1st March 2022 ff
Come-uppance!
Tuesday March 1st was supposed to be a much better day weather-wise than we've been experiencing recently so I planned another trip up to Bowlees to try one last time for the red-flanked bluetail. I even got up especially early and I was on site [all alone] before 8.30am. Others did arrive as the morning dragged on. It was freezing cold although it was bright and the temperature did slowly increase. I felt I had done everything right but there was never any sign of the bird that day. I think it has finally moved on.
I prefer it that way to finding out tomorrow that it's still there! And it was worth going just for those views of the river.
On the plus side 2 year ticks: great spotted woodpecker and mistle thrush. Dipper seen too. A few photos starting with the River Tees and Low Force waterfall.
Preening
I drove to Hartlepool - I enjoy the driving side of birding although there are a ridiculous number of roundabouts from west of Bishop Auckland to Hartlepool!
I think my disappointment meant I didn't try hard enough to find the avocets at Saltholme and I came away with no more than some cormorant flight shots...
Thursday3rd March: a round trip from York to North Cave then to Barton on Humber, Alkborough and finally Blacktoft. North Cave was full of birds from black-tailed godwit to avocets and more. Lots to scan although I must have overlooked the white-fronted goose.
Curlews over Main Lake.
No sign of a cattle egret near the Old Tileworks at Barton on Humber. Alkborough: the water was very high and there were few birds about. Buzzards in the sky and a little egret sitting out the high tide.
Blacktoft: shelduck...
. ..and marsh harrier.
