RSPB Blacktoft Sands

On the way back from Northumberland we made a detour to RSPB Blacktoft Sands, it was a scorcher of a day, so I suppose predictably the reserve was pretty quiet from a birding viewpoint and as it was really only a lunch stop, we concentrated on the hides to the right of the visitor centre.

As usual at Blacktoft (that makes it sound like we go there a lot, in fact it was only our third visit in 6 years) the stars are the Marsh Harriers. However photography is difficult on such a hot day with the heat haze and that they never really come that close to the hides.

There were of course other birds about, surprised thought that we didn't see any Avocets, not to worry though plenty of those at home at Upton Warren!

Grey Heron and Little Egrets were plentiful,

there were also plenty of Sedge and Reed Warblers about, getting a photo though was a bit more challenging until one Reed Warbler stopped for a microsecond to the right of the hide.

A Bittern did put in a very brief appearance unfortunately I was looking the other way and only saw it drop into the reeds, but that was well worth the stopover for our (late, as usual) lunch.

A few ducks were spotted, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufty, Teal and Gadwall, plus Little Grebe and of course a must at Blacktoft, Tree Sparrows near the visitor centre.

A lovely lunch stop, although it did add nearly an hour onto our travel time, but worth it!