Blacktoft Visit 29th July
Hi
I was asked to give a bird list for this visit to Blacktoft with the RSPB group. I have included report that appears on Ex Beebers Forum and listed any other birds seen at the reserve or on adjoining land. I would say at this point there is some disagreement about the Kittiwake, and there was on the day. I must say I agreed it had a look of a Kittiwake but agree it is more likely to have been a Common Gull in that area. No one was able to view it well when I was in the hide.
Blacktoft Visit.
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Hi all
It was the annual RSPB group visit to Blacktoft RSPB reserve yesterday, and what a day. We left Newcastle in the warmth and sun and arrived at the reserve in even greater warmth and sun. It was a day for shorts and suncream for some members. Neither for me! I thought the hides and my hat would offer enough protection from the sun. Before I move onto the birds let me say the place was buzzing with insects and Butterflies, especially, where all over the place. With my limited skills I reckon I picked out lots of Red Admirals, Peacocks, Small Whites and Large Whites, then there was also a few Commas, Painted Ladies and Meadow Browns. No doubt I missed some. Lots of less attractive insects too but I seem to have managed to escape serious bites on this occasion.
I made right away for the hide where 2 Spoonbills where recorded. I wasn't disappointed and had great views. There had been some discussion as to whether or not these birds which have been seen at Blacktoft over recent years might be escapes. I think not, as I have read recently that the birds are breeding so well in Europe they are now visting the east coast of Britain regularly. On this particular pool there were several Grey Herons, and good numbers of Ruff, in various stages of plumage, Dunlin, Avocets, Black Tailed Godwits, Snipe, Redshank, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. Also spotted amongs the gulls was a Kittiwake???. I assumed this had flown inland up the Humber. Moving on to the farthest hide to the right of the centre, the pool was found to be fairly quiet but we did have good views of Marsh Harriers. Some in the distance, some much closer. I love watching these birds in flight just above the reeds and grasses and their plumages were picked out well by the sun. I reckon I saw at least 2 pairs today and probably more. I watched one male fly over the pool directly in front of one of the hides.
The hides were not comfortable places in the heat and with the numbers of insects, but keeping the doors open with our bags helped let in some much needed draft. It wasn't long before we found pairs of Green Sandpipers. Of course there was lots of Lapwings about. Sedge Warblers were heard although there seemed to be a scarcity of smaller songbirds around. I did manage to see 1 Reed Bunting in flight and 1 Willow Warbler and parties of Goldfinch were also seen. Other members saw the Tree Sparrow near the carpark and the odd Reed Warbler but I failed with those. The hightlight of the day was perhaps watching 2 Bearded Tits on the edge of the pool just behind a Little Egret. The Bearded Tits were showing well, climbing the reeds and then coming out onto the mud. This is only the second time I have seen them. Ducks included Mallard, Teal Gadwall, Shoveller and Ruddy Duck. The latter two species not seen by me. There were 1 or 2 Great Crested Grebe about and a Little Grebe was seen by some members.
I walked up to the wetland area at Ousefleet knowing it would be bone dry. There was a large flock of Lapwings which look stunning when they took off and circled in the sunlight. Looking down towards the pool we got close up views of a pair of Green Sandpiper and watched large numbers of Black Tailed Godwits fly over. By now, mid afternoon there was a bit of a breeze geting up and it was a grand feeling. I suspected this was bringing the storms from the west. It remained dry and hot however. At this point I saw one of the Spoonbills in flight in the distance. Having a slow walk back we paid a further visit to one or two hides. It felt strange to find one of the pools which had been so busy with birds on our arrival to be now almost deserted, except for the odd Grey Heron, Moorhen and Coot.
This is a truely wonderful reserve as many on this forum already know. Amongst my favourite places to visit. There is such a good selection of bird species, some of which are rather rare in my part of the north east. I have said before, that in my opinion, it beats Leighton Moss hands down. I can never quite understand why it is always so quiet. Not that I am complaining about that. I dont especially like doing my bird watching from busy hides. Perhaps it is because the reserve has no tearoom. I can only say I hope that it stays that way!
Group total for the trip was 62 species incuding birds seen on the journey and heard only. I'm afraid it did not include the Hobby which had been reported just before our arrival. My own total was 48, with 8 of them new for the year list. A quality day indeed. Thank you Yorkshire!
Other species seen
Turnstone
B H Gull
L B B Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared dove
Swift
Swallow
House Martin
Pied Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail (some uncertainty here)
Wren
Dunnock (heard only)
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Blue Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Rook
Chaffinch
Greenfinch