East Coast

Me, Mark and Paz decided on the East coast today, we started at Wykeham Lakes where 16 Tundra Bean Geese had been reported yesterday, just a single bird remained today possibly a sick or injured bird left behind by the others, also a couple of Egyptian Geese amongst the many Greylags and Canada’s. We moved on to Scarborough Mere next which was largely frozen but the drake Scaup was still present amongst Tufties and Goldeneyes on an open stretch, not the best Scaup I've ever seen, probably a 1st winter moulting in to adult plumage. Being informed there was some Barnacle Geese and Pinkfeet near Seamer we went in search but didn’t find them, just flushed a couple of Snipe near Seamer Pools. We took a drive along the front next where a few Fulmars have returned to the cliffs and a Peregrine surveyed his territory before carrying on to Hayburn Wyke, the long staying Richard’s Pipit was soon located in its favoured field and showed well but kept its distance as usual then with news that the Rough Legged Buzzard had been seen this morning down Grindale we headed off there, there was some nice late afternoon sun to make for some good viewing but again we only managed to find a Common Buzzard. We took a steady drive home over the Wolds but didn’t see anything of note and with still a bit of light left as we got back to York it was suggested we try for the Little Owls at Heslington, after trying this site ten times or more last year without success I was more than pleased to see two birds this evening one showing very well in a tree right next to the road, a good end to the day.

the Scaup with Tufties

long staying Richard's Pipit

Grindale Common Buzzard, the Rough Legged eluded us yet again