Summary

It was our second visit to this wetland site in little over six months.  The sun shone and the late autumn sun cast a delightful glow over the reserve.  The reserve is managed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and sits to the north of the Humber on the site of former sand and gravel workings.  It was a distinct advantage having Stewart Abbott (of Derbyshire Bird Tours) leading us, spotting birds we would have missed and being quick to train his scope on birds of particular interest.

Not surprisingly, we missed the array of bird song of our April visit but we soon heard the unmistakeable call of a Cetti’s Warbler.  We had good views of at least two Marsh Harriers from two or three different locations.  It was good to see a range of other raptors too, including a Peregrine and a Red Kite. Stewart picked out a lone Common Gull for us among a small group of Black-headed Gulls.  There was a brief view of a Bittern before it flew out of sight but later Stewart picked one out, standing in front of reeds and duly lined up his scope for us.

Members participating:    7

Bird list (51 species seen and/or heard)

Main Lake from South Hide – Chris Byrne

Cormorants – Chris Byrne

Lapwing – Martyn Grandy

Mallard and Red-crested Pochard – Martyn Grandy

Wigeon (mostly) – Martyn Grandy

Marsh Harrier fending off Crow – Chris Byrne

Whooper Swans – Martyn Grandy

Bittern – Martyn Grandy

Tree Sparrow – Chris Byrne