Saturday 13th August 2011

Some good birds around this morning including Spotted Redshank, Marsh Harrier, Green Woodpecker and Kingfisher.

Started (and finished) today's birding with a look at Stoneybeck Lake were the only birds of note were 1 each of Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. A Great Spotted Woodpecker overflew towards the quarry.

Onto Castle Lake and straight to the hide from where the Spotted Redshank first reported yesterday evening duly obliged (picture below);

Juvenile Spotted Redshank, now very much expected in small numbers during late summer at Bishop Middleham. (2011 Year Tick No.123)

Others at Castle Lake during an extended circular walk included 2 Kestrel, 300 Lapwing, 3 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Swift and a Green Woodpecker near Davison's Farmyard.
Just before 10am the Lapwing flock went up and for a change the cause wasn't a Sparrowhawk but this;

Marsh Harrier over Castle Lake this morning (once again only carrying the compact camera which doesn't know what its supposed to be focusing on, hence poor record pictures)

It headed off south with lots of company from the Lapwing flock but at 10.25 it re-appeared over Low Hardwick flying low towards Alan's Pool with only a single Carrion Crow as escort.
Other birds in the Low Hardwick area included 4 Kestrel, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Whitethroat, 2 Bullfinch and excellent views of a Kingfisher over the Moto-X Pools.
The A1 Flashes contained one each of Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.