Raptors at North Duffield Carrs

 I took the above photo just before I left the reserve this afternoon.

Alan(duffbirder@blogspot.com) was in the car park taking photos of the thrushes that were feeding in the hedge. After a few words I walked to the Geoff Smith hide. Plenty of sunshine and as Alan states, from the elevated position of the hide there is a panoramic view.

Still some water in the scrape, but not enough to tempt any birds. It was quieter than on my last visit on Monday afternoon. The farmer had moved all his sheep and no black-headed gulls hunting insects. Not many woodpigeons flying about either,

3 red kites gave us an acrobatic display as they flew over the reserve and there was always a buzzard about.

Unable to tell if this was one of the birds I saw on Monday. Alan spooted a lighter coloured one on a distant fence post and one was hunting on the ground. A pair of stonechats paid a brief visit to the scrape.

A sparrowhawk flew past the hide but hid in the bushes to the left of the hide.

Small groups of starlings kept appearing, but no sign of a murmuration before I left. While scanning I picked up a herd of about 24 whooper swans flying east at a good height. Later on we had geese going in the same direction. A pleasant afternoon with excellent company.

Scandanavian Visitors at North Duffield Carrs

 

The mist had given way to sunshine by the time I reached the reserve at 1230. As I walked to the hide I disturbed some redwing and fieldfares, the latter were chattering as they flew across the field to the nearby mature trees.

The water level in the scrape does not appear to have changed much since my last visit. Lots of crows, rooks and jackdaws about. Several crows were chasing a buzzard, which sought refuge in a hawthorn bush.

 A pair of pied wagtails were on the edge of the scrape.

Redwings and fieldfares were looking for food to the left of the hide.

Elaine arrived and we chatted for a while before she left to go and see if there were any birds feeding in the set aside field. A pleasant couple of hours.

YWT Staveley

 

Saturday November 7th I joined 18 members of RSPB York Local Group on their field trip to YWT Staveley Nature Reserve. A cloudy day that eventually gave way to rain. A pair of stonechats were in front of the first hide we visited. Lots of wigeon about and just as we were leaving the hide a male American wigeon flew off (year tick 199).

Reed buntings were seen from the second hide. 

The 3rd hide has been removed and lots of reedbed has been cleared.

We had our lunch break in Church Hide.

The vegetation in front of this hide has been reduced to improve the view. Lots of lapwings, snipe and shovelers.

After lunch we walked back to the car park via the outer path, We came across several redwing and Catherine spotted a treecreeper. The rain started just as we reached the car park.

Winter thrushes at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

 When Stu, Catherine and I arranged to meet at Bempton we were not expecting a strong northerley wind!

I walked down to Staple Newk in the hope of finding Snow Buntings, but no sign of any birds, I guess that they were all sheltering. Lots of Gannets out and about. Ian, one of the volunteers thought that the wind had probably blown some a bit closer to the coast.

2 peregrines were displaying their flying skills, soaring high and then stooping down on unsuspecting prey.

We think that this one had caught something and had landed to eat it.

We stayed close to visitor centre to shelter from the wind. Jackdaws were busy at the feeders.

We sat in the "Dell" for a while and watched birds flying through.

Lots of berrys for the birds at the moment. A redwing and fieldfare were enjoying them.

I left at lunchtime to meet my son in Bridlington. Thanks to Stu and Catherine for the company.

Warm welcome at RSPB Blacktoft Sands

 

I spent a couple of hours at RSPB Blacktoft Sands this afternoon. Mike had the log burning stove working to welcome visitors on a cold day.

This was my view from Marshland hide, the mist did clear about 3pm and visibility was good until dark.

I was in reception hide talking to Daz when he pointed out the kingfisher, outside the window.

I spent the last few minutes of my visit in Marshland hide and just managed this poor shot of a barn owl out hunting.

Whooper Swans

 The recent rain has helped to maintain the water level in the scrape. Will we get a flood this winter?

Lots of black-headed gulls flying about chasing insects.

Buzzards and marsh harriers looking for food.

Just before Elaine arrived in the hide several whooper swans flew over the reserve before heading back up the valley.

Little owl

 

Spot the little owl at St.Aidans!

The little owl was sheltering from the wind. I did not take any other photos as my visit to the Aire Valley was to complete H&S checks and attend a meeting about next years walk. So look out for the dates for walks to see/hear bitterns, black-necked grebes and spoonbills.