Geoff/Ian, keep your eye on the bird sightings for the North East this week, Filey Brigg and Filey Dams probably be worth a look, might get a few terns at the brigg, other than that its the usual places like Blacktoft for waders, Top Hill Low, Old Moor(spoonbill currently there) and you could always end up at Thorne Moors for Nightjars and a pie

Think I will head down to wigan flashes on Sat, im sure Mr Adderley predicted a county mega for this Saturday

If the weather is bad youur chances of raptors will be very low - the site benefits from a great 180' view but you are relying on soaring birds.

Nearish there is Filey Dams which has two hides, and places you well for to move for a sea-watch off Filey Brigg where there is a small sea-watching hide.

Bempton is a must even if weather is poor - knocks South Stack in to a cocked hat for views of the three auks, Gannet, Fulmar & Kittiwake.

After that, Tophill Low might be a possibility?

Geoff, you`ve blown our credibility now ...................Wiganers don`t do hides ! (or go out-of-county). However, you are right - soggy pies are a no-no......

please help if you can us wigganers are off to the raptor watch point on saturday ,the weather forecast doesn,t bode well but were going regardless,can anyone suggest a site nearby with a hide or at least a shelter so the pies don,t get soggy and we can see some birds(still think out of county birding is a sin)

cheers geoff

Indeed - but in 4 hours we didn't even see a Sparr!!

Goshawk also reported.

If you go in the afternoon ,or can have a really long day out, apparently it is also good for nightjars

Cheers pal, might take a trip there soon. Just remembered I`ve got the `Where To Watch Birds In Yorkshire` book somewhere, so I`ll see if it`s in.

Thanks for info

Well known & publicised so I'm not giving away any secrets!

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/WildWoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandNorthYorkshireNoForestWykehamForestRaptorViewpoint

We arrived 9:15 expecting activity from 10:30ish, and stayed to 13:15.

Like any similar site you can spend hours there without success, so I'd say we were lucky - but it was a planned assault!

Up to 3 have been seen - our first bird was probably not one of the pair that showed well. Very easy to get to, 1 hour 45 from Birch Services to being sat on one of the benches.

Rob,

Is this site well known for Honey Buzzards or were you just lucky ?...............I`m not well up on Yorkshire sites

Visited this site for the first time yesterday with Mike R and Ian. Superb site, Turtle Dove calling, lots of Crossbill, 3 - 5 Common Buzzard but the jewel, two Honey Buzzard displaying for about 1- 15 minutes, with plenty of wing-clapping. Then on to Bempton for the usual sea-birds at point blank range as usual - and 2 Arctic Skua offshore. Finished off with fish & chips at Inghams in Filey - a great day out.