Windy day at Blacktoft

Ruff
Black Tailed Godwit
Spotted Redshank

Avocet & Chick
Green Sandpiper

I had a ride out to Blacktoft Sands yesterday for a look at the waders, and hoping to get some decent shots of the spotted redshanks.

Unfortunately it was probably one of the windiest June days on record and most of the birds were seeking shelter near the reeds at the far end of the Marshlands lagoon.

A nice bonus was the summer plumaged male ruff, he kept his distance but a nice bird all the same.

The lagoon was quite busy with plenty of avocets, a pair of green sandpipers ,the ruff, 4 spotted redshanks including one in none breeding plumage and some nice black tailed godwits.

One of the locals said that the levels of the lagoon had been dropped by about 6 inches and this had made all the difference for the waders to feed.

Hopefully there might be something special in the next few weeks as all the breeding birds return from the north.

Tophill Low

I had a trip to Tophill Low at the weekend in the hope of some decent photo opportunities.

There wasn't much in the way of rarities but the amount of birds there especially the numbers of young birds made it a memorable trip.

Everywhere you looked there seemed to be birds of some sort or another.

Highlights includeed a hunting barn owl,bullfinch,spotted flycatcher and green sandpiper.

Also families of gadwall, pochard, common tern with young made it a nice way to spend a Sunday morning.

All gone quiet

The rarities have certainly dispersed just lately and combined with early morning fog, my plans were scuppered last weekend.

I went up to the wolds for a change in the hope of turtle dove and little owl.

One out of 2 isn't bad, there was a few other birds of interest including a tawny owl,family of mistle thrushes and plenty of willow warblers.