Brookie's Diary
• Friday, October 31, 2008 - Ingbirchworth Reservoir
| I decided on walking around Ingbirchworth Res. today. Leaving the car behind the first bird of the day were 3 Brambling over with Mistle Thrush (7) in the trees nearby. Upon the water Black Headed Gulls (40), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black Backed Gull (1), ducks were few and far between only Mallards today and of course Moorhen and Coots. Going thru the tree area Treecreeper, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long Tailed Tits, Robin. Also seen in and around flocks of Starlings 200+, Fieldfare 200+ |
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• Saturday, October 18, 2008 - Dearne Dike/Broadstones
After yesterdays small movement of Fieldfares I decided to have a couple of hours this morning on high ground, good move for the birds bad move weather wise it was cold. A great movement of birds came thru both sites resulting in seeing Redwing (1500+) Fieldfare (800+), Woodpigeon (150), Starling (150+), Meadow Pipit (25+), Pied Wagtail (6), Skylark (11), Chaffinch (6), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Black Headed Gull (11), Common Gull (1), Grey Heron (1), Stonechat (1) and Linnet (1).
After that I moved on down to Ingbirchworth Reservoir to find Mallard (50), Lesser Black Backed Gull (35), Black Headed Gull (46), Canada Goose (54), and Little Grebe (1) and then after all that a move across town to Blackmoorfoot Reservoir. Here on view were Moorhen (3), Coot (2), Mallard (20), Canada Goose (29), Tufted Duch (21), Great Crested Grebe (2), Little Grebe (1), Woodpigeon (1), Black Headed Gull (14), Common Gull (5). That was it a great morning out in the field doing what I love to do, brilliant  |
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• Friday, October 17, 2008 - Ingbirchworth Res
| Another sunny day saw me back at Ingbirchworth Res with a few more species to the list this week and maybe a movement of Thrushs'. Fieldfares moving thru in good numbers resulted in about 150+ birds along with one Redwing. Other birds of the afternoon were Goldfinch (2), Robin, Lesser Black Backed Gull (11), Common Gull (4), Black Headed Gull (40), Lapwings (45), Bullfinch (3), Yelowhammer (3). Birds on the water today included a male/female Wigeon with Little Grebe, Canada Goose (170). In the bushes Goldcrest, Blue and Long Tailed Tits. |
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• Friday, October 10, 2008 - Ingbirchworth Res
| Another walk around Ingbirchworth Res seeing this week Robin, Crow, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Little Grebe a few gulls Black Headed, Lesser Black Backed and 1 Common Gull. Few highlights today but an Immature Peregrine lifted the spirits |
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• Friday, September 26, 2008 - Ingbirchworth Reservoir
A quick tour of Ingbirchworth Reservoir today clear sunshine birds few a far between. First birds of the day were on the water Mallard, Tufted Duck, and a fine Male Pochard my first for the new season. Around by the farmland produced a Willow Warbler and a few Yellowhammers, Kestrel, Goldcrest, Coal Tit and a Wren
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• Saturday, September 20, 2008 - Wilsons Phalarope
Well today I decided on a bit of twitching in the hope of a lifer in the form of a Wilsons Phalarope. The bird had been reported for a few days at Alkborough Flats reserve a new site in North Lincolnshire. Arrived at 7:30am to see a feast of birds these included numerous gull species, waders etc. Little Egrets, Grey Herons, Black Headed Gull, Dunlin, Redshank, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Knot, Little Stint. I made my way round to where the crowd had gathered seeing Reed Buntings, Linnets, Goldfinch on the way round. Its here that I set up the scope at the top end of the reserve by the no entry sign only to see the group of people in the no go zone. I was challenged by one guy on his re-entry to the go zone to enter this area if I wanted to see the Phalarope as the bird was out of sight unless you entered the no go zone. I polity said that that it was a no entry area, twice, only to get the cold shoulder for not entering. I waited and in doing so got to see the Wilsons Phalarope ( a lifer) without entering the no go zone thanks to a Peregrine Falcon hunting for his breakfast. I found this reserve a great spot for viewing birds but I found the attitude to enter the No Entry places a bit hard to handle if it says NO ENTRY that means to me stay out even if it means missing the bird its all a part of birdwatching we have to get land owners on our side not against us, this has happened in this area as I found out later back in the car park. As I was leaving the reserve a new group of people had entrered the no entry area enough said.
Moved on to Spurn Point to catch one or two of the migrants going thru. Leaving the car park down to the crown and anchor pub picking up a few waders on the coast line these included Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Turnstone and a nice close view of a Curlew Sandpiper. Moving on to the triangle picking up a female Redstart as it dropped onto the gate in full view giving great views. At the triangle Wheatears were moving passed gladly showing off there white rumps. Red Backed Shrike, Whinchats and a Kingfisher on the fences. Day List |
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• Friday, September 19, 2008 - Sands Lane and Ingbirchworth
Early start before work arriving at Sands lane at 6:30am to see only a hand ful of birds today. Mallard (14) Lapwing back up to 12, Black Headed Gull have started to arrive back with a total of 12 birds, 1 Grey wagtail, 1 Kingfisher sat as usual on its favourite post and 22 Canada Geese.
After work saw me again in the Ingbirchworth area the reservoir had like this morning only a handful of birds these included Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, a few Tufted Duck and 1 male Wigeon.
I moved on then to the Royd Moor viewing area in the hope of a Honey Buzzrad flying thru. On drawing up to the area and just as I was getting out of the car, bins in the boot, a buzzard species decided to fly thru, not having much on it I put it down as a hopeful |
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• Saturday, September 13, 2008 - Broadstones Res.
Driving up to Broadstones Res along the Dearne Dike Lane I caught sight of a Lone Wheatear upon the brick tower. Stopping and scanning the fields produced 4-off Wheatear with Swallows, Linnet (1), Meadow Pipit (1), Starling 20+ and Crows.
Broadstones res. itself held little on the water except the lone Canada Goose, Mallard (22), Great Crested Grebe (1), Little Grebe (1). Around the res and in the wooded area gave Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), The dam wall had running around on it Pied Wagtail (2) with Lesser Black Backed Gull (9), Collard Dove, Woodpigeon and Magpie on the fly over mission. |
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• Friday, August 29, 2008 - Broadstones Res
| A look around Broadstones Res today gave a lot of flying ants on the approach path along with a few butterfly species Wall (2), Speckled Wood, Large White, Small White, Peacock, Gatekeeper, and a Green Veined White. Birds today included Mallard, Black Headed Gull, Great Crested and Little Grebes, Kestrel, Stock Dove and Woodpigeon. The surprise today was a Green Sandpiper which was kindly flushed by a dog a new area bird to end the day. |
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• Saturday, August 23, 2008 - Fairburn Ings and Potteric Carr
Today I started at Allerton Bywater for one reason only and that was for Glossy Ibis, took some finding as it was busy hiding behind the long grass but it did come out eventually. Last one seen was 4th June 1989 at Fairburn just down the road. It was here that I moved onto to see Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, Lapwing, Swallows which were still about along with Willow Warblers.
I called it a day at Fairburn and moved on down to Potteric Carr hoping to see Little Egrets, but they didn't get on to the day list. Marsh Harriers were the bird of the day at Potteric Carr two birds moving thru, apparently the first time this has happened at Potteric they usually come thru in one's. Along with the usual host of birds at Potteric it was a fine day. Good views of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Kingfisher as it did its usual fly thru display, Sparrowhawk playing hid and seek with a kill in the dense bush cover. A few duck species Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal.
The day list ended at 44 disappointing put it was a day out birding  |
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• Friday, August 22, 2008 - Sands Lane and Scout Dyke
A quick tour of a couple of the club sites saw me at Sands Lane first thing before work. Birds seen here were Black Headed Gull, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Goldfinch and House Martin.
The afternoon saw me touring Scout Dyke res. seeing here my first sighting of Cormorant in the club area. Birds were again few and far between Willow Warblers were still hanging about with a couple giving off contact calls. Grey Heron and a few Tufted Duck (15) Grey Wagtail, Swallow and Great Crested Grebe was about all on the bird front.
Butterflies seen were my first Wall of the year along with Speckled Wood, Gatekeeper, Peacock and Red Admiral |
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• Friday, August 15, 2008 - Rutland Water and The Birdfair
Once again down to Rutland Water for the birdfair stopping at our favourite B&B at Woodnewton, Bridge Cottage. Firstly on the Friday we stopped at Blatherwycke Lake. Here we saw Hobby, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, and Buzzard in the air along with Swallow and House Martins. Around the lake birds included Common Tern, Little Egret (2), Grey Heron and of course the usual Mallards, Mute Swans and Canada Geese. This lake is becoming a great place to stop off on our way to the B&B picking up a great array of birds.
We the turned around and headed back up the road to a new RSPB place we had seen on the way in at Finshade. Here we added Marsh Tit, Goldcrests, and Coal Tit to the growing list.
Saturday the 16th we spent at the birdfair looking at the usual photos, holidays we liked to go on, meet friends. I did buy a new book this time one on gulls. Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America by Klaus Malling Olsen and Hans Larsson, must have book on gulls. Also a new pair of binoculars, Minox 8 x 32 BL. These are a great pair of binoculars, they have great reviews and I am very happy with them.
On the way back from the fair we stopped off at Manton Bay to find Green Sandpiper, Comon Sandpiper, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Black Tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Ruff and Ringed Plover.
Back at the cottage I decided to have a sit by the river and play with the new bins seeing Red Kite overhead and Kingfisher and Mandarin Duck on the river. List for the weekend |
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• Friday, August 8, 2008 - Yellow Legged Gull
I had an hour to spare so I headed towards Scout Dyke again for a quick look around. First impressions on arrival was of the thought that there was little about. I started looking down the south bank side seeing very little till I got down to the inlet area here there were Tufted Ducks, Mallard, and Great Crested Grebes. 3-off Black Headed Gulls along with a gull I didn't recognise,. Larger than the the Black Heads showing no white spots on the primaries, pale brown median/lesser coverts, dark terminal band, brown centred tertials, clean head, very pale eye, grey scapulars/mantle very like Herring Gull and not as dark as Lesser Black Backed. Bill was less heavy than Herring white/yellow with a black smudge towards the end, legs were a yellow/white. I didn't bring the camera because I was rushing today, that will teach me so no photos were taken. Reading up back at home I came to the conclusion that it was the 3rd year Yellow Legged Gull that was seen last week near one of the other reservoirs in the area. Nice bonus for me and this one made it four new birds for me in the Huddersfield club area this year. On the walk back to the car park Swallows lining up on the barbed wire fence gave me a great photo opportunity (camera) doh!! Meadow Pipit and Willow Warblers along side the Swallows, and a Grey Heron finishing the hour dash. A great day to remember, new bird for me for the area, next time out camera no matter what!!  |
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• Friday, August 1, 2008 - Lesser Whitethroat at Last!!
Another visit to Scout Dyke, a club area reservoir produced the bird I have been hunting all summer. Whilst watching a good number of Willow Warblers which were giving off there contact calls out came this bird that was clearly a Lesser Whitethroat, great joy, it was only brief but I enjoyed it,  the bird I had been looking for all summer. Other birds around the reservoir that day were Swallows, House Martins hawking for insects in the fields, whilst on the water Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Ducks and Mallards. The field fringes held Yellowhammer, Magpie, Jackdaw and Crow could all been seen. In the bushes Robin, Blue Tit, Blackbirds and Coal Tit. It was also a day of butterflies with Small Copper, Large White, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and a Speckled Wood
Picture above Speckled Wood
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• Friday, July 25, 2008 - Fairburn and Blacktoft Sands
Another day out in the field, first start Fairburn Ings at 7:45am. Starting around the visitor centre near the feeders were birds like Greenfinch, Robin, Great Tit and Blue Tits. In the alders a party of Siskins were busy feeding, along with Bullfinch and Willow Warblers. At the Pickup hide or should I say screen Green Sandpiper along with Lapwing, Canada Goose and then a Kingfisher made an all but brief appearance. Down at the Lyn Dyke hide the only addition to the list was a lone Black Tailed Godwit. Coming back from the hide a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen.
Onward to Blacktoft Sands, this would make it visit 97. On arrival at Blacktofts xerox hide waders were to be had Curlew Sandpiper,Dunlin, Redshank, Ruff and Wood Sandpiper were all picked out. Then they all lifted before I could work my way thru the other half , a Perefrine Falcon decided it was dinner time and gave us a fly past like the local RAF. No more waders so on to Marshland hide adding Black Tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Avocet to the growing day list. Up to four Marsh Harriers put in an appearance this included one male bird. Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers were still about along with Bearded Tits. The days List |
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• Friday, July 18, 2008 - Bulcliff and Ingbirchworth
Keeping it to the club area again I decided for a revisit to the Bulcliff site and try againfor Lesser Whitethroat. I did see Mistle Thrush, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Yellowhammer, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. A couple of butterflies I did manage to id were Gatekeeper and Ringlet.
I decided then on a quick tour of the Ingbircworth area, in the rain. Tufted Ducks and Coots seemed to be the only birds on the water with Swifts and House Martins skimming low of the water. In the fields Kestrel, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails were the only birds found. Rather a quiet day  |
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• Friday, July 11, 2008 - Bulcliff and Old Moor
Journey to the old Bulcliff site today to try and pick up Lesser Whitethroat, long over due views of this bird had to had. Common Whitethroat was the first bird noted along with Goldfinch and Yellowhammers. I was surprised with the amount of Swifts encountered today, they seemed to be on a feeding frenzy getting ready for the journey south? 36 Lesser Black Backed Gulls made there way slowly thru on a westerly direction. A few Swallows noted today but only a handful. Well no Lesser Whitethroat again.
Anyway on to a different site I thought I would try, Old Moor RSPB reserve near Wombwell, Barnsley to see what could be encountered there bird wise.
Having settled in to one of the hides Swallow, Swift and House Martins were the first birds easily seen along with Black Headed Gulls. Looking further Lapwings were in and amongst the grass. A nest box near the hide held a family of Kestrels and great views of these birds were enjoyed as they perched on the fence post and a top of the nest box. Moving on I caught up with Ringed Plovers, adults and juveniles> that was the last of a few hours out time to make my way home. |
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• Friday, July 4, 2008 - Nightjars again!!
| Friday saw me bird watching in the club area. Again in one of the wooded area seeing Coal Tit and Long Tailed Tit with summer migrants like Chiffchaff, and Blackcap trying to hide in the bushes. A sudden load noise alerted me to Jays being harassed by Blackbirds for a reason I never did find out, I was a little bit too late on the scene to see what was really going on. I made my way further in to the woods catching sight of Siskins', Chaffinch, Wrens and a fly thro Goshawk. Making my way to the car park after trying new areas looking for the unexpected, I caught glimpse of a lone Spotted Flycatcher making it's way up the tree line doing the usual flycatcher feeding habits as it went along. It was around here that I got talking to a person who had been told by someone of Nightjars in the area, so a plan was hatched to see how true this was. I returned late at night to the area I thought would be holding them, a place I had seen earlier looking for Tree Pipits. It got to 10:15pm and Woodcocks started to appear, then at about 10:30pm churring was heard, but this time a Nightjar was seen in flight. I didn't stop much longer after that due to the amount of midge flies in the area. |
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• Saturday, June 28, 2008 - Bulcliffe and Thorne Moors
Up early to try a new site for Lesser Whitethroat near Pugneys. Little Owl was the first bird seen for the day as I made out of Kirkheaton. The day started overcast but with Yellowhammers, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Goldfinch singing away my mind turned to brighter things. Skylarks overhead Whitethroats it seemed were in every bush. I had great views of these, but this just added to the frustration of not finding the Lesseer Whitethroat again. Ending the morning with Blackcap I made my way back to the car.
Late afternoon trip to Thorne Moors with a guided walk for Nightjars at 9pm. I arrived at 6pm to see what over delights were on hand having not visited this reserve before. Gates are ocked at 7pm so I decided on tea in the hide at the Boston Park car park first and to try out my new gear. Birds viewed from the hide were Tufted Duck,Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, and Lapwing. I then had a walk around the pathways picking up Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, and Whitethroat as I went. Scanning the fields produced Lapwing, Crow and Black Headed Gulls.
The evening walk was with the warden of the site and a group of 22 people for the evening. The walk lasted two and a half hours and produced 6 churring Nightjars. Heard but not seen and very little else to boot.
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• Saturday, June 7, 2008 - Long Eared Owls
| Due to the nice calm evening I decided to pay a visit on to the local moors to try and see some evening birds. Setting up camp at about 9pm a few Meadow Pipits put in an appearance and then what I thought to be a raptor of some sort turned out to be a Cuckoo, with the pipits along side. The usual Chaffinch and Robins began settling down for the night, then out of the corner of my eye I caught the glimpse of a large brown bird, it had gone out of sight. A couple of minutes went by, which seemed like a couple of hours before the bird re-appeared yep! Long Eared Owl he/she then began to put in a great performance. Hunting over the moor and then settling down on to a fence post giving me a great opportunity to see this bird in full splendor. It wasn't all over another bird joined it both hunting the moor with one kindly flying over head. A great end to a great evening |
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