The Juvenile Birder

 Birds Soaring & Sailing! Image from James B, (same bird, but taken on different date) We arrived at Duncombe Park at 12:30pm in hopes of seeing a Black Kite. When we arrived, someone mentioned that the bird hadn't been seen for a bit, last being seen dropping down behind some trees. However, Steve (the person we were talking to) mentioned that he wasn't ticking it with the views he got, as with the views he had he couldn't confirm it, but the guys who got in on the scope said it was it. After waiting for a few minutes, we saw a few Red Kites , Buzzards  and Kestrels when suddenly (at around 1:00am) someone shouted that they had the Black Kite above the treeline, in front of a cloud. I scanned in the direction he was describing and saw it. It was quite distant so I couldn't get it in my camera, however you were able to see the dark shape in the sky with a naked eye. A kind birder got it in their scope and let me take a look at the majestic raptor. I watched as it so...

 Rare Pochard and Lifer Pipit! We arrived at North Cave Wetlands at 7:20am in hopes of seeing a rare Red-Crested Pochard. The bird here was a female viewable from South Hide. We walked in and started scanning the waterfowl. We saw Little Grebe, Tufted Duck and a family of Swans. We then saw the Red-Crested Pochard (aka RCP). In the evening, we arrived at a site called Scarborough Harbour in hopes of seeing Rock Pipit and Purple Sandpiper. When we arrived, we went on East Pier and scanned the rock barrier for sandpipers. We didn't see any but did see a Rock Pipit as it flew off. We viewed it again as it defied gravity on a wall. We also saw another one feeding with the House Sparrows on our way back. Overall, a great day with two lifers, RCP and Rock Pipit. 

 A Cruise Onboard The Yorkshire Belle! We arrived on North Pier in Bridlington Harbour waiting for our cruise to arrive and take us on a voyage around the cliffs from there to Jubilee Viewpoint at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, a 3 hour sail.  We went on at 4:30pm, hoping to see some lifers. In a little while, Kittiwakes, Gannets and 5 Common Scoters were seen. We then passed South Landing Beach and saw 3 Whimbrel as they flew low over the sea past the ship. The first lifer of the cruise. We then went past Flamborough Head's YWT seawatching hide where seals and shags put on a show. We then passed Staple Newk Viewpoint where we got a nice view of the Black-Browed Albatross from below, on the cliff. Then, near Bartlett Viewpoint, we managed to spot the small fin of a Harbour Porpoise over and over again on our way there and back. On our travel back we saw quite a few Fulmars and throughout the voyage, Puffins showed in huge flocks fairly close to the ship. The Yorkshire Belle made me feel...

 Spoonbills Finally! We arrived at 7:00pm in hopes of seeing some Spoonbill. We headed straight for the Coal Tips Trail and took two rights two view the flashes. We saw a Green Woodpecker on a post while on the trail. We then viewed The Moat where we saw three Spoonbill fly in and out of the trees with one even landing on the water near the end. They did this quite and, other than them flying, they weren't doing a whole lot. Though, never the less, it was a new tick! Cormorants, Little Egrets and Grey Herons were also present in the heronry as they flew in and put of the trees as they completed their fishing trips. While getting caught up in the moment track of time and had to rush to the car park before it shut at 8:00pm. Overall, a brilliant way to end the day!

 Bearded Tits and Winter Migrants! It was our second time visiting Leighton Moss. We arrived at around 10:00am as everyone we saw said to get here early, and it was well worth it. We were told that the Bearded Tits were out and active. We rushed towards the Causeway where the grit feeders were​ and along the way, I hand fed a hungry European Robin some seeds. We stopped at the grit feeders where two male Bearded Tits and one female Bearded Tit were feeding. We were also told that it was the perfect time and weather to see Great Bitterns from the Lower Hide. We made our way towards the Lower Hide, hand feeding a Eurasian Blue Tit and some Great Tits some seeds. We then arrived at the Lower Hide where we saw Mute Swans, Gadwalls, Eurasian Wigeons, Western Marsh Harriers, Eurasian Teals and Northern Shovelers. On our way back, we saw a huge flock of Eurasian Siskins along with two Eurasian Jays feeding on some seeds somebody had left on the armrest of a bench. We also saw a Goldcrest ...

  First Sight of a Kingfisher! The first hide we entered was in the reedbed walk. The hide was called the Gordon​ Taylor Hide. A Carrion Crow and a Common Redshank greeted us on the roof of the hide. As we entered, we noticed that the Northern Lapwings were foraging along the bank. Two Pied Avocets were roosting in the muddy banks along the pond as well. Presently, a flock of Black-Headed Gulls got spooked by a Common Raven as it tried to attack their young. The majestic Grey Heron also gave a nice flyover as it landed in the distant pools. We continued our adventure by trekking in the opposite direction to the Ron Barker Hide. When we arrived, I was thrilled to hear that someone had a Common Kingfisher through the scope. I looked through it I couldn't believe my eyes. The blue gem showed brilliantly as it bobbed up and down on a post that was to the  right of the bridge that crossed the ditch in front of the hide. Shortly after, it flew off but was then spotted much closer on...