Swillington Ings

Courtesy of DP on a cold bright sunlit morning with a helluva breeze. It was sure worth the effort as there were some good birds about and I counted 27 new species for the year.

We were fortunate enough to encounter 2 Ruff that were creeping in and out of the sedges, hence this award winning photograph 😁.

Other waders: c20 Golden Plover, c11 Curlew and a battalion of Lapwing.

One species we didn't encounter would have lost me money if I were a gambling man; Reed Bunting.

However others more than made up for it: 5/6 Stonechat, 1 Cetti's Warbler seen briefly while alarm calling and 3 others heard.

4/5 Shelduck, plenty of Wigeon, several Teal & more Shoveler thank I have experienced previously.

7/8 Pochard, 3/4 Goldeneye, plenty Tufted Duck. 1 Little Egret, 1 pukka Grey Heron and 3 imitations at Astley Lake.

1 Red Kite ditto Kestrel, 2 Buzzard, 3 GBB Gulls, Cormorants et al.