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Hello birdwatchers
We saw our first redwings in Leeds on our visit to Engine Fields on Tuesday morning along with lots of newly arrived continental blackbirds. These are the very chunky blackbirds (lots more muscle because they're migratory) and the males have dark beaks. Their beaks will go yellow after they migrate back to Scandinavia in the spring. If you have blackbirds in your garden then look closely at them to see if you can tell the difference between our resident birds and their continental cousins.
Tit flocks are gathering and grazing through woodland and tall hedgerows. These sizable flocks are very attractive to other birds such as goldcrest and treecreeper as they provide security while feeding. It is possible sometimes to find something special travelling with mixed flocks of tits so don't dismiss them as being common birds - stand for a while and check out every bird to be sure you don't have something more unusual travelling through your area.
During the rest of the month, on my outdoor trips, I'll be teaching about visible migration and bird calls.
Starling numbers are gathering and I hope to have news of some good murmurations very soon. Keep checking St Aidan's in the evening and I saw a small murmuration over Morley town hall last saturday.
Linda
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There are still places on my fabulous autumn morning visit to YWT Staveley this Saturday. During 4 hours of guided birdwatching we'll be looking for redwing, fieldfare, pink-footed geese, golden plover, willow tit and water rail. Refreshments are provided at the end of the walk. Click here to book your place.
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Visit the Lower Derwent Valley for a full day with a professional birdwatching guide to watch visible migration in action. This area attracts birds such as pintail duck and whooper swan in autumn and winter. We'll also look for little owl and goldeneye and visit a range of habitats. Refreshments are provided at the end of the walk. Click here to book your place.
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Please note that all Friday morning classes start with optional breakfast at 9am.
October
- Friday 13th (10am to noon): St Aidan's (route TBA) - £15
- Saturday 14th (9am to 1pm): YWT Staveley - £25
- Tuesday 17th (full day): Lower Derwent Valley - £55
- Wednesday 18th (7pm to 9pm): Indoor class, Duck migration - £15
- Friday 20th (10am to noon): Fairburn, Lin Dyke - £15
- Tuesday 24th (9am to 11am): Wykebeck Woods and Roundhay - £15
- Friday 27th (10am to noon): St Aidan's from Methley - £15
- Saturday 28th (9am to 11am): Rodley NR (optional pie and peas) - £15
- Tuesday 31st (9am to 11am): Letchmire Pastures - £15
November
- Wednesday 1st (7pm to 9pm): Indoor class, the life of the starling - £15
- Friday 3rd (10am to noon): Swillington Ings - £15
- Saturday 4th (Full day): Pennington Flash, Leigh - £55
- Tuesday 7th (9am to 1pm): Special visit to Rodley reserve - £25
- Friday 10th (10am to noon): Woodlesford Lock - £15
- Saturday 11th (Full day): Listing day in the Lower Aire Valley - £55
- Monday 13th: Talk about Biology of Birds (as observed by the birdwatcher) to Cafe Scientifique, Headingley.
- Tuesday 14th (9am to 11am): Eccup Whin - £15
- Wednesday 15th (7pm to 9pm): Indoor class, winter thrushes - £15
- Friday 17th (10am to noon): Fleet Lane to Lemonroyd - £15
- Saturday 18th (Full day): Alkborough and Blacktoft - £55
- Tuesday 21st (9am to 11am): Gallows Hill, Otley - £15
- Friday 24th (10am to noon): St Aidan's (route TBA) - £15
- Saturday 25th (Full day): Top Hill Low - £55
- Tuesday 28th (9am to 11am): Farnley reservoir and Farnley Hall - £15
- Wednesday 29th (7pm to 9pm): Indoor class, winter finch flocks - £15
December
- Friday 1st (10am to noon): Fairburn, Cut Road - £15
- Saturday 2nd (9am to 1pm): Fewston Reservoir - £25
- Tuesday 5th (9am to 11am): Ardsley Reservoir - £15
- Friday 8th (10am to noon): St Aidan's from Methley - £15
- Saturday 9th (9am to 1pm): Anglers Country Park - £25
- Friday 15th (10am to noon): Fairburn from visitor centre - £15
- Saturday 16th (9am to 1pm) Rodley and Bagley Xmas session - £25
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Follow me on Facebook and Twitter
If you've not yet tried a Start Birding class then you can take a tour via the virtual world by following the link to my Facebook page below. On there you'll find photos showing the birds we've seen on past trips. Please LIKE my page and tell your friends and family that they can get their birdwatching questions answered via this email or Facebook. You can also follow me on Twitter @StartBirding
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