"Two Valleys"!

 My recent birdwatching has been done in two valleys. The Lower Derwent Valley and the Aire Valley, mostly at Fairburn Ings. Monday I was at North Duffield Carrs.

The water level has gone down a little since my last visit.

Birds were sheltering from the wind and were reasonably close to the hide.

No idea why this common gull decided to stay with the wigeon!

 

There are still plenty of pintails about.

Today (Tuesday), I had a meeting with Heidi at Fairburn Ings. I am leading a Specialised Heronry Experience walk on Saturday, and we did a recce this morning. As we approached the spot where we will view the herons from, we saw 10 cattle egrets.

We carefully retreated so as not to disturb them. After our meeting I spent some time birding.

The bird feeders have been put back at the Pickup hide.

Members of the tit family were looking smart as they fed.

I then drove down to the LIn Dike end of the reserve.

Not many birds on the water. Teal and wigeon were near the waters edge, a single goldeneye was at the far end of the water. A great white egret was in the field to the left of the hide.

Perhaps we might see a spoonbill on Saturday!