Had a trip to Yorkshire with Andy Young to see we could spot Woodlark at an undiclosed site and then visit Blacktoft sands and Swillington Ings. We arrived at the
designated Woodlark site at just before 9am. After heading slightly the wrong way we were set upon the right path by a volunteer. We picked up the sweet comforting
song of the Woodlark just before we arrived at the designated place. Andy managed to p;ick it up on the ground. It sat on the ground with singing for a few minutes
before flying away into the scrub. I was so glad we came across it so easily and that I did not set off from home at 6am as planned!!! It was the frst time I had
seen this species - a life tick for me.
Other than the star species of the day we managed to see some other exciting birds such as Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler
and a Cuckoo. The Garden Warbler was showing very well - it's beauty lies in it's simplicity and it's rich long song. The Lesser Whitethroats were chasing each
other around. They sang occasionally but looked liked they were having a territorial dispute. On site were a Tree Pipit, Turtle Dove, Nightjar and via Dave Ousey, a
Wood Sandpiper. We had to do a bit of research as we knew how big the site was and did not want to go on a wild wader chase. We found out that it was quite far and
not showing very well. We decided to move on. I had seen Wood Sandpiper abroad and managed my first British bird at Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire back in September
2017. I would have love to have seen the gold spangly delicate beauty but time was limited and even though still morning, it was very hot.
We wanted to go to Blacktoft Sands and a site nearby where Dotterel were present two days before in a flat ploughed field. On our way we managed to see some exciting
birds. From the car we heard the lazy jingle of the Corn Bunting and picked him up sat on a wire. We heard a higher pitched call and s song which I was not used to
but knew it could only be one bird a - an illuminuous Yellow Wagtail sat on a stalk on the border between two fields. We found the right field but sadly no Dotterel.
Andy said that this was the "lazy" birder's Dotterel.
On arrival at Blacktoft we were instantly greeted by Tree Sparrow, Cetti's Warbler alongside a host of other Warblers which were intent on informing all that spring
was in the air. The Cetti's Warbler seemed almost as common as Whitethroat and Sedge Warblers and showed very well on occasion. Reed Warblers also showed and sang. There were Avocets, Marsh Harriers and Bearded Tits. A Bittern boomed but Andy Young did not hear it. A female Montagu's Harrier was on site but not showing. I heard and saw a Bearded Tit fly but after sometime Andy unearthed at least three birds which clambered upon and down the reeds and flew across the water.
We moved on to Swillington Ings also known as RSPB t Aidan's. The three Spoonbills which were seen earlier in the day had long since left. The water bodies, meadows and reedbeds were alive with the raucous cocophony of Black-headed Gulls, Sedge Warblers and Reed Warblers which were softened by the transcending lullaby of the Skylark and the musical Linnet. As we walked around the nature trails we searched for Garganey. As we picked up a pair we were serenaded by the booming of the Bittern and the acrobatic flight of the Common Tern. A Red Kite flew in the distance mobbed by a Black-headed Gull. This time Andy heard it. We walked to see the Black-necked Grebe and one showed very well in a spot I had seen them in previously. Usually this species would head for cover in my experience but this individual enjoyed the attention. A "chipping" Snipe found by Andy was the last highlight at Swillington Ings.
We managed to see 82 species in Yorkshire with some real surprises. We managed to hear and see Miste Thrush, Swfit, House Martin, Collared Dove once we left the reserve in the village. A last minute Little Egret flew over towards the reserve probably to roost - this was a notable addition in the sense that we expected to see double figures at Blacktoft Sands. A Jay was added on the M62.
A complete list:-
Mute Swan, Greylag, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Garganey, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Pheasant, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Red Kite, Coot, Moorhen, Avocet, Redshank, Snipe, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Tern, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Swift
Woodlark, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Wren, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Bearded Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Jay, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Corn Bunting.
Missed were Nuthatch, Woodpeckers, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Grasshopper Warbler. Waders were short on the ground and we missed Curlew, Little Ringed Plover, Common sandpiper and Ringed Plover - one was present at the first destination. Spoonbills were present at Fairburn but we decided enough was enough. Although we did not set off to make a day list. We were very impressed with the species we saw and even though we actually saw no passage migrants I personally do feel Yorkshire is a much better place for birding than the North West.