was attacked by a Stoat at one stage whenit attempted to alight. A very sandy bird it hoverred like a giant Kes. I lost it and then pulled it out up against the escarpment being mobbed by a gull. Saw the white rump when it turned but it seemed small and was in silhouette in the sky at about 1 miles distance. Then someone else picked he roughleg in close. I had a Hen Harrier-whoops! Velly nice though. A few Red Grouse flushed and Lapwing and Curlew displayed. The Buzzard continued to show extremely well moving to the valley NW of the viewpoint. By this time I was Frozen so home I headed, pleased to note another Yorkshire tick.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Went up to Kildale this afternoon to have a shufty at the Rough-legged Buzzard. It was cold, very cold. Found the chevrons on my way back from Commondale - note you can only see em coming the otherway. Met another birder (a guy i'd met at the Brown Fly twitch). Discussed the bird and he said it favoured the ridge NNW of the viewing point. After a few minutes he spotted a Peregrine working the ridge. 3 other birders then pitched up. After 15 minutes or so with the Peregrine making occasional forays onto the skyline a bigger bird came up. I called it and quickly everybody got onto it. It dropped this side of the ridge and banked showing its white rump and pale underwings. Rough-leg. A Yorks tick for me. It came into a couple of hundred yards eventually and was attacked by a Stoat at one stage whenit attempted to alight. A very sandy bird it hoverred like a giant Kes. I lost it and then pulled it out up against the escarpment being mobbed by a gull. Saw the white rump when it turned but it seemed small and was in silhouette in the sky at about 1 miles distance. Then someone else picked he roughleg in close. I had a Hen Harrier-whoops! Velly nice though. A few Red Grouse flushed and Lapwing and Curlew displayed. The Buzzard continued to show extremely well moving to the valley NW of the viewpoint. By this time I was Frozen so home I headed, pleased to note another Yorkshire tick.

Don't you have a degree to do?!?! (I mean...[cough]... well done).

 

[Hotspur]

Don't you have a degree to do?!?! (I mean...[cough]... well done).

To be honest if it hadn't been stormy i'd have been in aberdeen. Thought id be looking a gift horse in the mouth if id not utilised my time.

 

[darrenward]

RLBuzzard - Sleddale

Nice shots on the gallery here..

http://www.teesmouthbc.com/main.aspx


________________________
Darren

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Due to being laid-up with a case of (Man)flu I've not been out for a few days and so was able to read the latest issue of Yorkshire Birding with a bit more attention than normal. I see they are reviving the Yorkshire Listers League, and this time it will be online.
They've also clarified the area that constitutes Yorkshire for listing purposes, as well as going strictly BOU for the list.
For the list ' the bird itself must be in Yorkshire but the observer need not be. Yorkshire means basically from Humber to Tees, taking in Vice Counties 61, 62,63,64,65 with a few minor exceptions in the south and west. ' 'Birds at sea are in Yorkshire if they are within the UK Fishery Limit, which is roughly the halfway point between the UK coast and any neighbouring country. So trips on the Yorkshire Belle are okay' It also turns out that Dunsop Bridge falls within this area, so in the unlikely event that the BOURC accepts the eagle owl onto the list then if you saw them there, you get an armchair tick. However it does mean that the Pacific Diver and Brown Flycatcher from last year aren't ticks yet.. neither are on the BOU list.
If you'd like a copy of the list to be used in the League then pm me and I'll give you the e-mail address. Or better still subscribe to Yorkshire Birding it's only £12.00, again a pm will get you the address.