Yorkshire, UK

[Margaret]

Hi folks, Back from a week in Yorkshire (rain++) for a 50th Reunion.
Blue tits were gorgeous on friend's feeder. Special visitor - a woodpecker.
Friend really piqued my interest by telling me he'd had a lesser spotted in the backyard - oh yes?.
However, when it arrived I'm pretty sure it was the greater spotted - handsome bird.
It wasn't the full 9" mentioned in the books but it had all the right markings.
(Lesser spotted would have been nice!)
Out in the Dales country, dozens of pheasants - pretty sight.

[Pat Hodgson]

I was in Yorkshire for 2 weeks in August, did not see single woodpecker of any species the whole time.  But fortunately there was a kingfisher just down the street from where I was staying!

[cabz]

My husband and I spent 3 weeks in the UK in September.  Saw quite a variety of birds, I think I got 75 species for my list, about 40 lifers.  We drove around quite abit, across Wales and up to the Lake District.   Nowhere to stop if you spot a hawk!!!!!!!!!  We did get to Slimbridge Wildlife Refuge and also to Leighton Moss WR, so that helped with the list.  It was a wonderful trip.  Our second last day, we are walking along the shore with friends just outside Liverpool, when we spotted several people with scopes, bincs etc, so I went over and had a chat with them.  They were mostly looking for sandpipers, peeps etc  when the tide was out, but it was nice to chat with some UK birders.  Did help clear up some questions I had.