29th October Harrier day

An incredible count today of at least 6 Hen Harriers including a superb adult male, also Short-eared Owl, Buzzard and 2 Kestrels. Pictures by DF.

27th October

Not much happening all week just 4 Stonechats on my local patch. Much better today, after a dip on 2 reported Hawfinch me and Dave headed to our favourite site and were rewarded with at least 3 Hen Harriers together including a stonking adult male, there may actually have been 4 birds? also a Short-eared Owl a Buzzard and 2 Snipe+ 5 hares together in one field.

Last few days

Not much doing the last few days, Roils Head 2 Stonechats still present also 5 or 6 Goldcrests in the tit flock, odd Bullfinch, 30+ Goldfinch, 2 Sparrowhawks and a Kestrel.

17th October

Just a pair of Stonechats still present at Roils Head today.

16th October

Back to Roils Head where the sun had turned red due to sand in the atmosphere, 2 Stonechats, 2 Goldcrests and a GSWPecker and 2 more Stonechats at Highroad Well Moor.

14th and 15th Oct, Filey etc

Had a weekend trip over to Filey with my brother and his young daughter Phoebe. The best I could manage on south westerly winds were 4 adult Med Gulls at Holbeck, one of which made short work of my turkey sandwich. Other species of note were 1 Red Throated Diver, 1 Ruff, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Scoters and that's about it.

10th October

Roils Head today, 1 Wheatear, 1 Stonechat, 3 Goldcrests, 1 Jay, 1 Stonechat and 8 Linnets at Highroad Well Moor.

9th October

Roils Head today, a late Whinchat was a nice find also a Wheatear present, others included Goldcrests, 5 Common Gulls and a Kestrel.

8th October

Back on the moors today. Ringtail Hen Harrier, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, 5 Buzzards, 5 Kestrels, Raven, 60 Pink Feet, Cormorant, 2 Dippers, 30 Redwings, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Teal etc.

7th October

Up on the moors in poor conditions, the highlight today was a adult or second winter male Hen Harrier, also 3 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 2 Ravens and 13 Pink-footed Geese.

6th October

Not much happening this week just Stonechats and Goldcrests at Roils Head. Today had a Swallow over Highroad Well, a Snipe and 3 Stonechats at Highroad Well Moor and 3 or 4 Goldcrests at Roils Head.

1st October

Had just 2 hours sleep thinking about the Scop's Owl at Sunderland that me and tall Andy were going to see. Got up very early for me, only we never set off as the bird was not seen all day. So instead I watched the worst NFL game Ive ever seen, thankfully the Dolphins lost, so did the enemy the Patriots, and the Jets won, RESULT.