19th to 20th September 2025
Back in the Saddle Again!
By way of explanation, my wife and I have had a lot on personally in the last few months and now that I think everything is under control once more then the plan is to go birding as much as I am able during this key and often exciting time of year...
September 19th: an afternoon at Blacktoft
Not as many waders today but ruff, snipe, godwit, lapwings were present as well as this greenshank which, unlike the other waders, came really close.
Heading back to the car park I spotted this dragonfly resting on a gate. I have not been able to identify it - an immature I suspect.
Finally outside the toilet block I spotted a sign warning people that European hornets were living by the gents' doorway. They were quite active so I didn't go too close! They are not aggressive unless disturbed. I'd never seen one before.
September 20th: North Cave Wetlands
Arriving at Crosslands Hide [locked for some reason] I chatted with a birder I first met when spending an afternoon wandering round Scarborough harbour trying to locate a grebe of some kind - red necked possibly. I found it just outside the harbour and waved to him to come to where I was. Anyway on this occasion he endeavoured to help me see the little stint on the causeway of Crosslands Lake but distance and vegetation defeated me. I was advised to go to Dennis Wood hide for a closer and unobstructed view. Success.
It was a long way away!
Heading back to the car I was struck by the richness of the fruits on the trees. Hawthorn and crab apple in these views.
