Wags and Tits!

April 27th: Adwick upon Dearne

One of those days when you don't see what you hoped to see but nonetheless see something just as good. A black swan was some way away but flapped its wings showing off the white panels on them. I kept walking to the pool nearest to Bolton upon Dearne where I picked up a couple of yellow wagtails, my first of the year. A welcome find.

April 30th: Saltholme area; Hartlepool Headland and Blackhall Rocks

Egyptian geese close to the road at Holme Fleet. 

Next stop would be Seaton Carew beach in the hope that some of the little terns were around and hadn't all gone out to sea to fish. The roped off area was deserted but I soon found some little terns on the shoreline nearby.

Just in case there was something interesting around I decided to call briefly at Hartlepool Headland. Near the entrance to the fish dock I spotted a dark shape near the end of the old pilot pier so I parked and walked down to check it out. Common scoter.

Something on the pager tempted me to go for a walk at Blackhall Rocks. I knew that with my hearing the chances of finding a grasshopper warbler were slim but whitethroat might be possible. It was mild with little wind so I set off. 

I hope you can identify everything! Thanks to Carolyn Ferry and her friend I did see a very cooperative 'gropper'!

May 2nd & 5th: St. Aidan's RSPB

May 2nd I saw 2 bitterns in flight plus a bearded tit.

On May 5th a reported black-winged stilt made me pop over to St. Aidan's again but there was no sign and I met no one who was looking for it. However I did see 4 swifts and that certainly made my day. First of the year taking me to...

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