A Wednesday at RSPB Middleton

So Wednesday saw us introduce our good friends Tim and Wendy who we met in Sri Lanka to Middleton Lakes we met up at midday had a coffee and a catch up at the Craft Centre then set off around the Wetlands walk.

On arrival we were told by the volunteers that there was a Glossy Ibis about and showing well, bonus!! A potential first. We set off from the Car Park, unluckily there was nothing on the feeders as they were be re-stocked, so no birds just an RSPB Volunteers backside! Plenty of Herons in the Heronry though.

As we walked through to the reserve we picked up a Chiffchaff although it just wouldn't stay still for a photo, (the same happened on the way back) We decided to walk anti-clockwise around the Wetlands, where very quickly we hear our first Cuckoo of the year, but sadly not seen! We saw plenty of people about all looking for the Ibis which was proving elusive. We stopped for lunch at the picnic bench by the river hoping to see a Kingfisher, but also a no show! After lunch we went to the hide or should I say 'look out', still no sign of the Ibis. Did pick up some Ringed Plover and of course Great Crested Grebe:

Some Redshank were showing as well as Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Cormorant and Mute Swan. As we were leaving a chap entered who said the Ibis was now showing back along the way we had come, so we went and had a look and there it was our first ever Glossy Ibis a good distance away but showing well. Unluckily for photography it was straight into the Sun, so the photos are very silhouettey!

So that brings our UK bird list up to 204! Feeling very chuffed we carried on with our walk and found a Mediterranean Gull amongst some unhappy BHGs, another year first:

We followed this with another year first a camera shy Blackcap.
So another grand day out, made all the better when shared with friends!

Just one final photo that I liked though of a blue tit on the rushes: