Wednesday 31 October 2012

31st October

A Woodcock flushed by dog walkers was a nice surprise today at Roils Head, even more of a surprise were 3 Red-legged Partridge which took flight at High Road Well Moor.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

30th October

Out on the moors with DJS today in poor conditions again. First bird of note was a Ringtail Hen Harrier which flew up the valley, this was followed by a Kestrel a Sparrowhawk and a Merlin which shot off down the valley. At about 3.15PM we picked up the strange looking Buzzard which bears some resemblance to a Rough-Leg but on close inspection we all came to the conclussion that its just a funny looking Common (still an interesting looking bird). Another or the same Ringtail Hen Harrier went down the valley whilst we were watching the buzzard, also had 50+ Fieldfare and the usual Grouse and Pheasants.

Sunday 28 October 2012

28th October

Out with DJS looking for the RLBuzzard in poor conditions today, not much to report just 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 30+ Fieldfares and c300 Starlings moving west.

Saturday 27 October 2012

27th October

 Common Buzzard
The report of a Rough-legged Buzzard on the moors saw me and SC staking out the site all afternoon. Lots of Fieldfares kicking about today also 2 jays and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, then at 2pm a ringtail Hen Harrier was a nice surprise, this was followed by 3 Common Buzzards and at 3pm I had a brief but distant view of what was probably the Rough Leg (large buteo with white tail) but couldnt get anything else on the bird because of brief view and distance. Finished off with 2 Sparrowhawks.

Sunday 21 October 2012

21st October

Out with SC today looking for raptors with not much luck, only had distant views of a Common Buzzard and a couple of Kestrels. More planes in the sky than bird today, did manage GSWPecker and heard Green, 7 Mistle Thrush and 4 Song Thrush were about it.

Saturday 20 October 2012

20th October

Walk over Roils Head again, 1 Chiffchaff calling at West End Golf Course and a few Goldcrests at Roils were about it apart from 3 Grey Partridge flushed at Tower Hill.

Saturday 13 October 2012

13th October

2 late Swallows over the house today followed by the firsrt Redwings of the autumn at Roils Head, also at Roils, 1 Redpoll, 1 Jay and a Sparrowhawk at Tower Hill.

Wednesday 10 October 2012

10th October

Trip to ASDA started with a flock of 130 Pink-footed Geese flying over the house, then heard a Chiffchaff calling at Pellon Reservoir. Later a visit to Fly Flats with DJS produced 11 Wigeon on the reservoir, 2 Peregrines on the moor, 1 Great Black Back south, 1 Kestrel and several Red Grouse.

Tuesday 9 October 2012

9th October

1 Golden Plover at High Road Well Moor was the only bird of note this afternoon.

Sunday 7 October 2012

7th October

Trip to South Yorkshire to see the Pallid Harrier called off at last minute so went my usual walk over Roils Head and had a very pale Buzzard fly south, also still 5 or 6 Swallows still present. Afternoon visit to Hunter Hill watch point with DJS proved to be a success with 5 Common Buzzards flying south east in 1 hour, also 3 Cormorants, 1 Grey Heron, 20+ Red Grouse, 1 Little Owl, 4 Goosander, 1 Tufted Duck, lots of LBBGs, 3 Kestrels and a superb Merlin sat on fence posts, unfortunatly I didnt have my digi scope camera with me but managed a record shot through the scope with the lumix fz18. Probably the same bird as the one last night.

Saturday 6 October 2012

6th October

Walk over Roils Head today brought a rather late Whinchat, 7 Swallows, 7 Goldcrests, 1 Herring Gull and 7 LBBGs west at Mount Tabor and a Sparrowhawk over Moor End Road. Late evening a drive over the moors with SC gave us 15 Red Grouse, 1 Peregrine and a Merlin sat on a road side fence at Cold Edge Road at dusk.

Wednesday 3 October 2012

3rd October

A brief walk over Roils brought 1 Redpoll, a few Goldcrests, 6 Pied Wags, a charm of Goldfinches and 2 Swallows.

Tuesday 2 October 2012

2nd October

Cancelled usual mini trip to Filey. Back up Roils today, 1 Chiffchaff calling, 5 Swallows still kicking about, 70 Linnets in a panick at High Road Well Moor the reason being a superb adult male Sparrowhawk that shot through.

Monday 1 October 2012

1st Oct 3rd time unlucky

Ogden again looking for the YBWarbler. 5 and an half hours spent today with no luck. It must have past me close by at 18.30 as AZ heard it calling in the Long-tailed Tit flock but sadly it failed to show. Did have 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaffs, loads of Goldcrests and tits, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, LBBGs, Common Gulls and lots of Robins.