18th May

Out and about with Roy this evening and I finaly got 2 Little Owls for the year list, also 2 Shorties and several Red-legged Partridge. First Whitethroat of the year earlier in the week at Roils Head.

Last 10 days

Highlights of the last 10 days included Garden Warbler, Reed Warblar, 3 Grasshopper Warblers, Kingfisher, 2 Ring Ouzels, Whinchat, Tree Pipit, Peregrine, first Swifts, lots of Shorties and a superb LEO.

Weekends birds

A great bank holiday with lots of good local birds including an early Hobby, 3 Ring Ouzels, Whimbrel, Peregrine, 4 Cuckoos, 2 Woodcock, up to 8 Shorties, 1 Barn Owl and lots of waders.

Bank Holiday Birds

18th April

After removing a Jackdaw that had been stuck in the chimney for 2 days I headed off to my Old stompping grounds of Fly Flats and Cold Edge. At least 2 Shorties were seen as well as displaying Wheatars and my first Swallow of the year.

8th and 10th April

8th April, best ever count of Shorties today with 11 birds in one general area, also 2 LEOs, 1 out hunting early, 1 Merlin and 3 Wheatears. 10th April, managed to get a few shots of the LEO today, also 8 Shorties, 2 Sparrowawks, 4 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper etc.

1st April

1st April, todays highlights were a pair of Ring Ouzels, 7 Shorties and a superb Merlin.

26th March

A trip to the moors produced 1 Red Kite, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 3 Spars, 5 Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, 4 Shorties, 3 Ravens, Stonechat, 5 Redshanks and 2 Ringed Plover + all the usual suspects.

Bramblings etc

Roils Head Bramlings over the last few months, very hard to photo. Trip up to the moors yesterday brought my first Shortie of the year.

Early January 2022

Not much happening locally just a small flock of possibly 15 Brambling at Roils Head and up to 4000 gulls going south west over the house most evenings.

13th November

Todays birds, 2 Hens, 3 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Teal, 2 Stonechats, 2 GSWP.

15th October

2 Hens, 1 barnie, 3 Buzzards, 6 Kestels ans 23 distant Crossbills.

11th October

Back on the moors tonight and 4 Hen Harriers, 8 Buzzards, 3 Kestrels, 3 Barn Owls, 1 Little Owl, 3 Ravens, 32 Golden Plovers, 3 Snipe, 1 Herring Gull, 1 GSWPecker, 4 Siskins etc.

Long-toed Stint

Yet another great Yorkshire bird today, a Long-toed Stint at St Aidans only Britains 4th ever and the first one for 39 years. Lots of other good birds on show as well Ruff, Black Wits, Dunlin, Green Sands and heard 3 Cettis Warblers.

26th September

Yesterdays birds included a Marsh Harrier that came in with 3 Hen Harriers, also 3 Barn Owls, 7 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 1 Herring Gull, 1 Snipe and a flock of 310 Pinkies.

12th September

Back on the moors. 2 Hens, 1 Peregrine, 4 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels, 2 Barn Owls, 7 Ravens, 1 Grey Heron and 2 Spotted Flycarchers.

A few more

White-tailed Lapwing / Plover

Finally got over to Blacktoft for the White-tailed Lapwing and it showed really well all afternoon. Saw one on Lesvos 20 years ago then dipped on one at Leighton Moss 14 years ago so really chuffed to see this bird. Lots of other nice birds also present.

9th September

Finally got Sand Martin on my year list with at least 2 in with a large flock of Swallows and House Martins at Roils Head today. They drew in a superb Hobby which took one out and flew off over the Golf Course with it. Also here at last a Spotted Flycatcher and at least 2 Chiffchaffs. Male Kestrel and female Sparrowhawk at Highroad Well Moor.

6th September

Found a probable Yellow-legged Gull today at Pellon Reservoir, sadly it only showed its front end. Out on the moors later on and a nice juvenile Marsh Harrier was a welcome sight, also 1 Hen, 1 Buzzard, 17 Ravens and a Spotted Flycatcher + 10000000000000000000 midges.