I contacted Haydn recently asking him if he fancied another trip up into the Moors. He was up for it so yesterday I rose at stupid o'clock (4.45), took Bud a good walk (when I could rouse him) and left the Cottage at 5.30.
Traffic was predictably light, barring passing the early shift heading to Easington Gas Terminal! I made my way through Hull and headed up the A164 towards Beverley...and breakfast at McDonalds (my day out treat). Everything in moderation! Unfortunately the posh people of Beverley mustn't need it at 6, as it didn't open till 7!
That put me back 20 minutes but I still made it to Pickering for 8 and Haydn arrived shortly after despite a closure on the A64. He hopped in and we headed North for "The Moors". I had a couple of Sites (courtesy of eBird) planned to try for our main target, namely Whinchat. It took us around 25 minutes to reach the Site, a lovely small Valley with a stream.
We set our stall out in the small car park and watched from there for the length of our visit (2hrs). After only 10 minutes..."we" heard (OK Haydn did) then saw one halfway up the hillside in a lone bush. I set my scope up but alas it flew off. Still, early success! Things went quiet for the next hour although Haydn heard another Bird low down by the stream but we couldn't locate it. We heard a Cuckoo and Haydn had a brief view of a Redpoll in fine plumage. A distant Raptor on the horizon was intriguing but again it disappeared as soon as I touched my scope. I was thinking Red Kite? A Pied Wagtail walked around the ford where we were hoping a Grey might be.
Then another sighting, this time closer but still the Bird was understandably elusive. After a couple of glimpses Haydn managed a "record shot"...
It was great to see this Species in breeding habitat. We also had a brilliant flight view.
We looped round and ended up at our second Site further East. It was now approaching midday and it was quiet. Still, we'd succeeded in our quest and had a wonderful morning in brilliant scenery and fantastic weather. The company was pretty good also. He leaves for San Francisco on Monday and will be visiting Yosemite N.P and surrounds. This brings back great memories for me of times gone by. I was fortunate enough to visit this magnificent Park three times in 1999, 2002 and 2006. Any excuse to show my fading pics of my "ultimate Birding moment"...
Finding a Great Grey Owl in Wawona Meadow one afternoon (9/8/06) was truly MAGICAL!!! I hope Haydn has the same good fortune.
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