Trip reports

Bittern at Breezy Blacktoft

Sunday, 19 October 2008

There are few RSPB reserves that this humble writer enjoys more than Blacktoft Sands, it is almost like a mini Minsmere in many ways. For what was the umpteenth trip in a row we were once again blessed with a lovely day as we headed towards Yorkshire although unfortunately, once again, the birds were enjoyable but not spellbinding. There was always a chance that October might throw in a fantastic wader or passerine, a remnant of the summery weather and migration period before everything settles down for the winter, and that seemed to be the case when a Semipalmated Sandpiper was found earlier in the week. However, that was downgraded to a Little Stint (although I met at least one local who swore blind that the original ID was correct) and the really amazing find, the Amur Falcon at Tophill Low, alas didn't prove symptomatic of things to come at Blacktoft.

Still, you cannot possibly have a bad day at this lovely reserve, even if high winds immediately rule out some of the star species - Bearded Tit and Short-eared Owl in particular. Most of the group, your hapless writer excluded, had an unbelievable and extended view of a Bittern as soon as they left the coach. Those who had chosen the unlucky route did get a nice view of a drop-in Curlew Sandpiper, which failed to reappear at any point in the day. Snipe, Redshank and Dunlin were everywhere and moulting ducks from Shoveler to Teal and Shelduck to Wigeon filled the lagoons.

Aside from the Bittern the star birds were perhaps the Marsh Harriers, a bird that is quickly becoming part of the furniture despite its extraordinary beauty and remarkable recovery from near-extinction in this country. These gorgeous predators floated above the reeds all day and made the journey quite worth it on their own. There was also a remarkable passage of Pink-footed Geese. Skeins of many thousands went purposefully in large 'V' formations all day, making a terrific racket and reminding us that the winter months have started and birds such as Swallow, Reed Warbler and Cuckoo will not be seen for several months.

My frustration at missing the Bittern (which has been enhanced by dipping on the same species at least fifteen times at Upton Warren this year!) were at least softened with a lovely view of a Water Rail and some people caught sight of a Little Stint. There were plenty of Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff and Golden Plover to be found and one of Blacktoft's star birds, Tree Sparrow, could be glimpsed through the hedges. It felt very much like a day of change in the birding calendar, the absence of rare waders and the hordes of geese reminding us of that all day. Winter is definitely upon us and bird watching will feel very different for the next few months. Roll on the Ouse Washes in November - as wintry a birding experience as there could possibly be!