The weekend Terned out well

An afternoon trip to Blacktoft on Saturday as there had been some Spoonbills recently plus there was also the chance of some early returning Waders, the Spoonbills had bunked off to Alkborough before I arrived but there were a few Waders around, a few Black Tailed Godwits, 10+ Spotted Reds, a couple of Green Sands etc, several Cetti’s Warblers were still singing and quite a few Marsh Harriers were about including several playful juveniles also the female Montagu’s Harrier made one of her sporadic appearances, having failed to attract a mate this year she often goes missing for long periods. 

Spotshanks not doing a lot

Godwits were a bit more active

family party

playful and vocal juveniles

one obligingly landed in front of the hide

This morning, Sunday, I made a trip to see a summer plumaged White-winged Black Tern that has been touring round a few West and South Yorks Lakes for the last couple of days finally settling at Rother Valley CP yesterday, it was still present today commuting between the Main Lake and the Wildlife Lake where it offered some fine views, a lot of familiar faces there this morning which was very enjoyable in good company watching a very smart looking bird.

initially seen on the Main Lake which was quite big

it moved to the Wildlife Lake to rest, it had been on some nearer posts earlier but during the time I was there
it rested on this distant mound

it also had the occasional fly around