Friday 26 March 2010

Colours Turned Up to Max

Kestrel - one of the finest coloured males I've seen
Chiffchaff - a particularly yellow example Chiffchaff
Treecreeper - on a particularly knobbly tree
closer view of the bird
Treecreeper again
Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Marsh Tit
Marsh Tit
Female Marsh Harrier - miles from a marsh
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
Marsh Harrier
The penultimate Friday session of the winter term was the 2nd & final visit to a raptor location on the Yorkshire wolds. We saw the usual suspects with 3 Red Kites, and 2 Buzzards, whilst one experienced birder saw what she thought were a pair of large hawks. Despite detrimental changes to a pond and weir we caught up with a Grey Wagtail for the first time this year. Also present were at least 3 territory holding Marsh Tits, a Treecreeper, a single singing Chiffchaff, and a pair of Kestrels - the male being particularly colourful. Jim in the morning spotted a Green Woodpecker, which flew ahead of us a couple of times allowing nearly everyone to get a view of its vivid yellow rump. Only 2 people turned up for the afternoon session, which was one of the smallest and most disappointing turnouts for some time, but at least they got quality sightings of some great birds & extra tuition of course. The biggest surprise in the afternoon was rather a surreal moment when a female Marsh Harrier which made its way down a valley full of larches - it flew playfully over us for several minutes before flying off in a SW direction. We saw a lot more birds than on previous visits, so this venue may benefit from later visits. One morning member learned that she could not walk up a steep incline and maintain her normal level of chatter, whilst simultaneously being able to breath normally. Hopefully, she will remember this next term when fieldcraft will be even more important!

No comments: