Bolton Abbey again. Wood warbler still not present...

Went back again with Barry hoping his excellent eyes and ears would help us locate the wood warbler. However in spite of the failure to do so we had a very good day's birding. Barry won 7-0. In tick terms I mean. We set off along the western path south from Barden Bridge. A robin sent us on our way.

Robin Good views of a blackcap as we strolled down to the water pipeline bridge. A couple of common sandpipers were there along with a grey wagtail which mysteriously disappeared before I could point it out to Barry.

Common Sandpiper Up into the woods. Redstart were high in the trees. Pied flycatchers were plentiful but didn't pose nearby. One female piedfly was gathering nesting material on the path.

Pied Flycatcher The males loitered.

Pied Flycatcher Pied Flycatcher Down by the Cavendish Restaurant Barry spotted an unusual flower: few-flowered leek - allium paradoxum - an introduced species locally common in northern Britain.

Few-flowered Leek Allium paradoxum We headed back north along the western path where I managed this 'proof we saw it' photo of a redstart high in the trees.

Redstart Goosanders were chasing fish.

Goosander As the water surged through the narrows of the gorge a scum formed interesting patterns on the surface.

Foam on the River Wharfe

Mandarin sailed along.

Mandarins Barry felt at home with nature...

Barry ...and the common sandpipers showed up again.Common Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Wood sorrel flowered at the base of many trees.

Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosella A lesser black-backed gull was resting on a gravel beach - on the lookout perhaps for hapless young mallard chicks for dinner.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Mallard chick Mum didn't clean him up very well before she took him swimming!

After the Strid we headed for Staveley. A few terns were flying about.

Common Terns Otherwise it was fairly quiet - although a good selection of common warblers were seen along with many reed buntings. On our walk back we found a couple of yellow wagtails. One perched on a post especially for me to photograph him.

Yellow Wagtail Yellow Wagtail Yellow Wagtail