Yorkshire Birding (2 Viewers)

[Keith Dickinson]

Nice list there jay-jay, I'll have to have a look at the Evening Press website, we have used the Yorkshire/Evening Post walks in the past.
I took a stroll round Eccup Reservoir this afternoon and saw a young curlew which just for a moment I thought was a whimbrel. Had a couple of red kite over the woodland and plenty of willow warblers by the water's edge.

 

[Mike Richardson]

I enjoyed a great days birding today in the company of John (Birdieboy).

An early start and John's good eye quickly got us our Target Bird in the form of a singing Woodlark at a secret location (known to most of the regulars on this forum). Green and GS Woodpecker were also seen and a Cuckoo was heard.

Moving on to Flaxfleet we were lucky enough to watch several Marsh Harriers including one which appeared to have a Grass Snake in it's mouth. Sedge and Reed Warblers sang from the reeds, joined by Reed Buntings, Skylarks and the usual farmland/riverside birds. Avocet, Dunlin, Curlew and Ringed Plover were also seen, but the suprise of the day had to be a Red-throated Diver floating along the river towards Blacktoft.

We then moved to South Cave where we watched Red Kites and Buzzard, before ending the day at North Cave Wetlands. Here we bumped into Graham (Bitterntwisted) and were treated to baby Avocets, LRP's and many other great birds.

Throughout the day we kept a look out for Turtle Dove, athough unfortunately none were seen. Still had a great day with close to 70 species recorded.

 

[Gary14]

Was it definitely not a Woodcock? Coulda been a Cuckoo but they're not usually so approachable...

Cheers,
Bob.

You could well be right Bob - certainly more likely. I have flushed Woodcock before but usually in more open woodland and this bird just felt 'different' - [but is was all so quick I really don't trust myself to reach any conclusion] - however I'd be happy with Woodcock as it would be a first for these particular woods. I'll try a couple of dusk visits and see if I can find one roding. Many thanks.

 

[Lawts]

Missing Housemartins

I am pretty sure my Housemartins are usually back now. I live in a small cul-de-sac and we have about five pairs normally, although it gets a bit confusing as birds fly up to my nest and the same birds to others nearby, so not just too sure how many birds are involved.

Anyway, no sign yet. I remember listening on the radio last year to a debate as some people were saying their birds were late. I remember thinking that mine were back in good time. However, this year it's happened to me. Given the April we had, I thought they might have been earlier.

Anyone else with HM nests noticed this?

 

[liverpool_bob]

You could well be right Bob - certainly more likely. I have flushed Woodcock before but usually in more open woodland and this bird just felt 'different' - [but is was all so quick I really don't trust myself to reach any conclusion] - however I'd be happy with Woodcock as it would be a first for these particular woods. I'll try a couple of dusk visits and see if I can find one roding. Many thanks.

An all too familiar feeling |:d| Well I guess if it was a Woodcock it'll probably still be there...

Cheers,
Bob.

 

[NickPatel92]

Hi, can anybody give me advice or help on Spurn. I am soon to be visiting it, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me where to look in certain areas of Spurn for birds at this time of year or which parts of Spurn, are the key places and are a must visit whilst on my trip?

Thanks,

Nick.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/
here's the website Nick.
Not been to Spurn for many, many years so hardly the best person to advise you. Hopefully one of the Spurn regulars will be along soon.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Hi, can anybody give me advice or help on Spurn. I am soon to be visiting it, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me where to look in certain areas of Spurn for birds at this time of year or which parts of Spurn, are the key places and are a must visit whilst on my trip?

Thanks,

Nick.

Nick,
Please find below the website for Spurn, which forms a good starting point for any visit (EDIT: as Keith suggested). http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/

Regard the map and notice the key areas bird observatory (and triangle just north) the narrows and easington lagoons some way North. If there is no news on the websites then you could be in for a barren time, or you could strike it lucky. Without the right conditions Spurn can be unrewarding so you may need a back up. Light rain with east/southeasterlies are best for spring but 'good' birds turn up in any conditions.

A general misconcpetion I notice is that birders head to the point. This is a very difficult area to bird and traditionally doesn't hold the best birds - or it may do, but they dissapear too quickly. It is tempting though as it feels like it should hold potential. The best areas are nearly always in triangle and at the warren, maybe 'big hedge'. I would then work the Crown and Anchor car park and possibly sammy's point that's all for passerines. Don't foget to check the estuary (there was a BB Sand last year) and of course offshore for possible seabird movements. Not an expert on vis mig but the narrows is best for that.

It really does depend on the conditions and movements of birds. I think it costs a couple of quid to get onto the peninsula, but this is well worth it and I would say park up at the obervatory and have chat with the wardens/volunteers.

 

[NickPatel92]

Thanks Marcus and Keith. I already knew about the website and I've been watching the bird reports every day, but the advice you've just given me is much better than any I've found yet, as it gives me an experts opinion on where to go and not to go.

Thanks again guys,

Nick.

 

[mikejack82]

Hi, can anybody give me advice or help on Spurn. I am soon to be visiting it, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me where to look in certain areas of Spurn for birds at this time of year or which parts of Spurn, are the key places and are a must visit whilst on my trip?

Thanks,

Nick.

Hi Nick, I'm a spurn regular (was there today) and i find the most productive places are .... Sammy's point, Beacon Ponds, the canal zone (there is a field behind the canal scrape that always produces a few), and the point dunes. These are on the map @ http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/ and its worth driving between each one because they are quite spaced out. The map isn't great though, ask the warden there and he'll tell you exactly where every place is. Hope this helps.

 

[NickPatel92]

Hi Nick, I'm a spurn regular (was there today) and i find the most productive places are .... Sammy's point, Beacon Ponds, the canal zone (there is a field behind the canal scrape that always produces a few), and the point dunes. These are on the map @ http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/ and its worth driving between each one because they are quite spaced out. The map isn't great though, ask the warden there and he'll tell you exactly where every place is. Hope this helps.

Thanks for this brilliant help Mike, I'll make sure i visit each of these places on my trip and ask the warden if i have any further queries. It's great to get experienced knowledge on each of the areas, otherwise i could spend too much time in one place, and not see much!

Thanks,

Nick.

 

[mikejack82]

Thanks for this brilliant help Mike, I'll make sure i visit each of these places on my trip and ask the warden if i have any further queries. It's great to get experienced knowledge on each of the areas, otherwise i could spend too much time in one place, and not see much!

Thanks,

Nick.

There were 2 curlew sandpiper and 2 little egret at the beacon ponds today, just dont get tempted to spend too long at the point dunes!!! However, got some great views of a cuckoo there today, 1st for me this year!!! Also Little terns were diving in the canal...

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Thanks for this brilliant help Mike, I'll make sure i visit each of these places on my trip and ask the warden if i have any further queries. It's great to get experienced knowledge on each of the areas, otherwise i could spend too much time in one place, and not see much!

Thanks,

Nick.

Are you birding some other places too? If you are travelling by car North Cave would be worth a visit and that just off the M62, alternatively Faxfleet produces the same waders as Blacktoft without the massive detour. there's loads of places all depends on time and targets I suppose.
Marcus

 

[NickPatel92]

Thanks for this other info, Last time we came up, we went to Blacktoft sands, but this time we are going to Flamborough, Filey, Bempton, and spurn.

Thanks again,

Nick.

 

[grantwomack]

In case anyone is interested, my wife and I were in the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on Saturday and, quite unexpectedly, we saw a Golden Pheasant in the carpark. I'd never seen one before and, for a bird in Great Britain, was quite shocked at how colourful it was!

It might be worth looking out for if anyone is interested! Especially since they aren't normally found in Yorkshire... are they?

 

[liverpool_bob]

...Golden Pheasant...

they aren't normally found in Yorkshire... are they?

They're probably kept in captivity more than people realise... there was a pair in captivity on the Burton Agnes estate (between Bridlington and Driffield) years ago and I think they might have some in the gardens at Sewerby Hall (Brid) as well :'D



Cheers,
Bob.

 

[Gary14]

Can anyone tell me where the Night Heron at Methley is ? I'm not familiar with the location so any directions much appreciated.

 

[Keith Dickinson]

1st-summer still near Methley Bridge this morning. Follow footpath northeast from A639 Barnsdale Road to 100m beyond small boatyard and view across River Calder

lifted from Birdguides site

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse....uicksearch=SE385265&addr3=&scale=25000&addr1=
this should give you the map

 

[Ingsbirder]

1st-summer still near Methley Bridge this morning. Follow footpath northeast from A639 Barnsdale Road to 100m beyond small boatyard and view across River Calder

Presumably the same bird seen there on 11th Feb and relocated/ported today. Around that period several colour-ringed adults were found in the NE. Perhaps some link exists between the strong winds of the time and flimsy aviary roofs to provide an insight into the 'vectors' for this occurrence )

 

[peterpiper]

Yesterday A.M. was opposite boatyard, check ALL trees and bushes from bridge, half a dozen people viewing, no one saw a ring, if you can't find it ask one of the boat owners.
Apparently it's been along the river for the past two and half months or so.
pete