NYM - 3

Haydn and I had our third sojourn of the year up onto the North Yorkshire Moors yesterday. This time we visited Blakey Ridge north of Kirbymoorside in search the pair of WHITE-TAILED EAGLES that have been in residence there for quite some time. I'd met him in York as I'd dropped the V70 off for some TLC. We arrived just after 10 and gave it a couple of hours before succumbing to the Lion Inn for lunch. Thoroughly recommended...

We returned to our vantage point around 1 and gave it till 3 when the forecast rain arrived. No matter it was great to get some fresh air in fabulous scenery. The excellent thick cut chips washed down with a pint of Landlords made me favour the afternoon session!

WTE

Breaking News on the Spurn WhatsApp this lunchtime...

12.16 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE North of Sammy's now

The trip down there was hampered by the current roadworks but I found a trusty vantage point and started scanning. Another message soon followed...

12.43 WHITE-TAILED EAGLE on the deck off Out Newton Lane, Skeffling

It didn't take long. I parked up, grabbed my gear and was soon looking at a rather large lump sat on a dung heap at c200 yards through my Scope...being inevitably mobbed by Corvids. A couple of hazy record shots...

More cars were arriving by the minute but there was thankfully plenty of room for all.

It did cross my mind that it may end up moving North through Holmpton but remarkably I already have 2 record, so I decided to see it first and react depending on which direction it left in? I gave it 30 minutes hoping it would get sick of the mobbing but it remained in situ as I left. I decided to park further North while still having a sight of the Bird. I waited and waited then...it wasn't there? I'd missed it taking off...well it's not that big and easy to miss!!!?

I did pick it up briefly at distance before I lost it.  Then...a phone call. It was John Hewitt (much appreciated) informing me he reckoned it was heading North towards Holmpton. I drove up to Cliff Farm and started scanning once more. I couldn't see it in a 20 minute watch so I headed home.

My two Village sightings were (click the date for details)...

2/11/2018 and 1/5/2021. Both were at close range, so missing this one was no big deal. My first was way back on 7/11/1999 at Burton Constable nr Hull. My first view of it flying through a "ride" between the trees is something I've never forgotton. With the current release program there will no doubt be more regular sightings of this magnificent Raptor.

Earlier in the Month I had a nice "mini-fall" on the 3rd with all Birds seen from lounge! Blackcap fem (still about), c6 Willow Warblers (all juveniles), 2 Chiiffchaffs, 2 Whitethroats, 4 Robins, 12 LT Tits, 4 Chaffinch and 6 Linnets.

Yesterday I had a pleasant 3.5 hours at Duff. Predictably quiet but very relaxing and poignant. The highlight was a Kettle of 8 Buzzards circling the Reserve.

 

Just under 5 weeks to Scilly...