Happy New year to all from all of us (and our partners) that work in conservation around the Humber.
Let's hope that 2021 let's us do more of the things we love. For me that means spending more time along the Humber and the wider area exploring and watching our fantastic wildlife.
As you can imagine I usually spend a lot of time at the reserve. Which means I have the amazing privilege of seeing some of the finest wildlife around. But then 2020r has been an exception for me. I missed all the shenanigans of the bitterns as Pete blogged about recently. I read his blog and it suddenly occurred to me that I didn't see a bittern at all in 2020, health issues and furlough put paid to that. And while it's slightly miffing that I missed them I truly appreciate the work that has gone into making the area a fantastic place for bitterns to live and thrive. Without that hard work it's doubtful I'd have seen a bittern ever - well not without travelling for miles.
On my first visit to Blacktoft (about 12 years ago) we approached reception and was greeted at the door by a very excited member of staff proclaiming "bittern boom" - what a welcome. Long may it continue.
So today was my first day of the year at the reserve. I'm mainly working from home so these days at the reserve/office are pretty precious to me as I carry out reserve and livestock checks.
Everywhere was frozen. The lagoons partially or totally iced over. Not a single duck in sight! Of course they're not going to hang around where they can't dabble. But even when there's little avian wildlife around there's still plenty to see right across the estuary. As well as a passion for birds and moths I love a bit of amateur photography so today was "big skies" day.
Here's a few of the results:
Ousefleet Lagoon
Adjoining farmland
Marshland lagoon
Townend Lagoon
Rainbow over Singleton Lagoon.
It truly is a marvellous landscape whatever your perspective of it is.
Looking out across the marsh to the wider estuary and the rise of the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire Wolds on a clear day like today you'll see a patch work of colour and light that my camera doesn't do justice too.
Of course there's always a little bit of wildlife too. My drive in threw up a flock of what looked like linnet from one of the fields as I drove by as well as kestrel and brilliant views of a buzzard. I gently pulled over to try and take a pic of the buzzard but he flew before I got the camera ready! Typical.
But then a little later I saw this one... I couldn't help hope it was the same one!
Common Buzzard
And perched a little further away;
Marsh Harrier
They seemed happy enough to share the same space.
So that's 2 year ticks for me - now where's that bittern!
Whatever 2021 throws at us we'll be working hard to make sure nature and our fantastic landscape takes priority so that we can all get out and enjoy it.
Once again Happy New Year to you all and we hope to see you all safe and well and enjoying the outdoors!
Take care and stay safe
Daz