Bird Lover

Last week was half-term, so there were no classes, but some of my 'students' went out and tried to locate birds on their own.  Both of those who sent photos went looking for Goshawks.  None of them were successful, despite the perfect conditions.  Friday was beautiful with hardly any wind, and with clear blue skies.  It seems the first group may have gone out too early in the day.  Jane's party went out in the morning, and only had Red Kites, Buzzards, Greenfinches and a Grey Wagtail for their trouble. Red Kite (c) 2017 Jane Robinson   Ditto   Ditto Meanwhile a separate party consisting of Brian and Margaret arrived at midday.  They weren't able to find any Goshawks either, but their compensation was a smart male Kestrel and a stunning male Crossbill.     Male Kestrel (c) 2017 Margaret Richardson    Ditto   Male Crossbill  (c) 2017 Margaret Richardson   Record Shot of Crossbill  (c) 2017 Margaret Richardson   Ditto Meanwhile, one of the top listers in Yorkshire was at t

On Wednesday last week we didn't go to Scarborough, but went to our standby location, North Cave Wetlands, as Wheldrake wasn't quite the place to go after a lot of rain.  The morning started well with a Green Woodpecker 'laughing' in the large Ash tree on Dryham Lane.  We didn't get particularly close, but a humble bridge camera shows it throwing its head back to laugh! Marsh Harrier (c) 2017 Tony Robinson   Green Woodpecker (c) 2017 Aileen Urquhart   Green Woodpecker (c) 2017 Lynn Hall One of the most colourful birds seen was a Mandarin Duck which flew off Carp Lake, before returning a few minutes later.    Mandarin (c) 2017 Aileen Urquhart However, undoubtedly one of the highlights was the cream crown Marsh Harrier, which hunted within a few feet of the windows of Turret Hide for what seemed like half-an-hour.  It didn't manage to catch anything while we were watching, but it came close.  It was the nearest we've been to a Marsh Harrier at any of the other

For the last week before half term we spent 3 days in Scarborough. We usually started in the harbour, where the best bird was a Black-necked Grebe, which showed well, especially early in the week.  Later, when things calmed down on Friday, it may have made its way onto the sea. Black-necked Grebe   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   The Great Northern Diver appeared on the Tuesday, and was seen on the sea after that, but was very distant by Friday afternoon.   Great Northern Diver   With a crab, once the legs had all been removed.     Ditto   Ditto On one day we saw a Shag in the harbour, but on other days they were well out on the sea.     Shag   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   A Pair of Shags Distant Shag showing the crest On most days we saw a Guillemot around the harbour, but on Thursday a Razorbill took its place.   Razorbill   Guillemot (c) 2017 Mike Woods Every day there were plenty of confiding Turnstones around the harbour.  We saw Purple Sandpipers on Friday afternoon, but the l