Slavgreb inter alia in SY

Huh. Just discovered how to colour the text. Didn't think I could! [except hyperlinks] Cryptic title? Well a latin tag now and again is quite nice and I want you to read more to find out what I'm on about!

'Twas a blustery morning down at New Swillington Ings but I was pleasantly surprised to see new stiles and new paths inside the old tall fences I had peered through for years. Now you get superb views of St. Aidan's and the causeway. After about an hour of searching fruitlessly for the reported slavonian grebe I eventually met two friendly locals who had seen the bird a little further east. I saw lots of wildfowl and a buzzard picking a teal off the water by the head which dropped it several times and as far as I know the teal got away. Also saw marsh harrier.  I had good views through the scope when the slavonian was on the surface. Which was always only briefly. Good tactic for avoiding hungry raptors!

Funny how my older books make no reference to slavonian grebes but call them horned grebes because of their fancy yellow plumes in breeding plumage which might conceivably resemble horns to the uninitiated! Slavonia is part of modern-day Croatia by the way. Not a lot of people know that.

Decided to visit a few local sites as nothing stunning was showing on the pager. Tried Fairburn from the Allerton Bywater end but the roads were closed due tro the floods. Set off for Old Moor. Photographically it wasn't a great day but here's what I took. Hope something is of interest.

A young moorhen worked his way towards the hide I was in. The light made for a pleasant shot of a bird often simply ignored.

Moorhen An unidentified caterpillar was crossing the path. I wondered why a young chap was on the ground on his hands and knees. I took it from afar with the big lens. Waiting for the experts at ispot to identify it. They say it's buff-tip moth, phalera bucephala.

Buff-tip moth phalera bucephala Golden plover were flying around above me. As they wheeled in the sunshine their undersides would suddenly flash brilliant white.

Golden Plover Golden Plover I settled down to watch the wildfowl. A male teal was now looking smart [although other ducks like shovelers were still in mid-eclpse].

Teal Teal I could hear wigeon whistling somewhere behind me. The more I watch wigeon the more complex I realise their plumage is.

Wigeon A wagtail was paddling at the water's edge. I'm not sure which this one is... white or pied? White was reported that day.

White Wagtail Mallards came in for a splashdown in front of me.

Mallards Linnets were out on the mud at Wath Ings were the water was still comparatively low. Three greensands and two ruff were present but very distant. The linnets refused to turn into twite, bless them!

Linnets They would stay little more than a minute and then fly off, often landing back at the very same spot!

Linnets As i walked back to Tiggy greenfinches were feeding on black sunflower seeds on a tree stump.

Greenfinches Still, one very good tick today and 51 species. Probably a few more if Barry had been there with his better eyesight!

2012:  Yorkshire 130; UK 268