Still plenty to go at

Don't know about you but for me it's the time of year when motivation levels can wane, especially on a day of horrendous weather like yesterday. A few birders I've spoken to recently are already turning their thoughts to next year! Talk of January bird races and all that.

Having moved to the coast just before Christmas last year I must admit it's taken a bit of adjusting to the new patch.

Before the move from 2003 I basically went down the hides at NDC and watched! Loved the view (still do). In the late eighties and nineties I used to travel more in the York area and spent a lot of time at Wheldrake Ings.

So, for example, below is a list of birds not seen this year in the (new) Spurn area. Some glaring omissions admittedly (I plead circumstances)...but like I said...plenty STILL to go at/hope for...THIS YEAR!!!


Bewick's Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii)

Bean Goose (Anser fabalis)

White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis)

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima)

Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

Smew (Mergellus albellus)

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)

Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica)

Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps auritus)

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

Little Auk (Alle alle)

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco)

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Shore Lark (Eremophila alpestris)

Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus [spinoletta])

Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus)

Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)

Redpoll (Carduelis flammea cabaret)

Mealy Redpoll (Carduelis flammea flammea)

Arctic Redpoll (Carduelis hornemanni)

Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus)

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

Corn Bunting (Miliaria calandra)


Had a drive to a few spots along the Humber this afternoon. Not much to report but I came across this puzzled looking young Mute Swan which had probably mistaken the road for a water channel!

Managed a decent shot of a Curlew just taking flight in very poor light...



Forecast excellent for tomorrow...