Blacktoft Sands, 12 March 2011
SPRING FANFARE!
A fanfair of spring bird song greeted the arrival of members of the Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society on a coach excursion to the RSPB’s reserve at Blacktoft Sands, East Yorkshire. Robins, Dunnocks and a Song Thrush were loudly proclaiming their breeding territories in the hedgerows surrounding the car park. The hedges also sheltered flocks of Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches, Reed Bunting and Tits and in the coppiced willow scrub three Long Eared Owls were roosting in full view of the amazed visitors.
Six well positioned hides at Blacktoft give excellent views over the tidal pools and extensive reedbeds at the confluence of the Rivers Trent and Ouse. The group soon spotted Avocets, stars of the reserve and also the symbol of the RSPB. Other wading birds sitting out the high tide included Godwits, Lapwing and Curlews and there were close-up views of the strikingly patterned Snipe. Wildfowl such as Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon and Gadwall constantly flew in and out of the pools whilst individual specimens of Goldeneye, Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe concentrated on feeding.
Initially the reed beds were less productive but as the afternoon progressed another of the reserve’s stars made an appearance – the Marsh Harrier. It quartered its territory with slow wing beats and skilfully used every breath of air to twist and turn at whim, showing complete mastery of its element. Soon it was joined by other members of its family, providing a first class performance for the admiring audience. By late afternoon birds of prey from a wide area home in on the reed beds to roost and later a Buzzard, Short Eared Owl and Sparrowhawk appeared.
There were sightings of Roe Deer throughout the day and also a Toad and one of several resident Hares made an appearance.
This was the first excursion of the year where convincing signs of Spring were observed. Besides the sounds of birdsong, the group was delighted by sightings of a Skylark, a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly, Buff Tailed bumblebees, a group of Ladybirds and a few early flowering plants.