St Aidan’s part three

 The reason my wife and I went to St Aidan’s in the first place was for the Black-necked Grebe and we weren’t disappointed we saw around half a dozen of them around the site not all unfortunately in photographic range.

Black-necked Grebe

 Last week I paid a visit to St Aidan’s RSPB in Leeds. What a great day, Bitterns were booming, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warbler were calling from the reed beds, Swift and House Martin were hawking the sky and Wren and Linnet were singing from the top of Gorse bushes. And the bird I went to see did not disappoint the Black-necked Grebe put on a great show.

The very first bird I was put onto was a Little Owl and thanks go to the bloke who showed me where it was.

Black-necked Grebe with chicks on its back.

And if you want a rest from carrying them give your wings a shake…

…and they drop off 

Your partner then takes over

Both parents were on feeding duty

Coot feeding its chick

Reed Warbler (unfortunately I did not get a shot of the Cetti’s or Sedge Warbler)

Male Reed Bunting

Female Reed Bunting

Bar-tailed Godwit

Heron

Swift my first of the year

My first House Martin of the year

Wren

Linnet

After nearly five hours of walking around the reserve I got back to where the Little Owl was and it had not moved

Weekend Wanderings Part 2

A trip down to South Gare on Sunday unfortunately dipped the Firecrest and Black Redstart but did get a cracking very obliging Black-necked Grebe. The photographers didn’t phase it as it fed quite close to the small bit of sand on which we were kneeling. After filling my boots it was then on to Saltholme. The car park was nearly full so instead of going into the reserve I paid a visit to Saltholme East where 17 Little Gull were showing well I did however dip the Garganey.

Black-necked Grebe

The fish is apparently a Butterfish also known as a Rock Gunnell

The one that got away

Little Gull

Avocet. Hilda Ogden would be proud to have these on her wall

Pochard. I could be wrong but the lower bird behind the female appears to have some sort identification tag on its bill

 

Grey & Black

Some record shots (the light was rubbish) of a Great Grey Shrike at West Hartford Northumberland and some shots of a lifer for me, a Black-necked Grebe taken at the QE11 Lake near Woodhorn.

Great Grey Shrike

Black-necked Grebe