Waders at Blacktoft

 Worked at Blacktoft in reception after completing the health and safety checks at Fairburn and St. Aidans.

I arrived about 11am and joined Stu in reception.

A steady stream of visitors all day, lots of them came back into reception to say goodbye and tell me what a great day they had had. Some had seen bittern, water rail and bearded tits as well as the several types of waders. Two visitors had seen a pair of ravens on the other side of the River Ouse, and the ravens had been mobbed by other birds.

I had a walk around the reserve after 5pm, and it was not the best of the weather, heavy rain showers and lots of cloud. As you can see from the next photo the team are lowering the water level in the lagoons which is providing more feeding areas for the waders.

This is Marshland lagoon. Lots of waders including a curlew sandpiper. Not a brilliant picture due to the weather conditions.

ruff nearer to the hide.

Snipe and green sandpiper at Townend.

This green sandpiper has a few visitors thinking that because of the eye stripe they were looking at a wood sandpiper.

Singleton lagoon was home to a large number and variety of birds.

At least 30 little egrets, a great white egret. I estimated at least 100 mallard, teal and gadwall. A single wigeon and pintail with about a dozen shoveler. Waders included black tailed godwit, redshank. spotted redshank, snipe, ruff and lapwing,