RSPB York Local Group outing by coach to Low Barns Nature Reserve, near Bishop Auckland.
Luckily the only rain we had was while we were on the coach travelling North on the A1, otherwise a sunny, but windy day.
The first hide we visited had feeders outside so we were able to watch dunnocks, reed buntings, goldfinches, chaffinches
not a brilliant picture as the feeders were swaying back and forth due to the winds. We added mute swans, canada geese and mallard to our day list. As we walked along the boardwalk, through a reedbed, we heard but did not see a water rail.
As we approached the Northumbrian Water hide we were able to watch a grey wagtail feeding.
From the hide itself we added grey heron, chiffchaff, tufted duck, little grebe and teal to our list. We then returned to the centre for lunch.
Our first stop after lunch was at another set of bird feeders.
Mr and Mrs great tit waited on a branch for an opportunity to get on the bird table. A nuthatch took seed from cracks in a mature tree.
From the rangers hide we looked over a lake and added goldeneye, lesser black backed and yellow legged gulls to our list.
As we walked along the path towards the "Everglades", we heard then saw 2 marsh tits. There were also several chiifchaffs singing. From the next hide we added cormorant and goosander to our list. Walking along the path which runs besides the River Wear we met another member of our group who had spotted 2 goldcrests in a tree.
I was both surprised and pleased to get this picture as the birds were moving about a lot. We retraced our steps to the Northumbrian Water hide, and was pleased to see that the grey wagtail was still feeding in the same place.
From the hide this time we added pheasant, little egret and 2 sand martins, my first of the year.
It was then time to go back to the coach via the visitor centre.
A very pleasant trip, with 44 birds on the day list, including 3 year ticks.
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