We decided on trip to Tophill Low this Saturday as Oliver and Luke were hoping to see the Otters after all the recent sightings. On the way into the reserve we saw quite a few different birds.
Fieldfare
Redwing
Treecreeper
Treecreeper with lunch!
Our first stop was to see what was showing on D Res
Tufted Duck
Gadwall and Widgeon
Great Black Backed Gulls
We then took a walk to the new hide hoping to see Owls as the light began to fade, Luke spotted this Reed Bunting on the way.
and a Wren in front of the hide
We then went back to watch the Gulls flying in for the night back on D Res
Coming in to land
Touch down
No Otters or Owls today, but still a enjoyable afternoon out in the fresh air.
It was a very cold and frosty day at Tophill Low and there was not too many of us who braved the weather!
The first sighting of the morning was a Lesser Redpoll feeding near the car park.
I then headed off towards North Marsh which was well and truly frozen up, no Otters or Kingfishers today!
On the way back through the woods there was a Treecreeper
and a Goldcrest
I then walked down to the river hoping to see any signs of the Otters, but saw these Blackheaded Gulls all lined up.
Nearby there was a Redwing
and a Robin
A frosty walk back to the reserve
Goldfinch
On the walk back through the woods I saw this Blue Tit
and a group of three Roe Deer
Grey Squirrel
and that was about the last of the light.
This was our first visit to Potteric Carr on a very wet afternoon.
The first sighting was a Blue Tit feeding in the reeds.
Nearby these Mute Swans were practising their best neck bending techniques!
We tried several of the hides with no luck, it seems we were not the only ones who didn't think much to the weather! So we decided to have lunch and see if our luck would change so fortified with king size bacon butties and coffee we set off again. It must have done the trick Luke saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker as soon as we went in the next hide!
and then a Jay
The birds were at last all coming out despite the rain.
Chaffinch
Great Tit
Reed Bunting
Magpie
Feeding time!
After this great display we then moved on to the next hide and saw Little Grebe.
Gadwall
Reeds
Then as we were leaving we saw this large flock we thought may be Starlings.
So it turned out to be a good day after all we will definitely be back, but hopefully when the weather is better.
I didn't quite have time to complete my blog yesterday, so this is the remainder of the trip to North Cave Wetlands.
From the next hide we saw this Greylag Goose who definitely needs some more swimming lessons!
but at least after his dunk he had a good shower, he must be clean by now!
Great Crested Grebe in his winter colours
Little Grebe
Little Grebe, going, going
gone!
Spotted another bird nearby, but again not sure what this one is?
Then on the way back to the car I was delighted to see this Green Woodpecker, the first I have seen. Unfortunately, Julie and the boys missed it as they had already got to the car.
What a great end to the day!
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