Yorkshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[KnockerNorton]

last winter seemed very quiet for SEO. The year before was ok, and the one before that seemed bumper.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

They have neem virtually daily on the moors in Calderdale - sometimes 3 or 4 birds. Wonder if they go to lancs marshes on the ribble?

 

[BirdFlower]

last winter seemed very quiet for SEO. The year before was ok, and the one before that seemed bumper.

There was a site near Driffield which allegedly had 6+ Short-eared Owls seen regularly throughout the winter. Didn't get chance to check it out myself.

 

[James Thomas]

There was a site near Driffield which allegedly had 6+ Short-eared Owls seen regularly throughout the winter. Didn't get chance to check it out myself.

I went there towards the end of winter (23 March) and found one SEO and a Barn Owl, getting very dark though so there could have been more.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Hornsea mere RFI

Was thinking about going this weekend to look for little gulls and hopefully get some pictures. Any tips, where best? Also is actually possible to hire a rowing boat and get closer to them? Anyone know. What times are best?

Anyone up for coming let me know.

 

[Pete Mella]

BirdGuides photo of the week again, Marcus? Well done!

 

[Lawts]

Was thinking about going this weekend to look for little gulls and hopefully get some pictures. Any tips, where best? Also is actually possible to hire a rowing boat and get closer to them? Anyone know. What times are best?

Anyone up for coming let me know.

Marcus, when I've been before for the Little Gulls they were very close from the main car park, just sat c. 20 feet away on the water - no need for a boat.

 

[BirdFlower]

Was thinking about going this weekend to look for little gulls and hopefully get some pictures. Any tips, where best? Also is actually possible to hire a rowing boat and get closer to them? Anyone know. What times are best?

Anyone up for coming let me know.

You should be able to hire rowing boats at this time of year at Hornsea Mere. Look forward to seeing your pics. Daren't volunteer to row in case I upset the boat & you dunked your camera! I don't think you can access all areas of the Mere by boat, so wouldn't be surprised if Little Gulls keep to the no-rowing boat areas!

Good luck
Michael
www.eybirdwatching.blogspot.com

 

[KnockerNorton]

the best bit I reckon is the public footpath through the pasture fields on the south side of the mere (access from Hull Rd, nr Lindale/Mere View Avenues). The mere washes against the first field, which often has cattle, and there is a rickety barbed-wire fence in the water (or there was when I last went) that the Little Gulls sit on. If you bunk down on the edge of the reeds and sit still, you should get some good shots like this: http://www.pbase.com/latho/image/84512393

You can get a rowing boat and get out to around half the mere, but if they are sailing their boats then you'll get a lot of disturbance. Most visitors go to Kirkholme Point (the main car park), so on the south side you have a lot fewer people (often none) and also the chance of waders along the shore. Early mornings are always best at Hornsea, to avoid the day-trippers and sailors - it's a very popular spot for families and has a sailing club.

There were 2020 there on 9th, but that was probably a roost. 50-100 is more like the usual number of loafing birds.

You could also try the seafront early doors, as there may be Little Gulls sat on the beach or moving by not far out.

 

[James Thomas]

Sat or Sun Marcus? Neither looks too brilliant weather-wise but I may be up for a trip.

Went to Fairburn this afternoon, nice enough weather but the water levels are so high theres very little mud to be found - at least on view.

Nothing to see at Spoonbill, went to Pickup, three green sandpiper, a heron hunting in the reeds just in front of the hide and a fly through by juv Hobby. Also saw another raptor, the briefest of glimpses so no abolute id but first impression was of a red kite.

Went down the cut and saw nothing of note, flashes from the roadside gave plenty of Common Terns and seven snipe.

It was nice to see something from Pickup for a change,first time since the new hide went in that I've spent any time there. Must say I think they've done a decent job with the landscaping and I like the idea of an open hide to avoid flood/local chav damage but think they must have used a small child for the viewing position, opening is so low and narrow theres no view of the sky unless I stuck my face to the front,hardly the idea nd very uncomfortable over a period of time.

 

[Chris-Leeds]

I agree about the hide being a little awkward if you're not on the short side. Popped down there the other week and got a bit achey from the position I was sat in. Went down to Cut hide as well and a couple of chavs had jammed a branch at the gate while they boozed, ate their junk and made a mess. Pretended to be surprised about the branch keeping me out and then cleared off.
I was ready to give the dirty gits a kicking but they were at least polite. Shame that people trash such a place.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Just thought I would mention that a few of us from this forum are attending the Bat Walk at Harewood House on Thurs, 4th of Sept. I think there are tickets left if anyone else is interested (see Harewood website for details).

Graham- did I dream it or did you go on the walk last year? Was it any good?

 

[John Bullfinch]

I agree about the hide being a little awkward if you're not on the short side. Popped down there the other week and got a bit achey from the position I was sat in. Went down to Cut hide as well and a couple of chavs had jammed a branch at the gate while they boozed, ate their junk and made a mess. Pretended to be surprised about the branch keeping me out and then cleared off.
I was ready to give the dirty gits a kicking but they were at least polite. Shame that people trash such a place.

I used to go to Fairburnings virtually every week years ago, but the problem with it is that its virtually all public footpaths = chav central. I went down to cut hide a few years back and there were two chavs smoking spliffs, they cleared off when I sat down. I was also there last year as two idiots tried to set fire to the whole reserve. I think that may have been the turning point for me, I dont visit the reserve that much anymore. My idea of birdwatching is to get away from the idiots and relax.

If I go there now its only for a reported rarity or occasionally we do a walk upto and around Ledsham - Chequers pub is magnificent (shut on sundays), sometimes thats as far as we get!!!!

 

[bitterntwisted]

Graham- did I dream it or did you go on the walk last year? Was it any good?

If you did dream it we had the same dream, Mike!

Enjoyed the evening although the talk was probably pitched more at my Dad's level as an introduction to bats. Although I did learn quite a lot it was mixed with some very basic stuff - but it's hard for them to pitch at the right level with such a mixed audience in age and knowledge.

On the walk we saw Leisler's, Daubenton's, Pipistrelle and one Noctule, but not in the numbers hoped for - I think the leaders regarded it as a below average night. As I recall, there are eight species possible at Harewood, but I think you'd have to be lucky and get the right conditions for all of them.

They loaned out some simple detectors, but they were one between four or five and my Dad and I didn't get one, which was a shame. Make sure you do grab one if you don't have your own to take.

You're on the walk in a very large group, which is not really my thing, but on the whole an enjoyable and different evening which I'm glad we went on.

Graham

 

[KnockerNorton]

Went to Fairburn this afternoon, nice enough weather but the water levels are so high theres very little mud to be found - at least on view.
.

Any idea if the colour-ringed willow tits are still around the visitor centre?

 

[Mike Richardson]

If you did dream it we had the same dream, Mike!

Enjoyed the evening although the talk was probably pitched more at my Dad's level as an introduction to bats. Although I did learn quite a lot it was mixed with some very basic stuff - but it's hard for them to pitch at the right level with such a mixed audience in age and knowledge.

On the walk we saw Leisler's, Daubenton's, Pipistrelle and one Noctule, but not in the numbers hoped for - I think the leaders regarded it as a below average night. As I recall, there are eight species possible at Harewood, but I think you'd have to be lucky and get the right conditions for all of them.

They loaned out some simple detectors, but they were one between four or five and my Dad and I didn't get one, which was a shame. Make sure you do grab one if you don't have your own to take.

You're on the walk in a very large group, which is not really my thing, but on the whole an enjoyable and different evening which I'm glad we went on.

Graham

Cheers Graham. I would be more than happy with Leisler's. I went on a bat walk at Flambro' two weeks ago and all we saw was Pipistrelle in very small numbers.

 

[Chris-Leeds]

Anyone else have a different "photo of the week" in their birdguides email to the one described? The message includes Marcus' kittiwake swallower but the link gives a heron at dawn.

 

[johnsulli]

Harris Hawk

Hi All
I have been visiting In-Laws in Ripon area and for the past year or so have seen a Harris Hawk on a regular basis in the field next to her home. The bird has jesses on so is an obvious escapee. The past month or so that I have seen it, it has been flying with four Buzzards possibly a couple of adults and a couple of young birds. My birding knowledge is limited having only started serious watching for a couple of years, and I was wondering if this behaviour was natural for one species to attach itself to another. Also I thought I would pass on the info for anyone down your way that may not know about these birds.

Regards
John

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Anyone else have a different "photo of the week" in their birdguides email to the one described? The message includes Marcus' kittiwake swallower but the link gives a heron at dawn.

Mine seems okay. Must say I was pleased to get noticed with the pic. I was on here the other day saying anyone could win... :t:

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

the best bit I reckon is the public footpath through the pasture fields on the south side of the mere (access from Hull Rd, nr Lindale/Mere View Avenues). The mere washes against the first field, which often has cattle, and there is a rickety barbed-wire fence in the water (or there was when I last went) that the Little Gulls sit on. If you bunk down on the edge of the reeds and sit still, you should get some good shots like this: http://www.pbase.com/latho/image/84512393

You can get a rowing boat and get out to around half the mere, but if they are sailing their boats then you'll get a lot of disturbance. Most visitors go to Kirkholme Point (the main car park), so on the south side you have a lot fewer people (often none) and also the chance of waders along the shore. Early mornings are always best at Hornsea, to avoid the day-trippers and sailors - it's a very popular spot for families and has a sailing club.

There were 2020 there on 9th, but that was probably a roost. 50-100 is more like the usual number of loafing birds.

You could also try the seafront early doors, as there may be Little Gulls sat on the beach or moving by not far out.

Gonna be testing this gen hopefully tomorrow...