A full team of Rochdale birders left Castleton at 8am in a bit of drizzle but as often happens as we topped out over the M62 blue skies appeared. Our first call was at North Cave were some of the crew enjoyed breakfast muffins, a really nice walk around this expanding reserve had us soon watching a few recently arrived Avocet`s, a good sign that spring was slowly springing! Lots of Wigeon, Teal, Black headed Gulls and a couple of Ruff also seen. Next stop was to be the RSPB reserve at Blacktoft Sands, but en route we thought we had stumbled upon someone filming a scene from Peaky Blinders A man dressed just like one of the characters in the series, after looking around for cameras we moved on! At Blacktoft Sands we were treated to some amazing displays and calls from about 8 Marsh Harriers, never having heard these calls from the birds was quite informative. A couple of Cetti`s Warbler`s were heard, then whilst sat in the hide a Siberian Chiff-Chaff perched and gave great really close up views. As we entered Marshland hide, which seems best for lots of waders, a grumpy looking togger seemed to alert us as to the presence of something a bit different. Soon we were looking at a winter plumaged Little Stint in the 60 or so Dunlin flock, an unusual bird at this time of year we thought? Final stop of the day was RSPB Swillington/ St Aidan`s near Leeds, after all the rain over the winter the causeway was still flooded, so we had to find a better way in. Lemonroyd Bridge was found and after a good walk around a Bittern was heard booming trying to attract a partner to start a family in the reeds. Always a great place to sometimes see and most times hear Cettis`s Warblers and they did not let us down. The lack of early migrants on the reserve didnt bother us as we all enjoyed our day out birding. The M62 was kind to us as we all reached home by 6pm. Dave O