Popped to see the Temminck's Stint at Old Moor yesterday, showing really well on the nearest little island to the Wader Scrape Hide. I'd only seen one at great distance previously - they are much smarter close up, and it was bizarre to see it dwarfed by a black-headed gull chick, a little ringed plover and even a pied wagtail. They really are tiny!
Tuesday I spent almost twelve hours at Bolton Abbey in the end, with spectacular views of all the local specialties. Spent over an hour sitting watching one Wood Warbler singing and displaying around my head. There are at least seven males present but the others were presumably paired, being much quieter by now and/or buried in inaccessible parts of the wood. I counted at least 6 singing male Redstarts and saw two males and one female. I'd thought you had to be really early to get great views, but met Knocker7800 and watched them really well in the early afternoon. Thanks very much to Mark for spotting a Buzzard mobbed by two Ravens while we were watching these. The Pied Flycatchers are still very vocal, even through the day, and easy to spot. In the mature woodland on the east side there were 14+ singing males, and I saw most of these and two or three females. Best moment was watching some house-hunting and courtship feeding. Very sweet. Also 3 Spotted Flycatchers between Cavendish Pavilion and Barden Bridge on the east side - pathetic song makes them harder to detect and they weren't very showy. In between great views of Garden Warbler, several Blackcaps, Green and Great-Spotted Woodpeckers, several Nuthatches, Treecreepers etc etc. Plus three Kestrels and a few Curlew, Lapwing, and Oystercatcher in the fields. Also heard Lesser Spot calling but from across the river so couldn't track it down. In fact the only expected woodland bird I didn't detect was Marsh Tit - this is supposed to be a good location for them but only seen them there once?
Spent less time watching the river but did get fantastic views of a pair of Common Sand, Grey Wagtails, Mandarins and the Sand Martin colony by lying on the riverbank for a while, and Dippers whizzed by several times during the day. As always for me, b#gg#r all on the moors in a quick hour to finish - two Kestrels and many Meadow Pipits. In all a superb day, although very very tired by the end. Would still recommend getting there as early as possible but even with the leaf cover, the dog-walkers and the birds quietening down you still have a good chance of seeing all these species well.
Graham
PS - a very vocal female Tawny Owl in a neighbouring garden last night which I hope is a good sign.