Yorkshire Trip 30/8/10 - 1/9/10

I have been busy lately so I haven’t had time to do a blog of the holidays! But I do have time now.

Me and my dad went down to Yorkshire during the holidays to visit some of the reserves there. We left early on Monday and went straight down to Fairburn Ings RSPB. My membership had run out with the RSPB so I went and got it renewed while I was there. While we were waiting, the warden showed us some of the best sights on the reserve. The hides on the reserves didn’t produce a lot, so we went to the place where the warden had told us there had been some rare waders seen. We went along and just on the roadside was a pool, we stopped and got out. When we looked at the waders I saw a new bird for me, 3 curlew sandpipers, a ruff and greenshank. After a while, they flew over to our side, producing the best view I have ever had and some great photo opportunities. After spending an hour there, we went onto Far Ings. We went straight to the main hide which had had reports of water rail, bearded tit and marsh harrier. When we got there, we were told that the water rail had been out earlier but not seen since. But after about 20 minutes, we saw a little red beak pop out of the reeds, and soon it was walking around, brilliant photos again! It wasn’t long before the next bird showed up; a bearded tit appeared just under the reeds. Eventually showed a bit better but not great. Still good to add to the list though! The next hide was good too, another new bird, a lesser whitethroat in the trees next to the hide again, great views! So many great views on this trip! We were staying in South Cave, next to North Cave wetlands, so just before going the B&B, we went to see what was around. Not a lot on the reserve, although a first-winter male redstart in the trees was a bonus. Not such great views but not bad! We went to Blacktoft Sands for the last day. Not a lot here, spotted redshank was the highlight, 7 little egrets and a few ruffs. But the marsh harriers were out and there was a few, 6 in the air at a time! One came very close, never seen them that close before! A nice male showing off the grey wings! Fantastic! Spurn Point and Bempton Cliffs on the way home were good as well. Thousands of waders at Spurn, whimbrel was the highlight on the beach reasonably close, and grey plover flocks were around but very timid. There was also a nice roe deer on the hill quite close but was scared by a dog just as I was getting close. Bempton was just the usual really but some fulmar were coming close on their way past which was a very good end to the holiday. In total, 97 different species, well worth the visit! Curlew Sandpiper - The Highlight! Ruff Lesser Whitethroat Fulmar Cormorant from Far Ings Marsh Harrier Bearded Tit Whimbrel Water Rail

Redstart Roe Deer

Lakes and The Sea 15/2/09

In the morning, we decided that we would go to Colt Crag to view the male smew that was there. On the way there, we were scanning the fields for fieldfare as I was dying to see some. I hadn't seen any before so I was pleased when we got to a field very close to Colt Crag and we saw a group of them. After that, we headed to Clot Crag but didn't see it as the ducks were miles away. So we went to Bolam Lake and on our way there, we saw a little roe deer watching us just at the side of the road which was nice to see. When we got to Bolam, we saw a feeding station just in front of us with a nuthatch hanging off a feeder right in front of our eyes. We went to the lakeside but no sign of the smew so we starting making our way around the lake. When we got to the far side, we saw it in the middle of the pond through the scope. It was a female but we thought it was near to the other bank so we ran around just to see that it was in the middle and it was the same distance away! After seeing it, we left and when we got to the car, 2 long-tailed tits were at the feeding station which was good before we left. After that we went to St. Mary's for the Water Pipit and we saw it as soon as we walked onto the bay but we saw something else next to it on the bank which was identified later as a female stonechat, I got a photo of both which just topped of the day! Stonechat

Water Pipit

Long-Tailed Tit Nuthatch

Roe Deer