Yorkshire Birding (1 Viewer)

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Still walking, still aching. I walked aroung the North York Moors yesterday not far from Fylingdales and saw a pair of merlin. I thought back long and hard and although I have seen more than one merlin in a day before I am pretty certain that this was the first time I have ever seen actual pair. Also still a wood warbler spinning his coins between showers.

Went down to Rodley this morning and watched a most obliging kingfisher. The water levels down there are high so I think wader passage could be unlikely. There was also a young common tern being fed by one its parents.

Incidentally where is the nearest place to Leeds for Corn Buntings. I haven't heard one jangling away fro a cople of years now?

 

[Mike Richardson]

Just got back from Allerthorpe Common where I took the other half to photo Adders with her new camera. Three females were seen and some half decent photos taken, especially of an individual under some tin. Not many birds seen, apart from a fleeting glimpse of a Jay.
Walking back to the car the heavens opened up and we got absolutely soaked. Put Sarah off the great out doors for life. Not a good move.

 

[Mike Richardson]

Incidentally where is the nearest place to Leeds for Corn Buntings. I haven't heard one jangling away fro a cople of years now?

Unfamiliar with the Leeds area so not much use. Guess the Corn Buntings at North Cave Wetlands are about an hour away? Perhaps you can walk there and get some more practice in for your cross country hike.

 

[bitterntwisted]

Incidentally where is the nearest place to Leeds for Corn Buntings. I haven't heard one jangling away fro a cople of years now?

Nearest I've seen them is the Pocklington Canal, Marcus. At least 3 singing males near Bielby at SE781451 a few weeks ago. That's almost an hour away from your side of town, but I suspect it may be the closest.

 

[Steve Lister]

Incidentally where is the nearest place to Leeds for Corn Buntings. I haven't heard one jangling away fro a cople of years now?

When I used to live in Tadcaster Corn Buntings were common between there and Healaugh/Wighill but I am talking thirty years ago: might be long gone now
I wonder if anyone looks at the area now?

Steve

 

[schiffornis]

Finally got internet at my new house since my move from Harrogate, i'm now in Monk Fryston, its not far from leeds and i have had Corn Bunting from just behind my house, and have also had them around Lotherton Hall/Sherburn in Elmet area

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Hi Andrew, glad to see you back online...dried out from Titchwell yet? You might be interested in the next Tyke meet...Sept 9 skua cruise out of Bridlington

 

[schiffornis]

Hi Andrew, glad to see you back online...dried out from Titchwell yet? You might be interested in the next Tyke meet...Sept 9 skua cruise out of Bridlington

Hi Keith, just about dried out from Titchwell! Eventually!! Skua cruise sounds interesting, i might be in Estonia on my Stag Do (staying at a bird obs over there) but if not i will certainly look into it, ive heard some very impressive tales of good birds off that cruise (esp with Yellow-nosed Albys being dirt common now!).

On another note, see the Spot Sand is still at Wykeham (tho with no access) for those that dipped/missed the one at Swilly!....

Cheers

Andy

 

[Lawts]

Hi Keith, just about dried out from Titchwell! Eventually!! Skua cruise sounds interesting, i might be in Estonia on my Stag Do (staying at a bird obs over there) but if not i will certainly look into it, ive heard some very impressive tales of good birds off that cruise (esp with Yellow-nosed Albys being dirt common now!).

On another note, see the Spot Sand is still at Wykeham (tho with no access) for those that dipped/missed the one at Swilly!....

Cheers

Andy

What's the issue with Wykeham access? I'm sure there were some Bean Geese last winter and there wasn't a problem. If it's because of a certain breeding bird - nuff said.

 

[Lawts]

Yes it was me - disturbed the bird this morning. Couldn't be 100% sure, but I rang John just to make him aware. As I drove past my initial thought was a young Moorhen, except it was covered in stripes. A car was right behind me, so I couldn't pull up fast. Turned round and went back - it was still on the verge, but as I pulled up, it lifted off vertically with legs trailing.

I'm not having it, but it was too thin with rakish neck for either partridge species, and too rakish for Quail as well.

Carried on to dip on Hudsonian Whimbrel, which I see has just come through now I'm home!

Ha ho!

I'm happy to put forward another suggestion for this bird, having viewed the 'photo on Birdguides of the young Pheasant from Eldernell. Thirty-odd years birding and I can't even tell a bleeding Pheasant! Seriously, I only saw it for a nano-second but this may be a stronger candidate now.

 

[Lawts]

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?

Well, they were late back but I'm pleased to report everything is now in full swing, with **** all down my windows and churping better than any alarm clock every morning. Excellent!

 

[Hotspur]

Had a rumour of a R-b Shrike on the wires south of Langtoft E.Yorks. No sign today but 3 Corn Bunts, Yellow Wag, Linnet there which was reasonable compo. My computer is playing up so i might not be on for a few weeks.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Nice surprise

Went up to Loshpotts tonight and was taken aback to find a kingfisher feeding on the small pond on the Kirk D side of the A1. Presume it is a young bird dispersing the nest. It flew off East (over the A1!!).

Cyclonic conditions afoot and a large martin movement of c1000 sand and house martins SE, mainly sands.

Parties of whitethroats and oystercatchers shows breeding successes for both

 

[birdieboy123]

Hope you're all keeping an eye out for an Albatross

 

[Lawts]

Hope you're all keeping an eye out for an Albatross

Listening to today's news there's more chance of Yellow-nosed Albatross than Goshawk in South Yorkshire. What a state of affairs.

 

[Lawts]

Went up to Loshpotts tonight and was taken aback to find a kingfisher feeding on the small pond on the Kirk D side of the A1. Presume it is a young bird dispersing the nest. It flew off East (over the A1!!).

Cyclonic conditions afoot and a large martin movement of c1000 sand and house martins SE, mainly sands.

Parties of whitethroats and oystercatchers shows breeding successes for both

Marcus, excellent Losh tick! Where exactly was it? Was it the small lake on the right by the footie pitch where you park?

Much on the lake?

 

[bitterntwisted]

Hope you're all keeping an eye out for an Albatross

Not seen off Bempton last night, anyway. Bempton really is superb right now - what a spectacle. Puffins are still around, young gannets are seriously ugly, Corn Bunting singing, huge Linnet flock already at Thornwick Bay. Only unexpected birds 1 Whimbrel south over and 3 Little Gulls north.

Graham

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Marcus, excellent Losh tick! Where exactly was it? Was it the small lake on the right by the footie pitch where you park?

Much on the lake?

Yeah that's the spot, even stuck around a few minutes when the kids got dropped off for football.

Lake quiet, usual stuff. Found a spot to view another area of the lake, but that's as exciting as it got. No sign of any waders (barring the oycs).

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Roller reported at Easington, got to pick the missus up from the astation so no good for me...

 

[Mike Richardson]

Any more info on the Roller? My Birdguides subscription ran out on Friday so I was expecting a good bird to turn up. Take it the bird has not been found again.