Eastern Black Redstart, Skinningrove

We finally decided to make the journey north to Skinningrove to see the Eastern Black Redstart. It wasn't an easy place to find and we turned round and back-tracked many times, but we eventually found Skinningrove but finding the harbour car park was definitely a challenge!  The bird was soon found on the rocks with a few robins giving it grief. But it was so close, having no fear whatsoever. This 'Banksy' was in the car park.....wonder if its a real one?!

Dusky Thrush, Beeley

Just had to return to see the Dusky Thrush again as our views on Monday were dire. The weather was not the best, very overcast, but at least it had stopped raining. There were not that many people here today either, which made getting a good vantage point relatively easy. We decided to head to the orchard and wait and we didn't have to wait too long before it flew in, fed quickly and flew off !  It hadn't gone far and was soon back to feed on the apple tree infront of us where we had some brilliant views. It was nice to see an old mate, Kev, who we travelled to Ethiopia with a few years ago. Good to see you Kev ! 

Dusky Thrush, Beeley

Just had to go for this bird today after it came on the pager yesterday, a new world bird for us two. The village was easy to find, right next to Chatsworth House, and we were lucky to find somewhere to park. The crowds were huge and the bird was extremely mobile. We had a fleeting glance of it as soon as we arrived, but stood in a sports field (with feet like blocks of ice!), with the masses and no sign, probably due to the local fat cat the was sat on the wall under the trees ! Beeley was a 'Last of the Summer Wine' pretty little village and every tree , hedge, bush was being watched by birders. Word soon got out that it had been seen at the Activity Barn up the road so a mass of birders headed up the hill and it soon showed for perhaps 10 seconds before flying over and into the orchard behind. Lets hope that it sticks around for another day or so as a further visit is definately required ! 

Scaup, Covenham Reservoir

A lovely afternoon walk round Covenham Reservoir. Both been full of cold and feeling a bit under the weather so was good to get out in some fresh air. Never seen so many cormorants, there were 100's of them !  The highlight of the afternoon was these 3 scaup.