Endcliffe Park Wood

So today was my last full day in Sheffield, but I had arranged to see many people to say goodbye. However, I had the afternoon to myself so decided to go for a walk in Endcliffe Park Wood up to where I thought I had heard garden warbler before.

Starting in Endcliffe Park, along the edge of the top pond there was a very bold family of moorhens, 1 adult with 5 well grown juveniles. I was sat on the bank and they would come within 2 feet of me, I could have reached out and touch them if I had wanted. I tried some photos but the light was quite poor and the birds, ridiculas though it sounds, were too close, but I got a few decent snaps.

-Moorhen Chick

I continued up and in Whiteley Woods I got a bird that I really had not expected to find. It was a Dipper, only my second this year. It was not really hunting but just casually resting on the side of the river. I tried to get some photos but it was far too dark. I did get a great view of the bird though, and it did not seem to bothered by me being there.

I carried on up past Forge Dam where there was not much besides the Mallards, Moorhens and Woodpigeons. I did not spend much time there, but I did find a few nuthatches, maybe a family but difficult to tell, in the woods behind the dam.

When I passed the dam things began to get interesting. First I heard what I thought was a green woodpecker, but as it continued I realised that was not the case and that it was a bird of prey. I began to try and find it but it flew off before I could find it. I moved out into the open to see if I could relocate it, and had some success. At first I spotted 2 Sparrowhawks flying over a tree in the distance, which I figured must have been the source of the call. These birds were then joined by a Buzzard, but as I looked through the bins I observed the buzzard was being heavily mobbed by another smaller bird. I had a quick glance through my photos and noted that it was not a swift but a falcon, and due to its small size I wondered if it was a hobby.

I lost the bird behind the trees and when they re-appeared only the buzzard was there. The buzzard however soon became 2 buzzards as they soared in the air around. They even landed in some of the trees but they were some way away, and too far for a photo.

Back at the flat I checked the photos of the small falcon and it is a Kestrel, as indicated by the dark boundary between the primaries and the secondaries on the upper wing. It was exciting but sadly not what I had hoped.

-Kestrel and Buzzard

-Buzzard

I continued a little way until I reached where I thought I had heard the warblers previously. I heard a similar call and tracked down the bird making it, finally getting eyes on it, only for it to show itself as a male Blackcap, a stunning bird in its own right, but sadly not the bird I had hoped for. I think from this discovery that I need to work on my calls between these two species.

The walk on the way back did not yield much, Jay in the distance and another Blackcap, as well as the usual Robins and Blackbirds. I had a good time but did not get the warblers I had hoped. It started to rain on the way back so I made my way back quickly due to the fact I was very unprepared for such a turn in the weather.

Species List:

Endcliffe Park Wood: Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Woodpigeon, Jay, Robin, Blackbird, Moorhen, Mallard, Blackcap, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Nuthatch, Dunnock, Great Tit, Feral Pigeon, Goldfinch, Grey Heron, 

Swillington Ings

For my final birdwatching trip in Sheffield for this academic year I decided to head off to Swillington Ings for one final look. Obviously I can get here from home, but its far more work due to a change in Leeds. Yesterday there had been 5 black terns so I was hoping for similar today, as well as hobby and grasshopper warbler. I can say right now that none of these birds made an appearance today. Neither did Garden Warbler, though I must have heard about 10 different birds sing all around me at various points. There is little I have found more frustrating than hearing a bird but not being able to see it, so hearing them this many times and still not seeing one... well, words fall short.

On stuff that I did see; Swillington was quite quiet for its usually high levels bird wise, with me being unable to find anything major on the main lake. Obviously there was the usual which is all good stuff; Gadwall, Teal, Lapwing and Common Tern diving right in front of where I had set up. I also had good numbers of Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and Long-Tailed Tit on the bank.

On the insect front we were far more successful, picking up my first Banded Demoiselle of the year, and recording Brown Hawker again. The main species of dragonfly in the early stages of the walk were Black-Tailed Skimmer, that were resting on the path in many places.

-Black-Tailed Skimmer

I decided to miss out 'Gropper Corner' since it was dead last time. Continuing round I failed to pick up much birdwise but there continued to be a multitude of insects, including Red Admiral, Common Blue, Large Skipper, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, 4-Spot Chaser and my first Emperors of the year. One of the Emperors started ovipositing, but as I have seen before it was harassed by Common Blue Damselflies, which tried to nip the wings. This behavior is one of the most fascinating I have ever seen, so to see it again was a real treat.

-Emperor Dragonfly

I continued round to where the Gropper had been calling from previously, but no joy this time. There were other birds calling in the area however; Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Skylark (Which I also got to watch have a rather spectacular dust bath), Meadow Pipit, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler. Continuing along the northern path I got incredibly views of the latter, when it came and moved around the tall plants surrounding the path. Initially when it landed I thought 'what a view' but then it came closer and even positioned itself, best view of a Sedge ever. I spoke to a local birder and he said that he thought it was one of this years young, explaining why it was so fearless. Said birder also had a knowledge of soil hill...

-Sedge Warbler

I made my way along the northern path and then turned down the eastern reedbed, hoping for some Black-Necked Grebes with chicks. They did not disappoint. At first I spotted only one bird, a well grown juvenile looking very similar to a winter plumaged bird. But then an adult surfaced right next to the path and proceeded to move behind the reeds and feed a small family that was there. The family then moved out from behind the reeds so I was able to get great views. I assume the bird I first saw was the male since the other bird, presumably the female had a chick on its back. There was an additional chick swimming along side the female, while the male kept on fishing and then feeding the chicks. It was a true joy to watch this, but it was too short as the birds moved off behind some reeds. 

- Black-Necked Grebes

After they swum off I decided to settle down on the bench near the main lake to observe comings and goings and see if anything turned up. It was also a chance to get a breather, the last few days had really taken it out of me and I had started to trudge rather than stride.

There was nothing much to add from my vigil on the side of the lake, but I got outstanding views of Common Tern as they moved over the path between the eastern reedbed and the main lake. One settled on the near shore of the main lake so I got a couple of shots of that particular individual, but did not really try with any of the others, content just to watch them. 

-Common Tern

I had intended to head back with time in hand to listen for some garden warblers and hopefully track at least one down, but they had all shut up when I arrived and failed to find any. I had also intended to stop off at Old Moor on the way back to see if I could get barn owl, but I was such a tired, sweaty mess, that I decided to go home and get some food and water.

So that ended my final Swilly visit from the Stevenson Base. Alas that first year is already over, but looking to the future I now have experience getting to all the sites I should need and am looking forward to second year.

Species List:

Swillington Ings: Starling, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Mallard, Mute Swan, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goosander, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Lapwing, Long-Tailed Tit, Cormorant, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Great-Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Common Teal, Pochard, Redshank, Gadwall, Reed Bunting, Oystercatcher, Skylark, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Black-Necked Grebe, Common Tern, Whitethroat, Swift, Banded Demoiselle, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Blue-Tailed Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Brown Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Common Darter, Four Spot Chaser, Black-Tailed Skimmer, Large Skipper, Small White, Large White, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, 

Wyming Brook, Redmires Reservoir and Endcliffe Park Wood

Today I suffered a severe lack of motivation to get out birding, and since it was a Sunday my options were limited due to the Sunday transport services. In the end I decided to head to Wyming Brook up in the peaks near Fulwood.
I arrived at the reserve late morning and spent the remaining morning and early afternoon at the site. Its a woodland site, the reason I went being that as of 2 days ago there were wood warbler displaying. Sadly, despite my best efforts I was unable to find any wood warbler. I struggled to find any birds initially, but I found a few after a bit, the highlights being a couple of Siskin, which I had not expected and a male Blackcap. There were also good numbers of fledgling birds around, mainly Blue Tits, Great Tits and Robins, allowing me to get good views of them.
After my walk around the site without wood warbler I decided to move on to Redmires Reservoir just over the road, as it was on my way back and has a decent record of rarities. On site there were good numbers of Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, a pair of Common Sandpipers and Lapwings. On the banks there were Meadow Pipits and Whitethroats, with plenty of the former parachuting.
After a while overlooking the lower Redmires reser, I decided to call it quits and wander back via Endcliffe Park. On the way over to the park I found multiple Curlew, as well as one Greater-Spotted Woodpecker. But just before you entered the wood I was surrounded by calls which I recognised as Garden Warbler, a species still avoiding me. I did not find one of the birds to confirm my suspicions, but did find one bird making the calls I thought, but as I approached to find it, the song became a call, but a 'chat' call, similar to a wren. I have heard neither Garden nor Blackcap do this, so it threw me. I got a brief view of the bird as it made its way through the ivy, but only caught a greenish tinge of a stubby warbler. Having taken to Google, apparently both species make this call, but it is harsher in the Blackcap. Google only seems to have recordings though for blackcap, so that makes comparison difficult. However, it certainly did not seem as harsh as Blackcap, so maybe I did find a garden, but I will have to wait again I think, before I can finally tick it.
By the time I reached Endcliffe wood I had done enough and was ready to go home, so started to pick up my pace for the remaining walk. I picked up the usual, Mallard, Moorhen, but also a family Party of Blackcap, in an area too dark for photos but it was lovely to watch all the juveniles flit around the shrubbery.
So ultimately a decent days walk and birding, just the species list to follow.

Species List: 
Wyming Brook: Siskin, Blackcap, Robin, Chaffinch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Carrion Crow, Magpie,
Redmires Reservoir: Curlew, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Common Sandpiper, Canada Goose, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Swift, Swallow, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Greater-Spotted Woodpecker, Lapwing, Goldfinch, Greenfinch,
Endcliffe Park Wood: Blackcap, Robin, Willow Warbler, Blackbird, Mallard, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Treecreeper,

Old Moor RSPB

Today was another quiet day, as I agree to take a friend birding so waited until the afternoon before setting off. The destination: Old Moor, hoping to get hobby and maybe an early barn owl. I also wanted to see the Bee Orchids that were supposed to be around the bus stop next to the reserve.

As a result as soon as we got off the bus I tried to find them, but failed and after about 10 mins searching I decided that they must mean the bus stop on the other side of the road, and so decided to have a look on the way back and just wander into the reserve.

We first went to the bittern hide, where the highlights were Common Tern, Cormorant and a Great Crested Grebe with a chick. Ideally some more unusual birds would have been ideal to promote birdwatching but alas it was not to be.

We then headed on to the wader scrape hide where hopefully there would be a few more species. Indeed there were, including Redshank, Lapwing, Shoveler and the highlights of late Wigeon and a few Avocets. 

-Wigeon

-Avocet

We spent a while in this hide while I tried to find a hobby but was unable to, despite the number of small black specks that I checked out through the scope. I picked out numerous Swifts, Carrion Crows and Woodpigeons 

We headed up to the next hides to see what was around, but there was not much, the only additions being Pochard and good views of Cormorant. The Pochards were all sleeping however so I was unable to get any photos. There was a Cuckoo calling from the trees behind the lakes, but unfortunately it did not fly and we did not see it at any time.

We continued round the reserve but only really picked up Little Grebe and Brimstone butterfly. We had a look in the bird garden and here got decent views of Bullfinch, Stock Dove and Goldfinch, so a nice end to our trip round the reserve.

The final thing to do was to go for the bus and see if we could find the Bee Orchids. As soon as we arrived I spotted them rising from the grasses. I was so surprised by just how many there were, there were at least 20 stalks, though probably fewer plants. They were much taller than those in Dorset, and seemed to have more flowers, possibly due to the tall nature of the grasses around them. There were a lot in flower, more than I had anticipated given that they were being reported as 'fading' but there was not evidence of this among the flowers growing. The only real way to relate them is to show you the pictures of these stunning flowers...

-Bee Orchids

So there were no unusual birds to promote the hobby but there was plenty of wildlife, topped of with these beautiful flowers. So follows today's species list.

Species List:

Old Moor RSPB: Black-Headed Gull, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Mallard, Gadwall, Common Teal, Tufted Duck, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Cormorant, Lapwing, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Feral Pigeon, Common Tern, Great-Crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Swift, Sand Martin, Redshank, Avocet, Wigeon, Starling, Grey Wagtail, Shoveler, Mute Swan, Little Grebe, Pochard, Swallow, Stock Dove, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Pheasant, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Oystercatcher, Jackdaw, Brimstone, Common Blue, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Large Skipper, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Blue Tailed Damselfly, 

Orgreave Lakes

Today was a day that I had intended to spend in the flat saying farewell to the last guys still around, but at 12.00 I decided that since it was such a nice day, birdwatching seemed like the only really sensible option, so off I popped to Orgreave, possibly for the last time this semester.

I arrived on site in glorious weather. I really wanted hobby today, a species I have only seen once before. I therefore spent a lot of time with eyes to the sky. My first bird was a large soaring bird that turned out to be a very large gull, so presumably Greater Black-Backed. There were also numerous swifts, again skimming the water and other hirundines in smaller numbers, though I got exception views of Sand Martin as they flew over the causeway between the lakes.

The first thing I stopped for a photo of was not a bird, but a dragonfly. When I spotted it landed I identified it as a Black-Tailed Skimmer, but then there was another, a juvenile too. I was pleased to have found these two, my first of the year, but was unable to get very close.

-Black-Tailed Skimmers

I positioned myself on the western side of the causeway to set up and see what dropped in. There were not many people about, but those that were seemed hell bent of ignoring all the signs that said 'please don't walk here, nesting birds' so that there was turned very mobile.

That being Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Pied Wagtails. The LRP I was unable to re-located for photos, as I think it headed up the bank where I had seen one before. There was also one on the island in the center of the small lake as well, which I was able to track down. I spent some time watching the swifts, but was unable to find any hobbys among them.

The real highlight from this position was a small family of Great-Crested Grebes on the lake. There was an adult and 2 chicks, the adult was feeding the chicks and they were quite close to the bank so I was able to get some good views.

I decided to move off, but in hindsight chose a terrible time as a couple with a dog had decided to walk along the side of the lake rather than on a path. I was very tempted to make some sarcastic comment, but the confrontational side of me is very small so I unfortunately I kept quiet.

On the bird front there was a Redshank calling from the mound, where it was calling from last time too, so they probably have a nest in there. 

-Redshank

On the waterside, when I finally overtook the morons, I found a pair of ringed plover chicks, they were well grown so obviously managed to survive the perils of the site. I was able to approach them, as they did not seem to mind me watching from the bank. What they did mind was the dog, but since they were grown they had no issue in moving off and flew away to a different part of the lake.

-Juvenile Ringed Plovers

I continued round having finally got rid of the morons, but did not have many additions. Those that I had included Stock Dove and Grey Heron. 

I decided to head off after a bit. I kept my eyes on the sky and spotted a small speck in the distance, which was moving erratically and seemed to have a pale colour, but it kept moving away and when I say in the distance I mean really far away. I thought hobby, but I guess its another that just got away.

But it convinced me to stick around to see if it would come to hunt the swifts that had gathered in great numbers above. Despite my vigil and constant swift checking I was unable to find it among the birds around.

But I did find another year tick in the form of Brown Hawker which seems extremely early to me for this species. As usual with hawker dragonflies I was unable to get a photo as it started to hunt the pathway. But either way I was pleased to have found it, my first proper large dragonfly of the year.

Species List:

Orgreave Lakes: Starling, Dunnock, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Tufted Duck, Coot, Great-Crested Grebe, Meadow Pipit, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Common Redshank, Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Skylark, House Martin, Little-Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Sand Martin, Willow Warbler, Swallow, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Swift, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White, Common Blue Damselfly, Black-Tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker 

Orgreave Lakes

So after yesterdays excursions left me exhausted I decided to head off to my local patch for a short birding session to see what was about. I headed over early afternoon to Orgreave since no records had come in for some time.

As soon as I arrived I managed some patch ticks with a Great Spotted Woodpecker on one of the telegraph posts, and a male Bullfinch in the trees next to the river. There was also Whitethroat and Willow Warbler in the trees. The first lake was pretty quiet, with only usual suspects, but there were some excellent views of Swifts.

On the far side near the edge of the main lake there were a few more birds, including a pair of Lapwings, which obviously had chicks nearby because they were very agitated while I was there, so I made sure I did not stay long. There was also a Little-Ringed Plover on the bank at the back, which I tried to digiscope but I could not hold it steady and so could not get any photos.

-Lapwing

Along the edge of the lake there were 3 more Little Ringed Plovers, which I got great views of through the scope, but also a pair of Redshank. On the way round I also picked up a family of Grey Wagtails, as well as a small party of Linnets and multiple Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.

The next bird that really caught my attention was on the way out, when I spotted a trio of Stock Doves on the bank of the lake. I got a few photos, but they flew off quite quickly after I spotted them.

-Stock Dove

The only other thing of note was a Hare, that was flushed by someones dog that was running through the grassland.

So that's a brief look at today's events, some nice stuff and a few hours out. So Today's species list:

Species List:

Orgreave Lakes: Bullfinch, Whitethroat, Greater-Spotted Woodpecker, Starling, Blackbird, Common Redshank, Swift, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Mistle Thrush, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Lapwing, Little-Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Graylag Goose, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Coot, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Linnet, Feral Pigeon, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jackdaw, Mallard, Black-Headed Gull, Mute Swan, Great-Crested Grebe, Gadwall, Greenfinch, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, 

Swillington Ings

Finally the time had come to do some serious post-exam birding. With goodbyes, get togethers and the world cup I had not really been out since my exams finished but today I decided to finally resume my birding adventures for the year.

All through exams I had decided my first call would be Swillington to try and get grasshopper warbler, as that would have been a lifer for me, so that was today's plan of action: Swillington and gropper. However, in the build up to my trip there had been reports of a summer Slavonian Grebe on the lake but then moving off, and just yesterday there was reports of a Pectoral Sandpiper. Possibly as a result of the spot sand experience I did not get overly excited about this, assuming that I would not see it.

As a result I did not even really consider the pectoral during my trip to the site. This time I made no mistake and walked along the canal to the site. Good thing too, as I picked up a fleeting Kingfisher along the canal. It landed somewhere but I'm not sure where, I could not pick it up. 

Once on the site I started to pick things up. I got great views of Common Tern and Cormorant, as well as fleeting views of a flushed Little-Ringed Plover. There was an abundance on Tufted Duck and especially Black-Headed Gull.

The first thing I saw that I thought was worthy of a stop and photograph was a lovely family of Pochards in one of the channels. Its the first time I can recall seeing pochard chicks, another tart tick got for this year. They were quite cute, that's coming from a guy who does not think much is cute, but the mother was obviously agitated by the fact I had stopped, so I made sure my watch was short before moving on.

-Pochard with chicks

I could see in the distance two small clusters of birders, so wondered if they were watching the sand, or the slav. Initially I had wondered if they had found something new, and began hoping for a black tern. The smaller group were where the black-necked grebes were, so I wondered if they had found the Slav with them.

I reached the group, and when I asked 'anything about' they replied that it was the Pectoral Sandpiper, but that it was hiding currently. I suddenly realised that the Pec Sand had always been a real possibility, but somehow I had never considered it. As of 5 mins into my joining the watch a pair of birders said they were heading off to see if they could find it round the far side. They headed off down the causeway, but did not get far before they began to herald those of us who had stayed behind.

We caught up with them swiftly, they really had not gone far, and said they had it before trying to describe where it was. It was apparently on the causeway in front of us on a rock, but it was only when he said 'you don't need bins' that I spotted it, all of 6ft. in front of me.

To say I was over the moon would be an understatement, as this is a species I have always wanted to see, so to be within 6ft. on my first attempt was a pretty exciting feeling. After a few moments one of the birders said he was going to wander closer to try and flush it towards us. I could not believe what he was suggesting; it sounded like birding suicide. But as ridiculous as it sounded, it worked. The bird flew off and then landed closer to us, giving us great views. Sadly though our views were cut short by the arrival of a cyclist coming down the Causeway. The birder the bird could handle, but the cyclist it could not, and it departed far far away on the main lake. We managed to get 10 mins of great watching before the bird left, but I would have taken 10 mins of views like this over a few hours of a distant view.

The views we got meant I got some really good photos, and of a lifer that is not always possible. I got to watch it feed and wade, as well as bob and be alert. Overall it could not get much better, only if it had stayed a little longer.

-Pectoral Sandpiper

So having picked that up it was already a great day, one lifer, a stunning adult Pec sand and so close. No matter what happened it could not take anything away from this.

I decided to head on down the causeway and over the 'gropper corner' to find myself a gropper. On the way down I hoped to pick up some insects, specifically purple hairstreak. I failed to find any hairstreaks, but did manage a juvenile male Black-Tailed Skimmer, which was perched in an awkward position for photos, so I only got record shots.

Also on the way round the back I found good numbers of Southern Spotted Marsh Orchid, including one which was possibly the biggest orchid of any species I have ever seen. It looked very impressive but due to the height of the grass I could not get a photo of the whole plant, only of the flower. 

-Juvenile Black-Tailed Skimmer

-Southern Marsh Orchid

Sadly when I made it to gropper corner there was no sight or sound of any groppers. So that one remained amiss. Other birds I picked up on that bit of the walk included Curlew flying over, Wigeon which was something of a surprise at this time of the year, and a Common Teal on the main lake.

I moved further on round until I was up on the grass on the side, on the reserve where I had not made it before. Again there was not much going on round, up that way, but there was a kestrel on one of the old mining vehicles which looked really nice and showed well perched. But that aside there was not a great deal going up on the far side.

I headed back down onto the main path next to marsh to head back to the actual marsh. Along there way there was a pair of birders ahead of me who had stopped to look at something. I made it up to them and they said that there was a gropper singing in the shrubs. It did not sing while the 3 of us waited, but after they left I distinctly heard the reeling of a grasshopper warbler, for the first time ever. Sadly the bird itself  did not reveal itself and as a result I can't tick it off. But its a start having finally heard such a distinct call.

During our wait for the gropper there were numerous birds singing behind, namely Sedge Warbler, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Reed Warbler. I managed to find the Reed Warbler so I was able to grab an annual record shot, despite an abundance of reeds in the photo.

-Reed Warbler

I continued on round, heading to where the black-necked grebes are. They have been more secretive recently due to their chicks but apparently they were out a bit while I was watching the sandpiper. There were none around when I turned up there now, but I did not stay long.

There were a few birders looking for the pec sand, so I asked about the slav. They informed me that the Slav was still on Skelton lake, but that it was a trek to get there. I decided to just go for it. The pec sand was not around for the moment, apparently on the far side of  main lake, and there was not much else about so I saw no reason why not.

On the way out of the reserve I had Common Buzzard, but the best raptor I had was a Red Kite that was soaring over the canal on the way out. I spotted it initially but the view was short and I wondered if it was just a buzzard, but I spotted it again afterwards over the trees, so I could get some year record shots and add to what had been a exceptional day.

-Red Kite

So began the trek to Skelton Pond. It was a long way, and the sun decided to come out during that period, making the walk very painful and exhausting. On the way there I managed to pick up no additional species, but there were some low flying cormorants overhead.

I eventually made it to the lake. Apparently someone on site was giving the birders jip, and that apparently you should not go by yourself, but I figured I should just go for it, and fortunately I did not find this guy. Apparently the Slav was with four GC Grebes, but when I arrived to swiftly found that the GC Grebes had split up and were at various points that I decided to set up.

I set up at about 5 different points across the but had no joy with the Slav, so resigned myself to the fact that I probably would not find it. I had picked up some other stuff, for the day such as Shelduck.

But finally, at the 5th set up I got lucky. I first checked out a tufted duck thinking I had found it, but when I spotted the bird next to it I knew that I had actually got it. The only issue was that it was too far away and I was unable to get any decent photos of the bird. I got a few decent views of the bird, before moving off to try and get closer.

The path led away from the waterside, so I decided after a walk that it would be an idea to cut through the wood to the edge of the lake to try and get closer to the bird to track its movement. I knew it was a risk and I got scratched and bitten for it, but once I made it to the edge of the lake I refound the bird and was able to get some better photos. However, after 5 mins of watching the bird I glanced at my watch and realised that I would probably have to call it quits if I was going to make it for the train. As a result I could not wait for the bird to come closer, and so my photos and view would both be of the distant bird.

But, to have found a Summer Plumaged Slavonian Grebe was quite something, another excellent lifer for the day and now only one grebe away from a full house of the British Grebes. It was a stunning bird, showing off its horns, but sadly too distant to fully appreciate it like I could the Black-Necked I had seen earlier in the year. It was a little disappointing I was unable to really get good views, but I was happy to have found it.

-Mute Swan and Summer Plumaged Slavonian Grebe

-Summer Plumaged Slavonian Grebe

When I say I saw the time I realised I would have to walk at some pace to make it, and I was already very tired. It was at this precise moment that my shorts buckle decided to rip and my shorts promptly fell down. I had to swiftly improvise before making a march for the station. 

I made it in the end, by about 5 mins, but I made it, and that is the important thing. On the way back I picked up a female Goosander and also a Little Egret flying down the river. This left me with an incredbile day list, with 2 smashing lifers. Well worth the trip up, despite not getting my target bird, but I got two that given the option I would rather have had.

So, the days species list...

Species List:

Swillington Ings: Kingfisher, Common Tern, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Swift, Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Cormorant, Coot, Pochard, Great-Crested Grebe, Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, Sand Martin, Swallow, Whitethroat, Goldfinch, Mute Swan, Blackbird, Little-Ringed Plover, Skylark, Sedge Warbler, Gadwall, House Martin, Magpie, Starling, Pectoral Sandpiper, Grey Heron, Wigeon, Kestrel, Lapwing, Woodpigeon, Graylag Goose, Mallard, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Shoveler, Curlew, Teal, Common Redshank, Pheasant, Meadow Pipit, Reed Warbler, Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Pied Wagtail, Long-Tailed Tit, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Large White, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Cinnabar Moth, Black-Tailed Skimmer, Common Blue Damselfly, Common Blue-Tailed Damselfly, 

Skelton Lake: Shellduck, Little Egret, Slavonian Grebe, Goosander, Common Tern, Canada Goose, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Swift, Carrion Crow, Black-Headed Gull, Cormorant, Coot, Pochard, Great-Crested Grebe, Reed Bunting, Sand Martin, Swallow, Whitethroat, Mute Swan, Gadwall, House Martin, Magpie, Starling, Grey Heron, Woodpigeon, Graylag Goose, Mallard, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Shoveler, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Common Blue Damselfly,