A noisy Oystercatcher was flying around as we got out of the car and there were several geese in the field.
At the lagoon hide we watched a few more Oystercatchers flying around, on the water Cormorant, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Gadwall with the usual Mallard etc.
Where we'd seen snipe last time we visited we now saw sleeping Gadwall, more Oystercatchers and geese.
We saw Dunnock along the path, one of them shaking a tail feather....
The Garganey was still around and viewable from the Willow Path hide, we needed a little help to get on it though as it was asleep at the back, it did move it's head up a few times for a better view. A new bird for me!
Spot the Garganey.........*
A little wander along the riverside trail had us dodging toads and I saw a butterfly fly off ahead of us, a Small Tortoiseshell I think.
Stopping at the visitors centre for a cuppa and a cake and we made our way home. A good weekend with lots of good birding!
*Garganey!
My daughter took this one and she couldn't tell where it was either hence it being in the corner!
For so long a Garganey was my nemesis bird, and even after I first saw it, it was a drab female in Ethiopia. Finally, I saw a male in Hong Kong last February, but even then it was distant. Perhaps one day I will have a male up close!
ReplyDeleteAh everyone has one! This one was certainly distant.
DeleteWell done on the Garganey and another great day-out :) It looks a really good reserve.
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's a bit of a hidden gem in Leeds :)
DeleteVery difficult to spot yeah on new add! There was a rare one in the , US this past winter. Too far away for me to see she did continue for a few weeks. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteIt was easier to see with the binoculars! Luckily this one was about 20 minutes away from home!
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