Blacktoft Sands - 14/02/06

I took the day off today and headed over to RSPB Blacktoft Sands... a reserve I'd not been to before. I liked the place very much, 6 hides within easy walking distance with varying views over small lakes and reeds. It's a great place for ducks and at dusk, various raptors (Merlin, Barn Owl, Hen Harrier) from the last, right hand side hide (for future reference). I heard reports of Avocet (early!!), Spotted Redshank, Snipe and Stonechat and dipped out on all of those. I did clock up most of the ducks though and got some superb views of a female Marsh Harrier so I was happy enough. This was the first outing of my new zoom eyepiece... loved it... even took a few phonescoping pics with it, this female Wigeon being a nice one.



So, list of the day was... Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Pheasant, Reed Bunting (lost of these around the bird feeders), Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Coot, Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shelduck, Lapwing (a few on an island but saw a large flock fly over), Marsh Harrier, Blue Tit, Mute Swan, Mallard, Dabchick, Moorhen and Greylag Goose (just 4). Better than working all day!