Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everybody.
Had a few bits round Bishopthorpe in the last week:
Jack Snipe flushed from floods, Woodlark flew over calling on Wednesday and this morning a Water Pipit was flying around near the sewage works.

York area birding - Sunday 3rd December

18 White-fronted Geese were still present with Greylags and two Egyptian Geese just north of Elvington this morning. Also, 14 Whooper Swans flew over high south. Nearby, a male Peregrine flew south at Wheldrake Ings, where three Whooper Swans loafed, plus ten Pintail on the pool. Still no floods! When will it rain? On to Castle Howard, c20 Goldeneye and a Brambling were the only birds of note.

West Yorkshire Birding

Headed west with me Dad this arvo and started by dipping the Mirfield Ring-billed Gull for the second successive winter. I later found out that it is usually only here first thing. A drake Mandarin was the only bird of note, plus a Little Grebe on the river. Highlight was too guys who did an amazing powerslide round the corner in a big BMW and nearly ended up in the river.
On to Anglers CP to look for the reported Lesser Scaup. No sign of this, but we did bump into a fine American Wigeon, presumably the same that has been at the nearby Wintersett Res recently. A smart drake. Also present, a slightly nervous-looking Ruddy Duck (wondering where all its mates have gone) - the first I have seen in ages, 11 Goosander and several Goldeneye.