American Wigeon

American Wigeon

20/03/2016

Scalby Mills, Scarborough

Finally after many visits and a couple of hours hanging around, some decent shots of the Drake American Wigeon at Scalby Mills, Scarborough. Still not got him in great light, but if I don't see him again, then at least fairly happy!!!

Scarborough Harbour

Scarborough Harbour

10/03/2016

Scarborough Harbour, North Yorkshire

Finally a pleasant (ish) early evening for quick wander round the harbour after work, for half an hour or so, provided me with sightings of the odd Herring and Black-headed Gull along with 3 Guillemots, a first winter Razorbill, a Redshank, a handful of Turnstones and a cracking little Rock Pipit.

Leeds Liverpool Canal and a Lovely Female Goosander

Leeds Liverpool Canal and a Lovely Female Goosander

06/03/2016

Gargrave, Near Skipton, North Yorkshire

A lovely wander on a Sunday morning with Adele on the canal bank outside our hotel and a lovely encounter with a cracking female Goosander and a Mute Swan showing in a beautiful still reflecting water and eating grass and vegetation, not bread!!!

Sanderlings

Sanderlings and Turnstone

07/02/2016

Bridlington

A trip to Bridlington with Adele and a wander on the beach provided splendid views of a few Sanderlings and Turnstone, with the same being damned hard to photograph due to the wind and loads of dog walkers, many who would walk between me with a camera in hand and the Sanderlings a few yards away, without even thinking they would frighten the birds. Don't get me wrong I love dogs, but the owners could give a little thought to others and have a little curtesy!!

 

 

 

 

Mediterranean Gulls

Mediterranean Gulls

27/02/2016

Holbeck Hill, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

A very cold and grey but lovely visit to the Scarborough's wintering Mediterranean Gull flock, with up to 12 to 14 seen over the winter but only 7 present, including, a first winter, a second winter and 5 adults all with varying degrees of spring plumage.

The ringed gull originating from Belgium.

Many thanks to a fellow birding mate Steve Routledge on help with the identification on the first and second year gulls, quite easy to see when explained.

Cracking Adult in full spring plumage.

 

First Winter

Second Winter

Adult

Adult

Adult (ringed in Belgium)

 

RSPB Old Moor

RSPB Old Moor

20/02/2016

RSPB Old Moor, Old Moor Ln, Barnsley S73 0YF

Another cracking few hours on the way to see Alistair in Sheffield, with 49 species in less than 4 hours and cracking views of many great garden and hedge row birds including, Brambling, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Reed Bunting, Bullfinches, Greenfinches, Yellowhammers and various Tits. Unfortunately the newly arrived this winter Bearded Tits wee not located and again I blew out on any Bittern sightings, still a massive bogey bird for me!!!!

Brambling (female)

Bullfinch (male)

Bullfinch (female)

Goldfinch

Greenfinch (male)

Goldfinch

Long Tailed Tit

Redd Bunting (male)

American Wigeon

American Wigeon

27&28/02/2016

Scalby Mills. Scarborough

A smart American Drake Wigeon, first found by local Birder Nick Addey an moth earlier returned from an excursion to the lake at Castle Howard to show better over the weekend at Scalby Mills, Scarborough.

He also appears to have got his eye on a more local Female Wigeon who he never leaves alone!!!