With my leading several upcoming Yorkshire Coast Nature Birding Discovery Days there (watch this space!), Rich and I spent the day on a recon at the always productive and bird-filled Tophill Low reserve. Long-planned, we lucked out weather-wise, with a mostly bright and sunny day (after yesterday's heavy snow and recent heavy rains and strong winds).
Although we were there on a work ticket, it was also a rare chance to relax and have a proper day's birding together - always a pleasure - and we spent all day enjoying the avian bounty. Highlights included a fantastic, close-up drama at Watton NR when a young female Peregrine and a young male Marsh Harrier simultaneously decided to attack the Teal flock, three Smew (a male on O res, a female at Watton, and a female on D), plenty of vocal Marsh Tits, an especially tame Barn Owl, multitudes of winter thrushes, and the long-staying, very smart adult male Black-throated Thrush, which put on a fine show for us late afternoon.
Marsh Tit
Male Smew with Goldeneye
Male and female Gadwall
Marsh Tit
Male Smew with Goldeneye
Male and female Gadwall
