Out and about

 

Saturday the 11th I went to Filey as the weather was pleasant. It was windy as I walked along Carr Naze and very few birds about, no sign of the snow buntings that had been reported most days. I went to Filey Dams to eat my lunch and again few birds about. The water levels are high.

Wednesday the 15th and I started at North Duffield Carrs. 

A lot of water on the reserve, but it was possible to tell the course of the river, and we could see the windows of the Garganey hide. A male goosander was over by the farm, while a redkite was hunting over Bubwith Ings.  2 buzzards were near the osprey platform while 2 goldcrests were in a tree near the hide. 30 species in 2 hours was very good. I went to Skipwith Common to join a walk with members of RSPB York Local Group.

 A very windy day and not many birds to be seen as we walked along the path from the car park. We walked along the path that took along the edge of the reserve overlooking Skipwith Village and we came to a field where they are cultivating turf. Lots of redwings, fieldfares, linnets and goldfinches were feeding in the area.

We stopped for lunch in a sheltered spot and a family of long tailed tits slowly worked their way through the trees above us. A grey wagtail on the path near the bomb bays was a bonus.

After completing the H&S checks at Fairburn and St. Aidans I drove to Blacktoft.  58 snipe were at Marshland and 46 at Reedling, along with teal, mallard, shoveler, gadwall and mallards.

 A great white egret was on Singleton Lagoon along with 4 shelduck.

Stu joined us as it was the day to count the Marsh Harriers. While we waited for the Marsh Harriers to arrive we were able to watch a male hen harrier hunt over the reedbed and Singleton Lagoon.

We counted 25 Marsh Harriers coming into roost.