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RSPB Burton Mere & Denhall Lane, Wirral. 27/11/2016
(Preview)
A trip to a place that I always enjoy visiting was on the cards now that the major autumn rush has finally ended. It was to be a solo trip, as the rest of the A team seem to have mothballed their binoculars for the year. A late starting time of 8-30am on a cold, but pleasant (for late November) morning had m...
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David Ousey
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0
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79
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Hooded Merganser at Kilbirnie Loch, Ayrshire, Scotland. 20/11/2016
(Preview)
The controversy surrounding most unusual wildfowl arriving on our shores has always mystified me, the usual questions, is it wild, does it come to bread, has it got a ring, has it escaped from a wildfowl collection? All may have a bearing on a birds ability to get it self-accepted by the rarity committ...
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David Ousey
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0
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84
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Cliff Swallow at Minsmere. 5/11/2016
(Preview)
Late Friday afternoon, around 4-30pm, I got a call from Mark K, he said, There is a Cliff Swallow at Minsmere. Apart from being a bit shocked an Eyebrowed Thrush had also been discovered in Northumberland (it was never refound). Just as we all had thoughts of this bird rich autumn finally running down t...
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David Ousey
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2
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102
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Eastern Delight on the East Coast. 30/10/2016
(Preview)
After debating where to go at the weekend our minds were suddenly made up for us when a Pied Wheatear was re-identified late on Saturday evening. It was thought that it was originally a Desert or Black Eared type of Wheatear. An early start from Rochdale was required as I was meeting up with the York cr...
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David Ousey
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0
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83
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Point & Thorns at Spurn. Sunday 23rd October 2016
(Preview)
After last week`s full on encounters, thoughts of a nice leisurely bit of birding sprung to mind for the coming weekend. Then Spurn, true to form, produced more eastern bird specialities such as Isabelline Wheatear, two Siberian Stonechats 1-Maura and 1 possible Stejneger`s. With three of the A...
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David Ousey
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0
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85
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Siberian Rushing. 13/10 & 14/10/2016
(Preview)
The mobile phone really is a great invention, it has certainly speeded up the flow of information between people. My phone rung on Thursday afternoon around 3-10pm and it was Mark K from York he said, ?There is a Siberian Accentor near the old school in Easington just before Spurn?. He said other thin...
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David Ousey
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2
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101
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Spurn Rerun. Sunday 16th October 2016
(Preview)
As the easterly`s had continued to blow lots of birds towards the east coast, it was a good plan to go again and see what we could find. So three A teamers with Steve K at the wheel headed to the Spurn area. The headline bird was again the Siberian Accentor at Easington. We parked in the car park, well f...
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David Ousey
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0
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83
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Donna Nook, 15th Oct 2016
(Preview)
My first 'twitch' for many years and managed to get good views of the Red-flanked Bluetail that has been at Donna Nook for a couple of days now. Other birds seen included: Little Egret, c12 Brent Goose, c500, Hen Harrier, 1 ringtail, Buzzard, c6, Kestrel, c6, Grey Plover, c20, Golden Plover, c2000, Du...
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David Nuttall
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0
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91
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East is East!
(Preview)
 The Easterly winds had started over a week ago and focus was one question? - When will we be going to Spurn and environs?  After much dithering Sunday the 9th was the chosen day and I met Craggy (Mr C) at about 5am. We set off at a relaxed place and reached out first point just before 7.30am. This was...
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sarfraz
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2
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118
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Another Good Day at Spurn. Sunday 9th October 2016
(Preview)
The type of wind and weather fronts almost guaranteed a good weekend for migrant birds on the east coast. So, with 2 of the A team joining with 2 of the lads from York, who had been to Spurn the day before, we would almost certainly have a good day`s birding! I picked up Bob K in Milnrow, in the dark, the...
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David Ousey
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0
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76
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Flamborough Head. Sunday 2nd October 2016
(Preview)
The regular influx of birds being seen on the east coast was just about getting going, so it was time for a trip to Flamborough Head. Myself, Steve B and Chris B left Newhey in the hope that we might see the Taiga Bean Goose that had been seen a few times at North Marsh at Flamborough. This was also a new par...
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David Ousey
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0
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80
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Annual Spurn Trip 23/9 to 25/9/2016
(Preview)
Due to family commitments the date of our annual get together had to be brought forward a couple of weeks and with the lack of any rentable caravans in the area a change of accommodation also. A later start also with myself and Bob K going in the same car with Steve K joining us a little later. Our first s...
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David Ousey
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0
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77
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Alkborough Flats, Lincolnshire
(Preview)
Had the birding itch last week because Spurn had been delayed and it was a choice between Leighton Moss and Environs, some of the sites in Yorkshire such as Old Moor, Hatfield and Swillington Ings and Alkborough Flats/Blacktoft Sands. Craggy, Craig and I were joined by a new addition - Paul Burke. ...
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sarfraz
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5
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131
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Northern France.
(Preview)
I don't normally bore you with my annual visit to my family in France, but sitting here beer in hand and a good internet connection and the grandchildren being quite for a change I thought I would check the club website for anything interesting at home. Looks like things are moving through and Craig's b...
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brian
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7
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114
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Spurn at its best. Sunday 18th September 2016
(Preview)
The east coast in migration time is very difficult to beat and with a nice forecast, myself and Bob K headed once more for the Spurn/ Kilnsea area. Upon arrival quite a few birders seemed to be leaving the Church Field ringing area, the reason, a Blyth`s Reed Warbler had been trapped, rung and released...
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David Ousey
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0
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76
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Burton Mere Wetlands, Ainsdale and Marshside
(Preview)
The answer to the legendary A Team, the B Team consisting of myself, Craggy and Craig Bell or should I say more likely Z Team managed to make a trip first to Burton Mere Wetlands in Cheshire and then onto Ainsdale. The temptation of 12 Spoonbills which have been present for a few weeks at Burton Mere an...
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sarfraz
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3
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124
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Swamphens and Peatbogs. Sunday 11th September 2016
(Preview)
The full A team assembled in Newhey (after brief introductions) and after a small discussion we decided to head for Alkborough, North Lincolnshire as the Western Purple Swamphen was still present. As two of the team still needed to see this species, we soon arrived on a beautiful Lincolnshire (8 mil...
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David Ousey
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0
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78
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Skua`rd at Spurn. Sunday 4th September 2016
(Preview)
A call on Saturday to one of my mates from York, Mark K, resulted in me asking him if he was going out birding on Sunday, he invited me along saying there was room. I met Mark K, Nigel S and Paz on the main street at North Cave (of Spotted Crake fame) on a mild morning in Yorkshire. We arrived at Spurn around 9-1...
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David Ousey
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1
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88
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White winged Black Tern. Rishton Res. 4th Sept '16.
(Preview)
There has been a White winged Black Tern on Rishton Res, Blackburn this afternoon. Mostly very distant spending most of the time near to the far banking and the left bay so scope needed really for decent views.. A decent local bird with only a few if any east lancs records. Craig. 3 heavy cropped distant...
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C Bel
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0
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87
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Mallorca, August 2016
(Preview)
21.08.16 - 28.08.16 Took a holiday to Mallorca this year and still as good as ever, five years since my last visit, with the following being noted: Dabchick, c6 at Albufereta, Cormorant, just a couple noted, Shag, c20, Little Bittern, single flew over 3 times at Albufera, Night Heron, 2 at Albufereta...
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David Nuttall
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0
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90
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Cornwall Trip (Again?) Sunday 7th August 2016
(Preview)
After lasts weeks trip to dip the Dalmatian Pelican I did not think that I would be going back again so soon. With the bird seemingly settling down again in West Cornwall, it do no harm to have another go would it? A little persuasion was not needed from Mark K, so we met in Milnrow at 3am on Sunday morning, w...
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David Ousey
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0
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103
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Bad Times and Good Times (and a rest in between). 31/7/16 & 2/8/16
(Preview)
I dont often chase after birds that might not get accepted by the great bird gods, but, I had a lapse and thought about the Dalmatian Pelican in Cornwall. I saw a message from Dave W, from Huddersfield, on RBA asking for a lift or offering transport to see the bird. Steve K has always wanted to do a silly n...
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David Ousey
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0
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85
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St Bee's RSPB in Cumbria
(Preview)
Middle of last week after a 7 years wait I finally managed to visit St Bee's. I have wanted to go for 7 years but it always got put off. It is about a 2 1/2 hour drive form Rossendale but my first stop was Foulshaw Moss. The Osprey showed distantly but because it was cloudy no reptiles, dragonflies or bu...
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sarfraz
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0
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83
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Burton Mere Wetlands - 30/7/16
(Preview)
After the Avocets today I had to go to Warrington and once finished there decided to go to Burton Mere Wetlands as Spotted Crake has been showing over last few days. Within minutes of arriving at the visitor centre the Crake popped out and I managed to add another bird to my life list. It was very distan...
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sarfraz
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1
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91
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Swillington Ings/RSPB St Aidans near Leeds - June 2016
(Preview)
Went to Swillington Ings/St Aidans in 3rd week of June and had a great time. Not only a brilliant place for birds but for butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and other insects. Highlights of the day including a few Yellowhammers, many Warblers including Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blac...
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sarfraz
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2
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106
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Sunday 24th July 2016. Flamborough Head, Troutsdale, Wykeham & Wharram Quarry (Yorkshire)
(Preview)
This quiet time of the year for birding, usually gives way to trying to see some interesting insects and flowers etc. Myself, Bob K with Chris B at the helm set off from Newhey to visit a few different sites. Firstly calling at Flamborough Head for a spot of sea watching, only to see Brett Richards leavin...
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David Ousey
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0
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71
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White Winged Black Tern.10/7/2016
(Preview)
As I am always a sucker to go and see White Winged Black Terns anywhere, it followed that when one toured Yorkshire and settled at Rother Valley C.P that we would go. Myself at the wheel and Steve`s B & K left a drizzly Rochdale at 8am and soon found the country park around 9-15am. The last time we were...
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David Ousey
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0
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81
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London Birding
(Preview)
I had a work trip to London at the end of Sunny May so whilst there I decided to visit a couple of places. On arrival to the capital I met a good friend at Euston and then we headed to newly opened wetland in the North East of the capital not far from Upton Park tube station. Woodberry Wetland was run by th...
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sarfraz
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0
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83
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Success & Failure. 3/7/2016
(Preview)
The arrival of post breeding birds back into the country is always an exciting time for us birders, so when an American White Winged Scoter was seen in Aberdeenshire it was time to gather the troops. With my friends from over the border in Yorkshire being "up for it" and no real response from the regula...
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David Ousey
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0
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88
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Yorksire Trip. 26/6/2016
(Preview)
After a very unusual week at home, it was really good to know that I have a lot of friends around me to tell my troubles too. So, when Bob K asked me to go out on Sunday, I could not miss the opportunity. A nice Steve K type start time of 9am with Bob at the controls, we headed for Broomhill Flash not far from Ol...
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David Ousey
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0
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78
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