Yorkshire Birding (58 Viewers)

[Pete Mella]

At this moment in time I would aim to see more than anything British breeding species ie the Redstarts, Whinchats, Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtails, Cuckoos and all sorts of Warblers too etc in reasonable numbers too with the mixing of some European passage migrants. The numbers 2 weeks ago were big and since then there has been a trickle. I know migration will be going on until November but would the number ofbirds passing through Spurn who are British summer breeders have already peaked? Would Northerly winds push birds from Scotland down?

Spurn Obs website archives its sightings. Go back through the previous years' and it'll give you an idea.

While you will see British breeding species in good numbers on migration if conditions are right, finding them during the breeding season's always worth a go next year...

 

[Hotspur]

At this moment in time I would aim to see more than anything British breeding species ie the Redstarts, Whinchats, Tree Pipits, Yellow Wagtails, Cuckoos and all sorts of Warblers too etc in reasonable numbers too with the mixing of some European passage migrants. The numbers 2 weeks ago were big and since then there has been a trickle. I know migration will be going on until November but would the number ofbirds passing through Spurn who are British summer breeders have already peaked? Would Northerly winds push birds from Scotland down?

What's the obsession with British. Most of the species are the same?

 

[northernloon]

The only reliable British migrants that I'm aware of are colour ringed Shags from the Isle of May in Scotchland

 

[Himalaya]

Sorry I should have just said regular or whatever the right word was. I just wanted to emphasize that I did not want to spend my day running after rarities all day although if I was pretty close to a rarer migrant I would focus on it. Well I just thought maybe British breeders would be leaving mainly in September whilst European arrivals will still be coming in October. I plan to make 2 trips.

What's the obsession with British. Most of the species are the same?

 

[Himalaya]

One reason to focus on British birds is that one of the guys accompanying me will be leaving the country in 3 weeks so he wont be likely to see many Western European birds for a while. He is also a photographer and wants "the perfect light" for landscape photography.

The number of passerines appear to have picked up since Tuesday which is good. Just seen the sightings for last year, good numbers of birds passed through till late September so there is still time.

Spurn Obs website archives its sightings. Go back through the previous years' and it'll give you an idea.

While you will see British breeding species in good numbers on migration if conditions are right, finding them during the breeding season's always worth a go next year...

 

[PonyTailDave]

Anyone got an idea what the heck this is and what it's doing in LS4?

 

[Pete Mella]

Anyone got an idea what the heck this is and what it's doing in LS4?

Ring-necked Parakeet. Common as muck in the London area as a feral population, increasingly seen elsewhere.

 

[PonyTailDave]

Ring-necked Parakeet. Common as muck in the London area as a feral population, increasingly seen elsewhere.

Thanks Pete , hadn't clocked that only males have neck ring . Doh

 

[David Adamson]

Could anyone help out with regard to Hatfield Moor please ? Ive had 4 trips now trying to catch up with the waders reported on Packards but other than 2 flyover snipe today have seen nothing. All I see are deserted peat areas with the odd body of water and a few crows walking around. According to the map I,m in the right area but am left wondering if I,m missing something.. (Which I obviously am)

Thanks very much.

Dave,
I am assuming that the peat area's that you are talking about is the area locally known as Packards South. This is the area that has a viewing platform overlooking it. If you walk along the main lane alongside the peat beds (Green Mile) you will reach a lane to your right(Deer Ride). at this point turn left onto the peat beds, you can walk along the bunds that divide the individual cells, some of which hold water and some are dry.As you walk along this bund you reach a cell that has quite a bit of water in it, this is a favorite of the waders, if no luck here walk along to another cell that has water in it and scan this. If you keep walking out you will eventually reach a limestone track which you can walk along, this divides Packards South and Packards North. You can view both areas from here.
Hope this helps.
Dave

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Ring-necked Parakeet. Common as muck in the London area as a feral population, increasingly seen elsewhere.

Get with it Pete, rose-ringed parakeets now.

 

[Simmo1111]

Dave,
I am assuming that the peat area's that you are talking about is the area locally known as Packards South. This is the area that has a viewing platform overlooking it. If you walk along the main lane alongside the peat beds (Green Mile) you will reach a lane to your right(Deer Ride). at this point turn left onto the peat beds, you can walk along the bunds that divide the individual cells, some of which hold water and some are dry.As you walk along this bund you reach a cell that has quite a bit of water in it, this is a favorite of the waders, if no luck here walk along to another cell that has water in it and scan this. If you keep walking out you will eventually reach a limestone track which you can walk along, this divides Packards South and Packards North. You can view both areas from here.
Hope this helps.
Dave

Thanks Dave,

I found a gap where I was then able to leave the main track and walk to the edge of the peat beds, I turned left here and walked parallel with the main path at the other side of the bushes (would this main path be the Green Mile?) I saw some kind of memorial out on the peat beds. I then followed this and came to the platform you mention. I was on the track that you'd be on if you were to climb down from the platform at this point. Here, I went around to the right and eventually came to the/a limestone path as described. So was I in the right area here or did I then need to walk all the way along the limestone path to get to where I needed to be ?

So do the regulars actually walk about on the peat beds themselves then and just scan around all of the areas of water there? I was under the impression that it would all be acidic water and would be of no interest to waders .. Just shows you !!

Thanks again mate ..

 

[Himalaya]

Today's sightings....I am free tomorrow..the question is ....would there be more tomorrow judging the wind direction?

Also 2 Barred Warblers were found, one on Seaside Road in Easington and one on the fence with the Red-backed Shrike at Southfield Farm, the 2nd shrike from yesterday was seen again on Peter’s Lane. A Pectoral Sandpiper flew north past Middle Camp and was presumably yesterday’s bird. Just after dark a Quail flew into Steve Exley’s window in Kilnsea but then flew off into the field opposite.
There were also more grounded migrants today with 1 Kingfisher, 1 Tree Pipit, 600 Meadow Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Redstart, 5 Whinchat, 23 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, 11 Willow Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Pied Flycatcher, a Lapland Bunting and 2 Corn Buntings.

 

[Pete Mella]

Today's sightings....I am free tomorrow..the question is ....would there be more tomorrow judging the wind direction?
.

I'm really not sure what more advice we can give you about weather. It's all in the last 10 or so pages or so, several times. East is better for landfall (with a bit of drizzle or mist handy), north is good for seabirds, west and south less good, but during migration time (late August-early November) there's always likely to be something around even if it takes a bit more looking for. Previous records (of both species and weather) are on the Spurn Obs site for reference. We don't really have any special knowledge or sixth sense beyond that. If we could predict things to the degree you seem to think we can we'd all have far bigger life lists...

I'd also seriously check the rain forecast tomorrow. It's going to tip it down for most of the day which isn't going to produce a particularly pleasant daytrip, even if it does down a few migrants.

I honestly think you're seriously overthinking your autumn Spurn trip. Just take the pointers people have given and go and enjoy it. It may end up a quiet one, it may end up fantastic, but that's the nature of birding. Go with few expectations and have a great day.

 

[Himalaya]

I might hold a few weeks. Oh I know you cant predict but I thought that maybe in certain weeks you would have more going through. Did nt know the rain would be so heavy but I will wait. Your help and others here is greatly appreciated!

Next easterly wind.....I will be going to Spurn but none forecast for the next week sadly.

I'm really not sure what more advice we can give you about weather. It's all in the last 10 or so pages or so, several times. East is better for landfall (with a bit of drizzle or mist handy), north is good for seabirds, west and south less good, but during migration time (late August-early November) there's always likely to be something around even if it takes a bit more looking for. Previous records (of both species and weather) are on the Spurn Obs site for reference. We don't really have any special knowledge or sixth sense beyond that. If we could predict things to the degree you seem to think we can we'd all have far bigger life lists...

I'd also seriously check the rain forecast tomorrow. It's going to tip it down for most of the day which isn't going to produce a particularly pleasant daytrip, even if it does down a few migrants.

I honestly think you're seriously overthinking your autumn Spurn trip. Just take the pointers people have given and go and enjoy it. It may end up a quiet one, it may end up fantastic, but that's the nature of birding. Go with few expectations and have a great day.

 

[Pete Mella]

I might hold a few weeks. Oh I know you cant predict but I thought that maybe in certain weeks you would have more going through. Did nt know the rain would be so heavy but I will wait. Your help and others here is greatly appreciated!

Next easterly wind.....I will be going to Spurn but none forecast for the next week sadly.

In your original post it was just after easterlies swung west and I said in my opinion I'd probably wait a bit if I only had one day to go if looking for scarcer birds. But don't waste the autumn waiting for a "perfect" day. I apologise if I've given the impression that you should only go on easterlies. I've only very rarely managed to go to Spurn during proper easterlies, and still had many great days, just not the fabled days when things are "dripping" with migrants.

 

[northernloon]

Surely the whole point of the Autumn (and Spring) migration period is that anything can turn up. A lot of birds are on the move at this time of year. The latest forecasts suggest it will be blowing a hoolie. I'd expect a few more American waders will be turning up. But there again a Great Snipe (from the east) was a Spurn earlier today. As far as I am concerned, the unpredictability is one of the more exciting aspects of birding.

 

[David Adamson]

Thanks Dave,

I found a gap where I was then able to leave the main track and walk to the edge of the peat beds, I turned left here and walked parallel with the main path at the other side of the bushes (would this main path be the Green Mile?) I saw some kind of memorial out on the peat beds. I then followed this and came to the platform you mention. I was on the track that you'd be on if you were to climb down from the platform at this point. Here, I went around to the right and eventually came to the/a limestone path as described. So was I in the right area here or did I then need to walk all the way along the limestone path to get to where I needed to be ?

So do the regulars actually walk about on the peat beds themselves then and just scan around all of the areas of water there? I was under the impression that it would all be acidic water and would be of no interest to waders .. Just shows you !!

Thanks again mate ..

Yes Dave you were in the right area, if you had turned right at the gap and just followed the worn path onto the bunds. This takes you past the memorial (this is where a Lancaster bomber came down with a Polish crew just a few hundred yards from Lindholme). The water is obviously acidic and this is the reason we don't get the wader numbers that we should, but I suppose they come in for a rest and feed up on what bits they can. The limestone track is handy because it gives easy access to more water filled cells on the north side as well as the south side. All the local birders walk along the bunds. Apart from the waders it is a good location for Peregrines, Hobbies and don't forget to look out for a perched up Osprey.
Dave

 

[joespy]

Surely the whole point of the Autumn (and Spring) migration period is that anything can turn up. A lot of birds are on the move at this time of year. The latest forecasts suggest it will be blowing a hoolie. I'd expect a few more American waders will be turning up. But there again a Great Snipe (from the east) was a Spurn earlier today. As far as I am concerned, the unpredictability is one of the more exciting aspects of birding.

Just to confirm Great Snipe; here's a pic my mate sent me, that he took at Spurn yesterday.
It's also confirmation that anything can turn up...depends how lucky you are....??
And....as somebody famous once said...
......"the best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, gan aft agley, an' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, for Promis'd joy..! " :-C
Cheers Joe :t:

 

[andy hood]

Great Snipe, Kilnsea

Showing well this afternoon/evening

 

[Simmo1111]

Yes Dave you were in the right area, if you had turned right at the gap and just followed the worn path onto the bunds. This takes you past the memorial (this is where a Lancaster bomber came down with a Polish crew just a few hundred yards from Lindholme). The water is obviously acidic and this is the reason we don't get the wader numbers that we should, but I suppose they come in for a rest and feed up on what bits they can. The limestone track is handy because it gives easy access to more water filled cells on the north side as well as the south side. All the local birders walk along the bunds. Apart from the waders it is a good location for Peregrines, Hobbies and don't forget to look out for a perched up Osprey.
Dave

I'll give it a shot on my next visit .... Thanks for your help Dave :t: