April and May 2026
Yes, I'm still here and out birding when I'm not planting vegetables! [I know it's been a while!!]
The trouble is not that I've not seen any birds but they all seem just too far away to photograph properly...
For instance I spent a fair while at Staveley recently to see a pair of garganey. They were a long way away. The woodsand was so far away I couldn't see it! [May 8th]
However, that rather mucks up the chronology, so...let's start at the very beginning...
Heatwave warning!
If, like me, you are in your advancing years and are folically challenged you really should consider wearing a hat!
April 2nd: Little ringed plover at Scaling Dam and a yellowhammer at Cowpen Bewley.
The yellowhammer was extremely nervous and didn't want to be seen!
April 9th: Tophill Low
Blue tit, shelduck and very late brambling at the feeders
April 14th: North Cave
Blackcap and Egyptian geese
April15th: Bempton Cliffs
Wild garlic
Chiffchaff
Razorbill
May 12th: Blackhall Rocks and Saltholme
Linnet and avocet
May 17th: Blacktoft
Spoonbill
May 31st: North Duffield and North Cave
Banded demoiselle in the car park at North Duffield
Painted lady. Many of these attractive butterflies this year including in my garden
June 11th: Blacktoft
I was very lucky to see a marsh harrier come really close at Reedling Hide. Great views and nice photos.
Gadwalls in flight
Barn owl
June 16th: Bempton
Puffin and razorbill with chick; all quiet at Tophill Low. Pied wagtail on reservoir wall
Tree egret!
July 1st: Blacktoft
A too distant green sandpiper and sleeping spotted redshanks
