Stuart Rapson
@ivoryg.bsky.social
Birding, primarily within the York OC recording area
North Duffield Carrs - Geoff Smith hide.
Rarely see 2 together - video.
3 Scaup distantly, 2 Ruff close. Yaffle flew across the valley, Kingfisher & Stonechat in front of the hide.
Feoffee.
4 Shelduck, 125 Common Gulls & 1 LBB.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
Rarely see 2 together - video.
3 Scaup distantly, 2 Ruff close. Yaffle flew across the valley, Kingfisher & Stonechat in front of the hide.
Feoffee.
4 Shelduck, 125 Common Gulls & 1 LBB.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
February 1, 2026 at 12:10 PM
North Duffield Carrs - Geoff Smith hide.
Rarely see 2 together - video.
3 Scaup distantly, 2 Ruff close. Yaffle flew across the valley, Kingfisher & Stonechat in front of the hide.
Feoffee.
4 Shelduck, 125 Common Gulls & 1 LBB.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
Rarely see 2 together - video.
3 Scaup distantly, 2 Ruff close. Yaffle flew across the valley, Kingfisher & Stonechat in front of the hide.
Feoffee.
4 Shelduck, 125 Common Gulls & 1 LBB.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
Castle Howard Lake.
5 Shags remain on site after the incredible mid-week 17nr influx, seemingly feeding well.
Beautiful morning, 55 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
5 Shags remain on site after the incredible mid-week 17nr influx, seemingly feeding well.
Beautiful morning, 55 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 31, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Castle Howard Lake.
5 Shags remain on site after the incredible mid-week 17nr influx, seemingly feeding well.
Beautiful morning, 55 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
5 Shags remain on site after the incredible mid-week 17nr influx, seemingly feeding well.
Beautiful morning, 55 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
CHL.
Gulosus aristotelis. A truly amazing record for @yorkbirding.bsky.social area on this inland waterway of 17 multi-generational birds, found by @eborbirder.bsky.social late yesterday. 10 of which flew off SE over Ray Wood at 1155hrs.
Brought in by Storm Chandra two days ago.
Gulosus aristotelis. A truly amazing record for @yorkbirding.bsky.social area on this inland waterway of 17 multi-generational birds, found by @eborbirder.bsky.social late yesterday. 10 of which flew off SE over Ray Wood at 1155hrs.
Brought in by Storm Chandra two days ago.
January 29, 2026 at 1:52 PM
CHL.
Gulosus aristotelis. A truly amazing record for @yorkbirding.bsky.social area on this inland waterway of 17 multi-generational birds, found by @eborbirder.bsky.social late yesterday. 10 of which flew off SE over Ray Wood at 1155hrs.
Brought in by Storm Chandra two days ago.
Gulosus aristotelis. A truly amazing record for @yorkbirding.bsky.social area on this inland waterway of 17 multi-generational birds, found by @eborbirder.bsky.social late yesterday. 10 of which flew off SE over Ray Wood at 1155hrs.
Brought in by Storm Chandra two days ago.
CHL, one of the herons back at its nest site today and managed to capture the neck stretch which forms part of its display.
GC Grebe still here, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard, 31 Goldeneye and c.160 Tufted.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
GC Grebe still here, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard, 31 Goldeneye and c.160 Tufted.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 3:55 PM
CHL, one of the herons back at its nest site today and managed to capture the neck stretch which forms part of its display.
GC Grebe still here, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard, 31 Goldeneye and c.160 Tufted.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
GC Grebe still here, 2 drake and 1 female Pochard, 31 Goldeneye and c.160 Tufted.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Castle Howard Lake. Podiceps christatus, once a regular breeder here until 2022, now quite scarce this being the first record here, this morning, since 4 records in first half of last year. 🤞 they resume breeding again here soon.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
49 species @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
49 species @birdtrack.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Castle Howard Lake. Podiceps christatus, once a regular breeder here until 2022, now quite scarce this being the first record here, this morning, since 4 records in first half of last year. 🤞 they resume breeding again here soon.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
49 species @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
49 species @birdtrack.bsky.social
CHL, a v high count of 229 Teal in the freeze this afternoon, a greyish f Pochard, an uncommon sight here.
Witnessed a f Goosander trying to take a Dabchick, constantly dunking and pecking the poor thing over a prolonged period but amazingly it eventually escaped.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Witnessed a f Goosander trying to take a Dabchick, constantly dunking and pecking the poor thing over a prolonged period but amazingly it eventually escaped.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 5:10 PM
CHL, a v high count of 229 Teal in the freeze this afternoon, a greyish f Pochard, an uncommon sight here.
Witnessed a f Goosander trying to take a Dabchick, constantly dunking and pecking the poor thing over a prolonged period but amazingly it eventually escaped.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Witnessed a f Goosander trying to take a Dabchick, constantly dunking and pecking the poor thing over a prolonged period but amazingly it eventually escaped.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
1/1. Still a frozen wilderness at Wheldrake Ings this morning.
Surprised an Otter on the boardwalk as I was approaching the Swantail hide.
River level getting up to the brim.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Surprised an Otter on the boardwalk as I was approaching the Swantail hide.
River level getting up to the brim.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 13, 2026 at 1:12 PM
1/1. Still a frozen wilderness at Wheldrake Ings this morning.
Surprised an Otter on the boardwalk as I was approaching the Swantail hide.
River level getting up to the brim.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Surprised an Otter on the boardwalk as I was approaching the Swantail hide.
River level getting up to the brim.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
A great Bird Race with @yorkbirding.bsky.social colleagues, 9hrs in the field at Castle Howard Lake and a 5 mile round on the adjacent Estate.
A respectable 76 species incl. WS, PG, HW, RN & CR.
Lovely 20mins here at an off-path pond watching a male Kingfisher feeding & a Water Rail ice dancing.
A respectable 76 species incl. WS, PG, HW, RN & CR.
Lovely 20mins here at an off-path pond watching a male Kingfisher feeding & a Water Rail ice dancing.
January 4, 2026 at 7:23 PM
A great Bird Race with @yorkbirding.bsky.social colleagues, 9hrs in the field at Castle Howard Lake and a 5 mile round on the adjacent Estate.
A respectable 76 species incl. WS, PG, HW, RN & CR.
Lovely 20mins here at an off-path pond watching a male Kingfisher feeding & a Water Rail ice dancing.
A respectable 76 species incl. WS, PG, HW, RN & CR.
Lovely 20mins here at an off-path pond watching a male Kingfisher feeding & a Water Rail ice dancing.
Heard their call, in with the GLG's, as they flew into CHL this morning. Lovely to see a new record for me at this site of 7nr White-fronted Geese - a good start to the year.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Heard their call, in with the GLG's, as they flew into CHL this morning. Lovely to see a new record for me at this site of 7nr White-fronted Geese - a good start to the year.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Castle Howard Lake.
Finished the year on 120sp. & 125 cuml. over 2 years watching.
Undoubted highlight being the Bittern, seen in flight 04/09 and in open view feeding on 10/11. 1st record here since 1877 when one was recorded by shooting it!
RT Gavia nice too on 17/11, a much wished for species.
Finished the year on 120sp. & 125 cuml. over 2 years watching.
Undoubted highlight being the Bittern, seen in flight 04/09 and in open view feeding on 10/11. 1st record here since 1877 when one was recorded by shooting it!
RT Gavia nice too on 17/11, a much wished for species.
January 1, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Castle Howard Lake.
Finished the year on 120sp. & 125 cuml. over 2 years watching.
Undoubted highlight being the Bittern, seen in flight 04/09 and in open view feeding on 10/11. 1st record here since 1877 when one was recorded by shooting it!
RT Gavia nice too on 17/11, a much wished for species.
Finished the year on 120sp. & 125 cuml. over 2 years watching.
Undoubted highlight being the Bittern, seen in flight 04/09 and in open view feeding on 10/11. 1st record here since 1877 when one was recorded by shooting it!
RT Gavia nice too on 17/11, a much wished for species.
40 sp. up river from Stamford Bridge @footit.bsky.social
Lovely close view of a Chiff feeding in field/river margin. Early view of Raven pair mid-height flying down river, Goosander, 40+Siskin & a few Goldies on Alders, 5 Herons in a group feeding on Derwent, Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Lovely close view of a Chiff feeding in field/river margin. Early view of Raven pair mid-height flying down river, Goosander, 40+Siskin & a few Goldies on Alders, 5 Herons in a group feeding on Derwent, Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 12:13 PM
40 sp. up river from Stamford Bridge @footit.bsky.social
Lovely close view of a Chiff feeding in field/river margin. Early view of Raven pair mid-height flying down river, Goosander, 40+Siskin & a few Goldies on Alders, 5 Herons in a group feeding on Derwent, Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Lovely close view of a Chiff feeding in field/river margin. Early view of Raven pair mid-height flying down river, Goosander, 40+Siskin & a few Goldies on Alders, 5 Herons in a group feeding on Derwent, Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Stuart Rapson
Another NYE, another night of terror for millions of birds across the Netherlands (and around the world).
Last year we published in @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social Frontiers 🧪 about the massive impact of fireworks on birds 🦅.
Paper: doi.org/10.1002/fee....
Thread below 🧵👇
Last year we published in @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social Frontiers 🧪 about the massive impact of fireworks on birds 🦅.
Paper: doi.org/10.1002/fee....
Thread below 🧵👇
December 30, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Another NYE, another night of terror for millions of birds across the Netherlands (and around the world).
Last year we published in @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social Frontiers 🧪 about the massive impact of fireworks on birds 🦅.
Paper: doi.org/10.1002/fee....
Thread below 🧵👇
Last year we published in @ecologicalsociety.bsky.social Frontiers 🧪 about the massive impact of fireworks on birds 🦅.
Paper: doi.org/10.1002/fee....
Thread below 🧵👇
Castle Howard Lake.
A still peaceful morning. A pair of Ravens quite high above the lake flew in direct flight heading W, prukking softly.
Goldeneye up to 30nr.
Re-counted 23 Goosanders on my way out plus saw 5 leave high S well before sunrise. 48sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A still peaceful morning. A pair of Ravens quite high above the lake flew in direct flight heading W, prukking softly.
Goldeneye up to 30nr.
Re-counted 23 Goosanders on my way out plus saw 5 leave high S well before sunrise. 48sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 28, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Castle Howard Lake.
A still peaceful morning. A pair of Ravens quite high above the lake flew in direct flight heading W, prukking softly.
Goldeneye up to 30nr.
Re-counted 23 Goosanders on my way out plus saw 5 leave high S well before sunrise. 48sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A still peaceful morning. A pair of Ravens quite high above the lake flew in direct flight heading W, prukking softly.
Goldeneye up to 30nr.
Re-counted 23 Goosanders on my way out plus saw 5 leave high S well before sunrise. 48sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
North Duffield Ings
Lovely to hear the Curlew singing first thing this morning, 3 birds present.
17 Redshank, 10+Ruff, a good count for Dec of 40 Blackwits, half a doz Dunlin in view, small flock of 35 Goldies and a GWE.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Lovely to hear the Curlew singing first thing this morning, 3 birds present.
17 Redshank, 10+Ruff, a good count for Dec of 40 Blackwits, half a doz Dunlin in view, small flock of 35 Goldies and a GWE.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
North Duffield Ings
Lovely to hear the Curlew singing first thing this morning, 3 birds present.
17 Redshank, 10+Ruff, a good count for Dec of 40 Blackwits, half a doz Dunlin in view, small flock of 35 Goldies and a GWE.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Lovely to hear the Curlew singing first thing this morning, 3 birds present.
17 Redshank, 10+Ruff, a good count for Dec of 40 Blackwits, half a doz Dunlin in view, small flock of 35 Goldies and a GWE.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Part of the 58 flock of Golden Plover on Feoffee Common this morning. They're never seen here though on the weekend that we complete the GP survey in November each year!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Part of the 58 flock of Golden Plover on Feoffee Common this morning. They're never seen here though on the weekend that we complete the GP survey in November each year!
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Castle Howard Lake.
V high water, not many ducks.
10 MN, 14 SV, 25 GA, 6 WN, 27 T, 6 TU and 6 GD. No Goldeneye.
A GWE here and at Oulston Res.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
V high water, not many ducks.
10 MN, 14 SV, 25 GA, 6 WN, 27 T, 6 TU and 6 GD. No Goldeneye.
A GWE here and at Oulston Res.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Castle Howard Lake.
V high water, not many ducks.
10 MN, 14 SV, 25 GA, 6 WN, 27 T, 6 TU and 6 GD. No Goldeneye.
A GWE here and at Oulston Res.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
V high water, not many ducks.
10 MN, 14 SV, 25 GA, 6 WN, 27 T, 6 TU and 6 GD. No Goldeneye.
A GWE here and at Oulston Res.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
The 30th Yorkshire Bird Race, this year, in support of Swifts conservation is taking place on 3rd or 4th January 2026.
I and several other @yorkbirding.bsky.social colleagues are participating again in this full day event. Any donations would be most gratefully received.
gofund.me/a41ab6152
I and several other @yorkbirding.bsky.social colleagues are participating again in this full day event. Any donations would be most gratefully received.
gofund.me/a41ab6152
Donate to Yorkshire Bird Race for Yorkshire Swifts, organized by Leeds Swifts
Leeds Swifts and Sheffield Swift Network are excited to announce a new event to… Leeds Swifts needs your support for Yorkshire Bird Race for Yorkshire Swifts
gofund.me
December 17, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The 30th Yorkshire Bird Race, this year, in support of Swifts conservation is taking place on 3rd or 4th January 2026.
I and several other @yorkbirding.bsky.social colleagues are participating again in this full day event. Any donations would be most gratefully received.
gofund.me/a41ab6152
I and several other @yorkbirding.bsky.social colleagues are participating again in this full day event. Any donations would be most gratefully received.
gofund.me/a41ab6152
A full day surveying 2 @btobirds.bsky.social Winter BS tetrads.
Star bird was a Woodcock which flushed whilst walking the edge of this beet fodder crop field at Menethorpe.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were new species for the patch at Seaton Ross. c.350 Pinks over here also.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Star bird was a Woodcock which flushed whilst walking the edge of this beet fodder crop field at Menethorpe.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were new species for the patch at Seaton Ross. c.350 Pinks over here also.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
A full day surveying 2 @btobirds.bsky.social Winter BS tetrads.
Star bird was a Woodcock which flushed whilst walking the edge of this beet fodder crop field at Menethorpe.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were new species for the patch at Seaton Ross. c.350 Pinks over here also.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Star bird was a Woodcock which flushed whilst walking the edge of this beet fodder crop field at Menethorpe.
A pair of Egyptian Geese were new species for the patch at Seaton Ross. c.350 Pinks over here also.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Oulston-pic taken 30/11. My 1st sighting today of an Otter, swimming across the reservoir here. GWE, 6th record since beginning of Nov. 12 GD's.
CHL. Sparce on numbers, maybe due to v high water level, a few Tufted, no Goldeneye, 12 Goosanders, dabblers thin on the ground. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
CHL. Sparce on numbers, maybe due to v high water level, a few Tufted, no Goldeneye, 12 Goosanders, dabblers thin on the ground. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Oulston-pic taken 30/11. My 1st sighting today of an Otter, swimming across the reservoir here. GWE, 6th record since beginning of Nov. 12 GD's.
CHL. Sparce on numbers, maybe due to v high water level, a few Tufted, no Goldeneye, 12 Goosanders, dabblers thin on the ground. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
CHL. Sparce on numbers, maybe due to v high water level, a few Tufted, no Goldeneye, 12 Goosanders, dabblers thin on the ground. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
North Duffield Carrs.
I was looking skyward to see what had disturbed the birds, then reynard appeared, this morning.
Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies and Redshank present although the incoming water is encroaching their feeding margins near the hides.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
I was looking skyward to see what had disturbed the birds, then reynard appeared, this morning.
Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies and Redshank present although the incoming water is encroaching their feeding margins near the hides.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
North Duffield Carrs.
I was looking skyward to see what had disturbed the birds, then reynard appeared, this morning.
Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies and Redshank present although the incoming water is encroaching their feeding margins near the hides.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
I was looking skyward to see what had disturbed the birds, then reynard appeared, this morning.
Godwits, Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies and Redshank present although the incoming water is encroaching their feeding margins near the hides.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
26 Dunlin at North Duffield Carrs and 8 Ruff, some with remnants of their summer garb. 26 Dunlin later on from Thorganby platform were too much of a coincidence.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
December 8, 2025 at 12:21 PM
26 Dunlin at North Duffield Carrs and 8 Ruff, some with remnants of their summer garb. 26 Dunlin later on from Thorganby platform were too much of a coincidence.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Great job by @ldvnnr.bsky.social team at NDC. 2 cuts made in front of GS hide (Water Rail & Kingfisher) plus opening up of western panorama.
Incoming flood water pushing prey to margins so a lot of raptors feeding. Whoopers close in flying S, GWE, 9 Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies, Pinks S, Stonechats.
Incoming flood water pushing prey to margins so a lot of raptors feeding. Whoopers close in flying S, GWE, 9 Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies, Pinks S, Stonechats.
December 4, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Great job by @ldvnnr.bsky.social team at NDC. 2 cuts made in front of GS hide (Water Rail & Kingfisher) plus opening up of western panorama.
Incoming flood water pushing prey to margins so a lot of raptors feeding. Whoopers close in flying S, GWE, 9 Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies, Pinks S, Stonechats.
Incoming flood water pushing prey to margins so a lot of raptors feeding. Whoopers close in flying S, GWE, 9 Ruff, Dunlin, Goldies, Pinks S, Stonechats.
3 'Howardian' GW Egrets this morning, 2 at CHL and 1 here at Oulston R. 42 Goosanders pre-sunrise at the lake and 6 at the reservoir. Full lists on @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
3 'Howardian' GW Egrets this morning, 2 at CHL and 1 here at Oulston R. 42 Goosanders pre-sunrise at the lake and 6 at the reservoir. Full lists on @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Please excuse my deviation from the birding topic but if any of you would like to enjoy a night with the York Phil, in the run up to Christmas, it would be great to see you.
Christmas Traditions running on consecutive evenings Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th December. Details as attached.
Reg. charity.
Christmas Traditions running on consecutive evenings Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th December. Details as attached.
Reg. charity.
November 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Please excuse my deviation from the birding topic but if any of you would like to enjoy a night with the York Phil, in the run up to Christmas, it would be great to see you.
Christmas Traditions running on consecutive evenings Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th December. Details as attached.
Reg. charity.
Christmas Traditions running on consecutive evenings Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th December. Details as attached.
Reg. charity.
Stamford Bridge Flash.
Nicely filling up these last few days.
Fieldfare on berries and Redwings in the meadow on invertebrates below them.
An early yaffling Green Woodpecker for November.
Kingfisher fishing at Corn Mill shallows.
47 Teal & few Gadwall already.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Nicely filling up these last few days.
Fieldfare on berries and Redwings in the meadow on invertebrates below them.
An early yaffling Green Woodpecker for November.
Kingfisher fishing at Corn Mill shallows.
47 Teal & few Gadwall already.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Stamford Bridge Flash.
Nicely filling up these last few days.
Fieldfare on berries and Redwings in the meadow on invertebrates below them.
An early yaffling Green Woodpecker for November.
Kingfisher fishing at Corn Mill shallows.
47 Teal & few Gadwall already.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Nicely filling up these last few days.
Fieldfare on berries and Redwings in the meadow on invertebrates below them.
An early yaffling Green Woodpecker for November.
Kingfisher fishing at Corn Mill shallows.
47 Teal & few Gadwall already.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social