Spurn

 Hundreds of Goldcrest and Rewing bobbing Jack Snipe close Red throated Diver, lovely first winter Caspian Gull and a glimpse of a Pallas warbler were the highlights

Caspian Gull

A nice adult Caspian Gull today near Meltham

Short Eared Owl and Caspian Gull

Short eared Owl hunting at Calderdale Wetlands plus plenty of Pochard and displaying Goldeneye followed by great gull roost at Anglers CP. Up to 5 Caspian Gulls including a stunning ringed first winter bird that came close. Also seen were a second winter  Iceland gull and a juvenile Glaucous gull. 

Post script. Further input from experienced gullers now saying the above gull is a hybrid Herring/Caspian from Lithuania. That's gulls for you!

Gullfest!!

Myself and Dave went to Anglers C.P. for the gull roost today. Two first winter Caspian, a third winter Yellow Legged Gull, a first winter Glaucous gull and a Kumlien's Gull. Dave was so pleased he has got all the gulls for his year list in one go!!
My dreadful phone scope shots are included as record shots. More pics and info are posted on the Barnsley site  http://barnsleybirds.blogspot.co.uk/

                                                                          Caspian

                                               

                                                                          Glaucous

                                                             

Bittern

I went back to Anglers Country Park yesterday afternoon to view the gull roost. From the bird hide I had good close views of the gulls. I saw 3 Yellow-legged Gulls a third winter, an adult and a first winter. Also present was a first winter Caspian Gull. Also seen was a Long tailed duck.  I met some very friendly local birders in the hide and they said the Bittern was being seen in the reeds at Wntersett reservoir at dusk recently. I followed in the car to the spot to view the reeds and there it was. I fabulous Bittern! Has to be the best bird of 2013 up to now. With that and the Long-eared Owl seen 2 days ago thats 2 birds that I failed to see last year already in the bag

Caspian Gull

I went to Whitley Common today near Crow Edge and had good views of an adult Caspian Gull. Also present were 2 Yellow legged Gulls amongst the Lesser Black backed Gulls. Apologies for the pics as the light was poor and the birds were a bit too distant but certainly had good scope views.
                                                

                                                            Caspian Gull

Yellow legged Gull

Caspian Gull

Went over to Orgreave lake near Sheffield this lunctime and had good view of the adult Caspian Gull.

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and more!

What a great Sunday 15th. Jan. myself and Dave had. We drove to Rufford Park and were almost straight onto 2 or 3 Lesser Spotted woodpeckers drumming and moving around in the trees near the carpark. Theye were joined by Greater spotted woodpeckers which was great to comapre the drumming and the size difference. The drumming is very muffled and they are half the size of their bigger brothers!

Then onto Frampton RSPB where there wer good numbers or ducks, several Whooper and 2 Bewick swans. There were hundreds of dark bellied brent geese and one Barnacle goose. Also present were godd numbers or Golden plover and a nice mixed flock of Linnet and Greenfinch.
We walked to the view over the Ouse marsh and were very lucky to see a male Hen Harrier hunting. Shame it didnt come closer. Dave could see at least another male hunting way out in the distance.

Finally we headed to Millenium green in North Hykeham to check the gull roost. We quickly located to adult Caspian Gulls and saw our compulsory Sparrowhawk in the failing light to round off a top day's birding