A Grand Day Out

After a slow start I from home and a stop off to look at a flock of about 80 Waxwings feeding in a Catoniaster near Kirkbymoorside, I eventually arrived at Scarborough and was treated to some fine winter birding thanks to help from Ian Glaves an Nick Addy. First port of call was the harbour to look for the GN Diver that had taken to fishing there, I was not disappointed as the bird cruised right past Ian and myself allowing some half decent shots in good light.

Great Northern Diver

 Next place to visit was Holbeck car park to see if the Med Gulls were about and again thanks to Nick and  a loaf of bread there was soon four adults on show. Despite a heavy shower the sun eventually came out and I got a few shots, not as good as I would have liked but as the birds are now settled for the winter, I hope to do better later on.

Med Gull in flight

Med Gull

 As I was watching the Med gulls a gentleman who I had spoken to in the harbour ( I am ashamed to admit I recognise him but cannot remember his name) arrived and told me that there was a first year Glausous Gull on the beach just down from the outdoor pool in south bay. That been not too far from where I was parked Kes and me set of in the hope of seeing it. Sure enough exactly as directed the bird was showing well and even allowed close enough approach for a few record shots.

First winter Glaucous Gull

Also on show here was a nice selection of waders among the rocks, amazingly this Redshank allowed some pictures and the Purps were as usual very approachable and I am very pleased with the shots I got of them.
 

Redshank

Purple Sandpiper

The day was rounded off with a much appreciated cup of coffee and some lunch provided by Penny and Ian which was enjoyed whilst watching the fine selection of sparrows, buntings and finches in their garden.

Thanks to all for a Grand Day Out.

Global Warming my Arse

With temperatures dropping as low as minus 19 just up the road at Leeming and about 8" of snow on the ground it felt more like central Siberia than North Yorkshire.

Boroughbridge Road

Reflections

Dont forget to keep feeding the birds and remember that water is just as important as most natural sources are frozen.

Pictures at Last



Why is it called Waxwing mummy ??





After much looking and searching with a few flyovers to show for my efforts, I finally managed to catch up with a nice flock of Waxwings. I dashed home for the camera and the trilling was coming from the top of a tree next to the road where 19 birds were settled, these soon flew towards the sports centre and joined the feeding frenzy in a White Rowan which was right next to the centre door. Setting up right next to the tree and despite the apauling light I managed to get a few quite reasonable shots. In all 52 birds were present and very much appreciated by the small crowd I attracted.

A Grey Day

With a thick damp mist hanging over Ripon and soon getting fed up with housework, I decided to strike out and try for a year tick or two. Ticker has been scoring with every shot this autumn and has reached the heady heights of 208 with me floundering on 243 having missed everything.


First it was a quick trip to Skipton where a Grey Phalarope put on a great show to the assembled few and posed beautifully for some snaps.

Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope

 Unfortunately the light having not ever been much better than poor all day deteriorated to crap by the time I arrived at Hollingworth Lake so the pictures of the Grebe only just qualify as record shots, still they are better than the ones I had.

Pied-billed Grebe

Struck out again on sunday looking for Waxwings in Harrogate. Despite a tip from PKB about 100 on Jennyfields I still dipped. Anyway thats 245 now, might manage 250 for first time in years.

Sunday Ringing

A very cold dawn welcomed us to our ringing site and nets took a lot longer than usual but we eventually produced some very nice birds. Of the 500 Fieldfares which were in the area we caught one !!

First year male Fieldfare

A grand total of 46 new birds were caught with a respectable species tally of 16 which included a few Redwings and Blackbirds as well as two Siskins and a fine Kingfisher which was caught in a net as far from water as is possible on our site near feeder 1.

First year female Kingfisher

First year male Siskin

Waxwing at last

I was definately starting to think it was personal between me and our colourful scandinavian visitors but at long last I finally caught up with a small flock of 12 Waxwings feeding in a tree at the end of my street. A mad dash back home for the camera was to no avail as on my return the tree was been beseiged by a group of kids playing catch, the little darlings had sent the Waxwings flying and despite checking all the usual haunts in the immediate area not another bird was seen.

An update from Ticker this week and despite some very wintery weather he is still pushing hard and with me in the yearlist doldrums he has amassed 208, his latest been Lappmeis (thats Siberian Tit to you and me) which seems to have taken up residence at our photographer friend Terjes feeding station for the winter. If any photographers actually read this trips can be arranged, both for passerine feeding stations (Grey-headed Woodpecker and Sibe Tit) so far this autumn as well as the usual selection of tits, finches and woodpeckers and to a feeding station for eagles which has a comfortable purpose built hide overlooking it.

Well Done Nick

News from this weekend is sparse as I have had personal commitments. Birding at most times is more important than life or death to some of us.

But at certain times it must take a back seat and this weekend one of the most dedicated and capable east coast birders, a self confessed beer guzzling, pie eating, unfit and well past his best before date completed the Scarborough 10K in memory of his son William, all proceeds donated to a charity set up to help premature babies through their early days BLISS.

Congratulations to Nick Addey who raised over £500