Page 10 - Out Birding Spring 2023

where the hide had once been. We were undeterred, and all made it up and back down in one piece. We didn’t see anything new, though enjoyed the view, and spent some 􏰀me checking out the range of plumages the Cormorants were exhibi􏰀ng.
The last of us made it back to the car park as some rain clouds were rolling in, bringing with them an early dusk, and a Song Thrush was singing on my way out. Over the course of the day and between us, we saw 51 species of bird (52 if you count the Aylesburys), and 3 species of mammal.
Thanks (in no par􏰀cular order) to Chris, Helen, Joyce, Gavin, John and Sergio for such a lovely day.
Eirwen
Po􏰁eric Carr 03/12/2022
A􏰂er the recent fog and mist it was pleasing to note that Richard had had a word with headquarters and laid on some sunshine for us as we arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Po􏰁eric Carr. This is a large reserve, mainly flat with a mix of reed fringed lakes, small areas of mature woodland and grassy fields next to the M18.
It was a difficult start as the birds were few and far between; just the usual suspects, Magpie, Mallard, Wood Pigeon, Blue Tit, Robin and Dunnock. A small flock of Siskin stopped in the treetops above us and were joined shortly a􏰂er by Fieldfare and Red- wing and as we moved on a pair of Bullfinch made a brief appearance.
Outside the first hide a large flock of Long-tailed Tit had a nice mix of Great, Blue and Coal Tits plus a Goldcrest, the only thing from the hide was a solitary Li􏰁le Grebe a long way off and a Buzzard even further away.
Robin, Crow, Blackbird, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a family of Mute Swan were the starter for a larger mix on the lakes as we started on our way back. A single female Reed Bun􏰀ng, then on the lake Shelduck, Grey Heron, a large flock of Lapwing roos􏰀ng on an island un􏰀l a passing female Marsh Harrier spooked them all into flight along with a few Dunlin, the gulls plus a few Herring Gull and what might have been a Snipe had we managed to get a be􏰁er look. Cormorant, Tu􏰂ed, Teal, Shoveler, Coot, Moorhen, Wigeon and Gadwall swelled the numbers. A pair of Canada Geese and three Li􏰁le Egret added to the water birds.
Redwing and Fieldfare con􏰀nued to feast on hawthorn berries as we headed for the café, a brief view of a Kingfisher and a pair of Song Thrush plus a small flock of Gold- finch completed the day.
We also heard Jay squabbling, at least three Ce􏰃’s Warbler, Great Spo􏰁ed Wood- pecker and Wren.
Thanks to Richard, two Pats, Ann and Rachael for good company in keeping with what I have come to expect from a lovely club.
Sarah
10