Bird Lover

The classes should all have ended last Friday, but the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions were one week behind because of the snowfall the other week.  We caught up by going to Blacktoft Sands.  Unfortunately, it rained almost all Tuesday morning.   despite this we saw or heard several species we hadn't yet encountered on a Tuesday in 2018.  The first were several Avocets, which flew over in small parties throughout the morning.  The most we saw were about 8 at any one time.  Flocks of Black-tailed godwits were also seen, and I glimpsed a swiftly moving Water Rail at Townend Hide.  However, the star bird was a relatively confiding Cetti's Warbler.  It came quite close to us, probably because it was so overcast and actually raining at the time.  This was the best views of a Cetti's Warbler any of the classes has had this year - possibly the only real view so far! Cetti's Warbler   The more standard view   Cetti's Warbler   Almost like a giant Wren - tailed cocked and pal

On Tuesday we went on to the wolds.  It was raining as we were arriving, but luckily it soon stopped, and the rest of the morning stayed sunny and fairly warm.  It was windy, but it was possible to find shelter and the bird sightings were better than expected.  The morning started quietly with Greenfinches heard in the car park, and on our walk.  Then we had a Roe Deer followed by a covey of Partridges and then a Buzzard flew up from a post and into the wood, before flying off again. Red Kite Roe Deer Red-legged Partridge  Buzzard When we had almost finished our walk we heard the constant yaffling of a Green Woodpecker, which was found clinging to the side of a Larch.   It climbed to the top of the tree before flying past us and into the wood where another one had been calling from. Green Woodpecker  Ditto  Ditto  Ditto  Ditto Not long after the Green Woodpecker we had enjoyed our best views of Red Kites.  The first one appeared to be swooping down to collect nesting material.  Then th