We recently spent a morning a Blacktoft Sands, it wasn't a bad day weather wise, a bit dull and breezy but it's finally getting warmer! There were lots of small birds around the car park - Robins, Wren, Tree Sparrows, Tits etc... and several around the reserve itself, Dunnock, Reed Bunting and we even had a brief burst of song from a Cetti's Warbler.
Wren
Great Tit
Chaffinch
We saw a Marsh Harrier from the reception hide, in fact we saw them from every hide, they were mostly flying over the distant reeds with some coming a little closer, it's certainly the place to go if you want to watch these birds! We spotted Snipe and Ruff around the edges of the water and many Avocet, we counted 27 on one island alone.
Ruff
Snipe
Lots of Black-headed Gulls were on the islands from the Marshland Hide, a few Shovelers, Gadwall and Mallard too
Black-headed Gulls
Bottoms up! Shoveler
Gadwall
Ousefleet is flooded (always amazing to see after seeing it dry with grazing ponies last time we visited) and full of ducks, mostly sleeping Teal but Wigeon, Shoveler, Mallard, Shelduck and more Gadwall too.
Teal
Shoveler
Avocets
Greylag Geese
Elsewhere we saw Canada and Greylag Geese, a Little Egret, a few Sand Martins, a distant pair of Oystercatchers and a lone Butterfly which was gone before I could tell for sure what it was!
A pleasant morning walk and we'll be back later in the year hopefully to see few more Warblers!
A fine walk indeed, Pam. It seems to me that, not so many years ago, avocet was a rarity in Britain, but now I see it featured on so many UK blogs it appears to have become quite commonplace.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, they are more widespread now it seems. They are beautiful birds.
DeleteI like the way you just casually say a Ruff! OMG so many people would flock to see one here most especially Me!...WOW and your list was impressive all the way around. Glad you're getting a warm up.
ReplyDeleteLol, they were just casually feeding in the grass in front of the hide! It's not that long ago since I saw my first one. The weather is staying hot, 20 degree plus for the Easter weekend!
DeleteSome great sightings Pam - it really does look a super reserve. Lovely to see the patch of Cowslips :) I hope you have a lovely Easter.
ReplyDeleteThere were loads of Cowslips along the entire banking! Thanks Caroline, I hope you're having one too :)
DeleteIt all loos so nice, a place I would like to visit. You got to see a good number of birds too. Loved looking at your photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's really worth the trip, especially in the summer when the flowers are out and the reserve is full of butterflies as well as birds!
DeleteWhat a super place with lots to see. Love the cowslips, they remind me of my school days. We visited family recently and went to nearby Sherwood Forest, one of the tables at the visitor centre was covered with ladybirds:)
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely flowers to see :) There's not been too many Ladybirds out so far, just the odd ones here and there, it must have been a sight to see so many!
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