31st December

6 Hens recorded today including the adult male, there may have been more but the rain was so bad we had to give up before dark.

Two of yesterdays birds

2 of yesterdays Harriers, pictures by Phil D.

28th December

An incredible 7 Hen Harriers today including the adult male, must be a local record? also 5 Buzzards and a Kestrel.

26th December

26th December Finally got out after 3 weeks feeling crap, still felt pretty bad so didn’t take the scope with me (fatal error). The first bird we saw was the Great White Death a Goshawk, probably a male by size. It zoomed across the moor then gained height soaring about for 5 minutes before stooping like a Peregrine into a nearby wood scattering a dozen Wood Pigs, first Gos Ive had here for a few years now. Next came 4 Buzzards and a Kestrel, 6 Goosanders, 30 Goldies, 7 Herring and 2 GBBGulls. Then what we had come for, 4 Hen Harriers including the tatty winged female we have named White Spot due to the obvious white spot at the base of the upper left primaries.

18th December

Not much doing the past few weeks, been out of action with the dreaded lurgy, even had to cancel going to see 70s glam rock band the Sweet for a second year running (last year a Pallid Harrier near Spurn was to blame). Today had a few bits, a Peregrine, 26 Golden Plovers and 40 Meadow Pipits were at Mount Tabor. Oh and my brother said the concert was great!!!!!!!

3r December

Just two Hens clocked today also 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrels, 2 Sparrowhawks, 8 Herring Gulls, 5 Teal, 1 Dipper, a Nuthatch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.