We did try for the Night Heron that has been seen around the far end of the lake for some time now but it is quite elusive and stayed well hidden whilst we were there. We don't often explore that end of the reserve but it was full of birdsong - Wren, Blackbird, Whitethroat, Dunnock.....
Whitethroat
We saw lots of beetles in the plants along the paths
Cardinal Beetle
Cormorant
The view from Charlies Hide
This Red Kite appeared above us over Cutt Lane
I didn't take too many photos as we walked around the main part of reserve, the rain over the Coal Tips was persistent and I kept the camera under cover. From the Pick up hide we watched Sand Martins fly in and out of the bank, a Pheasant was hunkered down doing the if I don't move they can't see me thing.... We could hear a Cuckoo calling up near the Coal Tips, we heard one (or maybe two) as we walked around but didn't manage to see one. We were surrounded by Swifts as we walked, being high up the Swifts are pretty much head height!
We ate lunch in the car at Lin Dyke and the rain stopped but it was dull and cloudy still. A Chiffchaff was calling by the entrance and then past the bridge a Willow Warbler was singing.
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Damselflies
Little Egret
Little Ringed Plover
A Bufflehead duck was on the water at Lin Dyke, I believe it's been around a while and is no doubt from a private collection somewhere. You can just see it near the end of the spit here (if you use a magnifying glass)
Orange-tip Butterfly
My daughter took these two
I'm not sure what this bee is
Froghopper
And finally as we were about to leave the sun was shining!
Goldfinch
I envy you the experience of having the Swifts right above your head. That would give you a unique perspective few get to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, it's a shame it was raining or I would have sat and enjoyed it longer!
DeleteAnother wonderful walk around and lots of great birds...I saw a ringed plover on the rare bird list I think in Alaska. I've been hearing lots of Cuckoo too almost everywhere I go, love the call it's so exotic.
ReplyDeleteWe do get Ringed Plovers here too but I haven't seen one in a while! Cuckoo's are few and far between here, definitely not something we'd get in the garden :)
DeleteAnother wonderful reserve and walk and sightings Pam. I haven't heard a cuckoo yet this year and it must have been wonderful to be so close to the swifts :)
ReplyDeleteThanks :) Swifts are a favourite I could watch them for hours!
DeleteStill looks a nice day out despite the weather, which I think is going to carry on throughout the summer, rain ,sun and more rain. We were very spoiled last year.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Yes I think you could be right! We do try not to let the rain put us off - apart from yesterday of course, that was horrendous!!
DeleteSounds lovely, despite the weather! We had our bank holiday in Ireland here yesterday & had the same typical bank holiday weather!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard Swifts or Cuckoos for years... you're very lucky :)
It was :) To be expected I suppose for a bank holiday!! Do you not get Swifts at all in your part of Ireland?
DeleteWe do get Swifts here, I've just not heard them for about the last 4 years now - sad that they're in decline, they used to be such an iconic sound of the summer!
DeleteYes, luckily they still are over my house for now, though the numbers are definitely down!
DeleteYou always see so much when you visit Fairburn! I've only been once and saw hardly anything which gave me a pretty negative impression. I either didn't look hard enough or picked a bad day when everything was hiding!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny isn't it, i've been places where that happens and then you get people saying how much they saw?! I think you must have had picked a bad day, it's a shame when that happens because it can put you off.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete