Bird Lover

  Things are hotting up at RSPB Blacktoft Sands.  Some of the Black-tailed Godwits are the brightest I've ever seen, and I've never been able to photograph any of this species as colourful as these are.    It's a shame that the Ruff have yet to start moulting into their summer rigg.  The Garganey was still there, and had found a partner.  Also present were several Avocet. All photos (c) 2017 Jane Robinson Black-tailed Godwits   Black-tailed Godwit [left] and 2 Ruff   Avocet   Avocet and a Black-tailed Godwit [right]   Avocet   Garganey Pair taking Off & a Pair of Teal as a contrast   Garganey in Flight

Grey Wagtail (c) 2017 Mike Woods The Garganey was still at Blacktoft Sands at least one extra day Garganey (c) 2017 John Dowson   Ditto   Of course the male Kingfisher was still at Tophill Low. Male Kingfisher (c) 2017 Dick Watson   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   Ditto   Pintails (c) 2017 Dick Watson   Drake Pintail (c) 2017 Dick Watson In contrast, Mike and Glenys found these birds on their local patch, but as this is not too far from Ossett it includes some birds we don't see too often in East Yorkshire.    Grey Wagtail  (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Grey Wagtails   Nuthatch nest-building  (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Nuthatch at nest-hole  (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Nuthatch (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Nuthatch (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Ditto   Ditto Treecreeper (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Mistle Thrush  (c) 2017 Mike Woods   Wren (c) 20...

Some of my 'students' have already been out and about taking photos in their free time.  Today, John from Wednesday mornings captured a smart Garganey at RSPB Blacktoft Sands. Garganey (c) 2017 John Dowson Meanwhile, Jane immediately took leave of Kiplingcotes on Friday for a weekend in the Dales.  She photographed Mandarin and Goosanders on the River Ure, plus a Treecreeper on trees nearby. All remaining photos (c) 2017 Jane Robinson Mandarin Pair   Ditto   Goosander pair   Treecreeper   Ditto   Having a Scratch   Pheasant Hopefully there will be some more holiday snaps by various photographers over the next four weeks before classes resume again.

Red Kite Last week was the final week of the Winter term.  It finished a little earlier than normal, as no sessions were cancelled because of unpleasant winter weather.  On Tuesday we had our final visit of the year to Hornsea.  Unfortunately, this was the windiest visit we'd endured at this location, so the birds weren't quite as obliging as on previous occasions.  Despite this we encountered 5 Chiffchaffs on the walk to the hide, which was a huge increase on the 2 from 6 days earlier.  The Goldeneye again gave good views from the hide, as did Tufted Ducks.  We saw at least 2 Marsh Harriers, and a pair of Buzzards, and of course heard a Cetti's Warbler without seeing it. Marsh Harrier (top) & Buzzard   Ditto   Drake Goldeneye   Ditto The forecast for Wednesday was very discouraging, so we had to drop Kiplingcotes for Tophill Low.  This was a good move, as the morning group encountered 61 species, the si...