New to birding - would love some advice.

[Yashca]

Hi everyone.

I've been birding for a couple of months now, and I feel that I'm doing pretty well with bird feeder birds and getting to grips with coastal birds. However, after reading peoples 2011 lists so far, on this website and on others, I'm noticing a lot of the same birds popping up that I just haven't seen. I'm wondering if I'm just in the wrong habitat, or unlucky.

But anyway, some of the species that I seem to have completely missed are:

Redwing
Fieldfare
Linnet
Redpoll
Siskin
Greenfinch
Blackcap
Bullfinch
Bunting (any sort)
Twite
Waxwing (but I think you need a bit of luck with these)

What kind of habitat should I be exploring to find these birds? What should I be looking out for?

Also, if anyone could recommend any good bird walks or hides in the Scarborough area fro seeing some of these birds, I would love to know.


**
I have just thought that if I was to type up my year list then you could point out glaring, easily filled holes in it. I will do this as soon as possible.

[Tringa]

Hi Yas.

Even with common birds you won't necessarily see them in a particular area.

I know an area of NW Scotland well and siskin are common there, but I have never seen any in my London garden.

From your list I would have thought being close the east coast you would have seen redwings and fieldfares this winter. However, after many years of bird watching I haven't seen a redpoll, twite or waxwing.

Although blackcaps are overwintering more than they used to, most are summer visitors so I would not be surprised that you haven't seen any in the last couple of months.

Don't know if you have transport, but this Forestry Commission - Wykeham Forest isn't too far away.

Being close to the coast I guess you'll have lots of gulls and other seabirds.

Dave

[Yashca]

Thanks for your reply Tringa,

Yes, gulls are going pretty well with six species seen so far this year. Your post makes me feel a lot better - I just hate the idea of missing out on seeing some species just because I'm not looking in the right place.

Amusingly I had actually planned a trip to Wykeham on Thursday, apparently you can see Goshawk if your in the right areas.

[mrkaijai]

For your fieldfares there less common now at this time of year but are still about! Look on hawthorn trees or apple trees they like to feed on the ground on fallen apples etc...

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Yashca

Redwing
Fieldfare
Linnet
Redpoll
Siskin
Greenfinch
Blackcap
Bullfinch
Bunting (any sort)
Twite
Waxwing (but I think you need a bit of luck with these)

Also, if anyone could recommend any good bird walks or hides in the Scarborough area fro seeing some of these birds, I would love to know.

Redwing and Fieldfare are abundant around the town on farmland, try the seacut near scalby or along the cliffs near long nab (sealife).

Linnet are common and plenty occur near any local gorse scrub, again birds exist near the sealife in the scrub on the cliffs.

Redpoll and siskin are in abundance in the forests wykeham, dalby etc, small numbers in raincliffe the other day.

Greenfinch and bullfinch are around the whole area try local woodland raincliffe woods or along the sea cut produces both.

Buntings check out local areas of farmland, along the cliffs near the sealife has yellowhammer, reed bunting, lapland bunting and snow bunting at the moment.

Blackcap tend not to winter this far north and are scarce here in the winter, although there will be large numbers of migrants in the spring.

Twite are also uncommon here, although the cliffs would be your best bet, more chance further down the coast at filey or flamborough

Waxwings are sporadic small groups keep getting reported throughout the town.

Most of these species should be very easy to find, you just need to put in the time.

PM me if you need any extra info or locations.

[Yashca]

That's fantastic Dogghound, thank you. Now I know where to look, and what to look for, hopefully I will get some sightings.

At the moment I am trying to build up a series of places to check regularly, but wasn't having much look finding somewhere for the smaller flightier birds.

I certainly will pm you if I want some advice or somewhere else to look.

[nigel_b]

Try visiting a variety of habitats, farmland, moorland, lake shores and rivers, woodlands, parks, cliffs, most of the species tend to turn up eventually!

[Deb London]

Hi Yashca,

I completely identify with what you are saying.

Grab someone who knows there stuff, preferably someone who is tolerant, and go out with them. I'm talking about joining a bird club, going out on an RSPB birdwalk etc. I have met people who turn their nose up at this sort of pursuit, but don't be put off. Make an effort to 'blend in' and you will be fine. You might just be amazed by what you have been missing. And if you get the right people to go out with, you are going to learn such a lot. Far more than if you struggle on your own, at the start at least. You could try http://www.scarboroughbirding.co.uk/, The RSPB: Events: Guided walks.

Do not underestimate the importance of using your ears. Don't do it the hard way. Start to learn all the calls you can. xeno-canto/Europe :: bird sounds from Europe is brilliant for listening to all types of calls and songs. Note the time of year and whether you are likely to hear that song or whatever at this time. Here are flight calls from Siskin: XC25104 Eurasian Siskin (Carduelis spinus) | sound on xeno-canto/europe just to get you started.

Keep up your enthusiasm. For me, lists just drag me down. I don't want to compare and compete. I have birds I really want to see and I will go out to try and see them, but I don't twitch. I do try and be accurate and identify things correctly, pronounce their names properly etc. I like to get a feel for each bird. Ticks are something I carry a tool for removing. But that's just me.

Stop and scan everywhere. I was waiting at a train station recently, proud that I'd seen a wren, but missed the Redwing that was quietly sitting in the Ash tree a few meters away. Redwings seem to pop up everywhere for me. I'm fairly sure there are loads near you.

A final tip related to this. You should be finding birds that are just out of distance for a positive ID on every trip. You should be struggling to identify things in the distance, against a bright sky, etc. Make sure your binoculars are adequate. Keep watching until that bird tilts its head to give you the features you are looking for or whatever. If it flies, note how it flies, and any calls it makes. If you haven't seen those birds on your list, it might be that your field skills need to be improved. Are your ID skills up to scratch? Are you taking notes and asking enough questions? WAB is full of knowledgeable people who will answer specific questions. That's one thing I really love about this forum.

I wish you luck with your hobby.

Deb

[crates]

Regarding sightings in garden location is obviously important regarding certain birds (I'm on London/Essex border). You can only supply a variety of nuts/seeds and see what appears. From your list fieldfare this winter on old apples put out for blackbird/thrush and occasional Redwing on berried plants - never seen previously. Last winter flock of lesser redpolls and siskin - not seen before or since. Past week regular visits by blackcaps not seen for 4 years. Although greenfinch seen regularly the rest of list never seen - but who knows in future?
That is the beauty of it.
Good Luck

[Acipiter]

Do you have a"good pair of binoculars", they don't need to cost the earth! but there is a big difference between a pair costing £120, to a pair under £60, or there about's.