Yorkshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[bitterntwisted]

...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.

That does seem rather odd, John. Is the Harris Hawk definitely just hanging out with and getting on with the Buzzards or could they be mobbing or sparring together? Birds of prey of different species generally don't get on well at all, although I can think of some related species I've seen tolerate each other or at least not get aggressive. e.g. Hen and Marsh Harriers roosting in the same location, or Rough-legged and Common Buzzards hunting in the same area. But Harris Hawks are only distantly related to Buzzards so frankly I wouldn't have thought they'd team up.

The only Harris Hawk I've seen at large in the UK - a bird in Norfolk which hung around at least a couple of winters - got some grief from the local Marsh Harriers.

Graham

 

[Martin Standley]

Patrington Haven

Had a couple of trips out to Pat. Haven yesterday (over both high tides).
The gulls and waders are pretty spectacular at this time of year, plus the odd raptor and passerine makes it well worth a visit.
There were 5 species of gull,at least 7 little egrets, at least 12 greenshanks,green sandpiper,golden plover,grey plover,hunting marsh harrier,wheatear, plenty of hirundines etc.
definitely a place to try again in the next couple of weeks, high tide is best.
More photos and full account on the blog.

 

[johnsulli]

Hi Graham
This Harris would appear to be getting on with the Buzzards and when I saw them yesterday they were soaring together and not being aggressive at all. At first I thought all four birds were Buzzards and the Harris had flown to a tree but it was a young buzzard in the tree when I approached quite close to ID it.
I am from the NE so I only get to see the bird every now and again, and talking to a local guy who breeds pheasants for the shooting fraternity down there reckons the Harris had mated with a Buzzard and produced young but I would doubt that having spoken to other more experienced birders.

Regards
John

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Out with Jim today. Started Hornsea at 5:30AM departure. We got to Hornsea and there were no little gulls. We did get onto a barn owl which showed well, and mized tit/warbler flock of well over 50 birds. Sparrowhawk clocked them and smashed through. We found five little gulls and an arctic along with a common sand at Kirkholme Point. Quick seawatch resulted in big tern passage.

Filey picked up a little. I went off to flush the waders, whilst Jim clocled a fly by Roseate, and put me onto diving next to the Brigg. Nice. Dark phase arctic skua and Whimbrel through south was a good tick.

Photo's to follow.

 

[James Thomas]

Incredibly low tide at Filey, can't remember ever being as far to the end of the Brigg. Downside was the few waders that were on the brigg rather than going straight past (c50 knot over 2.5 hrs) were a bit spread out. So when you get to the end and a few dunlin and turnstone are coming close ......

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Is that one of the Hull lads in the blue on the right? Or is it just my [email protected] colour vision? The punter on the left has to be excused for wandering into shot as they have a genetic brain defect...you can tell that 'cos they's blonde! (this is true even if their blondness is from a bottle)

 

[Hotspur]

Just back from Cornwall and all I can say is Cory's bastarding sharwaters were everywhere and everywhen I wasnt. Same with Storm Petrels. Buggers. If i nipped for a pasty to the cafe at Porthgwarra a Cory's went through. If I was at Porthgwarra they were at Pendeen. Bonus tick in the form of Pom Skua but dipped Dartford Warbler on the Lizard. Plenty of Balearics to keep me going plus a few sooties.

 

[Chris-Leeds]

Glossy Ibis reported at Allerton Bywater this morning. For those who don't know the place it's between Swillington Ings and Fairburn Ings. If it hangs around then I'll pop down this avvie.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Glossy Ibis reported at Allerton Bywater this morning. For those who don't know the place it's between Swillington Ings and Fairburn Ings. If it hangs around then I'll pop down this avvie.

Chris, do you know where to park/walk/view?
Thanks

 

[Chris-Leeds]

Sorry Marcus, I don't have any details. Just saw it on Birdguides, however the ponds are by the roadside. Parking should be ok in a side street and if it's still around I imagine there'd be quite a crowd giving away it's position.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Is that one of the Hull lads in the blue on the right? Or is it just my [email protected] colour vision? The punter on the left has to be excused for wandering into shot as they have a genetic brain defect...you can tell that 'cos they's blonde! (this is true even if their blondness is from a bottle)

I was taking a leaf out of their book Keith. You nee to see Jim's Chav coat - I didn;t know you could get flourescent blue...

 

[Hotspur]

Apparently the Ibis is on the eastern most pool. I guess just drive from Fariburn to Allerton and look for the crowd.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

If anyone goes and wants directions let me know. You wont see the crowd unless you know where to go. The water is not viewable from the road, and neither is the crowd. In fact to get good views you are best to park at the Victoria Pub abd walk back along the farm footpath to view from the style

 

[Chris-Leeds]

Just got back from the gym and I'll give it a try on the bike, knowing my luck it'll be away but here goes.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Just got back from the gym and I'll give it a try on the bike, knowing my luck it'll be away but here goes.

Good luck Chris.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Glossy Ibis still on site at 2.00pm, no crowds though, I was the only one there. Got some [email protected] pictures that I'll post once they are downloaded.

 

[darrenward]

Glossy Ibis still on site at 2.00pm, no crowds though, I was the only one there. Got some [email protected] pictures that I'll post once they are downloaded.

That is because we were all viewing it from the south eastern end, close views in scope taken at 14:00..

___________________________________________
Cheers
Darren

 

[James Thomas]

Glossy Ibis still on site at 2.00pm, no crowds though, I was the only one there. Got some [email protected] pictures that I'll post once they are downloaded.

Says everything about what Fairburn has become. Left the Ibis and about five people watching it at 12:00 and nipped down to Fairburn to go to the toilet, then do a quick view of Pickup hide. It was rammed. There was an open day - main car park full, Lindyke car park full, seemingly few people with any optics at all - No notice on the board of a rarity one mile away,probably because so few attending would be in the slightest bit interested etc etc.

Quick thought on photographing the Ibis Keith, if it sticks round for a day or two it's probably going to get closer to the viewpoint because the water level is going to rise so a better photographing oportunity is likely. Pop out in your dinner time and let us know if thats the case will you?

Lovely bird.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Jim, I don't get long enough to get out on my lunch break but will certainly have shufti on the way home tomorrow night. Also there was a note in the logbook at Fairburn about the bird, as I popped in for a short while. did manage a green sandpiper as well as the little egret on Pickup Pool... the green sand hung about while I got camera to scope while the egret flew off to Spoonbill flash (bloody swine, I'll get a pic of those at some point!) Darren, I started out at the north side of the water by the Nova Scotia health centre and then moved down to the Victoria pub, I left at roughly 2.00pm so we must have just missed each other.

 

[darrenward]

Jim, I don't get long enough to get out on my lunch break but will certainly have shufti on the way home tomorrow night. Also there was a note in the logbook at Fairburn about the bird, as I popped in for a short while. did manage a green sandpiper as well as the little egret on Pickup Pool... the green sand hung about while I got camera to scope while the egret flew off to Spoonbill flash (bloody swine, I'll get a pic of those at some point!) Darren, I started out at the north side of the water by the Nova Scotia health centre and then moved down to the Victoria pub, I left at roughly 2.00pm so we must have just missed each other.

Well we must have been very close, I got there at 13:15, stayed till after 14:00 I was talking to Roy Harvey & his wife..