Saturday 26 March 2016

Barton Whooper etc,Saturday 19th March 2016.

Another visit around the pits at Barton today,didn't reveal many surprises,but was a pleasant visit all the same,this is what i saw.
 I started the day by parking in the Humber Bridge viewing area car park and after getting the gear together,decided to cover Water's Edge first,before all the dog walker's arrived.
 I was hoping for a Chiffie or maybe a Blackcap,but didn't encounter either species,instead i had to make do with at least 2 singing male Cetti's Warbler,5 Bullfinch watched taking grit from one of the paths and a female Blackbird busily collecting nesting material....fine recompense!.
 After covering Water's Edge,the Humber Bridge viewing area was the next place to look for migrants,but again,despite much searching none were seen,3 Siskin overhead and fine views of a drumming female Great-spotted Woodpecker,yes female(Didn't realise females drummed)were seen and the pair of Peregrines on their lookout on the bridge itself.
 After a quick bite to eat i drove the short distance to Far-Ings to cover the pits to the west of the bridge.
 Bird highlight of the day was seen here,a single 2nd calendar year Whooper Swan which was swimming around the Pursuit Pit with it's adopted Mute Swan family.No doubt this bird has got separated from it's family party heading back north to Iceland,as so often happens with this species.
 After watching this cracking bird i carried on covering all the suitable habitat,Ness Lake,the New Pits,Chowder Ness and up around Barton Cliff and the Quarries,but still no migrants.
 Another 2 Siskin were seen on Far-Ings itself feeding along the path towards Target Lake,at least 4 male Cetti's Warbler blasted away that distinctive song and 10 Goldeneye had joined the Whooper,which was now on Western Approach Pit and showing much more closely.
 Not a bad 5 hours out and about,but a bit disappointing still on the migrant front.
2nd calendar year Whooper Swan,Western Approach Pit.


2nd calender year Whooper Swan,Western Approach Pit.

No comments:

Post a Comment