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Post Info TOPIC: Yorkshire


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RE: Yorkshire


Sunday 12th June.
Evening visit to Wharncliffe Crag / Heath at Deepcar with Simon Gough.

- Woodcock 1
- Lesser Redpoll 2
- Linnet 2
- Tawny Owl heard
- no sign nor sound of any Nightjar cry
- Curlew 2 over on way home

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Sunday 5th June 2016, 9.30 - 11.00pm

Strensall Common, York

Nightjar churring
Several Tawny Owls calling
Cuckoo singing

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Posted today by Dave Ousey:

East Yorkshire, 29/05/16

Just two A Team members enjoyed a good trip to our second favourite county, Yorkshire. We met in Milnrow at a reasonable time and in Steve K`s car headed for Spurn Point. Yesterday there had been some good birds,Red backed Shrike and Turtle Doves, but upon arrival it was apparent that everything had cleared out, or had they? There was low cloud/mist, a strong wind blowing in the wrong direction for any good migrants, but we had a good look around the wetlands. A number of Arctic Tern and a single Cuckoo were seen,so,after about an hour we decided to cut our losses and head for North Cave Wetlands were two Glossy Ibis had been seen. As we passed through Patrington a check of the bird news revealed a Red backed Shrike at Spurn,typical!
The weather had improved greatly with wall to wall sunshine, even Hull looked nice, although there was still not much sign of life after Hull City had gained promotion back to the Premiership! Upon arrival at North Cave Wetlands news of the two Glossy Ibis was good. We hurried along to a small crowd and saw the two birds feeding and being sent packing by the local Moorhens, what nice colourful birds Glossy Ibis are. News of a breeding pair of Mediterranean Gull`s quickly followed, so we went to a hide and after around twenty minutes searching through the large Black headed Gull colony, Steve K saw the "unmissable" head of the Mediterranean Gull, this bird was in fabulous plummage.
We headed for Blacktoft Sands Nature Reserve and headed for Singleton Hide were the single,female Montagu`s Harrier is occasionally seen from. The local Bearded Tit colony seemed to be very busy feeding young as they were very showy and dashed about the reedbeds. Up to six Marsh Harrier`s seemed to be on show most of the time but, we had no joy seeing the Montagu`s Harrier, which is still waiting for a male bird to re-appear.We then began birding the other hides,Cetti`s,Reed and Sedge Warbler all singing. A nicely marked group of Black tailed Godwit`s were seen at Ousefleet Hide and again after a lot of searching the "eagle-eyed" Steve K found the male Garganey, well done Steve. We enjoyed the day,even after the slow start at Spurn. We reached Milnrow by five thirty.
Dave O.

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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!





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Filey, North Yorkshire yesterday.

My other birding companions were busy with their own agenda's so I took Mum out for a drive to get a possible Lifer and what a trip it was.

- Bluethroat (Red-spotted Bluethroat) 1
A fantastic Lifer for us and one I've longed to see, especially after missing the White-spotted individual at Martin Mere a couple of years ago. The bird wasn't showing in its favoured location of the tractor tyre when we arrived, I suggested to one of the 2 other birders there that it could be feeding in one of the channels as I'd seen something drop down off the fence near the tyre.
Indeed this was the case and as we moved round to a different angle, we were rewarded with full on views of this striking bird and it showed constantly for around 3/4 hour.

Other birds in same location as the Bluethroat...
- Blackcap 2
- Great Tit 1
- Dunnock 1
- Robin 1
- Reed Bunting 1m
- Meadow Pipit few over
- Linnet few over
- Whitethroat 1
- Sandwich Tern 2 over us, screaming at each other
- plenty of Kittiwakes out to sea and around the cliffs

Well worth every second of the journey!



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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

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saburke


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a walk along the river Wharfe to Bolton Abbey with my wife and my daughters dog
mandarin 1 m 1f
pheasant 2
golden plover
herring gull 4
swallow 2
pied wagtail 2
dipper
song thrush 2
mallard 10
goosander
oyster catcher 3
black headed gull 8
wood pigeon 6
sand martin 12
house martin 2
blackbird 4
blue tit 4
great tit 4
magpie 4
jackdaw 8
carrion crow 8
starling 3
chaffinch 2




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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.

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Thursday, 17th March 2016. 0945 - 14:00 hrs.

Rievaulx Terrace (NT) and Abbey (English Heritage); and surrounding countryside along River Rye.

Buzzard x 1
Kestrel x 1
Willow Tit x 3
House Sparrow x 10
Greylag Geese x 8
Grey Wagtail x 1
Pied Wagtail x 1
Wren x 1
Rook x 20
Jackdaw x 30
Carrion Crow x 4
Blue Tit x 12
Great Tit x 4
Robin x 5
Chaffinch x 7
Blackbird x 3
Dunnock x 1
Herring Gull x 30
Black-Headed Gull x 10
Juvenile Grey Partridge x 1
Male Pheasant x 10
Female Pheasant x 2



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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


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Tuesday, 15th March 2016. 09:30 - 14:30 hrs.

Walk from Ripon along River Skell and countryside (via 'seven bridge' walk) to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden (National Trust) - and return via Studley Roger.

Red Kite x 2 (above Studley Royal Water Garden)
Buzzard x 6
Kestrel x 1
Dipper x 1
Grey Wagtail x 5
Pied Wagtail x 1
Wigeon x 2
Curlew x 2
Treecreeper x 1
Goldfinch x 10
Grey Heron x 2
House Sparrow x 15
Dunnock x 2
Collared Dove x 1
Mute Swan x 6
Little Grebe x 2
Chaffinch x 1
Blue Tit x 5
Great Tit x 3
Robin x 4
Long Tailed Tit x 1
Wren x 1
Blackbird x 7
Jackdaw x 90
Carrion Crow x 15
Magpie x 7
Woodpigeon x 50
Tufted Duck x 40
Mallard x 20
Black-Headed Gull x 30
Male Pheasant x 15
Canada Geese x 30
Greylag Geese x 4
Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard drumming)
Moorhen x 1
Coot x 5



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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




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Sightings for yesterday:

Drake American Wigeon still present st Scalby Mills.
Surf Scoter off Filey.
An unseasonal Quail at Flamborough found by Brett Richards had suffered some damage to the back of its hea, apparently as a result of a Kestret attack.

Info and all images thanks to Rob Adderley



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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
smile

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Pugneys cp Wakefield sat 5/3 9:30-10:15

imm fem Ferruginous duck on pool opposite entrance to cp behind swan & cygnet pub. Park there to save fee at cp and crossing main roads

duck on opposite side of pool in and out of reeds

smaller than tufted very dark, chestnut head with sloping forehead and peak, Bill long and delicate black band at end , white vent only obvious when diving away from you



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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

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Great views of the Greenland White Fronted Goose at Ingbirchworth reservoir at 9.30 this morning.

Around the  'back' of the reservoir after crossing the dam from the main road. In field with many Canada and Greylag. 

Also drake Pochard and Tufted Duck on reservoir



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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.

 



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Drove over to Ingbirchworth Reservoir near Barnsley for the chance of a Lifer this morning before shopping with the Gf.
...and it was well worth the effort in the rain and fog over the tops, as the weather cleared nicely (despite being bitterly cold) and my Lifer showed excellently from the minute I arrived.

- Greenland White-fronted Goose 1
It was I n one of the fields on approach to the reservoir, in with the big numbers of Greylag Geese including an odd looking whitish/possible hybrid individual.
Feeding for long periods then having a rest for a few minutes but showing well virtually the whole time.
Approx 50-60 Canada Geese in separate field opposite.

Other birds of note...
- Grey Partridge 6
- Raven at least 3
- Kestrel 2
- Fieldfare small flock of around 15 over, with a Mistle Thrush
- Redwing 1 only, over
- Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails moving around together
- Wren 4 along nature trail path at side of field
- Red Grouse 1 on journey home

The Geese were purposely flushed by a tractor driver whilst we were there, as soon as they flew up after a minute or so the tractor left the field.

Like Roger says, well worth it indeed, a fairly easy drive (despite today's weather) to see a cracking bird, and all birds seen without hardly moving far from the car.


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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.

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An interesting few days Dispite my main boat trip out being canceled due to bad weather on Saturday :'( . Highlights were.... 4 knots, common sandpiper, green sandpiper and 2 velvet scoters from filey. Up to 4 dunlin, freindly Turnstones, several wheatears, a barnacle goose, a whinchat, migrating meadow pipits (around 30+), ringed plovers and a yellow legged gull from Flamborough to bridlington. Then 1 avocet, 2 marsh harrier, 16 little egrets, over a dozen spotted redshanks and one Ruff of a dozen had a white head at Blacktoft sands. Also from filey was a likely candidate for a red throated diver. He was only seen briefly and at a distance.

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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

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8.15-9 this morning around Eccup reservoir:
6 Red Kite
Yellowhammer
4 Linnet
Bullfinch
Willow Warbler
2 Skylark
Buzzard
4 Lapwing
8 Greylag
Chiffchaff
Many Swallow

Great area. Wish I'd had time for a longer mooch.

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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.


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Have just noticed a report that the Red-rumped Swallow was taken by a Hobby early yesterday (7th) morning.

Roger.

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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 jawdrop 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 smile

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.

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Originally posted by Rob Creek:

After visiting Blacktoft Sands RSPB yesterday I convinced Steve and Simon it was worth the drive to Hull to try for the reported Red-rumped Swallow.
Arrived at East Park and headed for the bridge over the lake.

Birds seen...
-stonking Iceland Gull no more than 10ft away at the shallow end where the Ducks were bein fed as we walked round to the bridge. Brilliant! Some observers were stood on the bridge waiting for the Red-rumped Swallow oblivious to the Iceland Gull and I was trying to get their attention, they soon picked it up.
-Rose-ringed Parakeet 1
-Common Buzzard 1 in distance over the park

-Red-rumped Swallow (Lifer for me and Steve, Simon where were you?)
It finally turned up and brilliantly picked out by Ian Lith. Seemed to hang in the air and not flapping as much as the couple of Swallows present. After a few circles it skimmed the water once but well worth the wait, a fantastic bird!

A good day out and ended with me suggesting that I should give the other 2 a chance for another Lifer, which worked out just right.

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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.

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Didn't see the Little Bustard yesterday so after a fruitless few hours headed to Bridlington for a bit of sea watching.
Good numbers of Turnstone on the harbour wall including a colour ringed individual plus
Single Sanderling
4 Purple Sandpipers
2 Manx Shearwaters
2 Little Auks
4 Gannets
Close up views (30ft) of Red Throated Diver
2 Great Crested Grebes
Plenty of common gull species

On the way across to the Blyth's Pipit Red Kite flew over the A1M where it becomes the M1

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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 biggrin

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Mixenden reservoir
As I was heading over the border to hopefully see the Blyth's Pipit at Calder Industrial Estate Wakefield, I went via Halifax to Mixenden res where a Great Northern Diver had been present for several days, which didn't disappoint.
Also present a herd of 6 Whooper Swans.

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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.

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Buff-breasted Sandpiper not seen between 13;15 and 15:45 whilst I was there. The guy who found the Sandpiper had a Dotterel over with Golden Plover via photograph

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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

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Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported again this morning. These things are sent to try us...

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 30th of September 2014 01:39:14 PM

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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.

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pete berry wrote:

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)





Read it on Twitter earlier Pete, what's the likelihood of this species hanging around for an hour or so...or is it impossible to say?
Cheers

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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)

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Huge numbers of Red Kites over Leeds festival at Bramham Park over the weekend, sometimes upwards of 10 in the air at once.

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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.

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Did the Three Peaks yesterday and was cheered up at various stages by Dipper [Horton], Grey Wagtails [a few], Red Grouse on Pen Y Ghent and Whernside, Cuckoo in the valley before Ingleborough and the birds that surprised me most - calling Common Sandpipers [resumably breeding] on one of the streams off Whernside. Also many Skylarks, Swallows and Meadow Pipits to keep me going :)

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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



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Managed an early morning visit to Broomhead Reservoir this morning. Plenty of Red Grouse on the tops as the sun rose and then excellent views of Two Barred Crossbills on two occasions - around 8.30 and then 10.45 in the larch clearing 100m east of the road junction and also drinking from the lake at the same location. I think at least four males and one female but the bigger earlier flock had more like 7 or 8 birds but didn't hang around. Still showing well when I had to leave to get home before I was missed :) Supporting cast of Siskin, Coal Tit, Treecreeper, common Crossbill, Fieldfare and Redwing over.



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

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I also saw 2 Red Kites between Wetherby and my sister's in Knaresborough. More Buzzards than ever by the M1 and A1. Healthy numbers of Kestrels too.
A good raptor spotting trip smile

-- Edited by Steve Suttill on Thursday 26th of December 2013 09:07:24 AM

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Christmas Day trip to family near Wetherby and had 3 separate sightings of red kites by the A1. These are the kites from the Harewood House breeding programme but it was great to see them away from the house itself. Great Christmas treat for me!

Look out for them if you're ever driving that way.

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A late report from Saturday 21 December - an amalgamation of several sites visited in the North East

Paul Wren, Dave Robinson, myself and Alex, a young birder made the trip to Patrington Haven where upon arrival our quarry the Ivory Gull was showing on the rocks. The Gull spent most of the time preening while we were present, flying occasionally. Good scope views were obtained despite being constantly buffeted by the wind. A long-awaited lifer for me, the last bird I twitched (and dipped was in 1986)!

We then moved on to Spurn. Some of the freshwater pools are now what can only be described as saline lakes, the canal scrape being particularly badly affected. There were very few birds present, apart from a few Blackbirds and Reed Buntings, but on the way back from the canal scrape hide, we were fortunate when a crest in the bushes revealed itself to be a cracking Firecrest, the surprise bird of the day!

Our final stop was North Cave Wetlands for the Green-winged Teal. Upon entering the Turret Hide we were told it had gone behind the large island. Fortunately, instead of going to sleep out of sight, it swam out briefly before disappearing again. Eventually it flew out onto the main lake, where it proceeded to swim towards the hide, giving excellent comparison views with its Eurasian cousins.

Not a lot of species seen over the day, but some great birds!

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great northern diver showing very well on the larger fishing pool on sands lane, mirfield. it did not dive much while I was there so great prolonged views to get some decent pics in the sunshine smile
had a little walk around the area, other birds seen...
4 goosanders flying onto the river calder
2 grey herons
7 tufted ducks
2 great crested grebes
1 great spotted woodpecker
1 treecreeper with tit flock & did something I have not heard of or seen before, it actually went down the trunk of a tree hmm I thought only nuthatches could do this !
1 nuthatch
2 kestrels

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The Great Northern Diver was still at the fishing pools on Sands Lane, Mirfield this morning.
The first Diver I've seen and it was certainly a good one - seems close to summer plumage. Appears nice and healthy - lots of long dives, successfully catching fish.
The pool itself is not that large so even if the Diver doesn't come very close to shore you can still get good views.
Also:
Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Coot, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Jackdaw and Long-tailed tits.


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Good trip across the border this morning getting both target birds of Great Northern Diver at Mirfield which showed nearly as well as the Castleshaw bird in 2011 and the Two-barred Crossbill (1m 2f) at Broomhead Res.

Plenty of other good birds about including
2 Red Kites
1 Fieldfare
large mixed flock of Blue,Great, Coal, Long Tailed Tits Lesser Redpoll, Siskin
20 plus Common Crossbill
2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

-- Edited by Jon Bowen on Saturday 14th of December 2013 03:43:15 PM

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