Sunday 10 May 2009

Saltholme RSPB











There's nothing like a bit of spontaneity we went up to Danby Beacon, North York Moors this morning but no Dotterel have been seen yet and it was cloudy and raining so we decided to travel on to Saltholme even though I only vaguely knew where it was , get over the river to the North Bank I thought.

We managed to find the reserve without to much trouble which today had a Great White Egret present.

First we went to the Wildlife Watch Point! No doubt named for the families the reserve is aiming to attract. I must say the facilities, visitor centre are great and staff welcoming and helpful, advising where the GW Egret was , etc. Food in the cafe looks good, next time we will not have a pack up, we had just a cappuccino today.

Oh yes, Wildlife Watch Point had three Little Ringed Plover nearby, flying around and coming close to the hide. It poured with rain whilst in there hence the rain on the birds back!

We then went to Paddy's Pool Hide and saw the GW Egret, distant but unusually stood out in the open. Great views of Common Tern on the spit.

Finally Saltholme Pools Hide, on the walk down Swallows and Swifts were very low over head due to the rain.

From the hide a Grey Heron was very close, it is an ill bird with I think a broken wing but as the picture shows managing to feed.

Out side the hide on the route back a pair of Wheatear, giving great close up views and a pair of Yellow Wagtail with a stonking bright yellow male.

This is an early posting as I cannot resist putting out more of each species in the forthcoming days.

8 comments:

Chris said...

Hi Mike,
Yes cool, there are still more pictures from there. I love the plover on this set and also the wheatear. The last one is a very funny bird and I love their song!!
You know this set could have been done here in Iceland!! We have them all, not that common for the grey heron and the egret, although we are seeing more and more of them.
Jsut do not wait too much to add the rest of your pictures!!!

Unknown said...

Great Wheatear and Wagtail shots Mike, looks like I'm going to be the last person in the country to see a Swift this year!

Anonymous said...

Great captures Mike, particularly the Yellow Wagtail and the Wheatear.

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Thanks Paul & Roy.
We had our first Swifts over West Ayton on 6 May Paul although they were over other parts of Scarborough from around 1st of the month. Last year the first Swifts over West Ayton we had on 21st May.
At Saltholme they were very low, almost head height. Good luck in seeing them soon.
The Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail are lovely birds Roy.

Paul 2tins said...

hi Mike, great photo's yet again, saw my first swift of the year today near Humberside airport, and later on came across a male Marsh Harrier flying low over some arable crops near Goxhill,(south of the River Humber) first sighting of a MH for almost 2yrs. Paul & Jill

Mike Randall Bird Photography said...

Hi Paul & Jill
Thanks for comments.
Alays great to see Swifts back and Marsh Harriers never fail to delight do they.
Regards
Mike

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