A pair of pintails(m+f) on the duck pond in Silsden this afternoon.

A walk along the river Wharfe from Barden Bridge to Bolton Abbey
and return.
Starling x4
House Sparrow x4
Coal Tit x1
Carrion Crowx7
Sand Martin x20
House Martin x4
Mallard x50+
Woodpigeon x5
Oystercatcher x8
Swallow x5
Greylag Goose x6
Moorhen x6
Spotted Flycatcher x1
Goosander x2
Dipper x1
Great Black Backed Gull x1
Blackbird x1
Common Buzzard x4
Grey Partridge x1

Over the last 2 months a pair of Woodpigeons have tried unsuccessfully to rear a chicken.They have built a nest on a beam of our pergola. The first one they built consisted of about 8 twigs and the egg rolled off and smashed on the floor.They then made the nest a lot more substantial and she laid again. Unfortunately we awoke to find the egg on the floor once more. This time though it appears that the chick was attempting to break out.

A walk from Addingham to Ilkley along the banks of the river Wharfe.
Birds seen.
Jackdaw x35
Woodpigeon x21
Blue Tit c4
Blackbird x16
Starling x4
House Sparrow x20
Rook x2
Goosander x 1(m)
Mallard x15
Mandarin c2(m)
Magpie x4
Robin x4
Great Tit x 2
Sand Martin x23
House Martin x3
Mistle Thrush x1
Red Kite x1
Lesser Black Backed Gull x1
Oystercatcher x 2
Herring Gull x1
Dipper x1
Greenfinch x1

Weds 12th April.

Had an appointment cancelled at last minute .. gave me an opportunity to nip up to Ossett for these B-C Night Herons. Left at 11.00 hrs.
From home I had the obvious option of M62 or M1 but decided on an extra 10 min more scenic route via Holmfirth ... when I left Stalybridge it just started to rain ... just before I hit the county border at Kirklees on the Isle of Skye road (A635) it really had a blow on and had started to snow !! "Dear Me" I thought .... or words to that effect !!
Got there in good time and began to limber up ... ready for the assault on the bowser that Mr Ousey mentioned ..... me being built more for comfort than speed and the realisation that I've had too many birthdays didn't make for good viewing !
Both birds were present but were huddled up in deep cover in the hawthorns at the back of the willows and took a bit of picking out .... fortunately at 14.30 one flew down onto the bank and proceeded to do a bit of hunting/fishing.
Around a dozen other birders present .... some had left disappointed before the bird flew down but others were just arriving as I left at 15.15 hrs.
Also had a female Sparrowhawk being chased by the male as I walked back to car-park.

Roger.

Good day for a Night Heron. Sunday 9^th April 2023

    When two adult Night Herons were found on the 6^th of April by the River Calder, Ossett, Yorkshire it meant a trip to see these overshooting migrants was planned. I have not seen one in this country for about 25 years, so an early start leaving Kevin C`s house at 7am along with Craig B was arranged. At around 7-30am the news was good that the birds were still present, a nice drive through Mirfield and Dewsbury followed until we reached the River Calder, near Healey Mills Ind.Est. The sign brought back a few memories about my train spotting days, visiting one of the largest freight yards in Great Britain, mainly supplying all the coal trains from the Yorkshire pits to the power stations, its abandoned and nature has reclaimed it. We parked up and walked over the River Calder via a footbridge, we followed the river west until we reached a large metal bowser (placed there to stop quads, motorbikes etc) the climb over this obstacle was good fun! In the distance we could see 20 + birders, but as we arrived one of the Night Herons, that are smartly attired birds, was feeding on the edge of the river, result! The other bird had nipped off for a sleep I was told! Also seen here: - Kingfisher, Swallow, Grey Wagtail, Sand Martin, real tales of the riverbank stuff. I nice catch up with the Rochdale birding crew also. As it was cold and a little misty we decided to move along, by now the Night Heron had clambered up the bank into a tree for a well-earned rest.

   News of a juvenile Great Northern Diver at Skelton Lake (near the services of the same name) had us going to see it, if we could. After a walk all the way around the lake, it was apparent that the bird had flown, prior to our arrival. Other birds there: -Little Ringed Plover, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, House Martin, Sand Martin and various ducks, a new place to visit and quite nice.

   We headed back to RSPB St Aidans/ Swillington and managed to see the sleeping Little Owl sat in a bush behind the Dragging Machine that used to drag coal from the ground at open cast mines. Much the same as last weeks visit with a few Black-necked Grebe`s showing a little better, the weather had really turned good with the sun trying to show itself. An early start meant an early finish as we headed home by 4pm.

Dave O.

   

A morning trip over to Ossett to see the 2 Black-crowned Night Herons on the R.Calder. When I arrived just one bird was present which was fast asleep for most of the time in a tree on the opposite side of the river but showing clearly. There was no sign of the second bird and eventually I decided to leave as the bird in tree seemed settled for a long sleep. Just as I was about to walk off the second bird flew in and landed on the opposite bank and started fishing giving fantastic views as it crept down a branch to the waters edge. It caught a couple of small fish and gave a stunning display. Both birds still present when I left. Stunning looking birds. UK lifer.

Also:
1 Kingfisher
1 Goosander - male
2 Grey Wagtail
1 Blackcap and lots of Chiffchaff singing
Numerous Sand Martins over
A flock of about 80 Fieldfare over heading east


-- Edited by Steven Nelson on Sunday 9th of April 2023 02:03:08 PM

Marsden Moor. Sadly after their return post moorland fires a dead Short Eared Owl on Saddleworth Rd. Presumably road kill. 

Sarfraz Hayat wrote:

---

 

 

Hi Doc,

 

A cut and paste from their twitter feed.  

Ref No 9238 Accepted-Brown Shrike 1ct-20 Johnny Brown's Common, South Kirkby, Yorks

---

 cheers, don't do Twitter so grateful for that

Doc Brewster wrote:

---

.......and I agreed with those on site that a bright end of the spectrum Brown Shike was a wee bit more 'best-fit' for this individual than Turkestan.

---

 Glad my gut feelings were correct Thanks for that info Sarfraz, I missed that announcement

That Shrike (again)

John Rayner went to see the bird latterly and very kindly sent to me two photos which are very convincing (in Johns view as well as mine) for this to be a Brown Shrike, - (likely an adult, in view of lack of scaling on the underparts, strength and sharpness of the mask, and head pattern); - overall a really smart bird.

Structurally, the primary projection (wing point) only seems to reach the upper tail coverts, the tail appears long, and in flight it clearly shows the short outer feather and fairly even graduation of five feathers on the tails left side.

Plumage wise, any of the Isabelline group should show an obvious white patch at the base of the primaries, lacking on this otherwise well marked beast. Johns photos cover the basic diagnostic features to underpin the identification.

When, (and IF!) I ever get back to Thailand, I shall particularly study both Taiga Flycatchers and Brown Shrikes with extra critical scrutiny and also spend time working on aging them in the field, for both these species are to be seen on the farm fields/garden areas daily through the winter months.

I am not a photographer but what I have learned from the various photos posted here and online is how easily shades of brown/grey and degrees of pallor on the same individual bird can vary so much according to light and exposure variables.

Sooner or later might one turn up in Manchester...........?

Regards,

Mike P.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes Rob, doesnt surprise me that it has departed. A friend of mine told me that on Thursday, whilst everyone was well away from the bird, a group of three photographers insisted on approaching to within ten yards of it. As such, the shrike was being flushed along the hedge line and, in short, being disturbed. I actually spoke to the farmer on Monday and he seemed an amiable sort, asking what the bird was. Seems like his patience (and that of the shrike) got pushed to the limit.

Interesting thoughts on the Shrike. There is a very good set of photos on Twitter by @andysbutler showing short T6, primary projection and lack of primary patch, all pointers for Brown, rather than Red-tailed. From photos that I have seen, the tail doesnt appear rufous enough for Red-tailed although that could be due to the light/exposure. Anyway, there have been no sightings today, so the bird may well have departed now and we may never know for certain.

Hi Mike, it did show shorter outer tail feathers I can 100% confirm that - well spotted! Although the whole tail did show evidence of abrasion. The two photos were taken one in direct sunshine, the other with cloud cover and I purposely chose those 2 to show how the lighting changed the birds appearance!! There was a small sway towards Brown Shrike on site, the very long tailed appearance added to that thought. I think more folk would prefer Turkestan but I've seen Brown, Turkestan and Daurian (all accepted birds) so can maybe be more unbiased and I agreed with those on site that a bright end of the spectrum Brown Shike was a wee bit more 'best-fit' for this individual than Turkestan. But .........

With a few days in work behind me and a sunny day, possibly the last for a while, I fancied a trip out. Should I drive over 4hrs through the night for the Rufous Bush Chat in Norfolk or go somewhere closer. The later choice won and with a single sighting only coming out of Norfolk (genuine or wishful thinking??!) I am happy that I chose correctly.

I headed over to South Kirkby, a place I had previously visited to see an Iberian Chiffchaff, and parked down the end of Carr Lane as I had done before. A very muddy, quite long trek then ensued (do wear wellies if you go!) and initial signs weren't great. The bird had gone missing for an hour, but then as I neared its favoured fields a returning birder said it was showing well and directed me to a viewing point away from the main crowd but halving the distance between the observers and the bird. Thanks to that birder if he's reading this!! I joined just 6 birders in the potato field, well sapaced, socially distanced and the bird was in a hawthorn right in front of us. The putative Brown Shrike OR Turkestan Shrike was showing very well but not visible to the big gathering of at least 30-40 birders on the track over a wide, water-filled ditch from where we were! We then watched an photographed it for the next hour and a half feeding actively and moving between our field and the next one down. Most of my companions where I was were photographers with long lenses but all kept their distance from the bird, great behaviour. In the end just 3 of us were there as the shrike settled down to digest all it's food intake and for the next 45mins it never moved. The last 3 of us then decided that that was our cue to leave too.

Like Mark says the jury is out, lots of knowledgable birders have seen it and I chatted to the observers today. The bird looked very different in different lights and an argument could be made for both Brown Shrike and Turkestan Shrike, the latter being much rarer with, I think, 7 accepted British records. Even photos can't be used to determine ID as the camera often adjusts lighting and contrast in 'Auto' to get the best colour balance. I did mention on site several times that the tail looked extraordinarily long and that's even with the obvious abrasion to the feather tips that you could see, this is a pro-Brown Shrike feature but...... Also someone has mentioned elsewhere the possibility of DNA analysis so watch this space.....

A couple of distant digiscoped shots attached.

-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 21st of October 2020 09:44:32 AM

In the end I had to give in - I've seen many Hoopoes in Europe, but never in the UK, so I ended the torment yesterday with a trip to Leeds.

On arrival at Linton cricket ground I was told that the bird had left 10 minutes ago! The usual stress of will/when will it come back was lessened by the two Red Kites overhead.

After only another 10 minutes I saw the Hoopoe fly across the cricket ground and into the tree in front of me. It then dropped to the ground 5 metres away.

For the next 90 minutes it put on a superb show for the semi-circle of 30-or-so birders. Usually 5 -6 metres away, but occasionally coming as close as 1 metre. Completely unperturbed by the audience as it poked and probed the outfield.

Events were only terminated by a heavy shower causing the birders including myself to leave, but the bird was still there.

Well worth the trip over the hills!

Dipped on the Hartlepool Masked Shrike today so, as some consolation, I called in again on the Collingham Eurasian Hoopoe. The light was more favourable and the bird was showing on the cricket field, giving a much more attractive background for photographs. It fed happily for a good half hour whilst I was there before suddenly flying off and up onto one of the house roofs on Millbeck Green. As confiding as ever.

It would have been rude not to divert to Collingham yesterday, en route to Spurn, so I did. Arriving at 7.50, it was still very quiet and a couple of drive rounds didnt produce the bird; there was just one other birder doing the same. Like Doc, I then parked up at the end of Millbeck Green and decided to walk round this nice, little housing development but, to no avail. After half an hour or so, without luck, I left. However, after a couple of miles, something made be turn round and I decided to have another go. Thankfully, the bird was showing on my rearrival! At the end of a driveway by the pavement edge. Very confiding, unconcerned by the half a dozen birders on the opposite side of the small road. I had visited the cricket ground earlier and that would have made for nicer photos but, hey ho! I have probably seen a couple of hundred Hoopoes in Europe over the years but never one as confiding as this.Bridge camera photos attached.

Went for the Franklin's Gull this morning. Arrived at 10,30am. This was one of the more challenging twitches of the year (just how they should be !) With us basically walking miles through farmers fields only to get very distant scope views of it, for it then to immediately just fly off back in the direction you just came from.Spent most of the time trying to spot it mixed in with 300 plus, circling black-headed gulls over random fields. Managed these photos on a sudden 10 second fly by when it caught me and a few other birders by surprise. An excellent life tic none the less.

Sunday 13th Sept

Early morning visit to Redcar Tarn after taking a chance that the Franklins Gull would show.
Nice to see Leeds birder Darren Ward and his pal.

- Franklins Gull (Lifer)
The Black-headed Gulls were building up slowly but no sign of the Franklins, another Saturday night bunk I thought. Just about to leave at 8am as I had to be back in Manchester when another small group of Black-headeds were closing in and Bingo! The Franklins Gull was with them, stood out a mile.
I called it out and soon the few birders present were watching it loafing on the Tarn. Within a minute it disappeared but it hadnt flown far, over the road into the field.
We watched it for a few minutes but it became mobile again and flew off, lost to view. I said my goodbyes and set off for home.

I soon stopped at a group of Gulls in a field along Tarn Lane where I picked it up again and signalled to the others. This time it was a bit more distant and was moving from field to field, some nice flight views but viewing it on the ground was difficult and it disappeared over the brow of a sloping-away hill.
That was my cue to leave, well worth the 1 hour journey. Easy viewing if the bird you are going to see remains on the Tarn.

I stopped to watch a hunting Barn Owl on the journey over too!

Been to my daughters in Silsden ,walked the River Wharfe from
Addingham to Ilkley. 29 species seen. As follows:
Goldfinch x 7
House Sparrow x 9
Feral Pigeon x 7
Blackbird x 3
Collared Dove x 2
Starling x 5
Swift x 11
Magpie x 6
Black Headed Gull x 25
Jackdaw x 5
Wood Pigeon x 8
Carrion Crow x 10
Mediterranean Gull x 2
Wren x 1
Treecreeper x 1
Swallow x 8
Common Sandpiper x 1
Mallard x 12
Sand Martin x 4
Dipper x 2
Oystercatcher x 5
Grey heron x 2
Herring Gull x 2
Lesser Black Backed Gull x 4
White Wagtail x 1
Kingfisher x 1
Grey Wagtail x 1
House martin x 1
Robin x 3

Tuesday 28th April

Same location as below.

- 1 Dipper calling and flew straight through
- 2 Grey Wagtail
- 1 Grey Heron
- singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap in the bordering woods

REDCAR TARN

For years I've been itching for my first ever Caspian gull, but the nearest I've ever been was last year at Pennington flash but unfortunately I chose a day it decided not to turn up!

This brings me to today, as I had a choice: Old moor or Redcar tarn. I wanted the best chance for the best view so I chose Redcar as I didn't want a distant view.

When I arrived in the rain, then snow, the first scan instantly gave great views of the Iceland gull. 15 mins later, the snow stopped (there was a sudden change from mild to biting cold), so I organised myself to have a proper look around and to look for my Caspian. I kept saying: "is it that gull? That one looks simular? But when scanning the field, it was almost like someone shone a spotlight on it and I said: "yessss!"

A local said it would be nice to have a Mediterranean gull. Little did he know that later on after he had left, one did turn up but very briefly.

The Iceland and Caspian gull both vanished after 9:45 after they were spooked by a truck.

After a tip off, I found a Brambling with a few Chaffinch.

Other highlights include:

Oystercatcher
Common gulls
Herring gulls
Lesser black backed gulls
Rooks close
Tufted ducks
Pied wagtail

And I couldn't resist trying for the waxwings at crossflats station, but I only found one and that was shiloetted. At least I saw one!

But what a fantastic day! Anyway, time to get home before the big storm hits!!!

Ta!

Tuesday 21st January.

Anglers Country Park near Wakefield.

Good views of both the
Ring-necked Duck .... adult drake.
Black-necked Grebe.

There had been a female Ferruginous Duck present yesterday .. not seen today but may still be there, possibly hidden amongst the Pochard flock ??

Plenty of activity at the feeding station including Tree Sparrows, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers.

Wintersett Reservoir.

Female Long-tailed Duck.

Roger.