Sunday 3rd July.
A visit to Wykeham Forest with Steve Burke and Simon Gough.

This visit was arranged on Friday evening so the Short-toed Eagle that was seen in Wykeham village on Saturday would've been a nice bonus had it stuck around and we'd managed to see it.

- Honey Buzzards were a no show
- Turtle Dove, we searched allover the nurseries and arable fields but they were a no show too
- Blackcap singing for most of our stay close to us and even that didn't show either

Of note...
- Goshawk 1 brief distant view
- Common Buzzard 3 at once, but lots more seen
- Kestrel 2
- Tree Pipit 2, 1 showed well
- Pied Flycatcher 1 female brief view
- Garden Warbler 1 brief view
- Chiffchaff 1 brief view
- Common Crossbill few about, 1 male showed well for a minute or so
- Siskin 1 brief flight view, more heard
- Bullfinch brief view
- Linnet plenty around
- Yellowhammer heard only
- Goldcrest 1 quick glance then it was off, another singing
- Mistle Thrush lots around
- Red-legged Partsodge 2
...and 2 other distant small Raptors circling with the Buzzards but unable to ID safely.

All in all a disappointing and frustrating visit really, for the most part brief views and no shows! Nice to meet John again, the Spurn birder who'd told us about Allerthorpe Common.

Posted by Dave Ousey:

An afternoon in Yorkshire, 12.06.16

By way of a change four A Teamers did an afternoon/evening/night trip in search of a few birds that we would have normally seen on our annual Norfolk trip. We are not going this year unless something "good" turns up. The weather forecast was not to promising as we departed Newhey at 3pm and headed along the M62 into Yorkshire. Our first stop was Sutton Bank visitor centre, we had hoped to see some Turtle Doves that usually come in to feed around the centre after it closes. After a discussion with the centre manager, who told us that he has not seen the doves since earlier in the week we decided to check the area out. Lots of Yellowhammer and a few Siskin were the highlights. We met a fellow birder by the main road that passes Sutton Bank, who informed us of a place to see Turtle Doves and told us that where we were stood will be a good spot to watch the Nightjars in the evening, thanks for the information!!

We reached the place that the birder had told us and we immediately saw a Turtle Dove sat on overhead wires, result! We searched around the area and counted up to six adult birds flying, calling etc. We all really enjoyed the birds as they perched up and "sang" to one another, at one stage we had four birds all perched together. We obviously kept at a safe distance from them, not wishing to upset their "courting" habits. A Yellow Wagtail and more Yellowhammers were also seen in this unusual location. Wood Pigeon, Stock & Collared Doves were also present. We managed to prise ourselves away from this spot and headed for the coast.

At Bempton Cliffs, Chris B hurriedly saw the seabirds that he wanted to get on his list for the year, then suddenly stopped and said, " I had forgot what a stunning place this is to watch the birds". With the reserve having been given a major facelift it is much easier to see the rows of Kittiwake, Razorbill, Guillemot, Gannet, Fulmar and of course the star of the show Puffins. With no wind and an eerie mist just hanging off shore it gave the place an unusual feeling about it.

Last call of the day was back to Sutton Bank for the promised Nightjars. We had originally planned to call at Wykeham Forrest to look at any birds of prey in the area, but, the low mist and negative reports by birders had us heading for Sutton Bank. We all looked for a chippy that was open, in any of the small towns etc that we passed through without success. As we climbed up towards our final stopping place light rain was falling and it was misty. We all did not give ourselves much chance of seeing / hearing the birds, but all said "Well they have to feed". After a ten minute wait listening to Woodcock, a Nightjar began "churring", excellent. Up to three birds flew around in front of us in pretty grim conditions. Wonder what its like on a warm, dry night? We left the birds at around 10-45pm and reached Rochdale by 12-15am. We must do that trip again,soon!

Dave O.

Sunday 5th June 2016, 9.30 - 11.00pm

Strensall Common, York

Nightjar churring
Several Tawny Owls calling
Cuckoo singing

Sunday 15th May.
Late evening visit (7.30pm-10pm) to Allerthorpe Common near York with Steve Burke and Simon Gough.

We tried here on the advice of a Spurn Obs birder and it paid off. A varied habitat of coniferous and mixed woodland, and low heathland plantations with dry bracken and boggy areas.

- Woodlark 2
A Lifer for me, firstly we heard the song, a beautiful downward spiral of notes then the 1st bird just appeared on the tip of the top branch of a tree out in the middle of one of the heaths. Then the other bird joined it as they flew virtually right over us and landed in the thick vegetation. They were briefly seen moving on the ground then another quick view as they flew up and moved on to another part of the Heath.

- Cuckoo 1 (heard calling then came flying over)
- Garden Warbler 1 again heard singing then showed well.
- Willow Tit 1
- Coal Tit 2
- lots of Linnet
- Song Thrush 2 in excellent song
- Common Buzzard 3 circling
- Green Woodpecker heard yaffling

Late on as the light faded...
- Woodcock
At least 4 roding around, a couple of singles and a pair doing circuits around the outskirts of the wood and following the footpaths (overhead). The birds were seen many times so could've been more. We heard the funny squeaking sound and a frog croak call also.
- Tawny Owl
Heard calling all around and eventually 1 seen flying silently through the wood.
- 2 Bats seen both different species but unable to be exact on ID for obvious reasons.

A word of advice for anyone thinking of visiting here (or Spurn for that matter) the biting insects are out in force, I'm covered in lumps!

late post for sunday 10th.

filey.. surf scoter still showing at filey brigg.

flamborough, north landing... 2 Richards pipits (lifer) still showing well, but just a little far for great pics for me.
the cliffs were full of sea birds, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, several fulmars & gannets flying around.



-- Edited by steven burke on Tuesday 12th of April 2016 12:39:38 AM

Initially posted today by Dave Ousey:

03.04.16

With the weather prediction being okay anoth trip was organised by Chris B. So, with Chris at the wheel, four A Team birders left Newhey at 6am. Our plan was to meet up with Nigel from York at Strensall Common. At 7-30am we reached the common and set off to the area we believed was the right place. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was busy drumming away on a tree, then a call from Nigel had us heading in a completely different direction. After a trudge along a muddy path, we finally met Nigel. He had heard Woodlark singing a little while ago he told us, so we waited. After around 45 minutes with Linnet and Skylark`s seen, another Woodlark was heard and we headed in the direction. We watched and listened to it singing on top of a silver birch tree, very nice.
A drive up to Wykeham Forest near Scarborough was next, Nigel also met us there and we enjoyed distant but good views of, at least 3 Goshawk and lots of Buzzard all displaying and chasing each other around, Tawny Owl also heard calling, thanks Nigel for your help. On the journey back to the main road a beautiful Yellowhammer male was seen and heard in song, its really spring now! A long drive north and west was next, to call in at Shaw Farm, Arkengarthdale. We usually manage lots of hill dwelling birds in this area, but, apart from distant views of the Black Grouse, we could not locate any others? Birding can be really hit and miss cant it.
Final stop was Buttertubbs Pass to again look for hill dwelling birds and again without any luck, lots of Meadow Pipits though.We headed for Rochdale, arriving at a very late 6-30pm. Thanks Chris for driving through all that beautiful countryside, very enjoyable trip out.

Wednesday, 16th March 2016. 10:45 - 16:00 hrs.

Aysgarth Falls Visitor Centre - short distance along River Ure taking in Middle and Lower Falls - across mainly field paths to Bolton Castle - return via Carperby village.

Lapwing x 50
Curlew x 30
Redshank x 1
Linnet x 3
House Sparrow x 20
Greylag Geese x 4
Oystercatcher x 1 (on walk). 50 seen in field locally on drive up.
Pied Wagtail x 1
Wren x 1
Rook x 35
Jackdaw x 60
Carrion Crow x 4
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 1
Robin x 3
Blackbird x 8
Mallard x 4

Sunday, 13th March 2016 12:00 - 16:00 hrs.

Walk from Ripon along Rivers Skell and Ure to Sharow village and back to Ripon returning via banks of River Ure.

Dipper x 4
Grey Wagtail x 3
Male Bullfinch x 1
Buzzard x 4
Kestrel x 2
Lapwing x 2
Mistle Thrush x 1
Song Thrush x 2
House Sparrow x 20
Dunnock x 2
Rook x 30
Carrion Crow x 10
Jackdaw x 5
Coal Tit x 1
Greylag Geese x 2
Mallards x 50
Moorhen x 2
Coot x 1
Black-Headed Gulls x 7
Goldfinch x 8
Long Tailed Tits x 2
Robin x 7
Blue Tit x 16
Great Tit x 3
Chaffinch x 8
Blackbird x 20
Wren x 1
Woodpigeon x 70
Collared Dove x 2
Feral Pigeon x 20

post for yesterday 5th march.

as mike mentions the ferruginous duck is actually on calder wetlands the first pool from the main road.

a lovely duck that showed very well for me around 4.10pm at the edge of the reeds. lifer.
other birds around...
goldeneye
tufted duck
pochard
wigeon
gadwall
great crested grebe
little grebe

Greenland White-fronted Goose still present at 10.00am this morning, In the ingbirchworth res area.
Initially the Graylag and Canada Goose flocks were in a field off Annat Royd Lane, however before I could scan the whole flock, the Graylag flock relocated to a field off Spicer House Lane fortunately viewable from the roads side.

-- Edited by Mark Burgess on Thursday 31st of December 2015 12:44:43 PM

09.30-13.00

Langsett Reservoir

1m Red Breasted Merganser, 38 Teal, 60 Mallard, a pair of Lesser Black Backed Gulls and 1 Grey Wagtail.

Moorland

Lots of highly vocal and territorial Red Grouse, the only other bird on the high moor was a single Goldfinch.

 

Weds 9th Dec. 11.00 hrs.

Had a ride across to Ingbirchworth Common, Barnsley for the Greenland White-fronted Goose.

Great views of a splendid adult .. well worth the trip .... it's feeding in the fields with the Greylags and Canada geese.

Only an easy 40 minute drive from M60 junction 24 over Woodhead.

If anyone fancies a try and needs more info please just PM me.

Roger.

This afternoon with Simon Gough, on way back from Swillington over the A628, Crow Edge.

1 Red Grouse seen from the car in a grass field right where all the Heather moors end.

I turned the car round, and parked up in the lay-by opposite the Dog and Partridge. We got out and soon discovered there was infact 21 Red Grouse in that field, oh and a male Kestrel that glided over the road a few hundred yards before.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 23rd of August 2015 11:35:24 PM

Weds 3rd June. 20.30 - 23.00 hrs.

Wharncliffe Heath at Deepcar.

In the company of David Walsh, Ian Lith and Oli Booth.

Nightjar. Churring and also gave some great wing clapping display flight.
Few Woodcock roding.
Cuckoo calling and gave some good views perched up and flying.
Linnet.

Roger.

As with Rob's crew, we headed to East Park in Hull after a successful few hours at Blacktoft Sands RSPB. We had visited the site once before, in April 2002, to see a Red-rumped Swallow Amazing that we should be back 13 years later looking for the same species!!

We joined friends Steff & Alex on the top of the bridge over the lake and waited for what seemed ages, with hardly a hirundine in sight. The a few House Martins & Swallows started to fly round and we got a little more hopeful. Steff & I happened to be watching the same bird and as it banked we both exclaimed "that's it", I then shouted out to all close by to get onto the bird, which all did. The Red-rumped Swallow then stayed around for a short while, even flying low over the water giving a view from the side/above showing off all its features and colours. After a while it flew off into the distance and we took it as our cue to leave too.

If anyone is interested the bird has been seen again today, and the 2002 bird stayed from April 2nd-23rd

East Park is (as it sounds) to the east (ENE) of Hull centre at postcode HU8 8JU, in the Summergangs area, by the A165 Holderness Road. You can drive into the park itself to park for free.

Pugney's Country Park.

Nacho break here on our way back from Norfolk weekend. A fruitless search of the main lake sent Riggers, Karen F. John Rayner and I round to the river and fishing ponds, only for us to find the drake Smew showing well at the end of the main lake nearest to the visitor centre!

A successful conclusion to a pleasant and productive long weekend.

On the way to not seeing the Little Bustard yesterday, on the A614 near to Great Driffield had the unusual sight of a Red Kite flying over the road and a Red-legged Partridge risking its life scurrying across the road in front of the car at the same time

A rendezvous at Filey for our usual group of 5 failed to produce any Twite (Purple Sandpiper was our best bird there) but did get us information about a Rough-legged Buzzard just to the south east near Grindale. The bird had just dropped out of sight as we arrived at East Leys Farm but after about an hour's wait (enlivened by a fly-through ring-tailed Hen Harrier) the bird reappeared and showed very well for several minutes both perched and in flight before the local crows mobbed it back into the wood. Viewing from one of the other roads showed it was back in the tree it had been using all morning and it was back out again fairly quickly perched in the same dead tree to the left of the wood before flying off to drop into a dip in the surrounding fields.

Finished off the day at Flamborough with a Snow Bunting in the fog horn compound together with Barn Owl and Black Redstart at Thornwick Pool, courtesy of Martin Garner.

Buff Breasted Sandpiper at 12:55 on ploughed field to W of Ringstone Reservoir

Dotterel flying around too, calling, with ~25 Golden Plover but unclear if it landed

2 Buzzard

Had a drive up with Mum to try for the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Ringstone Reservoir. Nice to chat with Holly Page up there who informed us that unfortunately the bird was last seen flying off towards the M62, and she'd been there 40mins and had no sign. Oh well that's birding for you!

Other birds seen en route over the moors:
Buzzard - 2
Kestrel - 1
Raven - 2
Carrion Crow - 4
Robin - 1 singing in bushes at side of the road
Mallard 4

A few Finch types flew across the road up on the moors but impossible to ID as they were against the sky so only got a brief view of an outline, more than likely Goldfinch or/and Linnet
Also a large gathering of Gulls were put up in the air over the res probably numbering 100+ birds, we gave it a quick check for anything different to a Gull in the flock but they seemed to be mostly Black-headed with a few larger Gulls in there too.

There's a report on Birdguides today of A Buff Breasted Sandpiper at Ringstone Edge Reservoir which is only a few miles n.e. of jnctn 22 M62(Saddleworth turnoff)

Weds 25th June. 20.00 - 22.30 hrs.

Had a ride over to Wharncliffe Heath at Deepcar.

Nightjar. Flying and churring and also gave two great 5 minute perched up views on a stump.
Plenty of Woodcock flyovers.
Tree pipit.
Linnet.

Roger.

Had drive out to Ladyfield Lake. Sands Lane, Mirfield yesterday to see the Great Northern Diver. Turned out to be a pretty decent location. The diver was really easy to spot on from the road just up from the pub. There were also a number of domestic Chinese Goose on the river.

Dave

Adult Great Northern Diver still on Ladyfield Lake. Sands Lane, Mirfield in torrential rain but showing well (from my car!)