Year list: Just ticking over again...

Another day out in search of the birds. Started with a visit to Fairburn Ings RSPB. Walked from the Village Bay car park down The Cut and then headed west along the Riverbank Trail.  Destination was the Bob Dickens hide [about the furthest point in the reserve from either end]. A ruddy shelduck had been reported the previous evening. I only met one dog walker as it was very early: only 7am.

The bird was still present, some way off on a small island with Canada Geese. I hadn't taken the camera and that mattered little. Anyway, here's a bird I photographed a couple of years ago to show you what it looked like.

Ruddy Shelduck So a success at last. I walked back; blackcaps and chiffchaffs were singing - one blackcap showed so well and so close I wished I had got the camera. I met a couple of birders near the car and reassured them the bird was still present.

Hornsea next to look for the red-crested pochard which I knew had been there some time. It took me forever scanning the mere, looking at groups of pochard all over the mere. I photographed a pair of black swans near Kirkholme Point to pass the time.

Black Swan Black Swan Black Swan Down the far end I spotted a little gull in the scope. Their flight manner is very distinctive. Soon I had a group of five little gulls. Then I saw my target by Swan Island. The reason I had missed it perhaps was because it was already well into its eclipse phase. The red bill was a diagnostic though.

Red-crested Pochard                                     Captive eclipse red-crested pochard photographed 25.06.12 at WWT Llanelli

Next stop was to be at Bempton Cliff RSPB but not for birds. I had read on Bempton's recent sightings page that the northern marsh orchids were coming into flower. I asked where and was very pleasantly surprised by the trouble people went to. Not only did I see the northern marsh orchids, but also a very tall bee orchid, a couple of common spotted and lots and lots of northern marsh orchids. If you want to see you have to ask nicely...

Bee Orchid

Bee Orchid: Bempton

Common Spotted Orchids

Common Spotted Orchid Common Spotted Orchid

Northern Marsh Orchids

Northern Marsh Orchid Northern Marsh Orchid Northern Marsh Orchid Finally I went to Wykeham Forest raptor watchpoint. We [there were upto 8 of us present] saw quite a few buzzards: most were common; one pair may have been honey buzzards but we were unsure and they didn't have the grace to wing clap for us. So I'll never know. May have to return there again in a few weeks' time - although I've just noticed someone has posted on RBA a female at Wykeham early afternoon yesterday when I must have been there.

A good day .

236 UK; 113 Yorkshire