Yorkshire Birding (2 Viewers)

[liverpool_bob]

Anyone know of any Water Pipit sites in Yorks. Didn't you mention Pocklington Canal Graham? The Water Pipits in Essex occur along side Rock Pipits, so identification would have been difficult for a novice like me. I didn't see any Rock Pipits either!

They're an absolute nightmare unless you're familiar with pipits in general. Your best bet is to learn the calls. Blacktoft used to turn them up most winters, and there's a small spring passage across Yorkshire (but watch out for summer plumage scandinavian Rock Pipits).

Cheers,
Bob.

 

[liverpool_bob]

Thats very interesting Bob. A couple of years ago when I was just getting in to birds, I had two sightings of a harrier type raptor, within a couple of weeks of each other. The sightings were made from the Brid to Hull road, just before the turn off to Barmston. Could these have been the Lisset Marsh Harriers?
I also had an old bloke tell me that he sees M Harriers from his garden in Ulrome. I just thought he was seeing Sparrowhawks or something. Its all starting to make sense now!

Sounds promising

I love listening to old folk telling you what they've seen. An old lady gave me a vivid description of a Bittern her dog had flushed the previous day from a stream by the footpath right where we were stood - AAAAAAAARGH!

Cheers,
Bob.

 

[Lawts]

Just got back from a trip to Essex to see the girlfriend. Had a couple of hours at Rainham Marshes yesterday- what a fantastic reserve. Didn't see anything out of the ordinary, although I was more than happy with Stonechats and very close Herons. Spent a long time looking for Water Pipits along the Thames, but failed to see any.
Today I went to Southend and got two lifers. Saw the resident (Winter) Ring-billed Gull and also finally nailed a Med Gull among the many BHG.

Anyone know of any Water Pipit sites in Yorks. Didn't you mention Pocklington Canal Graham? The Water Pipits in Essex occur along side Rock Pipits, so identification would have been difficult for a novice like me. I didn't see any Rock Pipits either!

Two very good sites are:

Deswbury sewage farm. Not ideal to work, but the best plan is go Saturday morning and try to connect with the local birder there who works it as his patch. The habitat was created for Water Pipits. Losts of sunken sewage beds with low vegetation. They resemble cress beds. Access is iffy though.

Lemondroyd sewage beds. These are on the approach road to Swillington Ings. They are private beds on the bend just before the rail bridge. There's no access but you can view through the fence easily enough. I've had birds there, and as far as I know they are annual in winter. A colder spell is probably better when other ground is frozen. Also good for Meadow Pipit and wagtails - I've had Blue-headed there in March.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Lemondroyd sewage beds. These are on the approach road to Swillington Ings. They are private beds on the bend just before the rail bridge. There's no access but you can view through the fence easily enough. I've had birds there, and as far as I know they are annual in winter. A colder spell is probably better when other ground is frozen. Also good for Meadow Pipit and wagtails - I've had Blue-headed there in March.

Sadly Lemondroyd has not turned up a Water Pipit since 2003. It is checked regularly by the NSIBG members (being on the way down to the hide) but without luck again this year so far. Didn't we discuss Dewsbury at some stage past - any way of organising a small scale trip?

Blacktoft's resident wintering birds are back - but they number approximately three and many of the regulars have never seen them. As I understand it they fairly exclusively occupy a small area of cut reeds at the east end of the reserve. The warden himself told me he rarely sees them unless he goes tramping through that patch.

Graham Catley and the North Lincs crew are turning them up on their coast - see http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4123. I've seen no other Yorkshire reports other than the Blacktoft birds and I don't believe these even range across to Alkborough Flats.

As regards my Wheldrake bird(s) I went back and all I could locate were Meadow Pipits. The one (out of three) birds that I had last week in the scope, on the ground, for 1-2 minutes, was definitely not Meadow. What it could conceivably have been, I must admit, is a Rock Pipit, although I have seen a lot of Rock Pipits and it just didn't seem right. However, as I've said, I've not ticked it and I won't be doing so as it was not perfect for Water Pipit. The strong supercilium, moustachial stripe, bill colour and pattern were all spot on, but I am troubled by the buffiness of the flanks, which did not contrast strongly enough with the streaks, and by the mantle streaking which was reasonably pronounced. I didn't get to see legs and claws due to the long grass, and I didn't note the wing bar because I am dumb! I'll give it a few more pipit misses before I start calling these.

Anyhow, if anyone get's any pointers please give me a call and count me in for a Wapit hunt - I'd really like to get to grips with them.

Graham

 

[bitterntwisted]

Whilst on the subject of North Lincs, and sacrilege as it may be on a Yorkshire thread, it is well worth checking out, and much of it is handier from Leeds than Spurn etc.

Alkborough Flats gives views of all the waders that have deserted Blacktoft's scrapes for the Trent/Humber confluence. And at evening there must be 30,000 Golden Plover in the air when the Peregrine or something flushes them. You can also see 5 Marsh Harriers in the air together, and I had at least four different Barn Owls and a confiding female Merlin. Passerine-wise I only had Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Stonechat but I see no reason you wouldn't get more interesting passerines among the stubble / fallow grass etc. A pair of wellies would definitely find a Jack Snipe or two. There's also good dabbling duck numbers and several thousand Wigeon and Pink-Feet over at dusk.

Even nearer to hand is Worlaby Carrs - possible in very little over an hour from central Leeds which puts it on a par with Blacktoft. Guaranteed Short-Eared Owl and I had Barn Owl in the bins at the same time, plus recently 2 Peregrine, Merlin, Marsh and Hen Harrier have been recorded. And a small flock of Whooper.

I'm going soon - maybe even tomorrow morning, for Smew at Toft Newton Reservoir and then on to try again for the Red-Breasted Geese at Saltfleet (which I missed previously but got Hen Harrier instead) I'll also have another try for Lapland Bunting and Shorelark but I think Grimston looks more promising.

Graham

 

[bitterntwisted]

Sounds good think I am going to head to Grimston and Hornsea this Friday see what I can turn up. Reckon it's underwatched and there's been good bunting numbers down there recently.

Still may go and look at that glossy ibis and maybe do a day in lancs :C

Is this a definite for Friday Marcus? I'll PM you my new mobile - I am very keen to check out the Snow Buntings / Shorelarks / possible Laps along that stretch of coast. I have something on at the moment but may try and re-work it. Or if you go see the Glossy (which I've seen) perhaps Sat or Sun? Or is this a girlfriend trip? Even if we end up going at different times let's be sure to share whatever gen we find.

BTW, someone who knows their birds is watching that stretch of coast, methinks. Have you been through the Birdguides history? Might be worth getting more local gen from whoever it is who is truning up all these sightings before embarking on a trip?

Graham

 

[Hotspur]

Going out tomorrow to give wheldrake ings a good thorough bashing. Will report back. If nowt doing might head elsewhere.

 

[Hotspur]

Was out from 8 til 2. Was freezing and a lot of water on both bank island and wheldrake. I dont advise anyone tries fulford ings nytime soon. Looked to be under about 6 feet of water! Had a patch tick and goose watching session on wheldrake as a flock of c500 greylags and c400 canadas contained a couple of v.v. wild Barnacle Geese. Obviously not from the feral flock 4 miles away at york uni because they were associating with the greylags and not the canada geese like at uni. Also a number of pink feet involved (about 5) but not entirely certain as they kept moving, hiding etc. Loadsa other wildfowl about but no smew or sawbills. A couple of goldeneye and zillions of pintail made up for it. On bank island loads of fieldfares and linnets and a handful of redwings and mistle thrushes. A nice female Kestrel eating a vole on the telephone wires by the car park was a bonus. No idea about numbers of ducks at bank island but plenty. Couldnt get near either hide due to the floods. Even your wellies would have failed graham.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Is this a definite for Friday Marcus? I'll PM you my new mobile - I am very keen to check out the Snow Buntings / Shorelarks / possible Laps along that stretch of coast. I have something on at the moment but may try and re-work it. Or if you go see the Glossy (which I've seen) perhaps Sat or Sun? Or is this a girlfriend trip? Even if we end up going at different times let's be sure to share whatever gen we find.

BTW, someone who knows their birds is watching that stretch of coast, methinks. Have you been through the Birdguides history? Might be worth getting more local gen from whoever it is who is truning up all these sightings before embarking on a trip?

Graham

Hope you have a good day tomorrow guys (if the B'day trip is still on). If you do get to Grimston I will be very interested to know how you get on with the Shore Larks, Buntings etc. Thinking of heading there some time soon. There was also a Glaucous Gull in the area recently. Good luck anyhow.

p.s. Happy Birthday Marcus

 

[Mike Richardson]

Was out from 8 til 2. Was freezing and a lot of water on both bank island and wheldrake. I dont advise anyone tries fulford ings nytime soon. Looked to be under about 6 feet of water! Had a patch tick and goose watching session on wheldrake as a flock of c500 greylags and c400 canadas contained a couple of v.v. wild Barnacle Geese. Obviously not from the feral flock 4 miles away at york uni because they were associating with the greylags and not the canada geese like at uni. Also a number of pink feet involved (about 5) but not entirely certain as they kept moving, hiding etc. Loadsa other wildfowl about but no smew or sawbills. A couple of goldeneye and zillions of pintail made up for it. On bank island loads of fieldfares and linnets and a handful of redwings and mistle thrushes. A nice female Kestrel eating a vole on the telephone wires by the car park was a bonus. No idea about numbers of ducks at bank island but plenty. Couldnt get near either hide due to the floods. Even your wellies would have failed graham.

Does anyone know if the Whoopers are still around in the Wheldrake/ Bubwith Ings/ North Duffield Carrs area? Also are the latter sites under water like Wheldrake? I have never been to any of these sites, but was thinking of a possible visit if I have time this weekend. Cheers

 

[Hotspur]

The whoopers are generally around bubwith/north duffield all winter. Would imagine its more accessable that way on but havent been down today.

 

[Mike Richardson]

The whoopers are generally around bubwith/north duffield all winter. Would imagine its more accessable that way on but havent been down today.

Cheers James. Might try this weekend then.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Mike,

North Duffield Carrs won't flood like the sites further north in the lower derwent valley. To me it's not a proper site as you don't even need wellies! There's a gravel path which is significantly higher than the flooded fields I'd be very surprised if the 50 odd Whoopers are gone, but the last Bewick was reported as gone the day after I last saw it (2 weeks ago) But the swans are distant and do disappear into ditches so there could conceivably be one or two Bewick's hiding in with the Whoopers there. Give me a shout if you fancy company on your trip there.

James,

Has the Ouse actually burst its banks, then? The levels on the fields were high last weekend but the river had a good three or four feet spare. No access to Bank Isalnd or Cheesecake even with wellies, and no access to the hides further down at Wheldrake? That's a shame. You only got to view from the platform?

PS - one of those Barnacles arrived unringed at the same time as a Greenland White-Front which Russell Slack accpeted no bother, so maybe you shouldn't be so sceptical.

Oh, and you can't even get to the A64 bridge at Fulford for the Lesserpecker either?

Graham

 

[Hotspur]

Mike,

James,

Has the Ouse actually burst its banks, then? The levels on the fields were high last weekend but the river had a good three or four feet spare. No access to Bank Isalnd or Cheesecake even with wellies, and no access to the hides further down at Wheldrake? That's a shame. You only got to view from the platform?

PS - one of those Barnacles arrived unringed at the same time as a Greenland White-Front which Russell Slack accpeted no bother, so maybe you shouldn't be so sceptical.

Oh, and you can't even get to the A64 bridge at Fulford for the Lesserpecker either?

Graham

Banks well and truely burst Graham. Wasn't really being sceptical, was just messing. The two birds looked wild to me and im happy with that. Couldnt reach bank island or cheesecake hides. Got to the Wheldrake ings hides (even the lower ones surprisingly but the water only needs to go up 2 inches to stop em), was good down there. As for the lesser pecker. Can get to within 400 yards. Thats it. Ouse is all over the place. Derwent not so bad.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Banks well and truely burst Graham. Wasn't really being sceptical, was just messing. The two birds looked wild to me and im happy with that. Couldnt reach bank island or cheesecake hides. Got to the Wheldrake ings hides (even the lower ones surprisingly but the water only needs to go up 2 inches to stop em), was good down there. As for the lesser pecker. Can get to within 400 yards. Thats it. Ouse is all over the place. Derwent not so bad.

Well that's not so bad then because that first Wheldrake hide is probably the best at the moment anyway? And you can still get across the boardwalks to the end one? I guess more rain again tonight and it might be out for the weekend though. Mike, it is quite a spectacle from that hide if it is accessible and worth the trip.

Graham

 

[Mike Richardson]

Mike,

North Duffield Carrs won't flood like the sites further north in the lower derwent valley. To me it's not a proper site as you don't even need wellies! There's a gravel path which is significantly higher than the flooded fields I'd be very surprised if the 50 odd Whoopers are gone, but the last Bewick was reported as gone the day after I last saw it (2 weeks ago) But the swans are distant and do disappear into ditches so there could conceivably be one or two Bewick's hiding in with the Whoopers there. Give me a shout if you fancy company on your trip there.

Graham

Was thinking of going Sunday afternoon, although I am unable to commit myself 100% due to other non-bird related factors. If you happen to be in the area Graham, It would be good to meet up for a couple of hours (same goes for any one else). I should have a better idea Saturday evening, so I could PM or text you just in case you still fancy a swan hunt.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

So rather than wellies, it's aqualung and dry suit for the lesser pecker, think I can borrow this.LOL

 

[Hotspur]

The bottom hide is half an inch from being cut off. The pool hide (forget what its called) is about 3 inches as is Swantail (where i saw most Pintail). Forgot about a couple of Ruff i picked up from the Lapwing flock. From the top hide i could see several thousand birds. Was immense. Most too far away but good ground for grilling the geese and Lapwings, worth visiting just for that. Was also a very unwell looking Herring Gull laid moribund in the grass.

 

[Hotspur]

How did your goose hunt go Graham?

 

[bitterntwisted]

How did your goose hunt go Graham?

Wild!