Signs of spring are really starting to show themselves at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan's. Sand martins have been spotted at St Aidan's, as as well as a wheatear and avocets. Lots of the birds are also getting into their best plumage ready for breeding season, and early spring flowers are popping up everywhere.
The top ten sightings recently at Fairburn Ings have been:
Our star species this week is the greater spotted woodpecker. These are quite elusive birds, but they can often be heard drumming away up in the treetops.
Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:
Blue tit, goldfinch, robin, reed bunting, Cetti's warbler, long-tailed tit, great tit, chaffinch, stonechat, song thrush, great spotted woodpecker and green woodpecker
Goldeneye, Canada goose, great white egret, pink-footed goose, spoonbill, jack snipe, avocet, grey heron, cormorant, black necked grebe, mallard, teal, whooper swan, gadwall and great crested grebe
Red kite, kestrel and marsh harrier
Roe deer
The top ten sightings at St Aidan's recently have been:
Our star species this week is the herring gull. Often perceived as a common, chip-stealing bird at the seaside, our herring gulls are actually in decline and are red-listed birds! They're not just found at the seaside either!
Wheatear, sandmartin, lesser redpoll, bearded tit, goldfinch, stonechat, water pipit, siskin, Cetti's warbler, grey wagtail, chiffchaff and redwing
White fronted goose, herring gull, little ringed plover, golden plover, black tailed godwit, barnacle goose, avocet, whooper swan, pink footed goose, black necked grebe, dunlin, redshank, pinktail, bittern, oystercatcher, woodcock, Mediterranean gull, little egret and green sandpiper
Marsh harrier, buzzard, red kite, little owl and peregrine falcon
When you're out and about at our reserves, do let us know what you spot. You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centres, or by telling us on social media!
Happy spotting!
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