Yorkshire Birding (2 Viewers)

[bitterntwisted]

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

You might get the woodpecker from the A64 bridge - there is a footpath as I saw a jogger head over it. Not ideal though.

 

[Hotspur]

Marvellous.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Marvellous.

Seriously, James, it went really well. I hunkered down in cover for a good while with both the Smew and the Red-Breasted Geese and was rewarded with cracking views. I actually lost the distant Smew for five minutes before realising it was with some Coot just 25 yards away!

Geese took more finding, and I then had to walk about two miles round to avoid silhouetting but eventually found an approach and a seat in the dunes where I watched for an hour or more eventually down to around 70 yards.

Both geese and duck were fantastic in the winter sunshine - having the drake Smew and a drake Goosander sunlit in a tight scope view together was unforgettable.

Tried some bunting hunting later but managed only 2 Reed Bunting, 1 Rock Pipit, 5+ Mipits, 20 Skylarks and a dozen Linnets. Also 1 Sprawk, 2 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 8 Gadwall, 15 Goldeneye, 3 Dabchick, 20+ GC Grebe, 3 Goldcrest, 100s Redshank, 100s Lapwing, 100s Golden Plover, 10s Knot, 10s Dunlin, 10s Oiks, 5 Little Egrets, 100s Shelduck and 1000+ Brent inc min 3+ light-bellied.

I might start a Lincs thread, you know!

Graham

 

[Mike Richardson]

Sounds like you had a rather good day Graham.

I was happy this morning to see a Tawny Owl outside my parent's house for the third time in as many weeks. Seems it has a favourite perch in a small tree opposite the drive way. My parents also have a Barn Owl that sits on the garden fence post every evening and good numbers of Roe Deer feed in the field next door. They won't let me move back home.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Eight Common Cranes flew west over South Cave at 13:00 today!

 

[Hotspur]

Was anyone present? I was a mere 5 miles away argh!!

 

[bitterntwisted]

Was anyone present? I was a mere 5 miles away argh!!

I assume someone was present, unless one of the cranes called it into Birdguides himself? But no, I was elsewhere also. Eyes to the skies though - they're up there somewhere!

Meanwhile, what's Marcus playing at? Off enjoying his birthday and not posting a trip report. I need to decide whether it's worth a near two-hour trek tomorrow. May just do Wheldrake or go see folks instead - Firecrest and Water Pipit on my local hot-spot of youthful yore.

G

 

[Mike Richardson]

I assume someone was present, unless one of the cranes called it into Birdguides himself? But no, I was elsewhere also. Eyes to the skies though - they're up there somewhere!

Meanwhile, what's Marcus playing at? Off enjoying his birthday and not posting a trip report. I need to decide whether it's worth a near two-hour trek tomorrow. May just do Wheldrake or go see folks instead - Firecrest and Water Pipit on my local hot-spot of youthful yore.

G

Did anyone see the Cranes this summer near West Carlton? They were there a good while. Some folk even suggested it could be the start of an East Yorks population! Not sure if I was a forum member then.

 

[Hotspur]

Some flaming whatnot has had the cheek to find an American Wigeon at heldrake after i went down the other day and grilled em. Grrr!!! Cant even go and see it for a few days.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Accompanied my Dad and his Springer Spaniel for a walk along Fraisthorpe Beach this afternoon. Didn't expect to see much, especially with the dog bouncing all over the place. Apart from the usual gulls, I saw a pair of Stonechat, Turnstone, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and a flock of Snow Bunting similar in size to the numbers we saw at the Filey Meet, i.e. One individual!

The area is worth a second visit, especially early in the morning before it gets busy. Wouldn't be supprised to find a Shore Lark or Lapland Bunting next time.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Graham,
Your private message box is full so I can't send you a PM!
If the weather is ok I'm going to head to Bubwith Ings and N. Duffield Carrs tomorrow afternoon. Feel free to call me if your in the area (same goes for anyone else). Should be there from 1 -1:30pm. Cheers.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Some flaming whatnot has had the cheek to find an American Wigeon at heldrake after i went down the other day and grilled em. Grrr!!! Cant even go and see it for a few days.

I think you'll find that I PM'd you this exact phrase not three days ago - "And there must, must, must be at least one AGP, American Wigeon, or Green Winged Teal with that many birds about, Viewing of so much of the valley is so poor I reckon one could overwinter undiscovered."
I'm down south but I'll go hunt for it with you when I'm back of you like - hopefully we can find the AGP and the teal as well!

Graham

 

[Hotspur]

Thats the galling bit graham. I really went through all the flocks as thoroughly as i could. Admittedly the Wigeon were most tricky due to the sheer numbers and the fact loads hid in the tree lines.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Thats the galling bit graham. I really went through all the flocks as thoroughly as i could. Admittedly the Wigeon were most tricky due to the sheer numbers and the fact loads hid in the tree lines.

Like I said, James, i reckon that bird could stay all winter and not be seen again. So many birds, so much water. I just enjoy the spectacle and hope I notice a funny-looking one!

 

[Hotspur]

Finally got my Green Woodpecker for Yorkshire at North Cave today. Plus I flushed 8 Red-legged Partridge from a hedge and a local tried to string them as Grey Partridge. I saw them in the bush but at dusk he called them from flight silhouette (twice the distance i was). They went in the log book, lol. I tried to string a little grebe as black necked but even my dubious morals failed Loadsa ducks. Nothing else flash although numbers are building up nicely.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Finally got my Green Woodpecker for Yorkshire at North Cave today. Plus I flushed 8 Red-legged Partridge from a hedge and a local tried to string them as Grey Partridge. I saw them in the bush but at dusk he called them from flight silhouette (twice the distance i was). They went in the log book, lol. I tried to string a little grebe as black necked but even my dubious morals failed Loadsa ducks. Nothing else flash although numbers are building up nicely.

Not been to North Cave for a while, although I might be tempted by Black-necked Grebe or even Grey Partridge! I've heard about the Green Woodpeckers there, although never seen them myself. I think one was killed on the road a year or two ago.

 

[Ben M]

Finally got my Green Woodpecker for Yorkshire at North Cave today.

Are they quite scarce in Yorkshire? They were my favourite bird when I was a kid, but I only saw one (don't even remember where, but most probably N.Yorks). Here in north Notts they're really common as the habitat is just right (remnants of Sherwood Forest). On my local patch I see them on 9/10 visits... probably would be 10/10, if I actually tried to see them. One morning I saw 6+, and sometimes they venture into our estate (like this morning |=)|).

 

[Hotspur]

Dont think they are particularly rare but are my yorks bogey bird. Sorry were.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Are they quite scarce in Yorkshire? They were my favourite bird when I was a kid, but I only saw one (don't even remember where, but most probably N.Yorks). Here in north Notts they're really common as the habitat is just right (remnants of Sherwood Forest). On my local patch I see them on 9/10 visits... probably would be 10/10, if I actually tried to see them. One morning I saw 6+, and sometimes they venture into our estate (like this morning |=)|).

I don't think I've ever seen a Green Woodpecker in Yorkshire, although I see them all the time in Essex, including the garden of my girlfriend's auntie. As James said, I don't think they are rare. They are certainly recorded regularly at many sites in the county. I just think they arn't as conspicuous/numerous as in other parts of the country.

 

[bitterntwisted]

When I grew up in Bedfordshire, I literally never saw Great Spotted Woodpeckers, but saw Green every time I went birding and a lot of times when I wasn't. I was really surprised to find the reverse in Yorkshire, and a Wakefield ex-birder friend of mine had never seen a Green Woodpecker until he played golf with me in Leighton Buzzard. Green Woodpecker are definitely less common in Yorks but I have seen them recently at Swillington Ings, Potteric Carr and Fairburn Ings.

BTW, today I had in my scope at the same time 2 Green Woodpeckers, 2 Red-Legged Partridges and 3 Pink-Footed Geese. Can you guess where I was?

Clue - I then panned left for Little Auk!

Graham