Dear friends of Start Birding
Welcome to our August Newsletter.
All around us are signs that autumn migration is underway in the birding world and excitement is growing for arrival of birds from the Arctic and Scandinavia. Most of our seabirds have left their breeding grounds, with the exception of gannets and a few kittiwakes, and we’ve already seen a large flock of migrating mistle thrushes in the Washburn Valley. An osprey made a brief appearance on our visit to RSPB Old Moor.
Look out for unusual birds turning up amongst flocks of tits in your gardens and scan all the water edges in your local wetland for unusual wading species.
Leeds is a fabulous place to see migration in action so don’t miss the chance to visit reserves and green spaces in our area. There’s lots of classes to choose from below including a weekly focus on the Lower Aire Valley on Friday mornings from September 16th. If you fancy joining my new group then please get in touch to find out more. If Friday’s aren’t good for you then I also run regular trips on Tuesdays and at the weekends.
I’ll be spending most of the next few months birdwatching in Yorkshire and discovering some new places to watch wildlife so do come along and experience the best that Yorkshire has to offer.
Friday Birdwatching Club
From Friday 16th September 2016
Explore the wetlands, woodlands and farmland along the Lower Aire Valley and build a week by week picture of bird movements in and around Leeds. Classes start at 10am after an optional breakfast at Rivers Meet Cafe.
Tuesday Morning Birdwatching Club
From Tuesday 6th September 2016
Discover an amazing variety of habitats in and around Leeds including Tong, Staveley, Fairburn, Rodley, Meanwood and Roundhay. Classes vary in length from 2 hours to 4 hours. Block book to save money or join us for one session.
St Aidan’s Evening Walk
Tuesday 23rd August 2016 (7pm to 9pm) £15 including refreshments
A late summer evening stroll around one of the best birdwatching areas in Leeds looking for bittern, black-necked grebe, bearded tit and early autumn migrants.
Spurn Point and Kilnsea Wetlands
Friday 26th August 2016 (full day) £55 including refreshments
Visit the Yorkshire capital for observing migration in action. Practise identifying birds in different stages of plumage and look for little tern. Start the day off with breakfast in Patrington.
End of Summer Picnic at Rodley Nature Reserve
Wednesday 31st August 2016 (11:30am to 2pm) – just turn up!
You’re invited to join me as I celebrate the end of the summer months at Rodley Nature Reserve. Bring a picnic and meet at the visitor centre from 11:30am to 2pm. Share your stories about watching wildlife this year so far.
Nosterfield NR and Quarry
Saturday 3rd September 2016 (full day) – £55 including refreshments
Visit this excellent area in the Ure Valley close to Masham and look for migrating wildfowl, waders, finches and the resident little owl. Experience the best hides in Yorkshire!
Birdwatching and Dark Skies
Tuesday 6th September 2016 – waiting list only
Discover the difference between birding and astronomical optical equipment, how birds migrate at night and learn what’s visible in the night sky at this time of year. This event will run indoors if the weather lets us down.
Linda’s at Spurn Migration Festival
9th to 11th September 2016
I’ll be running a stall and taking part in events at this year’s Spurn Migration Festival at Kilnsea. Join the party, watch ringing demonstrations, ride on the Unimog and see migration in action. Visit the site
An Afternoon at RSPB Blacktoft
Saturday 17th September 2016 (1pm to 5pm) – £25 including refreshments
This is the perfect place to look for passage waders as well as marsh harrier and barn owl. Will an early hen harrier make an appearance?
Calverley Woods
Saturday 24th September 2016 (9am to 11am) – £15 including refreshments
Walk from historic Calverley through ancient woodland to the canal looking for great spotted woodpecker, goldcrest, nuthatch and treecreeper.
Eccup Reservoir circular walk
Saturday 1st October 2016 (9am to 1pm) – £25 including refreshments
Check out the returning water birds on the reservoir, such as goldeneye and goosander; and explore the surrounding farmland and woodland for red kites, buzzard, feeding parties of tits, finches and thrushes.
RSPB Saltholme
Saturday 8th October 2016 (full day) – £55 including refreshments
Marvel at this wildlife haven in the midst of industry and art (Anish Kapoor’s Temenos can be seen from the reserve). We’ll visit pools and scrubland and look for long-eared owls.