Darren (George) Best

#swinemoor this morning was a bit grey and foggy. 8 Whooper Swan the highlight. Snipe numbers rising, c20 Pintail present and duck numbers still high Wigeon, teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard and Shelduck continue on site. #eastyorksbirding #patchbirding

#swinemoor had some time to go for another quick look this afternoon, 20 WFG present, 7 PFG and still 14 Pintail. Dunlin, Redshank, Golden Plover also present. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

#swinemoor has has a bit of a duck clear out but still good numbers of Wigeon and teal. 14 Pintail the highlight plus Chiffchaff coming through. No waders bar two Redshank. Build up of Redwing and Blackbird ready to start leaving shortly. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

Looking fantastic Owen. Looking forward to having a proper read through this. Well done!

Decided to go into Lincolnshire for the 1w Great Grey Shrike. Wasn’t disappointed and soon found the bird on what was quite a blustery morning. Vocalising too which was a bonus. Must be thinking about moving shortly! @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social

Back to my patch at #swinemoor this morning and happy to see 20 WFG and 6 Whooper Swan. Bonus was 25+ Pintail. Goose activity on site has been incredibly poor (for me) this year, on par with my digiscoping, so nice to see some quality birds. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

On a non-birding trip in Cairo. Tried to get out further than the hotel today, however it wasn’t to be. So a walk around the golf course provided some nice birds, including a pair of Little Green Bee-eaters. Also a big build up of Swallows and Chiffchaff. #birdingcairo

Thanks Owen, could you do me a favour please? Could you send a few of your Geese over my way please?!!

Swinemoor- great to see a drake Garganey at the rear of the reserve this morning. Still present at time of posting @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social #eastyorksbirding #patchbirding

Got home and for some reason it hasn’t taken me six months to download my pictures! Here’s the proper picture from today’s incredibly late twitch to Filey for the Eastern Black Redstart. It’s only taken nearly a month to go and see it! @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

Third time of trying and finally got the Eastern Black Redstart at Filey. Saw a glimpse of it first thing then a long gap until it showed again. BOC shot attached as my card probably won’t come out of the camera until July! Happy New Year! @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

#swinemoor again good numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Lapwing, Dunlin, Redshank and Golden Plover, one of which is already dressed for Spring ahead of his compatriots. #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

#swinemoor had plenty of Wigeon, Teal and Lapwing this morning, with supporting cast of Snipe, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Ruff, Oystercatcher, Grey Wagtail, Marsh Harrier and a lone Male Pintail #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

For how long I don’t know. There is a channel cut at the back from last year which is allowing the water to run off at quite a rate

Swinemoor this morning was packed of the usual stuff with large numbers of Wigeon, teal and Lapwing. Nice quick pit stop for 8 Whooper Swan. Didn’t stay long, but always nice to see on site. Also good numbers of Yellowhammer. #Swinemoor #Patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

Still no water on site, so not drawing anything in of note currently

It was! Season’s definitely changing! Been sidetracked with building stuff in the garage over the summer and lots of work, so glad to be getting out more again. Cars are so frustrating. Have you a timeframe for it getting fixed?

Had a great day at Flamborough (as always), albeit the wind was challenging at times. Greenish Warbler at Thornwick and in line with a lot of places a bevvy of Pied Flycatcher and Redstart as well as a single Spotfly and Yellow Wag. @flamboroughbird.bsky.social

Nice start to the day at Spurn. Dipped so far on the Roseate Tern, needed for a county tick, but managed to get a new county tick with the long staying Juv Stone Curlew at Skeffling. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social #eastyorksbirding

So near, yet so far! Mistle Thrush at the entrance to Weel Rd tonight. Just a little too far out to join the patch list for #Swinemoor #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding

Thanks Mac, it’s been nail biting all the way through the whole process! Just shows you how resilient they can be doesn’t it. I’ve certainly got a new found respect for them!

Had to go up to Wykeham Forest this morning to check out the Ortolan Bunting after dipping the Hornsea bird last year. Saw it albeit at distance, as soon as I got there, but then nothing until I left at 11. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

Huge respect for the first ever breeding pair of avocets on #Swinemoor. Despite off-leash dogs, tractors, many predators and nearly losing their food and water due to drought, the young are now flying strong—against all odds. They should leave any day now. #patchbirding @rspb.bsky.social

Just need enough water to be pumped from Barmston drain to cover the period to the birds go

Very worried about the two Avocet chicks on #Swinemoor (first breeding record). They are about a week away from being able to fly away from site, however the last remaining water pool on site is critically low. Can the Beverley Pastermasters help? @bbclooknorth.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social

As with the BOC photo, I had a flying visit up to Thornwick to try and see the Song Sparrow. Despite getting soaking wet and thinking the bird would be in hiding, it graced us with its presence. I understand that it’s been giving great views since. @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

All a bit quiet this morning at Kilnsea Wetlands, Spurn. Nice to see this summer plumage Turnstone. @spurnbirdobs.bsky.social

#Swinemoor this morning. I still feel like a nervous dad as the first site Avocet chicks have now reached two weeks. Keeping fingers crossed. Bonus Cuckoo this morning as well as good numbers of Pom Pom lapwings! #patchbirding #eastyorksbirding #pwc2025

#Swinemoor very happy today as the Avocet pair now have two chicks. Keeping my fingers crossed that they remain safe. Quiet otherwise for LRP and Oystercatcher still, plus Yellow Wag, C Whitethroat #patchbirding #yorkshirebirding #pwc2025

Nice to finally catch up Mac! Fingers crossed for a bit of rain to get the site going again!!