Fairburn dazzles!

A brief visit yesterday afternoon to photograph kingfishers in nice light. What's more, he turned up - albeit not quite as close as I might have wished. Still, here he is.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher Kingfisher

May go back again later today!

I did. Sheila and I went to look for a [mis-]reported mealy redpoll. We soon saw a lesser on the visitor centre feeders but no sign of a mealy. Sheila soon spotted this siskin however.

Siskin

Photo ©Sheila Downes Canon 400D with 70-300mm zoom

A pair of bullfinches were beneath the feeders picking off the spillage from above.

Bullfinch

Also in the feeder area a blue tit was investigating a new RSPB nest box.

Blue Tit

At Pickup hide a female blackbird posed as did the ubiquitous tree sparrows. Met a man the other day from down Birmingham way who hadn't seen one for 25 years. Blackbird

Tree Sparrow

We walked along the path towards the kingfisher screen. A drake mallard was defending a female from three other drakes. As soon as he swam in their direction they backed off but whenever he left her side they paddled in furiously. Each time the drake turned to return to protect his mate the gang of three turned away.

Mallard

Sheila was thrilled to see the kingfisher. All black bill = male again.

Kingfisher Kingfisher Kingfisher

Arriving back in York, Sheila suggested we go to see if our barn owls were showing. It was a little early and at first there was no sign. Then...

Barn Owl

In the hole in the tree. A closer look:-

Barn Owl

Latest year ticks: dipper at Knaresborough and grey wagtail nearby.

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