Yorkshire & Nottinghamshire day out. Friday 3rd March 2023
Friday was unusual choice for a day out with Dave W, but we covered some miles and both enjoyed it. Drove over to Barnsley to pick Dave up and we were soon on our way, firstly to try to see a very strange occurrence of a Pallas`s Warbler. A species usually associated with our east coast at autumn time, it should be heading for its breeding grounds in eastern Asia about now. How on earth has it found its way to Attenborough nature reserve in Nottingham? The fact that it was at the side of a busy train line made me think, did it come by train? We reached the spot and along with about 10 other birder`s enjoyed 30 minutes with this Seven striped wonder There was also a few Chiff-Chaff`s present one of which could well have been a sub-species Siberian Chiffchaff. A Cattle Egret was also seen nearby.
We headed for Budby common, normally the haunt of unusual humans walking around wearing next to no clothes, but as it was so cold, none were thankfully encountered! Our real quarry was not seen in the shape of Woodlark, even after a good walk around. Stock Dove and a passing Red Kite were seen though.
As the early evening came we headed to Dave W`s who had kindly invited me for a meal at his house (to save me from the horrors of a Friday evening M62 trip) It was very enjoyable, thanks again the pair of you! Even the M62 was fairly quiet as I got home by 9pm. Good day out.
After a chat with Dave W it seemed a good idea to visit some of the winter delights of Nottinghamshire. After picking up Kev C at 7am we headed to southern Yorkshire to get Dave W and at 8-15am made our way to the first stop at Thoresby. This area had been home to some Hawfinch this week, but after a good 40 minutes none were seen but Nuthatch, Goldfinch kept us entertained. We moved onto a place that we have visited a few times to see Hawfinch before, Rufford Abbey Country Park, I said that I have always connected with this species here! At this time the sat-nav in my car decided to have a bit of an off day, couldnt possibly be driver error was said! But with two navigators on board we soon found the place. We arrived, eventually and began walking around till we connected with a Hawfinch, one sat in the arboretum, it was mainly obscured so, better views were required. We got back to the car and whilst having refreshments a dumpy looking bird landed in the tall tree above our heads, it was a smart looking Hawfinch, what a colourful bird! Then a Great Spotted Woodpecker performed well nearby, time to move on then as lots of people began to arrive.
Next stop was Budby Common (more famous for naked men running around) to see if we could see any larks, but after 30 minutes we abandoned looking as it was very quiet. Back at the car we saw around 20 Blue Tits all together enjoying food from a bird table. We headed for Idle Valley near Lound, this place has produced a fair number of rare birds in the past, and our quest was a female Smew that had been seen on Neatholme Fen this very morning. The area is also playing host to some Beavers in a special guarded area. If only it was that easy to locate Neatholme Fen after looking at various site maps. We started on Chainbridge Lane and searched the areas that we knew managing to see: - Goldeneye, Gadwall, Red Crested Pochard and a Green Sandpiper. We wandered about the area and saw a large flock of Siskin busily feeding and flying around, what a pleasure that was. After checking out a large pit with some gulls on it we finally found Neatholme Fen, there were large numbers of Lapwing, some Golden Plover and eventually the female Smew came in to view, what a joy to watch this smart little duck that seems to be visiting our shores in larger numbers than before? With the gloomy conditions telling us it was time to head for the car we headed for home all having enjoyed a good day out in Nottinghamshire. The sat nav performed well for the rest of the day, must have been allergic to Notts?
Couldn't resist a hop across the Pennines to Idle Valley yesterday. It's only just outside the Yorkshire boundary so about 1 hour 20 minutes from home.
The Caspian Tern was giving decent views although always distant and not taking flight. It was awake though. Cracking bird.
Also 2 Sedge Warbler, Common Tern, 4 Egyptian Goose.
A Mediterranean Nottinghamshire Trip? Sunday 26th June 2022
With a Caspian Tern arriving at Idle Valley N.R, Nottinghamshire early on Saturday morning and appearing settled for the rest of the day. Just apart from re-locating to Slaynes Lane, Misson, a trip to see it was talked about with Mark K and Dave W. The plan was, if the bird was still present early Sunday morning, that myself and Dave W would drive the 70 odd miles to see it. What we didnt know was that there appeared to be two Caspian Terns in the area! At 7am news was positive and the green light was on. Picked Dave W up in Huddersfield and by 9-45am we had seen the bird quite well as it preened and had a couple of fly arounds, what a smart bird. There always seems to be a small influx of this species about this time every year. A Wood Sandpiper was also seen along with lots of the more common types of water birds, ducks, gulls etc.
At about 10-30am we decided to visit RSPB Langford Lowfields near Collingham, Notts to see the long staying Great Reed Warbler, that has been present since the 6th June. This species is also found in the Mediterranean area of Europe where it breeds in various reed beds. Its song is very loud and can be heard from a couple of hundred yards away. After a kilometre walk we called into the information centre and were told that it will not be easy to see the bird, due to the strong, warm wind that was moving the reeds around. After about 40 minutes of listening to the birds croaky song it suddenly climbed up a reed stem and showed itself for about 5 seconds. As we waited for another view, a Hobby flew over the lagoon and treated us to brilliant, close observation of this dragonfly catching bird of prey. A small Common Toad appeared near my legs and I had to pick it up to admire it, then replacing it.
A short ride on to Chainbridge Lane in the Idle Valley area near Retford was next as we hoped to see some Red Crested Pochard that are normally found here. We had a good look for them without any joy but we stumbled upon the area that there is a release scheme for Beavers taking place, these animals are best seen at dawn and dusk though. As time was pressing on we called into RSPB St Aidans, Swillington, Yorkshire. We had found out that two Ruddy Shelduck had been seen on Caroline Bridge Spit this afternoon. We arrived and began the slog around to the other side of the reserve meeting a fellow birder who told us the birds are still present. They appeared back on the spit as we arrived but after 10 minutes had a fly and swim around, nice birds to end a very successful day`s birding. The weather had been quite Mediterranean too.
2.5 hour afternoon visit to Welbeck Raptor viewpoint. First time visit here.
Unfortunately the hoped for Honey Buzzards didnt show despite reports from earlier in the day.
Highlights: 1 Red Kite 1 Hobby 1 Sparrowhawk Numerous Common Buzzard 2 Common Tern over the lake 1 Yellow Wagtail - male 1 Garden Warbler singing in the roadside hedge - managed a brief view. Great spotted Woodpecker
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Thursday 2nd of June 2022 09:25:14 PM
Notts and Lincs Day Out. 4th June 2021 With various unfavourable weather firmly dominating the country in the latter half of May, we had to wait until now to visit the Nightingales at Whisby near Lincoln. We also planned to visit Chamber`s Wood to see the Marsh Fritillary`s that breed there. As we set off from Newhey with Bob K and Chris B, news that the Great Reed Warbler was still present at Besthorpe LNR in Nottinghamshire, a small change of plan had us heading that way. Upon arrival at this nice nature reserve the sun was shining and we all could jettison our outer coats. A pair of Egyptian Geese started the day off well. After a short walk the Great Reed Warbler could be heard as it sang from the top of some reeds in clear view, what a great start to the day! A short drive to Whisby and after checking the information board which revealed that the Nightingales have nearly finished serenading their mates (and admiring humans) we soon located a singing bird. It was tricky to see at first but as it started to sing its vibrating body could be picked up in the dense bushes. Its two long years since we have heard this enigmatic species singing live it was sure worth the wait, it was beautiful. Lots of singing birds at this wooded area, mainly Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Garden & Willow Warbler`s, nice place. As we had connected with everything we had gone for today it was time to take a bigger gamble and try to see the Honey Buzzard`s in Sherwood Forest from the Welbeck raptor viewpoint. We arrived at 2pm and after watching a couple of Hobby`s, numerous Common Buzzard, 2 Red Kites, after 2 hours, we decided to call it a day. The Honey Buzzard`s are there but after a very early start, fatigue was catching up. Well, we had to miss something!! David Ousey.
Whilst I have seen around 150 Honey Buzzard in Europe, it hasnt been a UK tick for me. I have only ever made four attempts to see one over here, once at Wykeham a few years ago and three times at Welbeck. Well, third time lucky at Welbeck on Thursday when one finally showed after a five and a half hour wait. Rather distant but a tick nonetheless. Was on show for around five minutes, both soaring and flying. Surprising, I racked up 50 species for my near six hour stationary birdwatch at the viewpoint. Best other birds being Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Yellow Wagtail, five Common Tern, Whitethroat and Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Its a nice enough spot, rolling, wooded hills with a series of linked, narrow lakes just north of the viewpoint. Ideally, you see the star bird within an hour or two and then combine your visit here with further visits to Budby Common and Sherwood Forest, although it doesnt always work like that!
After our visit to RSPB Ouse Fen our next stop on the way back from our East Anglian weekend was Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint. There was one, very distant, bird which showed good characteristics of Honey Buzzard, but views weren't really good enough to be conclusive. Plenty of views of Common Buzzard, singles of Peregrine and Hobby, plus a Red Kite to go with the minimum of 16 seen on our way through Cambridgeshire and Leicestershire. Treecreeper and Mandarin Duck were late additions to the weekend species list, with a Golden Plover seen from the Pennine Way car park on Saddleworth Moor bringing the total to 123. Overall a very pleasant weekend.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Tuesday 4th of June 2019 11:36:47 AM
One of our number has yet to see a Baikal Teal or a Savi`s Warbler so, when they both became available a trip was planned. I had just returned from a two week trip to Lesvos for the eastern Mediterranean migration and was accustomed to sunshine and cloudless skies. This trip made me feel at home, back in England as it rained for 75% of the day!
A 6-30am start from Shaw with Bob K and Kevin C soon further reminded us of the vagaries of our road system, the M62 was shut in both directions around Junction 22, causing utter chaos in a 20 mile circle. Quick thinking had us heading via Holmfirth etc to join the M1 near Barnsley towards our destination of Nene Valley Washes near Peterborough. The rain had been falling very steadily for a few hours as we pulled into a small car park and began to hopefully find the very smart male Baikal Teal. After a short walk the flooded area was found and a long, wet search started at about 9-30am. My comment about it being good weather for ducks didnt help much as the target bird could not be found. Lots of other duck species were seen, then 8 Common Cranes flew in and began to feed, what a great sight. At 11-45am we left the site like 3 drowned rats, what fun is British birding!
Next port of call was Attenborough nature reserve near Nottingham, well the rain had just about stopped as we met a birder who told us that the Savis Warbler was singing and that a Black Tern was present from the Tower Hide. Could we rescue the day with the Savi`s? In the hide we were welcomed by local birders who spent all their time chatting about all manner of things and making it virtually impossible to hear the Savi`s Warbler singing. Lots of Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and great views of the finely plumaged Black Tern were seen. At this point Bob K stormed out and made a few remarks about the incessant chatter that the locals were making, cant blame him really. Listening to some of the comments it would appear that the bird had not been seen or heard today. Time for home having suffered a double dip day, ah well. Reached base around 6-45pm.
- Savis Warbler (Lifer) On arrival I was told by another birder leaving that once its done its early morning showing and singing, it doesnt surface again until dusk but not one to be put off, I wasnt about to go home on someone elses say so. A quiet Tower Hide with just 3 of us in it soon became a noisy meeting place for a crowd of people, couple that with the noise of 100s of Black-headed Gulls made for difficult listening for the Savis buzz. I actually asked the crowd if it was possible to keep the noise down but it fell on deaf ears. Suddenly I could hear what I was waiting for and in the area wed been watching for the last 3/4 hr, the Savis Warbler appeared low down in a willow tree. I let the other 2 birders know and they were happy with the views, the noisy lot werent happy theyd missed it! Bit of advice for anyone going, the Gulls are noisy so not as easy as you might think listening for the Savis.
Other birds of note... - 8 Cettis Warbler - 2 Reed Warbler - 6 Sedge Warbler - 1 Willow Warbler - 2 Common Whitethroat - numerous Blackcap and Chiffchaff - Reed Buntings
Langford Lowfields RSPB Sunday 2nd September approx. 1530-1700
On the way home from Norfolk, Colin Rushmer, Chris Chandler and myself had a look at the new RSPB project at Langford Lowfields, on the outskirts of Newark. This is one of the increasingly common partnerships with an aggregates company, much like North Cave YWT, where the worked land is re-landscaped and then handed over for conservation. The site looked glorious, nice and big and quite reminiscent of Swillington Ings and Old Moor, being a bowl with reedbeds being created amidst curving channels of water. It has been targeted at 2 typical RSPB priorities, Bearded Tit and Bittern, but the site looked like it had potential to attract Black-necked Grebes too. In a few years it should be awesome, but as a final gift to us it provided 2 hunting Hobbies which were crashing around the reeds hunting dragonflies. I also saw a lovely Small Copper by the footpath. A nice coda to a brilliant weekend of birding.
Had a similar experience to Mike yesterday when the Spotted Sandpiper at Holme Pierrepont showed very well along the canoe slalom course. From the car park followed it down the course until it settled near the score board.
Good views of the Spotted Sandpiper at Holme Pierrepoint this lunchtime. The bird was initially pottering about on the inward grassy slope of the bund screening the slalom course from the rowing lake smartly snapping up insects it disturbed from the grass before flying off to the far side of the course underneath the scoreboard, where it then went foraging along the concrete margin of the inactive channel of the course.
We then headed down to the finish line of the rowing basin to admire the Long-tailed Duck. A drake Goldeneye was also in that area, with Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Black-headed Gull and Mallard all enjoying an undisturbed Sunday afternoon.
A Spotted Sandpiper from America has taken up residence on & around the weir / canoe slalom area of the National Water sports centre in Nottingham. Its been there a couple of weeks so, we decided to have a trip to see it. Positive news on Saturday had the three of us, Bob K, Kevin & myself, on our way at 7-30am. The weather was fresh but bright periods in the morning gave it a spring feeling as we reached Nottingham. Bobs famous satnav took us through the centre of the city and had us down some streets that had not been visited since Friar Tuck was around. Eventually we found our way out of the maze and found the water sports area.
After seeing a few familiar faces as we entered the park, we were soon in the right area with a few birders searching for the sandpiper. People in kayaks negotiating the various man made rapids made the experience a little bit strange. The Spotted Sandpiper showed really well and was a new bird for a lot of people. Now there was a bit of a disagreement between a couple of birders, regarding the old subject of long lens photographers getting too close to rare birds. There were some words used that I am not familiar with, but peace soon returned as the offender left the area, enough said! Nice to see Holly again after her various trips around the UK.
A Long tailed Duck was seen on the main regatta type lake along with long and short racing boats and lots of people carrying oars and dressed accordingly. We went for a closer look at the bird as the racing commenced, the duck didnt seem to bother. A Kingfisher was seen as it dashed along the river, this species always brightens up the day. Now news of up to three Smew reached us that have been seen on the A52 pit. A look at a map which Holly had sent us revealed it to be a rather large area of water. After trying a couple of backroads, without success, we went out of the park and onto the A52. We parked in a layby and found a spot to search the lake/pit at the western end. After a while we found a male Smew in all its finery only 50 yards away, it drifted down to the east of the lake and we had distant views of it. We all had a good look around the eastern end but could not relocate the bird. Left the area around 2-30pm and reached home in the daylight at 4-30am. A very enjoyable day out.
Spotted Sandpiper still present late morning today, details as per below. Called in for twenty minutes on way back from Lincs. On far bank again so still too distant for decent photos.
Visiting our son and his family near Lincoln, we usually pass within a mile of the National Watersports Centre on the outskirts of Nottingham. Called late morning today and the Spotted Sandpiper duly obliged with a flypast to its regular spot half way down the white water rafting course. Could have been closer from a photographic point of view but decent bins/scope views were had. A few weeks ago, I was seeing loads of these Sandpipers in their Mexican wintering grounds and now one turns up in Nottingham of all places. Nice to meet Mark Burgess from the forum at long last, funny how you meet folk many miles from home. BOC shot attached.
Called in to see the Spotted Sandpiper at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, this morning. The bird was very confiding and gave excellent views. Its on the canoe slalom course of the National Watersports Centre, very easy to find, good car parking, facilities and all asphalted tracks.
It was very windy and blustery, record pic attached.
-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 03:50:29 PM
-- Edited by Nick Hilton on Tuesday 23rd of January 2018 03:51:27 PM
Great day out today, to see the Bee-eaters at East Leake Cemex quarry. Three hours on site, with almost constant activity from 4 Bee-eaters, with a fifth one seen briefly. A Lifer for me and my car share; David Rogers. The Bee-eaters were airborne ( hawking) for a lot of the time and came close overhead on several occasions. Also perching up on the dead branch of a large Ash tree and some smaller trees not in leaf. Excellent viewing with the sun on them, as they perched 120 to 150 yards from the viewing area. Plenty of photographs taken by David and some by me to be posted soon. Other sightings included: Little Grebe.... 3 including one small juvenile. Linnets...c50 always about us in small parties but one large group seen. Buzzard. Kestrel Goldfinch. Butterflies... Lots of Red Admiral, less one eaten by a Bee-eater!.... And Dragonflies in abundance.
-- Edited by keith mills on Wednesday 19th of July 2017 09:52:20 AM
Toured a trio of county sites today with most of the usual crew.
East Leake: Never managed to count more than 4 bee-eaters at any one time, although apparently 5 had been seen early doors over towards the red and white striped posts. Despite the dull weather the birds showed well, especially when a couple of them moved to the right hand end of the small flooded pit, where they were against a wall of green vegetation. At various points they shared their favorite clump of dead trees with adult & juvenile Green and adult Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Linnets, Whitethroat, Blackcap, and an ever-attendant Blackbird. Kestrel, Greylag Geese, all 3 hirundines, Tufted Duck and Moorhen also seen
Attenborough. A trio of Sandpipers on Clifton Pond, with 1 Wood and 2 Green Sandpipers seen from Kingfisher hide, together with a reasonable range of water birds from Cormorants and Great Crested Grebes through to Common Terns, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. After the Sandpipers moved out of sight an attempt to relocate them from the screen south of the pool failed but turned up a Common Sandpiper. On our way back we saw adult and juvenile Garden Warblers together with plenty of Blackcaps in a large area of bramble and willow scrub. Wren, Blue Tit, Cetti's Warbler, an arboreal Sedge Warbler and Long-tailed Tit were also seen.
At Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint there were plenty of sightings of Common Buzzards, both near and distant, but only one of Honey Buzzard, as one bird came in high from East Southeast then turning north over the lake. Initially spotted by another birder, it's fair to say that we all had different levels of confidence in the sighting, depending on how successful we were in picking the bird up against a clear sky. Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Common Terns, Shelduck with ducklings, Bullfinch and Yellowhammer also seen here.
-- Edited by Mike Chorley on Monday 17th of July 2017 12:09:28 AM
Sunday with Simon and Chris. Totally forgot we were still in the same county when we visited some other sites.
Welbeck Raptor Point. - 5/6 Common Buzzard - 1 Sparrowhawk - 1 Lesser Whitethroat - 2 Song Thrush - 2 Common Tern
Budby Common. First time here, fantastic looking place which looked ideal for all the iconic species but we couldn't wait until evening unfortunately. - 1 Tree Pipit - 1 Yellowhammer - 3 Whitethroat - 1 Kestrel - Blackcap and Willow Warbler heard around
Plenty of Swift, House Martin and Sand Martin seen throughout the day.
Sat 2nd July
Took the train and a cab to East Leake to arrive at around 11AM. Views were good and I managed to see up to 5 of the Beefeater. The Twitch seemed well organised and friendly and everyone seemed happy with the views.
Other birds seen included
- 3 Buzzard
- Skylark
- 1 Little Ringed Plover
- Lots of Sand Martin plus Several House Martin and Swift
- several Chiffchaff, plus Garden Warbler and Blackcap in nearby woodland
Sunday 2nd July Early morning visit to East Leake (Cemex) with Simon Gough and Chris Chandler.
- European Bee-eaters Very smart birds, 4 was the most we saw at any one point. They showed well most of the time we were there apart from a short spell when they all disappeared. They were taking Bee's at a crazy rate and seemed to do it with ease, whacking them on the branch before tossing them up in the air and swallowing them. Nice to hear them calling too. Tried a few digiscoped images, not that bad really.
Nice to see Spurn's Danny Branch holding the fort at the car park, well worth the £5 I might add, but it seemed a lot of people didn't think so as they'd parked on the grass verge along a busy main road.
Around the feeding station behind the club house. Plenty of activity incl... - 2 Brambling - Tree Sparrows - 3 Reed Bunting (inc a palish golden individual)
Apparently the Glaucous Gull has been there a few days on the island and is thought likely to be unwell or injured, it did look a bit on the emaciated side.
Trip to Welbeck Raptor Watchpoint today with Simon Gough. Arrived around 9am-ish
-1 Honey Buzzard (a Lifer for me) at 12.46pm It was circling with a Common Buzzard and a few of us were checking with each other to get the features correct for a positive ID. We'd already had a false alarm but with good reason as a pale phase Common Buzzard was seen showing similar features. But this one showed the necessary qualities including a long tail which was fanned out whilst circling then closed somewhat when gliding right above us. The underside of the wings were pale with obvious barring, dark carpals, and the hand area easily seen as being translucent and with that we were confirming it and what a fantastic bird it was. It just soared right over us and I was very pleased with being able to contribute to ID'ing it with everyone else especially when there were so many Common Buzzards about of different colour phases to make it difficult. -9 Common Buzzard seen together at once but lots more seen, a rough estimate I'd say approx 20 -2 Hobby circling and hawking above the woods, at distance but good scope views. -1 female Sparrowhawk -2 Kestrel -1 Raven flying with a large Carrion Crow -lots of Jackdaw -a few Rook -1 Jay -Great Spotted Woodpecker seen a few times, could all be same bird -2 Mistle Thrush -2 Yellow Wagtail on lines infront of us (1m 1f) -2 Yellowhammer -few Goldfinch -plenty of Linnet -lots of Grey Heron -1 Shelduck flying down to the Great Lake
...and something that amazed everybody was the very active pair of Lesser Whitethroat no more than feet away from us all going about their routine and didn't stop from the minute we arrived until we left mid-afternoon. A cracking place and everything was seen without moving from the spot no more than 25yards from the car and meeting some nice people in the process!
No luck with the Golden Oriole that was reported yesterday at the local allotments a mile away.
I had a day off this week (28th) and decided that with a couple of good birds over in the Nottingham area that would be a decent trip out. From my home S.of Northwich the trip wasn't too far, not much different than heading to Leighton Moss, just 5 miles further in fact, so off I headed along the A50 to Nottingham!
First port of call was to the NE of the city, at Gonalston village, where a now seemingly resident Glossy Ibis had been seen for the last few months. Without knowing exactly which area I was looking for I drove through the village until I found a field with wet hollows & sedges in it. Stopping on the verge for a quick scan I was rewarded with excellent views of a feeding adult Glossy Ibis. In the sun this bird showed a glossier, more colourful plumage than any other specimens of this species that I had ever seen before, it was a real stunner! After watching for a while & taking several digiscoped shots, difficult as it always had its head down feeding and never stopped moving, I headed off back westwards.
Next destination was Attenborough NR, where an adult Night Heron had been seen the previous day. Chatting to birders on site soon ascertained that no sightings had been had that day. Still I had a nice walk round connecting with my first Lesser Whitethroats of the year, as well as Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler & Cetti's Warbler. A few hirundines flew about but I didn't see the Swifts others had seen earlier. Eventually my time was up and I had to depart back west and leave Notts behind. One of my two targets achieved but a cracking day nonetheless
A successful trip in the end for myself and Alex Jones this afternoon at Broom Wood, Tiln, Nottinghamshire for the reported Melodious Warbler.
The windy weather meant that although the bird was constantly singing, it was keeping very low in the pine plantation. Finally after 3 hours, our perseverance paid off and good views were had as it sang on a pine branch about 3 feet from the ground.
Nice to hear it's mix of mimicries which interestingly included Common Whitethroat, Blue Tit, Swallow and a Blackbird alarm call.
