This evening, as the Redwings came in to roost in the scrub on the Deep Pit banks, a white bird was seen amongst them. It was obviously a Redwing but, apart from some streaking on the head, it was almost completely white. The bill was dark, with perhaps a hint of yellow at the base, and the eye looked dark. It was streaked most heavily on the crown with some more on the cheeks and throat. The light was poor and it buried itself in the hawthorn, so views were not perfect, but it was a stunning sight of what was probably a leucistic bird. PS.
All posts by Pete Smith
Brambling – 8th December
During the monthly bird count a Brambling was found in a flock of Chaffinches, along the Boundary Hedge. On the Lower Path the small flock of Lesser Redpolls was still about but they were hard to approach, it was not possible to be sure if the Mealy Redpoll was still with them or not. PS.
Mealy Redpoll – 6th December
This morning a small flock of Lesser Redpolls was feeding on Willow Herb, along the Lower Path. They were all typically brownish birds except one which was predominantly grey. This bird was slightly larger than its companions and when it preened its rump it looked nearly all white and its breast was very pale with a slight pink suffusion. Views were not good enough to eliminate an Arctic Redpoll and the beak size and shape were not seen but the bird is tentatively identified as a Mealy Redpoll (Carduelis flammea). PS.
Bittern – 5th December
This morning the Bittern was seen in the Deep Pit, flying into a reed bed. There were also four Little Egrets on the Ouse Dyke and good numbers of winter thrushes, Blackbirds, Redwings and Fieldfares. A Weasel was also seen on the bank of the Deep Pit, crossing to and fro. PS.
Woodcock – 28th November
This evening, as the geese, starlings and crows went to roost a Woodcock flew past in the Deep Pit. There were two Cetti’s Warblers singing and at least six Water Rail were calling. PS.
Tawny Owl – 27th November
This evening there were at least four Cetti’s Warblers singing on the site and several Water Rail were calling from the reed beds. Two Tawny Owls flew over the reed bed in the Deep Pit and some Snipe were heard as they flew against the dark sky. PS.
Merlin – 26th November
As the Starlings came to roost this evening a Merlin dashed in and caught one of their number. Later the geese came in and what may have been a Woodcock flew past, in the gloom. PS.
Scaup – 7th November
A female Scaup was seen this afternoon in the Deep Pit, along with a small group of Tufted Ducks and a female Goldeneye. PS.
Goldeneye – 3rd November
An eclipse male Goldeneye was on the river and later the Slurry Lagoon this morning. Seven Little Egrets were present briefly on the Wader Scrape, until a dog walker flushed them. Along the railway line was a small finch flock that contained two Lesser Redpoll. PS.
Long-winged Conehead – 29th October
A quiet afternoon at the lagoons. There were three Little Egrets, and a female Sparrowhawk, but no unusual birds about. A surprise was seeing several Long-winged Coneheads still active, on the sunny fence-posts near the river. One female was caught in the act of egg-laying. PS.
