With a day off from work on Monday I decided to visit RSPB St Aidan's near Leeds with Andy Young and Craggy.  A Long Billed Dowitcher had arrived at Fairburn Ings and after a few days crossed over to the nearby St Aidan's Reserve.  Long Billed Dowitchers are very rare this far inland and a first for the St Aidan's Reserve.  256 species of birds had been recorded at St Aidan's as of January 2018.  When BBC Springwatch visited Fairburn Ings in 2018 they mentioned that this reserve has recorded the highest number of bird species for an inland reserve within Britain.  That did surprise me especially as it quite far North but obviously the area is a magnet for rare birds.

The Dowitcher was not that far from the visitor centre and we watched it feed - it drilled the ground and was surprisingly was not in a flock with other waders.  As one visitor put it - it is a cross between a Godwit and a Snipe - in looks and behaviour.  I could see why.  We had a walk around and the highlights were Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Yellow Wagtails, Bearded Reedlings, a Skylark which we nearly trod on, Greenshank, Ringed Plover and lots of other commoner species.   The Hobby was showing very well and gave very good views and the other 2 saw them hunt dragonflies.  I had never actually seen Hobby do that and missed that o this occasion.  It was constantly in the air with another Hobby seen frequently too.  The Marsh Harriers patrolled the wetland, the Bearded Reedlings called from the reedbed and the Yellow Wagtails fed amongst the cattle. 

Towards the end of the day we picked up a Kestrel and a Marsh Harrier which took our total number of raptors seen to 4.  What happened over the next 10 minutes was the highlight of the day in so many ways.  We watched the Marsh Harrier above the hillside but then suddenly a Buzzard appeared which was followed by 5 more.  Then a larger raptor was picked up and the forked tail gave us our 5th bird of prey for the day.  A Hobby or 2 had joined this group but the Marsh Harrier exited.  The Hobby buzzed the larger raptors on occasion.  The Buzzard number had grown to 8 and above them all circling was a Sparrowhawk - our 6th bird of prey of the day and within that 10 minute period. 

The icing on the cake was a cup of coffee at the visitor centre with a bakewell slice.  One of the best birding experiences I have had for a while.