In reverse weekend order, we all decided to go to St Aidan`s/ Swillington thats Bob K, Kevin C and myself and contacting Dave W to meet up on Sunday morning. We set off and just as we got near Castleford in Yorkshire, a message told us that a White Spotted Bluethroat had been heard singing and glimpsed on Cedric`s Pond at RSPB Fairburn Ings. A quick change of plans, as this type of Bluethroat is quite rare in this country, had us arriving to see about 20+ birders peering into a dense reedbed. Dave W arrived and we all began to search and listen for the Bluethroat. A couple of flypast Spoonbills and a Marsh Harrier were see, but after about an hour we abandoned our search for the Bluethroat (the bird was not heard or seen later) Back to our original plan of going to St Aidan`s was slightly hampered with the sat-nav in Bob`s car that didnt seem to know where we wanted to go? The weather improved as we arrived at St Aidan`s and the noise of the Black-headed Gulls was evident. A few Cettis's Warbler, Chiff-chaff were belting out their song and it really felt like spring had arrived. After a bit of a search up to 6 Black-necked Grebe`s were seen in all their best breeding plumage, lovely. As we sat listening to a Bittern booming a couple of birders Simon & Dawn, who had been on last year`s trip to Australia with me, arrived and we had a nice catch up!
We moved on to Old Moor RSPB reserve near Barnsley to see a lone male Common Scoter that during that species cross country nocturnal flight, must have fancied a rest at this reserve? He showed quite well during our time watching him. Unfortunately the male Ring-necked Duck could not be found, so we moved on again. This time to RSPB Adwick Washlands near Mexborough, a reserve that I visited a while ago to see a Black throated Thrush. After a good walk we managed to catch up with a drake Garganey in all its splendid breeding plumage, also present were 15+ Black tailed Godwits. A female Sparrowhawk kept entertained as she scattered the various flocks of birds until she gave up! We headed for home after another good day`s birding in Yorkshire.
Saturday had me again searching for any Wheatear on the hills and various quarries near where I live, but without any joy, lots of singing Skylarks made up for it though!
After a busy day food shopping and after putting it all away, I settled down around 3-45pm with a brew in hand, my phone rang and it was Mark R, he said, Rarity in Greater Manchester, an Alpine Swift at Elton Reservoir in Bury After the usual comments about any type of swift staying for long, we both set off from our respective areas. Thanks to Mark R keeping me updated, I watched the bird in awe as the bird performed admirably to a very appreciative audience of quite a lot of GM`s finest birders. Many thanks to the finder for getting the news out about the bird. As I said it was a really good weekends birding!
