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Catching Those Strays...
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Author:  Katherine Birkett [ Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:25 am ]
Post subject:  Catching Those Strays...
Been bereft of viable birdwatching opportunities these last couple of weeks, and when things finally get less busy for my parents, maybe I'll finally get out in the field again! When I do, I would like to make a very concentrated, concerted effort to push my Life List of 195 over into 200 Territory by 'catching the strays', or the more common birds I feel that I really ought to have seen by now, given that I'm coming up to my fifth anniversary of becoming a birdwatcher.

Using Vinicombe and Mitchell's 'Birds of Britain: The Complete Checklist' as my guide to rarity, these are the said 'strays'. Can anyone suggest any good Lincolnshire sites (or sites in neighbouring counties) for the following:

Black-throated Diver
Great Northern Diver
Red-necked Grebe
Mandarin Duck
Long-tailed Duck
Velvet Scoter
Smew
Purple Sandpiper
Jack Snipe
Black Tern
Roseate Tern
Long-eared Owl
European Nightjar
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Woodlark
Tree Pipit
Nightingale
Common Redstart
Ring Ouzel
Grasshopper Warbler
Garden Warbler
Dartford Warbler
Firecrest
Pied Flycatcher
Marsh Tit
Lesser Redpoll
Mealy Redpoll
Hawfinch
Author:  Keith Warner [ Thu Dec 09, 2010 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Catching Those Strays...
nightingale and grasshopper warbler whisby would be the best bet,smew turns up fairly regular at toft newton reservoir,purple sandpiper is quite a rarity in lincolnshire the others i think its going to be right place right time i think
Author:  Chris Grimshaw [ Sat Dec 11, 2010 1:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Catching Those Strays...
Some are fairly easy and some are not and obviously with some you will have to wait until spring

The Divers could be seen at the coast or occasionally Covenham. Keep your eye on the forum
A Long Tailed Duck was at Covenham late October
There were a few Velvet Scoter off the coast at Gib last week but Titchwell is also a good place
Smew - there has been one at Far Ings on and off for a few weeks now. Toft Newton is a good bet but once the ice has gone I would try Rutland Water. There has been a female at Whisby this week. Didn't see it today though
Nightjar in the forests of Lincs in the summer. Normally at dusk though
Redstart and Pied Flycatcher woodland such as Padley Gorge in Yorkshire (nest boxes for the PF) and likely on the coast on Autumn migration. Donna Nook/Pyes Hall was alive with them in October and also Spotted Flycatcher and some Pied
Firecrest - Gibraltar Point is a good bet but one at Whisby today (Friday)
Grasshopper Warbler - grassland but get to know their call as they are not easy to spot without hearing the call
All the warblers you will see at places like Whisby, Messingham and Far Ings
Marsh Tit and Hawfinch at Clumber Park. Marsh Tit easy but Hawfinch can be a pain to see
Jack Snipe at Gibraltar Point though Dean Nicholson has seen a couple in a ditch at Apex Pits Lincoln this week

Hope this helps
Author:  Chris Atkin [ Sat Dec 11, 2010 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Catching Those Strays...
We often get a single Purple Sandpiper winter at Cleethorpes. As far as I'm aware we haven't got one back so far this winter but they can often arrive quite late in the season.

Regards

Chris
Author:  Stephen Routledge [ Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Catching Those Strays...
Hi Katherine,

The best place i have been for Purple Sandpiper,although a bit out of the way is Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire,in recent weeks there has also been several of your other 'Wanted' list species there,with Great-northern Diver,Velvet Scoter and Red-necked Grebe being seen.For Pied Flycatcher,Redstart,Mash Tit and Tree Pipit i would recommend a visit to Stridd Woods in North West Yorkshire,near Bolton Abbey,you get superb views of all the mentioned species,with the bonus of Wood Warbler,Common Sandpiper,Dipper,Goosander,Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher,this coupled with some beautiful riverine scenery makes for a memorable visit.


Regards


Steve.
Author:  Hugh Dorrington [ Sun Dec 12, 2010 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Catching Those Strays...
Marsh Tits are almost guaranteed in Bourne Woods at any time of the year - and its less than 20 miles from Boston!
Hugh Dorrington
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