Monty's and Turtle

Montagu's Harrier at Blacktoft Sands was the target today, but with the reserve not opening until 9 we stopped off at Fairburn Ings. A Cetti's Warbler was singing loudly by the car park and a Ruddy Shelduck popped it's head up as we entered the hide. A probable Hobby was unfortunately a bit too distant for positive identification. A smart adult Spoonbill stood on a nest among the Cormorant colony.

Spoonbill

Ruddy Shelduck

At Blacktoft Sands it only took a few minutes before the male Montagu's Harrier rose from the reeds, looking very small and slight against the Marsh Harrier that it had a brief tussle with. A few minutes quartering the reeds before rising higher and higher then drifting off to the west. We hit lucky, as this was the last sighting for at least the next four hours. Also here were 9+ Marsh Harrier, 80+ Avocet, Peregrine and a flyover Yellow Wagtail.

Montagu's and Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier and Avocet

Marsh Harrier and Avocet

A stop on the way home at Sutton Bank took longer than expected, but eventually 3 Turtle Dove flew in to show very well just by the visitor centre. Cheers to Andy for driving, a cracking day out.

Turtle Dove

Turtle Dove

Turtle Dove

Turtle Dove