Blacktoft Sands II

In addition to the fine display of Barn Owls at Blacktoft Sands on Sunday we enjoyed plenty more sightings earlier in the day. Having spotted our first Avocet up at Teeside on Monday we were doubly chuffed with today's closer views.



Whilst watching the Avocets a Snipe busied itself on the margin and came to rest in view, just above the vegetation.



The appearance of 50+ Black Tailed Godwits was highlighted in the recent sightings book, and we managed to catch up with them at Ousefleet Hide. Their distinctive features are a long, almost straight bill, pink at the base, white wing bar visible in flight, black tailbar. Watching them for a while we recognised them as a species we'd seen as a pair up at Creswell last autumn.

Whilst watching the Godwits two Roe Deer darted directly in front of the hide from the left, taking turns to chase each other. Andrea was quick with her camera and managed to get this shot. We spotted more throughout the day, one in the cultivated field that runs alongside the reserve and later in the reed beds whilst watching the Barn Owls.

Marsh Harriers nest on the reserve and are a regular sight.

On this occasion I watched a Marsh Harrier dive at an unsuspecting Coot and then try again a minute later. The Coot retaliated successfully and the Marsh Harrier moved on. Apologies for the quality of this sequence taken at a distance.

Rodley Nature Reserve

At Rodley Nature Reserve on Saturday afternoon we were tipped off to keep our eyes peeled for Snipe on the waters edge on Duck Marsh. Close inspection revealed 5 Snipe well camouflaged against the surrounding vegetation, a first sighting of the bird for us at Rodley & certainly the nearest sighting to home.


The next pic shows how well hidden the birds are against the winter vegetation.

A male Reed Bunting darting over Tim's Field to settle on a bare branch.

A female Chaffinch kindly perched on a willow screen.

A Kestrel patrolled the reserve throughout the duration of our visit, Grey Heron and Cormorants flew overhead. On the way to the Manager's Garden we popped into the visitors centre for a warming cuppa and a slice of tea loaf, yum. Refuelled and onwards to the Manager's Garden where a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker paid a brief visit to the delight of all present. On the feeders male and female Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit all fed happily until the arrival of an incredibly noisy Magpie scared them all away.

Blacktoft Sands RSPB

We visited Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve earlier in the week. Its the largest tidal reedbed in England and is located on the Humber Estuary. Views from the hides overlooking the lagoons provided some real treats. Andrea has kindly offered her photos to illustrate our finds.

Early on in our visit this Water Rail appeared from out of the reeds & quickly flew across to conceal itself amongst the vegetation on the opposite bank. We've spotted Water Rails on two other occasions, one at Fairburn Ings on a cold and icy afternoon and the other at Rutland Water, neither occasion were we able to get a pic so I suppose you can consider this a photo first.


Then from the same hide we had our first of many sightings of Marsh Harriers ! We watched three birds at one stage!!! A friendly birder pointed out the initial bird and once we'd got used to their flight behaviour we spotted them from each of the hides we visited.


Lots more sightings of the three Marsh Harriers

Back on terra firma, I'd never seen Snipe before and here are two on an island in the lagoon, three others fed in the shallows on another pond. Wonderful looking waders. The distinctive stripe extending down over the eye accentuates the length of the beak & gives them a fascinating slightly out of proportion look.

I've just noticed that Paul was at Blacktoft Sands earlier today & has some lovely pics over at his blog Little Brown Job.