Recently

Putting my Castle Howard Twitch to one side I made  a couple of visits to NDC. Last Wednesday I had a couple of hours with Haydn before he left for 10 days in Morocco. Just after he departed this pair showed up. This is my first sighting of 2 Great White Egrets...anywhere! On my Patch made it even more special!

One Bird made its way down the River to give much better views...

The lingering Water Rail finally showed up long enough for a pic...

Yesterday Louise had a Dental Appointment in York so I pinched a lift and had an afternoon "sesh"...

Cold but clear and little wind, it was good to be out in the fresh air. Water has finally made it onto the Carrs through the ditches and the River can now be seen. There's plenty on Bubwith Ings also. After around an hour I caught sight of an GWE flying up River from Bubwith...

It landed on the far Bank...

After a short while it continued North.

The seemingly resident pale Buzzard appeared and showed well in the afternoon sunshine...

It hunted the area for a good while as the sun dropped...

It was still present at Dusk...

I also had a brief view of a Peregrine, my first since the Spring. Ala no Owls unfortunately but a very enjoyable afternoon.

The forecast for today wasn't great and it turned out to be accurate. However I managed to get out for an hour before the rain arrived. Yesterday there were large numbers of Fieldfare on Snakey. Of course this morning I couldn't find any! I decided to have a run down the Southern end, as I was passing Rysome Rd I decided on a whim to check the bushes around the Bunker. Glad I did, as there were c200 Birds feasting on the berries...

Fresh in from Scandinavia, I never tire of seeing them arrive...

The rain came and I went for a trim. Love a Thrush. The day was a wash out so it was back to Oman planning...

York Area RTD - 243

There's nothing like a potential Tick to get the old boy fired up!

9.04 N.Yorks Red-throated Diver Castle Howard at Great Lake

I've been Birding the York Area...on and off...since I moved to Wilberfoss in 1987. I didn't consciously keep a List as I didn't know such things existed back then! As I accumulated Species over the Years I started to "add things up". My Yorkshire List being another late starter.

So, here we are in 2025...and I'm still counting/chasing!

Obviously aware of Sunday traffic I made my way steadily through Hull (no problem) and towards the dreaded A64.It didn't disappoint but thankfully most of the traffic was York bound enabling me to reach the Great Lake smoothly around 11.30. I asked a staff member if it was OK to park in the Caravan Site which thankfully it was and I made my way the short distance to the the Lakeside path...

As you can see it was dull but still which was going to help. I made my way steadily down the path which was more overgrown than I remember it. There were a few Goosanders present which were nice to see as they don't come my way very often. More scanning but no Diver. The path bent to the left and the Lake was partially obscured by a couple of small clumps of reeds. As I passed them and looked further down the Lake I saw a probable candidate briefly before it disappeared beneath. It popped up some 30 seconds later...

This Site is prime for this Species being a large Lake with plenty of fish! Almost certainly brought down by the recent storm, (another Bird is at the nearby Southfield Reservoir) it was a long overdue addition. I saw a Great Northern here way back in November 1991. 

The Bird was fishing reasonably close to the path but by the time I made my way along it had retreated  to the centre of the Lake...

I decided to wait a while and it paid off when the Bird eventually came closer...

As I made my way back to my car it appeared again briefly giving me a final view...

I enjoy re-visiting these Sites as they bring back many memories from the past. Twitching Birds gives me an excuse to do so...

Easy Birding

I continued my enforced "home watch" this morning with a couple of Hours and thoroughly enjoyed it! I took up my vantage point in the back Bedroom and watched for a couple of hours through the double glazing. The male Blackcap continues to enjoy the Bramleys...

Decent at 20yds

...and was joined by a few Blackbirds. Eventually a couple of Redwing and Fieldfare turned up...

Further afield 6 Tree Sparrows fed in the Paddock...

My Pallas's never turned up BUT I wasn't disappointed as I wasn't expecting it! 

Grounded

Migration always continues into November, which thankfully extends the interest beyond the dreaded clock change. 

I had a session at Duff on Wednesday and was joined by Haydn. As we walked down the path to the Hide we saw a Treecreeper briefly which was a nice start. Only my second record this year. Still no sign of water on the Carrs but there's always something to see and the view has been improved with the recent management. I now have a clear view down to Garganey Hide. Bodes well for the Winter sessions.

The highlight of our 3.5 hour watch was the constant Westerly movement of Fieldfares. I always see good numbers at this time of Year but it's usually a temporarily "resident" flock of c100. We conservatively estimated c500 Birds.

I briefly picked up a distant "White Egret" that looked large but quickly disappeared into thick cover. I was pleased when Haygn picked it up over Bubwith Ings confirming it as a Great White...

...a Little Egret was also seen...

There were at least 3 Stonechats present which are always good value. Other notables were a lone Pink-footed Goose...

Raptors were represented by Marsh Harrier (2) and Red Kite. The two new channels through the reeds paid off when we eventually SAW a Water Rail. It showed on three occasions but was two quick for me to record.

The loyal Whooper Swan Herd (or at least part of it c70) was present distantly on Ellerton Ings...

Always a heartwarming sight to see these returning Birds.

It wasn't all Birds...

So, a good morning. Unfortunately the afternoon went "pear shaped" when I had er...a mechanical issue! I managed to get her to Hull and hopefully things can be sorted?

As a consequence I'm now "Birding from Home"...it's all the rage! I've put 5 hours in the last couple of days encouraged by an influx of the jewels that are Pallas's Warblers. I've never seen one in the Village in 14 Years despite my location being favourable. You've heard about my near misses but no connection...yet. I'll keep trying. My mate Phil had better luck at South Gare...

The Humber

Not one but two MALE Hen Harriers have been seen on the Humber recently. This and an amazingly mild day for the time of Year tempted me to "have a go" today. This morning I gave it an hour at Patrington Haven without success. Water levels were very low so general viewing was difficult but I like to think I would have spotted a HH.

After a coffee and a brief visit home I made my way back to the Humber and the superb Outstray Reserve. A good start as a SEO was flying around the car park. It eventually settled on a nearby post...

Wonderful Birds!

The tide was rising and the number of Birds was incredible!!! 

I was joined by Neil from Beverley and we shared a few stories while we viewed. The spectacle continued as the tide rose further. Huge numbers of Waders of many Species. Pintail, Black-tailed Godwits and Marsh Harriers were on view amongst the regular fayre. I had a panoramic view from Skeffling to Welwick. Alas no sign of any Hen Harriers of any description in 2.5 hours. However this was more than adequate compensation...

I left at Dusk (4.30) enjoying a balmy Novemeber sunset?

Ton Up!

Had a pleasant session at Duff on Wednesday morning with Haydn. Arrived around 9.30 and had 3 hours. Some maintenance work was taking place by the Staff and we had a chat with Ben and Craig. The viewing will be much improved for the Winter and hopefully some more work on the Scrape.

Still quiet due to the lack of water but there were Birds "about". The highlight came in the form of a single Goldcrest right in front of the Hide briefly, bringing up my 100 for the Year.

No sign of any Whooper Swans or Pink-footed Geese on this visit but a few Raptors showed up namely Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. No luck with Peregrine.

I intended to another visit on returning from Lancashire but time ran away and I headed back to the Coast to avoid the Friday afternoon madness. Instead I headed down to Welwick for an hour but it was VERY quiet. Admittedly I didn't venture up to the viewpoint BUT I've often seen Harriers and Owls form the track. I shall return...