West Yorkshire

sid ashton · Status: Offline

RE: West Yorkshire

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

I can concur with Mark, having been on site too from c.10.45am-12.30pm. The Little Bustard showed for long periods in the far field from the path. The scope views were fine but folk would struggle with just binoculars. There was a pretty large crowd there and the viewing area is limited but everyone got views, although a few minor arguments broke out when folk blocked other peoples views! Parking is on residential roads, I parked a bit further away and walked to avoid the worst of the parking. A collection bucket is on site collecting for the Prince of Wales Hospice, so please donate generously, it wasn't a UK Lifer for me and I did, so if it is a lifer for you please donate to a good cause to celebrate. Word is that the bird has been present for a few weeks now, so the chances are it will be around, to allow all who make the effort, a chance to see it over the next few days.

For Sat Navs the Postcode is LS26 9JH and the Grid Ref for map users (like me!) is SE403273. I hope this helps and that many more forum members can connect with this stunning bird. As always if anyone needs further help then just drop me a private message on here smile

Mark Burgess · Status: Offline

BMale Little Bustard still showing well but distantly at Mickletown mid day today,

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Wednesday 7th of August 2019 05:05:22 PM

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Male Little Bustard showing well, albeit fairly distantly, in field north of the village of Mickletown, which itself is around one and a half miles north west of Castleford. After a ten minute wait, the bird emerged from the margins and walked in the field in full view. A couple of Bridge Camera record shots.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Late report from Saturday due to computer problems.
My wife,my daughters Labrador,and myself walked from Addingham
to Ilkley along the river Wharfe in beautiful sunshine.Birds seen as follows:
Wood Pigeon x9
House Sparrow x20
Collared Dove x3
Feral Pigeon x8
Carrion Crow x4
Jackdaw x 22
Mallard x12
Black Headed Gull x30
Swift x10
Swallow x6
Sand Martin x14
House Martin x1
Magpie x5
Grey Wagtail x10
Blue Tit x2
Blackbird x6
Wren x2
Chaffinch x2
Dipperx2
Common Sandpiper x1
Grey Heron x1
Kingfisher x2

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Just returned from a 10 day break at my daughters in Silsden.I spent most of the time
on the banks of the river Wharfe.Bolton Abbey,Bardon Bridge,Burnsall, Addingham and Ilkley
were the areas covered.Better birds seen as follows.
Rook
Common Sandpiper
Jackdaw
Coal Tit
Common Buzzard
Dipper
Pied Flycatcher
Grey Wagtail
Tree Sparrow
Swallow
Swift
Song Thrush
Treecreeper
Sand martin
Red Kite
Oystercatcher
Grey Heron
Pied Wagtail
Mandarin
curlew
Garden warbler
Meadow Pipit
House Martin
Tree Pipit
Wren
Cuckoo
Mistle Thrush
White Wagtail
Kingfisher

Mark Jarrett · Status: Offline

Great Reed Warbler still present at Wintersett Reservoir, midday today. Very brief view of the bird that was making a right racket in the reedbed at the top end of the reservoir, adjacent to the sailing club.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

A quick call in to Winterset Res en route to East Anglia with Oldham and District Birders at 5.30 am

. Very good views of the Great Reed Warbler out on the edge of it's reedbed patch. Plenty of Eurasian Reed Warblers keeping it company, along with Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gulls and Swifts. In all 20 species to start the count for the weekend.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

With three days off work this week I looked at the weather and chose the best one to head out for a bit of birding further afield. Today I headed over to the Wakefield area, to Anglers CP and Wintersett Reservoir.

Since my last visit they have instigated parking charges, so take some pound coins if you are visiting. The Anglers CP car park costs £1 for 2 hours and £2 for up to 4 hours, this applies 9am-6pm, 7 days a week. Being optimistic I popped a pound in and headed round to Wintersett Reservoir first. There were plenty of birders around to direct me to the correct small cutting in the hedge to view the reedbed. As soon as I started walking along towards it I could hear my quarry and on arriving it was showing well, perched up on the reeds straight out from our position - a Great Reed Warbler. The bird sat up giving scope views and belting out its staccato deafening song. Just as I set up my digiscoping camera it dropped down and despite a wait of 50mins it didn't show again, it just carried on singing. To be honest the wind had got up and this was probably keeping it low in the reeds. This was either my 4th or 5th in the UK but I'm still to get decent digiscoped shots of one! Reed Buntings and Reed Warblers showed in the reedbed and Sedge Warblers sang nearby. Early on in my visit there were lots of Swifts over the water, at least 20, my biggest group yet this summer. Also over the reservoir were plenty of Common Terns. Just down the patch a Cetti's Warbler kept shouting out its song too and as I stood quietly it flew across in front of me and perched in the open showing really well.

Not wanting to hit any traffic and having seen my target bird I headed home and was rewarded with a clear, easy run.

Doc Brewster · Status: Offline

After a morning at St Aidan's RSPB I had a couple of hours before I needed to get home so I travelled the short distance down to South Emsall. Without a satnav and with not all roads having road name signs it was a bit of a nightmare to find the right place, but eventually I found Carr lane and headed down to the end. Parking up I walked under the railway bridge and slightly up the slope facing me. Immediately I could hear the unmistakeable song of the Iberian Chiffchaff that has been here a few days. Walking round to get the tree in view I was soon watching it, and it showed it's beautiful lemon wash to the breast sides very well. A clean yellower bird than 'our' collybita and much more Willow Warbler like. Given the way it was flitting around I decided against trying to digiscope it but instead just enjoyed watching it sing its heart out in the warm Yorkshire sunshine.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Monday 29th April

Carr Lane in South Kirkby near Pontefract.

- Ferruginous Duck ... Drake (Lifer)
General consensus on this one that has turned up at South Kirkby Marsh pond is that its a genuine one, its unringed and the wings are not clipped, as well as a few plumage features.
Took Mum with me and before long we were watching the Ferruginous Duck. Its a belting looking bird, Ive only ever seen the one at Helston Lake in Cornwall last year that turned out to be an escape.

- No sign of the Iberian Chiffchaff about 500yds down the lane.
- A nice bonus was a Cuckoo that was heard near the pond and then flew over the lane towards the heath.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

My first Swallow of the year over the Leeds-Liverpool canal
at Silsden yesterday.

Dave Ousey · Status: Offline

Snakes & Ladders. Sunday 24^th March 2019

With a full team aboard we headed up the A19 to visit a nice little village church that`s graveyard is full of wild Daffodils at this part of spring, very nice! A male Sparrowhawk showed really nicely whilst sat on top of a hedge, so along with Buzzards and Kestrels it made it a nice place to stop at.

Its that time of year again when our reptilian friends wake from there slumbers and we visit Skipwith Common, Yorkshire to see if we can glance either, Grass Snake or an Adder. With us all searching around the place for about 40 minutes, Chris managed to locate a Grass Snake. He picked it up and we all managed to marvel at the beauty of this not seen very often reptile. I then held the snake for a short while, whilst the lads took the various pictures of it. After carefully placing it on the ground the snake headed off into cover, a nice experience. It was a little smelly though! We did not manage to see or hear any Woodlark, that are usually around but it was a little windy. A singing Chiff-Chaff was nice to hear.

We headed towards Swillington and called in at Lemonroyd WTW but failed to locate any Water Pipits, after all its time for them to leave and head for their breeding grounds. At RSPB St Aidan`s we managed to meet up with Dave W and his pal from Huddersfield (I have an aunty in Huddersfield) who gave us some information as to what they had seen. Firstly, we managed to locate the Tundra Bean Goose that was happily walking around feeding with a few Pink Footed Geese, secondly about 12 Black Necked Grebe`s were now present on the reserve. We saw about 4 of them as they were slowly moulting into full breeding plumage. A Bittern was booming deep in the reed beds, but we didn`t manage to see any hirundines. Our final call was at the dragger to hopefully manage to find the Little Owl that resides there. After a little search our friends from the RSPB set up a telescope on a Little Owl that was sat just below the ladders at the side of the huge jib of the dragger. A good end to a nice days birding.

Dave O.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 17th Feb.

Mid to late after visit to Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

An adult Caspian Gull was reported again so I chanced it and connected with the Gull in question but wasnt really convinced if it was or not.
2 other birders were present and one said its a different Caspian to the one thats been turning up recently. I told him I wasnt entirely sure that it was a Caspian Gull at all, I said Ill try get an image of the wing and primary pattern and that I know a man who will know for definite if it is or not.
I noticed that there was no black at all on P5 and that had cast doubt on it being a Caspian, and sure enough after discussing with Ian, it isnt a Caspian Gull. Many thanks for your help with Gulls as always Ian.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Weds 6th Feb.

Working over in Leeds area again today and having Gull withdrawal symptoms!!!

- 21 Waxwings
Saw the report of these at Morrisons in Morley early week and realised this morning that its literally 2 minutes from a customer. Well that wouldve been rude not to stop and have a cheeky look.
I pulled up on the road and could see the Waxwings in a small tree near the petrol station, I was literally 10yds from the van and the birds flew down towards me and landed on the petrol station roof.

Obviously they were fuelling up.

Mike Chorley · Status: Offline

20/05/18

Started our Tour De West Yorkshire at Broomhill Reservoir where the male Red-necked Phalarope was showing nicely, initially with a pair of Black-headed Gulls for size comparison. The bird tended to stay out in the middle of the water, which apparently led to someone in the upper level of the hide playing a very loud recording of its' call. This did indeed bring the bird much closer in for about a nano second before it flew around calling and at one point showed signs of departing.

Luckily for people arriving after us it returned to the middle of the reservoir and went back to feeding.

Also:
Little and Great Crested Grebes, Mute Swan, Canada and Greylag Geese,
Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Lapwing,Coot, Moorhen, Woodpigeon,
Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Swallow.

Visits to Old Moor and St Aidan's (see separate threads) added Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Grebe and other goodies to our day list before our final visit to woods north of Lindley Wood Reservoir where the Iberian Chiffchaff was easily located and showed very well. The journeys to and from the site provided us with views of around 20 Red Kites, approximately a third of them around the entrance to Harwood House.

A good day out, with great weather and company, 64 species seen and 7 more heard.

Shannon Llewellyn · Status: Offline

Cuckoo calling and showing well at Broad Head Clough YWT, near Mytholmroyd today. Plenty of willow warbler and meadow pipit, and a singing skylark around here too. Curlew heard on the walk here from Mytholmroyd.

Also 2 grey wagtail, 2 dipper (collecting food) and a kingfisher on the Calder where it runs past Hebden Bridge railway station later on.

James Walsh · Status: Offline

1st April 2018

Holme Moss

Superb views of 8 Red Grouse in the area around the transmitting station
Golden Plover heard
2 Buzzard

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Friday, 27th October 11:45 - 16:30 hrs. Sunny and dry.

Gargrave to Skipton via Leeds/Liverpool Canal

Fieldfare x 20
Redwing x 1
Kingfisher x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Lapwing x 4
Teal x 2
Mistle Thrush x 1
House Sparrow x 1
Goldfinch x 1
Chaffinch x 1
Dunnock x 2
Twite (Juvenile) x 1
Pied Wagtail x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Rook x 35
Jackdaw x 30
Carrion Crow x 15
Long Tailed Tit x 5
Mute Swan x 40
Canada Geese x 10
Greylag Goose (Hybrid) x 1
Cormorant x 1
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 2
Wren x 1
Mallard x 20
Black-Headed Gull x 30
Collared Dove x 20
Woodpigeon x 5
Feral Pigeon x 3
Magpie x 3
Robin x 4
Blackbird x 5
Pheasant x 3
Starling x 30

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Walk along the canal bank at Silsden going east to the second swing bridge
Mute Swan 4
Mallard 24
Moorhen 2
House Sparrow 16
Tree Sparrow 3
Magpie 4
Carrion Crow 8
Jackdaw 22
Starling 1
Collared Dove 3
Black Headed Gull 4
Wood Pigeon 14
Feral Pigeon 11
Willow Tit /Marsh Tit very quick
sighting only seconds not enough
to make positive I D

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Went to the next reservoir up the valley yesterday,Swinsty.The weather was dull and damp
As with Fewston the pathways are very good and shaded by large trees.
Birds seen as follows:
Carrion Crow 16
Magpie 2
Great Crested Grebe 4
Black Headed Gull 8
Mallard 30
Swallow 6
Robin 2
Swift 4
Greylag Goose 35
Canada Goose 28
Red Legged Partridge 1
Arctic tern 2
House Martin 6
Blackbird 2
Grey Heron 1
Sand Martin 2

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

First visit to Fewston reservoir near Harrogate .Four mile round trip in hot, dry weather.
The path around the reservoir is very good with two short steep slopes It is shaded
all the way around by very large trees .
Birds seen as follows :
jackdaw 6
woodpigeon 6
black headed gull 2
carrion crow 18
feral pigeon 7
greylag goose 24
mallard 22
oystercatcher 10
blackbird 4
Canada goose 41
cormorant 4
swallow 5
chiffchaff, robin, blackcap all heard but impossible to see due to dense foliage.

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Forget to say previous post for Wednesday the seventeenth

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Walked along the River Wharfe from Bardon Bridge to the Strid (Bolton Abbey )
and return . birds seen as follows.
Carrion Crow 4
Magpie 4
Blackbird 9
Rook 4
Jackdaw 12
Starling 2
Collared Dove 1
Wood Pigeon 7
Common Buzzard 2
Blue Tit 3
White Wagtail 2
Mallard 20
Swift 9
House Martin 2
Oystercatcher 3
Pheasant 4
Pied Wagtail 3
Swallow 5
Redshank 2
House Sparrow 3
Herring Gull 1
Dipper 2
Pied Flycatcher 1
Robin 6
Mistle Thrush 1
Song Thrush 2
Common Sandpiper 2
Garden Warbler 1
Goldfinch 3
Willow Warbler 3
Wren 1
Greylag Goose (4m 4f and 14 goslings)
Kestrel 1
Jay 1S
Spotted Flycatcher 2
Great Tit 1
Blue Tit 2

sid ashton · Status: Offline

Roger Baker 3 wrote:
Tuesday 9th May (we're not in April anymore Roger).
.............................................................................................................

There's a lot of people who say I don't know what day of week it is ... never mind month !

Roger.

I agree with that Roger and often I can't remember where I didn't go yesterday wink

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 9th May (we're not in April anymore Roger).
.............................................................................................................

There's a lot of people who say I don't know what day of week it is ... never mind month !

Roger.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Tuesday 9th May (we're not in April anymore Roger).

Blackmoorfoot Reservoir.

- Stone Curlew 1
Showed really well in field up Potato Lane, arrived at 6.50pm and it was still present at 9pm when I left in fading light. Well worth a visit if still there today (not seen any reports though) and as Roger suggests it's a relatively easy journey, only 48 minutes from Dane Bank for me.

Also...
- Golden Plover 6
- Wheatear 2, 1 of which looked good for Greenland race Leucorhoa
It was a female that was marginally bigger than a male Northern that was present, long legs, dark ear coverts, very pale eye brow, a pale browny grey back and fairly extensive orangey buff to the breast area.
A first for me if it was that.

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 9th May.

Stone Curlew at Blackmoorfoot Meltham.

Showing well and active in a field at side of Potato Road.

Postcode HD9 5PS will get you to Will' O' Nats ...... Potato Rd is rough track directly opposite pub.

Bird is in pasture about 800 yds along on R/hand side of track ..... Keeping company with some Golden Plover.

Still present at 17.15 hrs when I left.

Took me 30 mins from Stalybridge.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Wednesday 10th of May 2017 04:45:51 PM

Roger Baker 3 · Status: Offline

Tuesday 2nd April.

Nolstar Fields. Cold Edge Road. Wainstalls nr Halifax.

With Ian Lyth.

3 Dotterel. M & F and what (looking at Collins) is a still winter plumaged bird ?? Possible non-breeder ??.
In the field at R/side of road heading from Hebden Bridge ...... middle of field, there is an area of rough dry grass with a black bag in it .... the birds hunker down in that out of the wind.

also

Golden Plover. 20+
Wheatear.

Viewable from roadside. For sat-nav postcode HX2 7UA is for Nolstar Kennels will get you there.
Took 1hr 10 mins from Stalybridge.

Roger.

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 06:41:49 PM

-- Edited by Roger Baker 3 on Tuesday 2nd of May 2017 06:44:07 PM

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

Just back from my daughters in Silsden near Skipton. Spent four days there.
Whilst there visited Chevin forest, Skipton Woods and Ilkley moor. Forty
different species seen. As follows.
Canada Goose
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Mallard
House Sparrow
Black Headed Gull
Magpie
Blue Tit
Blackbird
Robin
Chaffinch
Wood Pigeon
Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Tree Sparrow
Starling
Grey Wagtail
Feral Pigeon
Pheasant
Greylag Goose
Goosander
White Wagtail
Mandarin
Treecreeper
Oystercatcher
Dipper
Wren
Nuthatch
Common Buzzard
Blackcap
Mute Swan
Goldfinch
Cormorant
Skylark
Peregrine Falcon
Lapwing
Meadow Pipit
Red Kite
Long Tailed Tit
Kestrel

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 3rd of April 2017 01:15:38 PM

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Wednesday, 8th March 2017. 11:00 - 17:00 hrs.

Gargrave to Skipton via Leeds/Liverpool Canal

Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Fieldfare x 40
Curlew x 20
Oystercatcher x 100
Lapwing x 40
Goosander x 3 (2F and 1M)
Mistle Thrush x 2
Song Thrush x 1
Buzzard x 1
Kestrel x 1
Nuthatch x 1
House Sparrow x 20
Greenfinch x 1
Goldfinch x 5
Chaffinch x 2
Pied Wagtail x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Moorhen x 2
Rook x 40
Jackdaw x 25
Carrion Crow x 10
Long Tailed Tit x 3
Mute Swan x 30
Canada Geese x 45
Cormorant x 2
Blue Tit x 5
Great Tit x 7
Wren x 3
Mallard x 30
Black-Headed Gull x 100
Collared Dove x 3
Woodpigeon x 10
Feral Pigeon x 15
Magpie x 3
Robin x 3

Steve Judge · Status: Offline

Sunday, 30th October 2016. 10:30 - 15:30 hrs.

Bolton Abbey car park - across moorland to south of River Wharfe - Middle Hare Head - High Hare Head - Barden Bridge - south along River Wharfe - The Strid - return via Bolton Abbey

Hen Harrier x 2 (1 female adult and other possible juvenile)
Red Kite x 1
Mandarin Ducks x 55 (30 male and 25 female counted - population has certainly increased since last visit 2 years ago!)
Red Grouse x 20
Dipper x 3
Goosander x 1
Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1
Meadow Pipit x 1
Lapwing x 120
Rook x 15
Pied Wagtail x 1
Fieldfare x 1
Nuthatch x 1
Goldfinch x 3
Robin x 5
Blackbird x 4
Blue Tit x 3
Great Tit x 1
Chaffinch x 4
Wren x 1
Dunnock x 3
Carrion Crow x 30
Jackdaw x 40
Black-Headed Gull x 25
Mallard x 70
Pheasant x 4

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

28 Pink Footed Geese over my daughters house in Silsden travelling SE

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

back at my daughters dog watching .A walk along the river Wharfe from BardonBridge to the Strid (Bolton Abbey)
willow warbler 3
sand martin 32
greylag goose 10
grey wagtail 6
mallard 36
goosander (f) 2
wood pigeon 11
goldfinch 27
lesser black backed gull 1
moorhen 3
carrion crow 12
white wagtail 3
common buzzard 3
jackdaw 20
dipper 3
black headed gull 6
pied wagtail 5

bernard hooley · Status: Offline

a walk along the river Wharfe from Bardon Bridge to Bolton Abbey in glorious sunshine
blackbird x 7
starling x5
wood pigeon x10
blue tit x4
black headed gull x16
chaffinch x4
magpie x4
greylag goose x14
mallard x32
common buzzard x 2
oystercatcher x1
kingfisher x 1
sand martin x19
swallow x8
house martin x 10
grey wagtail x 4
pied wagtail x 4
white wagtail
dipper x 3
grasshopper warbler x 1
pied flycatcher x 6
spotted flycatcher x3
jackdaw x 9
house sparrow x 10

David Walsh · Status: Offline

Thursday 26th May 2016, 9.00pm

Wetherby services, A1(M)

A quick stop en route home from the north-east, whilst wandering around with the dogs, I heard a Reed Bunting singing behind the main food block. To my surprise, there is a substantial sized pond with fairly extensive reed beds. Two Reed Bunting were singing, and a couple of Pied Wagtails flying around the main car park.

I don't often stop off here, but for those that do, a sit down watching the pond may be a better bet than some of the sights on offer on the main car park. The pond looked a reasonable bet for warblers too.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Early am to 1pm visit with Steve Burke and Simon Gough.

A cracking few hours with some 72 species seen both on the reserve and surrounds, and nice to meet Paul Coates from the Swillington Bird Group.

- no sign of the 'present all week' Glaucous Gull, I don't expect anything less now from this species which has learned quickly to detect my presence and totally disappear.
- Great Black-backed Gull 2 adult + 2 juv unknown age
- Grasshopper Warbler 1 showed well for scope views, no photo opps
- Sedge Warbler 3, more heard
- Reed Warbler 2, more heard
- Chiffchaff 2, more heard
- Willow Warbler 2, more heard
- Common Whitethroat 4
- Blackcap 4
- Meadow Pipit lots
- Skylark at least 3
- Pink-footed Goose 2
- Shelduck
- Gadwall
- Shoveler
- Teal
- Pochard
- Goldeneye 1m
- Tufted Duck
- Black-necked Grebe 8
- Little Grebe 4
- Great Crested Grebe
- Whimbrel 1 feeding near disused visitor centre
- Avocet 3
- Oystercatcher 4
- Lapwing
- Dunlin 2
- Redshank
- Common Sandpiper 2
- Little Egret 1
- Red Kite 1
- Common Buzzard 1
- Kestrel 3
- Hobby 1 through over 'the hillside' ... picked up speed and kept going through
- Stock Dove 2
- Jay 1
- Swift lots
- Sand Martin lots
- Swallow and House Martin more reduced numbers
- Long-tailed Tit 4
- House Sparrow 1
- Bullfinch 2
- Reed Bunting all over reserve
- Linnet 5

Always produces a good array of birds here, pity the target species didn't show, still debating a trip here again tomorrow!

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 1st of May 2016 09:24:31 PM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 1st of May 2016 09:30:34 PM

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

The Richard's Pipit was a brilliant bird, my first so I couldn't resist the twitch. It showed really well, which hasn't been the case for everyone going to see it. I couldn't honestly say I appreciated the size of hindclaw or the coverts though, from my viewpoint. Rob was a lot closer to the bird than me when we found it so from my distance I built the ID from the size, structure and jizz of the bird.

We met a local birder who was saying that Richard's can be confused with Blyth's Pipit, and the local guys wanted to be sure when this one was found as they had a Blyth's last winter not far away. This bird seemed very upright and had a long tail, so I couldn't see the confusion particularly. But it is easy when you are twitching something that somebody else has already found and identified!

God knows how I'd manage on my own...but I would like to think if one flew by in autumn migration I'd have a vague idea, I think a lot must get ID'ed in flight when they call. Probably harder if you just have views, especially from distance. We spoke to another guy who had been 3 times before he heard it call, whereas we heard it well, so that was handy, plus it was pretty close. This was my 250th UK lifer, a nice milestone.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A trip over to Swillington Ings again with Simon Gough ... lunchtime until dark

Quick stop at Pontefract Lane overlooking the landfill site near Swillington village.

Literally 100's of Gulls including...
-lots of the main 5 species and 1 large Gull of interest that closely resembled the young Ainsdale Caspian Gull, very distant though and constantly being put up by the site vehicles so we were unable to further the identification.

Swillington Ings. (Nice to bump into Ian Lyth)

- Richard's Pipit 1
Only had brief views (but essentially good enough ones with calling) in Cornwall 2015, so getting this one today was most welcome.
The bird showed very well near the new sluice area between the perimeter of the the flashes and the Caroline bridge, it stood tall on the ground, did a few flights, it even hovered for us and started calling. A long hind claw was very evident as were the pointy edged dark centres to the median coverts.

Other birds of note...
- Meadow Pipit 1 (was with the Richard's Pipit at one point)
- no sign of Water Pipits for us
- Skylark 2
- Pied Wagtail 2
- Rook 1
- Golden Plover 100-150
- Lapwing approx the same
- Curlew 5
- Oystercatcher 2
- Kestrel 1
- Sparrowhawk 1
- Common Buzzard 1
- Goldeneye
- Shoveler
- Tufted Duck
- Wigeon
- Teal
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Common Gull
- Plus usuals

Stopped in at Anglers CP for the Gull roost on way home.
- Caspian Gull 4th winter (On reaching the main hide a birder pointed out this Gull)
A Lifer for me (in near adult plumage) if indeed it was a Caspian
- Kumlien's Gull had just left and apparently had flown to Wintersett Res across the way
- Pochard few Drakes around
- Lapwings
- Oystercatcher 1
- Plus usuals

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Monday 11th of January 2016 01:13:44 AM

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

The Gull at Normanton that we saw has been confirmed as a Herring Gull, cheers Ian.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

A trip over to Swillington Ings today with Simon Gough
(A brief stop at Ingbirchworth fields en-route but no sign of the Greenland White-fronted Goose)

Swillington -
Looks as though it was badly affected by the floods as there's a tide line of rubbish surrounding the area, many paths still inaccessible and completely underwater, the rain soon started and didn't stop, we were drenched.
Of note...
- Bittern 1 dead one on main path near waters edge
- Grey Heron everywhere
- Great Crested Grebe 1
- Golden Plover 2 flocks of approx 100
- Lapwing lots
- Wigeon
- Teal
- Shoveler
- Gadwall
- Tufted Duck
- Great Black-backed Gull 1
- Meadow Pipit 1 over
- Pied Wagtail 4
- Reed Bunting 2
- Skylark few over
- Stonechat 2
- Common Buzzard 3 together
- Kestrel 1
- flock of birds seen feeding on floor near car park on Fleet Lane entrance consisting of roughly...
- Bullfinch 10+ (at least 5 males, more females)
- Reed Bunting 8
- Chaffinch
- Greenfinch
- Robin
- Great Tit

Normanton.
Adult Caspian Gull was reported in a field near Loscoe Lake and we think we located it after a walk through mud and pools down the footpath opposite the West Yorksire Police headquarters (American Wigeon location last year).
The Gull in question stood out with a massive bill and the sloping forehead in comparison to the Herring Gull next to it. Simon had the Bible with him and we checked one of my photos with the book, as yet we are not fully convinced.
1 Common Gull was with them, and the rest of the 20 or so birds were Black-headed Gulls.
Lots of other Gulls were located in another field but we couldn't get close to scan them and the rain was still pouring.

Silkstone Waterworks.
Firecrest was reported today so being in the area we drove down to take a look, we heard it alright but with fading light and drenching rain still, we just couldn't see it.
Lots of other small birds in the immediate area including...
- Treecreeper 1
- Long Tailed Tits approx 15-20
- Coal Tit 2
- Great Tit 1
- Robin 2
- Wren 1

A poor day weather wise, but we made the most of it and saw some good birds.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Sunday 3rd of January 2016 06:14:21 PM

C Brown · Status: Offline

Black redstart showing very well at Green Withins Reservoir at about 12:45 this aft'. Also, a wheatear by the drain (these seem really thin on the ground to me) and a few meadow pipits.

Regards, Chris

-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 5th of September 2015 06:54:12 PM

Mark Rigby · Status: Offline

Green Withins Reservoir (Just over the border into deepest West Yorkshire)

Black Redstart showed well at 1445 on walls near the overflow.
2 Wheatear
Common Sandpiper
Heron
2 Mallard

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Swillington Ings.

Late afternoon visit with Simon Gough, driving through torrential rain on the M1. The heavy downpour continued whilst sat in the car park and it didn't look good, but there was a break in the clouds and we seized the chance to go and try for the Night Heron.

Apparently it hadn't been seen since around 1pm but we gave it a go and headed off to find the pipe bridge where it has been favouring the nearby trees. We took the woodland trail and despite no sign of the mentioned bridge, we found an opening with a muddy bank down to the river, but we didn't have to go down it and risk slipping as Simon said "Look, it's there!"

- 1 adult (Black-crowned) Night Heron - a Lifer for me.

Excellent view from the footpath, it was just resting in the middle of the river on a small island. It kept leaning forward and eventually stabbed at something but didn't see if it caught anything. We walked back 10 yards or so and found a gap in the branches, not an opening to get through, which enabled me to get a good side on view for some excellent record shots.
The bird was very jumpy and a couple of times something near the bank snapped a twig in the lower part of the trees and it almost jumped out of its skin. Eventually it did get un-nerved by something there and it flew off downriver.

Other birds of note...
- juvenile Goldfinches in a bush making a burbling sound
- 2 Linnet
- 1 female Bullfinch and more heard along the path
- 1 Jay

John Rayner · Status: Offline

Having spent over an hour fruitlessly scouring the fields around Stones Road, Todmorden, I discovered RBA had mis-informed me. Stones Lane was the correct place - at the junction of Parkin Lane.

Here were a nice trip of 7 Dotterel.

Cheers John.

-- Edited by John Rayner on Tuesday 28th of April 2015 11:14:11 PM

Simon Gough · Status: Offline

An epic post covering a very enjoyable day. Thanks as usual to Rob for the driving. Swillington Ings was great, we should acknowledge the very friendly local birders we met who shared lots of local knowledge; we'd have spent a fair while longer trying to cover the site without having had the pointers we received.

On the point of the second Iceland Gull, which Rob brilliantly spotted while we were looking around Woodlesford Lock, to me this bird was the doppelganger of a couple of 2nd Winter birds in the Birding Forum photo gallery; the Pete Berry shot from Heaton Park 18/03/15 and the Ian McKerchar shot from Richmond Bank 14/03/15. Ours had a grey mantle which showed in the same way as the photos when the bird was on the ground and stood out clearly when it was flying. It was otherwise almost completely white or very pale, presumably faded after the winter. So for me that is what it was. The lads got photos which should allow it to be checked out by the expert gullers. Definitely not a Glaucous Gull, which Rob and I are still desperate to see, but a cracking bird nonetheless. I thought it looked like the same one when we went back to Swillington Ings, but who knows.

Rob Creek · Status: Offline

Sunday 29th March 2015

Another quality day in the company of Simon Gough and Steve Burke produced another Wildfowl bonanza and Gull fest with a whole host of species providing a top quality supporting cast.
73 species seen on the day, including 1 Lifer for me, 6 heard only, and 2 that I missed, so day totals could vary slightly.

Firstly to Normanton.
American Wigeon (Drake) - a Lifer for me. We picked this bird up within minutes of parking up. It was literally on a small lake by a field, at the side of the road, near an industrial estate and a massive Police Station.
He had 2 female Wigeon keeping him company on the lake.
Other birds of note...
Tufted Duck
10+ Greylag Geese
2 Grey Partridge - flushed from side of path
Few Skylark
3 Meadow Pipit
Few Long Tailed Tits
1 Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Yellowhammer reported by another birder - we could hear it faintly in the distance

Swillington Ings.
If you've never been to this place then you need to. Well worth a visit, it's a wide open wetlands area with very little obscuring vegetation. Reedbeds, marsh, lakes, spits, islands, and with access paths enabling good views.
Mute Swan
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Pink-footed Goose - 1 single then small group over
Mallard
Wigeon
Pochard - plenty around
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Gadwall - lots feeding in fields and on water
Teal
Shoveler - most I've ever seen
Shelduck
Goosander - I missed 2 flying over whilst looking for Glaucous Gull
Great Crested Grebe - 4 or 5, 2 close up flyovers
Little Grebe - 2
Black-necked Grebe - 2 splendid adults in breeding plumage
Cormorant
Bittern - heard only, constant booming all afternoon
Grey Heron
Red Kite - 1 drifting over edge of reserve (we weren't far from Harewood House)
Sparrowhawk - 2
Buzzard - probably 5
Kestrel - 2
Water Rail - heard only
Green Woodpecker - 1 flew up off the ground infront of us and into the scrub at the riverside
Golden Plover - at least 700 total in 3 quick succession groups
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Dunlin - 1
Redshank
Common Snipe
Black-headed Gull - everywhere
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull - only 1 or 2 adults around (possibly more juv)
Juvenile Iceland Gull - well picked out Simon
Possible Yellow-legged Gull candidate (unconfirmed as yet, not counted in total)
Sand Martin - approx 25 through in total
Water Pipit - 1, I missed this one!
Pied Wagtail
Song Thrush - 1 on kerb at side of the lane down to reserve
Plenty of Robin
Jay - 2 feeding with Gadwall and Canada Geese
Goldfinch - I had 1 singing on traffic lights near reserve
Bullfinch - 3, 1 pair together calling, another female flew in
Linnet - 1
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting - lots of them
Starling - a few groups around totalling a few 100
Chiffchaff - 1 seen, 2 more heard
Cetti's Warbler - heard only on way back to hide
Lots of usuals around

Quick visit to Woodlesford
No sign of reported Garganey but I did locate a huge Iceland Gull in a field opposite the supposed Garganey location. It flew off and landed in another field nearby which we located again for better views. Seemed to be near adult but just not as clean looking.
Curlew - 5
Chiffchaff - 1 up close
Mistle Thrush - 2
Pheasant (white) - 1 in field near Iceland Gull
Tree Sparrow - heard only in tree near car park
Great Spotted Woodpecker - heard only, same location

Quick stop back at Swillington Ings
Steve picked up another Iceland Gull in the field on far side. Was it the a ame one as earlier...who knows??? I made it 1 a piece!
No sign of Glaucous Gull in any roosting groups after extensive searching.

Fantastic day mainly on a new reserve for me that's gone on the 'must go again' list.

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 31st of March 2015 01:13:42 AM

-- Edited by Rob Creek on Tuesday 31st of March 2015 01:16:42 AM