York Diver

I had arranged to meet Mark this morning and have a couple of hours photography at Askham Bogs, it was pretty quiet though and nothing much was posing, we did see both Marsh and Willow Tit though and a small flock of Siskin was buzzing around, then as we were nearby we thought we'd go have a look at the Red Throated Diver on Hogg's Pond, Dringhouses, we attained permission to enter the site and found the bird on a small patch of ice free water at the far side of the pond affording very close views, it was found late yesterday and constitutes a very good York area record.

the sun came out briefly

Waxwing fest

I joined the York Bird Club field outing today which had decided to go ahead despite the tragic news about losing Andy in the week, we thought it might be good to mull things over face to face, I think we all felt it did, it was a good day birdwise as well. The trip was supposed to be to Potteric Carr but no one fancied that so we did North Lincs instead, after a quick look at Reads Island where there was a good number of common waders, we carried on to Burton upon Stather where the Waxwings me and Andy had tried to find last week were still present but had just moved to a different part of the village, we had a good photographic session with these birds then around lunchtime we moved on to Alkborough where we spent a pleasant early afternoon watching the Lesser Yellowlegs and Long Billed Dowitcher plus a Spotted Redshank amongst the more common waders there although they remained distant, a Marsh Harrier hunted over the reeds. Mid afternoon we headed over to Worlaby Carrs taking another look at the Waxwings as we passed, there was quite a stiff breeze at Worlaby so only a couple of the Short Eared Owls were out and about but on the plus side a Merlin shot through and a male Hen Harrier showed well.

Accompanied by a few Thrushes

North Lincs

Out with Andy today, Mark is suffering with a bad back at the moment, we decided on North Lincs as there has been a few good birds around recently, first up was Covenham Reservoir where there has been a Black Throated Diver for the last few days, it was still present this morning but surprisingly elusive, we’d get on to it then it would dive and we’d lose it picking it up again 5-6 mins later in a totally different area, we were lucky enough to have it pop up in front of us on a couple of occasions though allowing us to get some photo’s, there were also masses of Cormorants and Goldeneyes on the Reservoir plus a couple of female Common Scoter and a Sanderling running around the edge. We headed back to the Humber via Burton upon Stather but there was no sign of yesterdays Waxwings which was a shame the light was really good today, we carried on to Waters Edge CP where some had been reported this morning but again we drew a blank, we ended up having a little look around Far Ings, all the usual culprits here but no sign of the recent drake Smew. Late afternoon found us at Worlaby Carrs where several Short Eared Owls entertained plus a Marsh and Ringtail Hen Harrier went through.

the Bridge from Waters Edge

Marsh Harrier over Worlaby Carrs

West Yorks Long Tailed

I had a couple of light fittings to put up this morning and all went without a hitch leaving this afternoon free to visit Pugneys Country Park to year tick the Long Tailed Duck that has been around for a week or more, still present and showing well this afternoon, don't know what has brought it so far inland but incidentally there is an imm/female type at nearby Anglers Country Park as well plus Common Scoter on Wintersett, nothing much else at Pugneys though, a handful of Goldeneye and a couple of Goosander being the best of it although a Kingfisher posed nicely in front of the hide.

Pugneys

initially on the far side near the hide but a bit distant

Kingfisher posed

it gradually moved towards the bottom corner where it was a bit closer but
the by that time the light was fading fast

Evening sky looking towards Emley Moor mast