Sunday 10 January 2016

Xmas and New Year birding - 2 Yorkshire ticks, a couple of rare local geese, gull roost and raptors in Norfolk

Back home for Xmas and New Year, and lots of birding in the Barnsley Area.

Birded the uplands with my dad and we caught up with the adult Greenland White-fronted Goose near Ingbirchworth Res. and the short staying Brent Goose. A couple of Peregrine sightings on the moors, ringtail and a pair of Ravens.

Birding in the 'Barnsley area lowlands' was in the main restricted to watching the gull roost at Anglers CP late afternoon. Wind direction and dull conditions plus unpredictable roosting behaviour of the gulls put the roost watchers to the test. I saw the reasonably regular juv. Glaucous Gull on three visits (28/12, 31/12 and 01/01) and an adult Yellow-legged Gull, not Psycho, (31/12 and 01/01). The star was a 3rd winter Iceland Gull roosting on the Country Park lake (31/12). The lake held wintering duck including Goosander and Goldeneye. Twitched the Firecrest found nr Silkstone (03/01) as it mingled with Goldcrest and a Treecreeper. At one point it was pushed off by one of the Goldcrests. Also twitched a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets, connecting on the 2nd attempt (02/01) at Fleets Dam just north of Barnsley town centre, a Yorkshire and Barnsley tick!

Away from Barnsley saw the juv. male Surf Scoter at Filey (27/12) - Yorkshire tick. It was in company of a Great Northern Diver. Left Filey as news broke of a Richard's Pipit at Flamborough North Landing. Arrived at the cliff top site about 30 mins later and joined Brett R looking for the Pipit. He shortly located it in the long grass in tow with another Pipit, which quickly revealed itself to be "Dick's Pipit" number 2. A day birding Norfolk (29/12) produced an excellent 10 raptor species, primary target was the stunning Pallid Harrier at Flitcham which produced excellent views prior to 9 am. Connected with 2 wintering Rough-legged Buzzards east of Choseley and highlights from the north coast included Peregrine, Merlin, Red Kite and Hen Harrier.

Some images below. Much more photos uploaded at 'Latest UK Bird Photos' -  http://www.jcwassebirding.com/p/latest-uk-bird-photos.html.