Stuart Rapson
@ivoryg.bsky.social
Birding, primarily within the York OC recording area
CHL. Bittern on its raptor watch.
Saw one here in flight on 4th Sept & wondered if it was a one-off.
Imagine my delight walking onto the bank at sunrise this morning to find it feeding on frogs on the far bank.
c.700 Starlings leaving roost, now 6 Goldeneye / 10 Goosanders.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Saw one here in flight on 4th Sept & wondered if it was a one-off.
Imagine my delight walking onto the bank at sunrise this morning to find it feeding on frogs on the far bank.
c.700 Starlings leaving roost, now 6 Goldeneye / 10 Goosanders.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
CHL. Bittern on its raptor watch.
Saw one here in flight on 4th Sept & wondered if it was a one-off.
Imagine my delight walking onto the bank at sunrise this morning to find it feeding on frogs on the far bank.
c.700 Starlings leaving roost, now 6 Goldeneye / 10 Goosanders.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Saw one here in flight on 4th Sept & wondered if it was a one-off.
Imagine my delight walking onto the bank at sunrise this morning to find it feeding on frogs on the far bank.
c.700 Starlings leaving roost, now 6 Goldeneye / 10 Goosanders.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Stuart Rapson
The @yorkbirding.bsky.social 2024 report is now out, covering a great year locally with @wendyredrobin.bsky.social Little Gull on the cover & detailing our first Great Reed & Icterine Warblers. Free to members & also available from yorkbirding.org.uk
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The @yorkbirding.bsky.social 2024 report is now out, covering a great year locally with @wendyredrobin.bsky.social Little Gull on the cover & detailing our first Great Reed & Icterine Warblers. Free to members & also available from yorkbirding.org.uk
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
A v nice 7 mile round from Settrington via Bassett Brow today.
109 Pinks over in 3 skeins, kettle of 6 Kites over Wardale, 59 Teal on Settrington Lake with 22 Gadwall.
Lunch stop at the Brow with backdrop of Crossbills chattering in the fir wood above, 14 Skylark flock.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social
109 Pinks over in 3 skeins, kettle of 6 Kites over Wardale, 59 Teal on Settrington Lake with 22 Gadwall.
Lunch stop at the Brow with backdrop of Crossbills chattering in the fir wood above, 14 Skylark flock.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 3:56 PM
A v nice 7 mile round from Settrington via Bassett Brow today.
109 Pinks over in 3 skeins, kettle of 6 Kites over Wardale, 59 Teal on Settrington Lake with 22 Gadwall.
Lunch stop at the Brow with backdrop of Crossbills chattering in the fir wood above, 14 Skylark flock.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social
109 Pinks over in 3 skeins, kettle of 6 Kites over Wardale, 59 Teal on Settrington Lake with 22 Gadwall.
Lunch stop at the Brow with backdrop of Crossbills chattering in the fir wood above, 14 Skylark flock.
@northyorksbirds.bsky.social
Reposted by Stuart Rapson
I was pleased to find this ♀ Lesser Scaup today at Helston boating lake. (5th Nov). A ♂ was found here yest.
Both ♂ and ♀ upper wing pics show the secondary and primary wing bar pattern.
Lesser Scaup is annual in Cornwall. A flock of 10 were found at Drift in Nov 23 by @reuben-veal.bsky.social
Both ♂ and ♀ upper wing pics show the secondary and primary wing bar pattern.
Lesser Scaup is annual in Cornwall. A flock of 10 were found at Drift in Nov 23 by @reuben-veal.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I was pleased to find this ♀ Lesser Scaup today at Helston boating lake. (5th Nov). A ♂ was found here yest.
Both ♂ and ♀ upper wing pics show the secondary and primary wing bar pattern.
Lesser Scaup is annual in Cornwall. A flock of 10 were found at Drift in Nov 23 by @reuben-veal.bsky.social
Both ♂ and ♀ upper wing pics show the secondary and primary wing bar pattern.
Lesser Scaup is annual in Cornwall. A flock of 10 were found at Drift in Nov 23 by @reuben-veal.bsky.social
Oulston Res, almost Springlike.
My 1st Marshie here in the v short time I have been watching.
Another 1st was hearing the GWE's call as it moved up the lake and my earliest Stormcock in song this morning.
Goldeneye up to 4, all ad females at CHL.
Green Sand at Newburgh Pr.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
My 1st Marshie here in the v short time I have been watching.
Another 1st was hearing the GWE's call as it moved up the lake and my earliest Stormcock in song this morning.
Goldeneye up to 4, all ad females at CHL.
Green Sand at Newburgh Pr.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Oulston Res, almost Springlike.
My 1st Marshie here in the v short time I have been watching.
Another 1st was hearing the GWE's call as it moved up the lake and my earliest Stormcock in song this morning.
Goldeneye up to 4, all ad females at CHL.
Green Sand at Newburgh Pr.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
My 1st Marshie here in the v short time I have been watching.
Another 1st was hearing the GWE's call as it moved up the lake and my earliest Stormcock in song this morning.
Goldeneye up to 4, all ad females at CHL.
Green Sand at Newburgh Pr.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Wheldrake Ings. A raptor filled morning, notably 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Peregrines, Kites, Buzzards, and Kestrels, all pretty active.
A flock each of Golden Plover and Pinks moving over the reserve this morning.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
A flock each of Golden Plover and Pinks moving over the reserve this morning.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Wheldrake Ings. A raptor filled morning, notably 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Peregrines, Kites, Buzzards, and Kestrels, all pretty active.
A flock each of Golden Plover and Pinks moving over the reserve this morning.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
A flock each of Golden Plover and Pinks moving over the reserve this morning.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Oulston Res, headwater of the R Foss. A GWE was a new record for me here, in the v short time I've been watching, a drake Goosander similarly.
At CHL, I rarely seem to record Starlings at the lake, so was nice to see c.60 leaving their roost at sunrise from W end reedbed.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
At CHL, I rarely seem to record Starlings at the lake, so was nice to see c.60 leaving their roost at sunrise from W end reedbed.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Oulston Res, headwater of the R Foss. A GWE was a new record for me here, in the v short time I've been watching, a drake Goosander similarly.
At CHL, I rarely seem to record Starlings at the lake, so was nice to see c.60 leaving their roost at sunrise from W end reedbed.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
At CHL, I rarely seem to record Starlings at the lake, so was nice to see c.60 leaving their roost at sunrise from W end reedbed.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A feeding Buzzard, in the willows at the edge of the lake this morning at Castle Howard.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A feeding Buzzard, in the willows at the edge of the lake this morning at Castle Howard.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Stuart Rapson
'“well over” 1,000 dead cranes have been found “in a short period of time” at a major resting place in Linum, Germany. “We have been working with many volunteers in managing this bird migration gathering place for 25 years & have never experienced anything like this,”'
www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
Germany: Never experienced anything like this”: Avian flu devastating crane populations, experts say
Global News Video Scientists in Germany are warning about the devastating impact the avian flu is having on migrating crane populations across Europe. Norbert Schneeweiss, a biologist who heads the…
www.unmc.edu
October 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
'“well over” 1,000 dead cranes have been found “in a short period of time” at a major resting place in Linum, Germany. “We have been working with many volunteers in managing this bird migration gathering place for 25 years & have never experienced anything like this,”'
www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
www.unmc.edu/healthsecuri...
CHL. Always great to see the Whoopers here, in transit, especially a successful family with 5 juvs on their first migration. Arrived at 0940 in a bugling fanfare. 55 sp. on @birdtrack.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Others 1 f Goldeneye, 3 RCP incl a hybrid, 3 Pintail & a GWE.
Others 1 f Goldeneye, 3 RCP incl a hybrid, 3 Pintail & a GWE.
October 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
CHL. Always great to see the Whoopers here, in transit, especially a successful family with 5 juvs on their first migration. Arrived at 0940 in a bugling fanfare. 55 sp. on @birdtrack.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Others 1 f Goldeneye, 3 RCP incl a hybrid, 3 Pintail & a GWE.
Others 1 f Goldeneye, 3 RCP incl a hybrid, 3 Pintail & a GWE.
Castle Howard Lake.
First Goldeneye back this morning, 9 days earlier than last year.
GWE returned after a short spell away, 4 Crossbills on lakeside trees, 2 Cetti's singing at either end, 2 f RCP's and 3 Pintail today, 62 Tufted, 56 each of Wigeon & Teal, 100+ Gadwall
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
First Goldeneye back this morning, 9 days earlier than last year.
GWE returned after a short spell away, 4 Crossbills on lakeside trees, 2 Cetti's singing at either end, 2 f RCP's and 3 Pintail today, 62 Tufted, 56 each of Wigeon & Teal, 100+ Gadwall
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Castle Howard Lake.
First Goldeneye back this morning, 9 days earlier than last year.
GWE returned after a short spell away, 4 Crossbills on lakeside trees, 2 Cetti's singing at either end, 2 f RCP's and 3 Pintail today, 62 Tufted, 56 each of Wigeon & Teal, 100+ Gadwall
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
First Goldeneye back this morning, 9 days earlier than last year.
GWE returned after a short spell away, 4 Crossbills on lakeside trees, 2 Cetti's singing at either end, 2 f RCP's and 3 Pintail today, 62 Tufted, 56 each of Wigeon & Teal, 100+ Gadwall
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
CHL. Pintail, an uncommon visitor, I have seen 3x from 158 visits to this site over the last 24 months (2%). Single records previously, so nice to see an eclipse pair today
Also, the first record for the season of Goosanders today, 5 Redheads.
55 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Also, the first record for the season of Goosanders today, 5 Redheads.
55 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 2:53 PM
CHL. Pintail, an uncommon visitor, I have seen 3x from 158 visits to this site over the last 24 months (2%). Single records previously, so nice to see an eclipse pair today
Also, the first record for the season of Goosanders today, 5 Redheads.
55 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Also, the first record for the season of Goosanders today, 5 Redheads.
55 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by Stuart Rapson
I was struck by this graph showing the spectacular growth in the UK population of Goshawks over my lifetime, which are still recovering from the impacts of persecution and pesticides that almost wiped them out. Conor James discusses this phenomenon at www.birdguides.com/articles/it-...
October 17, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I was struck by this graph showing the spectacular growth in the UK population of Goshawks over my lifetime, which are still recovering from the impacts of persecution and pesticides that almost wiped them out. Conor James discusses this phenomenon at www.birdguides.com/articles/it-...
Lovely surprise on our first Winter Bird Survey visit to one of our @btobirds.bsky.social tetrads at Seaton Ross today. Turned a field corner to find 11 Whoopers feeding in stubble. Managed to walk around without disturbing which was pleasing.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Lovely surprise on our first Winter Bird Survey visit to one of our @btobirds.bsky.social tetrads at Seaton Ross today. Turned a field corner to find 11 Whoopers feeding in stubble. Managed to walk around without disturbing which was pleasing.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Stamford Bridge Flash
Noticeable colonisation of Mandarin Ducks on this stretch of the Derwent. 2 here this morning, 1 on my bbs at Menethorpe & 3 at Kexby Ings. All new patch records this year
Others today 2 Kingfishers, Siskins in the many alders along here & Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Noticeable colonisation of Mandarin Ducks on this stretch of the Derwent. 2 here this morning, 1 on my bbs at Menethorpe & 3 at Kexby Ings. All new patch records this year
Others today 2 Kingfishers, Siskins in the many alders along here & Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
October 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Stamford Bridge Flash
Noticeable colonisation of Mandarin Ducks on this stretch of the Derwent. 2 here this morning, 1 on my bbs at Menethorpe & 3 at Kexby Ings. All new patch records this year
Others today 2 Kingfishers, Siskins in the many alders along here & Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Noticeable colonisation of Mandarin Ducks on this stretch of the Derwent. 2 here this morning, 1 on my bbs at Menethorpe & 3 at Kexby Ings. All new patch records this year
Others today 2 Kingfishers, Siskins in the many alders along here & Pinks over.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Three of the Glossy Ibis on a pool at Welwick,on the Humber,this morning. A notable flock of 11 Greenshanks was also here at the high tide.
October 9, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Three of the Glossy Ibis on a pool at Welwick,on the Humber,this morning. A notable flock of 11 Greenshanks was also here at the high tide.
This morning.
Oulston Res. 8 species of finch, incl Crossbills, Redpoll & Siskin.
CHL 14 Wigeon now returned, 1 GWE (2 here on 25th), 2 F RCP, 2 Snipe feeding. 49 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
Newburgh Priory,a late Common Sand.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Oulston Res. 8 species of finch, incl Crossbills, Redpoll & Siskin.
CHL 14 Wigeon now returned, 1 GWE (2 here on 25th), 2 F RCP, 2 Snipe feeding. 49 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
Newburgh Priory,a late Common Sand.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 11:33 AM
This morning.
Oulston Res. 8 species of finch, incl Crossbills, Redpoll & Siskin.
CHL 14 Wigeon now returned, 1 GWE (2 here on 25th), 2 F RCP, 2 Snipe feeding. 49 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
Newburgh Priory,a late Common Sand.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Oulston Res. 8 species of finch, incl Crossbills, Redpoll & Siskin.
CHL 14 Wigeon now returned, 1 GWE (2 here on 25th), 2 F RCP, 2 Snipe feeding. 49 sp. @birdtrack.bsky.social
Newburgh Priory,a late Common Sand.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Jack Snipe showing well on Canal Scrape 1120 hours this morning.
@spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
@spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
September 23, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Jack Snipe showing well on Canal Scrape 1120 hours this morning.
@spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
@spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
CHL. A nice new patch record, for me, in the form of a juv Marsh Harrier, flew in quite low from W, had a look around island and boathouse reeds and off E.
A single PFG in the the Grey Lags.
GWE here, RCP & Grey Wag on mud behind island.
Water Rail pic taken here on 08/09.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A single PFG in the the Grey Lags.
GWE here, RCP & Grey Wag on mud behind island.
Water Rail pic taken here on 08/09.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
September 21, 2025 at 9:49 AM
CHL. A nice new patch record, for me, in the form of a juv Marsh Harrier, flew in quite low from W, had a look around island and boathouse reeds and off E.
A single PFG in the the Grey Lags.
GWE here, RCP & Grey Wag on mud behind island.
Water Rail pic taken here on 08/09.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A single PFG in the the Grey Lags.
GWE here, RCP & Grey Wag on mud behind island.
Water Rail pic taken here on 08/09.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Pleasant early morning visit to Castle Howard Lake.
Another new record for me here when 2 Greenshank flew through E just before 8am. 2GWE's here. No sign of yesterdays Bittern. 1 Snipe on lake margin.
50 species recorded @birdtrack.bsky.social makes it 108 year to date.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Another new record for me here when 2 Greenshank flew through E just before 8am. 2GWE's here. No sign of yesterdays Bittern. 1 Snipe on lake margin.
50 species recorded @birdtrack.bsky.social makes it 108 year to date.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Pleasant early morning visit to Castle Howard Lake.
Another new record for me here when 2 Greenshank flew through E just before 8am. 2GWE's here. No sign of yesterdays Bittern. 1 Snipe on lake margin.
50 species recorded @birdtrack.bsky.social makes it 108 year to date.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
Another new record for me here when 2 Greenshank flew through E just before 8am. 2GWE's here. No sign of yesterdays Bittern. 1 Snipe on lake margin.
50 species recorded @birdtrack.bsky.social makes it 108 year to date.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A good morning at CHL.
A Great White has been here a short while, I watched another fly-in to join it this morning.
Highlight was a Bittern, flushed from pathside reeds into cover adjacent boathouse. Maybe 1st record here.
2 eclipse WN.
41 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
A Great White has been here a short while, I watched another fly-in to join it this morning.
Highlight was a Bittern, flushed from pathside reeds into cover adjacent boathouse. Maybe 1st record here.
2 eclipse WN.
41 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 12:08 PM
A good morning at CHL.
A Great White has been here a short while, I watched another fly-in to join it this morning.
Highlight was a Bittern, flushed from pathside reeds into cover adjacent boathouse. Maybe 1st record here.
2 eclipse WN.
41 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
A Great White has been here a short while, I watched another fly-in to join it this morning.
Highlight was a Bittern, flushed from pathside reeds into cover adjacent boathouse. Maybe 1st record here.
2 eclipse WN.
41 species on @birdtrack.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
BC Night Heron, doing its thing this morning @northcavewet.bsky.social, motionless, secreted away in the willows on E bank of Far Lake.
Others, 2 Greenshank, 1 juv f Ruff, 4 Green & 1 Common Sands, adult Spotshank & a showy adult Water Rail all on Island Lake.
Nice visit.
Others, 2 Greenshank, 1 juv f Ruff, 4 Green & 1 Common Sands, adult Spotshank & a showy adult Water Rail all on Island Lake.
Nice visit.
August 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
BC Night Heron, doing its thing this morning @northcavewet.bsky.social, motionless, secreted away in the willows on E bank of Far Lake.
Others, 2 Greenshank, 1 juv f Ruff, 4 Green & 1 Common Sands, adult Spotshank & a showy adult Water Rail all on Island Lake.
Nice visit.
Others, 2 Greenshank, 1 juv f Ruff, 4 Green & 1 Common Sands, adult Spotshank & a showy adult Water Rail all on Island Lake.
Nice visit.
Castle Howard Lake.
First time this morning that I have seen GW and L Egret at the lake on the same visit.
Others, Kingfisher is becoming a reg sighting recently and 10 Teal fresh in. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
First time this morning that I have seen GW and L Egret at the lake on the same visit.
Others, Kingfisher is becoming a reg sighting recently and 10 Teal fresh in. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
August 21, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Castle Howard Lake.
First time this morning that I have seen GW and L Egret at the lake on the same visit.
Others, Kingfisher is becoming a reg sighting recently and 10 Teal fresh in. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
First time this morning that I have seen GW and L Egret at the lake on the same visit.
Others, Kingfisher is becoming a reg sighting recently and 10 Teal fresh in. @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Good wader habitat on the Pool @ldvnnr.bsky.social this morning, 7 each of juv Ruff (5M 2F), 7 Green Sands, 7 Snipe feeding in view & 1 Blk T Godwit.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
August 20, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Good wader habitat on the Pool @ldvnnr.bsky.social this morning, 7 each of juv Ruff (5M 2F), 7 Green Sands, 7 Snipe feeding in view & 1 Blk T Godwit.
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social
A moulting Curlew Sandpiper this afternoon, on the Humber, at high tide whilst I was enjoying a half at the Crown. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
Others today, Black Red op the Obs, Pied Fly in pub car park and a Hobby chasing hirundines and taking prey from a Linnet flock.
Others today, Black Red op the Obs, Pied Fly in pub car park and a Hobby chasing hirundines and taking prey from a Linnet flock.
August 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
A moulting Curlew Sandpiper this afternoon, on the Humber, at high tide whilst I was enjoying a half at the Crown. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social
Others today, Black Red op the Obs, Pied Fly in pub car park and a Hobby chasing hirundines and taking prey from a Linnet flock.
Others today, Black Red op the Obs, Pied Fly in pub car park and a Hobby chasing hirundines and taking prey from a Linnet flock.