27th January 2020 ff
Where is Redcar Tarn?
Answer: in Keighley!
I drove there on Monday afternoon [27/1/20] to look for an Iceland gull. I'd never been before so I didn't really know what to expect. It's basically a very large pond with a parking area high up above the town not too far from Bradford. When I arrived a small group of birders were scanning the whole area. Perhaps it's gone, I thought. But no it hadn't moved all afternoon from the flooded pool in the adjacent field. The birders were just checking to see what else they might find.
So, here's the bird.
January 29th: North Cave and Blacktoft
The bittern was just about visible from Turret Hide as can be seen below.
However, much better views could be enjoyed from East Hide...
Also seen...
...and an approaching buzzard.
I moved on to Blacktoft hoping to see the barn owl later. Again I had ridiculously close views of yet another buzzard...
Also seen: lapwings, shoveler, gadwall, a Royal Navy helicopter, little grebe and - eventually- a barn owl reluctant to ever leave its box at Marshland lagoon.
Saving the best till last, later a marsh harrier came ultra close over Marshland hide.
January 31st: Anglers' Country Park
Specifically to see a black-necked grebe along with supporting cast of Canada geese, tufted ducks, goosander. Here they all are! Some nice size comparisons!
