Wykeham Forest & Surrounding Area,Saturday 8th February 2020.

With the prospect of a bright and breezy day ahead,i decided to head north in the hope of seeing that ghost of the upland forests,the Goshawk.
 On the journey up to the Wykeham area,a lovely Barn Owl was seen hunting the roadside verges just outside Hutton Cranswick and was a good omen of things to come.
 As it was relatively early,i decided to visit the feeding station in Forge Valley first,gaining some lovely views of the locals,which included at least 4 Marsh Tit,a couple of Nuthatch and other commoner species,with a drumming Great-spotted Woodpecker nearby.
 After my fill of the birds at the feeders,i carried on a little further up the road to have a quick look on Hackness Lake,to see if any Mandarins were present.Sure enough on arrival,a quick look under the bankside trees revealed at least 15 birds,most paired up ready for the forthcoming breeding season.I know these birds are introduced into our country,but they are cracking little ducks and I have become fond of them it has to be said.
 After looking at Hackness,it was off on another short leg and into Troutsdale Valley to look for Dippers.First stop drew a blank at Wrench Green,but a little further along the Derwent at Hilla Green,the resident pair were watched as they searched for aquatic prey along the river here.In my opinion,it's always a great day when you see Dippers,certainly in my top five bird species.
 After enjoying these oversized water Wrens,it was time to travel up to Wykeham and look for those big Accipters.
 On arrival,a quick bite to eat and a drink and i was off to the viewpoint.It was pretty breezy and the sky was brightening nicely,perfect conditions for displaying raptors i thought to myself.
 After getting into position,it wasn't long before i was watching my first Goshawk of the day,a lovely brown toned & barred 2nd calendar year bird watched as it surveyed its forest home from on high.What it must be like to be the king of the forest,as these birds are,just superb!.
 More sightings followed and included at least 4 displaying pairs seen from my vantage point along with several Common Buzzards joining in the display.
 At one point i could enjoy the mewing of Common Buzzards and the 'Keck,keck keck' call of a Goshawk at the same time,just bliss.
 It was really nice to see a male Goshawk perched up today as well,the yellow feet and tarsus positively glowing in the sun,what a bird,before he disappeared into the forest with Wood Pigeons scattering like confetti infront of him.
 Other species seen from the viewpoint in between watching these beauties,included a handfull of Crossbills chipping their way across the sky and a couple of Brambling.
 Sadly it was time to go and my time here watching these majestic birds of prey was over,for now anyway,as it won't be long before i hope to make another visit here to this superb area.

Incoming!.

Big Bird.