Yorkshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Rodely this AM. 9 warbler species including my first garden and reed warblers of the year.

 

[Chris-Leeds]

Thanks Chris and Graham..
Found Barnbow Common this afternoon after visiting Fairburn Ings. Hadn't realised how big an area it is. Any tips on how to work it?
Mind I still managed to get garden warbler, whitethroat, blackcap and willow warbler all within 100 yards of my car!

I just wander around at will, mainly because I grew up around here so I know the area really well. I keep wondering about garden warblers as the calls of blackcaps are similar and I'm unable to tell the difference. This morning I saw a pair of birds after one had been singing but only in silhouette so I couldn't see if they were blackcaps or g/warbs. Did see a male blackcap though and a gsw this AM but still no repeat of the groppers from a fortnight ago. Two roe deer made up for that though.
Chris.

 

[liverpool_bob]

I keep wondering about garden warblers as the calls of blackcaps are similar and I'm unable to tell the difference.

They do take some getting used to - I always need to refamiliarise myself with Blackcap song each spring before confidently picking out Garden Warbler. Generally, Garden Warbler song goes on for longer and is less urgent, mellower sounding perhaps, where as Blackcap sounds like it's in more of a hurry and is more excitable. Doesn't help that Garden Warbler tend to keep well hidden when singing...


Cheers,
Bob.

 

[Chris-Leeds]

Ta Bob, I'll keep listening on the RSPB site until my ear improves. I like to think that when listening to music, I'm quite good at noticing the subtleties.
Chris.

 

[bitterntwisted]

I don't think those RSPB clips are very helpful on this pair. For me, in addition to what Bob correctly says, Garden Warbler sings a continuous stream whereas Blackcap sings a series of phrases joined together. Now that might read like the same thing but it don't sound like it. Blackcaps also have more harsh notes, and although these are usually quieter than the sweet notes, the changes in volume are more marked with Blackcap. Got some great practice today - 8 Garden Warblers including an impossibly showy bird which sat out on a bare branch for minutes and 15+ Blackcaps (all in Cambs though, not Yorks) Plus 11 Hobbies in the air together, 4 Cetti's, 2 Groppers, 3 Cuckoos. Birds are good down here but some of the people are bl00dy miserable. Why don't they even say hello to each other when out birding?

Graham

 

[Keith Dickinson]

I always think that the Blackcap has a slightly more 'fruity' sound.....more Terry Thomas where as the Garden warbler is a more 'gratey' sound...more Sid James....that's the images that help me

Graham...sorry for you being darn sarf...if I'd a quid for every hello I got last Sunday I could put a deposit on a house...just goes to show Tykes are the best...LOL

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Without seeing anything outrageous and missing all my target birds I was pleasanlty surprised to record 71 species today across fairburn and swilly. Highlights would be little gull, arctic tern, lesser white, gropper and goldeneye.

Missed out on Whimbrel, Garganey, Avocet, Wood Sand and Barwit.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Quite unexpectedly I've had a gareden warbler in my from my back door this morning. To put this into context this is the first warbler I have ever recorded in my garden. It was singing from a nearby horse chestnut for the best part of 10 minutes, and like garden warblers only showing sporadically.

Seems Graham may be right about this getting up early stuff ;-)

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Nice garden tick Marcus, also nice count on Sunday.
I was down at Fairburn today from about 9.00am and managed to get the half century including a crippling view of drake garganey. Wish I'd a pound for every whitethroat I heard, they seemed to be everywhere on the reserve, but the gusting wind stopped me from getting a picture. I only walked through the village, round the main lake and back to the car park, had to be back home for more decorating this afternoon.
The odd thing is the birds I didn't see, no thrushes, no raptors and only a single dunlin from the waders. There were only a few gull on the islands as well, normally thousands. Wonder if the weather change has some to do with it.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Pete Colley's just texted me about a pec sand at Astley Lake. Considering I was there yesterday may have to nip across. Already gripped off with your gargar Keith!

 

[peterpiper]

Missed you again Keith, was there from about 7.15, to 8 round visitors centre saw Little Owl on fence post in field behind, then went down to Lyn Dyke, as you said, very quiet, kept looking upwards in case of raptors but none seen, best birds were Black cap singing his heart out, at the start of the path and great views of Whitethroat on fence outside hide,didn't need bino's, Redshank and Common Terns on Spoonbill flash. Talking to Charlie who said a couple of imature Little Gulls had just flown from main lake towards centre, but I missed them (as usual) "say la wotsit"
pete

 

[Lawts]

Nice garden tick Marcus, also nice count on Sunday.
I was down at Fairburn today from about 9.00am and managed to get the half century including a crippling view of drake garganey. Wish I'd a pound for every whitethroat I heard, they seemed to be everywhere on the reserve, but the gusting wind stopped me from getting a picture. I only walked through the village, round the main lake and back to the car park, had to be back home for more decorating this afternoon.
The odd thing is the birds I didn't see, no thrushes, no raptors and only a single dunlin from the waders. There were only a few gull on the islands as well, normally thousands. Wonder if the weather change has some to do with it.

Keith I too interspersed decorating with a brief trip to Fairburn to cheer me up. I got the Garg. by the car park, then another down Lin Dyke, and finished off with two Black-necked Grebes from Lin Dyke hide. Only had time for these as I was snapping away. Yet to check my results.

 

[Ingsbirder]

Hi

Andrew Tongue of Howden is attempting to have a go at the Yorkshire day-list record (whatever it is - anyone know?) this coming weekend. If you are interested in taking part then please PM me for his number

Cheers

 

[LDVbirder]

I happen to know this one cause i was in that bird race team - 155 set in 1997 (i think) as part of the Birdwatch bird race by the Knotwits (unless its been topped since) - there was a full acount in Yorkshire birding at the time i believe but i can let him have details of route etc if he's interested

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Quite right on the figure of 155, LDVbirder, but it was 1998 according to the last time the list was published in The Birdwatcher's Yearbook in 2004.
Best of Luck to Andrew, hope he manages to break the record.

 

[howdenbirder]

Hello folks this is Andrew Tongue, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who's helping us this weekend, especially Geoff Dobbs, Russell Slack and Craig Ralston.
Not many birders will know me - I arrived in Yorkshire in 2002 from Cambridgeshire after fazing from a birding and twitching-filled juvenile / immature stage in my late teens. I'm in my early 30s now (and still very much juvenile / immature at heart) and I very much regret the time I've spent away from watching birds, although I suppose it's better late than never!
I'm getting married at the end of May and for my "stag do", I want to hold a bird race across Yorkshire, aiming to see as many species as possible and hopefully come close or maybe even beat the Yorkshire record, if it can be done...
I have to admit that I have rather left everything to the last minute so the next couple of days is going to be a mad attempt to piece all information together before the actual day!
I'll post a message on here afterwards to let you know how it goes.
We've still got spaces for at least one, possible two people to join us in my car so if you or anyone you know is interested to join us please PM me
Thanks very much!
Cheers and good birding,
Andrew

 

[liverpool_bob]

I'm in my early 30s now (and still very much juvenile / immature at heart) and I very much regret the time I've spent away from watching birds, although I suppose it's better late than never!

Know the feeling... I left a shameful 10 year gap before getting back into it (though I'm only out and about occasionally now). I've lost all enthusiasm for twitching which if nothing is at least good news for my wallet |8.|

I'll post a message on here afterwards to let you know how it goes.

Please do! should be a laugh ... < tries to ignore rain bouncing off office window >

Cheers,
Bob.

 

[Lawts]

Had a meeting in Halifax today. Just thought I'd let everyone know the Peregrines are still on the tower visible from the Piece Hall. Shouldn't be an issue posting this because it's been on Look North and it seems to be common knowledge with the locals. Also, it would be a brave/foolish person who tried to scale that.

Apparently the other morning they stopped traffic as one bird devoured a pigeon on the road into the city centre.

I didn't see them in a brief search but from where they like to sit, they must give stonking views and great 'photo opportunity. Plenty of unsuspecting pigeons/Jackdaws floating about today.

 

[howdenbirder]

Hi Bob, thanks for your message.
I'm still in a bit of a panic about the weekend, still quite a few birds that I think we'll struggle to see, but we've arranged a "strategy meeting" tomorrow night in a Beverley pub which should hopefully sort some bits and pieces out!

Cheers

Andrew

 

[howdenbirder]

Hello,

Can anyone help with sites for lesser spotted woodpecker and hawfinch, ideally in either North or East Yorkshire for this weekend please?

Thanks very much indeed

Regards

Andrew Tongue