20th April 2017
Togging along again!
April 20th was an unusual day. I got off early to Wheldrake to see if some common cranes were still around. They weren't so I thought I'd just check North Duffield but no sign. However a couple of whimbrel showed - one on the river bank and one in the field in front of the Geoff Smith hide.
I then went home to take Sheila shopping!
After that Sheila [who although not a birder loves to read the pager reports to me] suggested I get off to Swillington [can't get used to calling it St. Aidan's - nor can the pager!] and then on to Blacktoft for the female Montagu's harrier.
Wistful willow warblers, chiffchaffs but the causeway was dominated by this fellow's song. It's not that tuneful is it?!
Reed Bunting
The local Swillington birders up on their viewpoint pointed out an arctic tern. My photos only caught the commons.
Common Tern
Common Tern
Common Tern
Handsomely coloured blackwits distantly from the causeway.
black-tailed Godwits
Eventually I headed east to Blacktoft. Couldn't believe my luck by the entrance pools a little brown job crossed my path, settled in the reeds very close to me in full view and began to sing like only a Cetti's warbler can!
Cetti's Warbler
Cetti's Warbler
Cetti's Warbler
Cetti's Warbler
I headed for Singleton for the Montagu's harrier which showed regularly but, as usual, a long way off. Mobbed by a crow, here's a selection of my photos.
Montagu's Harrier
Montagu's Harrier
Incoming crow attack... [plus giant greylag!]
Montagu's Harrier
Montagu's Harrier
Montagu's Harrier
Montagu's Harrier
Montagu's Harrier