Aire Valley Sightings Blog 20th February 2023

There have been signs of spring popping up all over at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB St Aidan’s, with greenfinches calling, snowdrops and crocuses popping up and busy feeders where the birds are feeding up ready for nesting season. However, there’s still some of our winter species about, like pink-footed geese and whooper swans, that will be gearing up to head home soon. Read on to find out all about what has been seen recently at the reserves.

The top ten sightings at Fairburn Ings recently have been:

1. Bullfinch
2. Meadow pipit
3. Goldcrest
4. Great spotted woodpecker
5. Green woodpecker
6. Goldeneye
7. Jack snipe
8. Peregrine falcon
9. Wigeon
10. Cetti’s warbler

Our star species this week is the goldcrest, which, alongside the firecrest, is the smallest bird in the UK!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

• Bullfinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, blue tit, great tit, reed bunting, chaffinch, robin, Cetti’s warbler, stonechat, fieldfare, redwing, meadow pipit, skylark, goldcrest, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker and chiffchaff
• Shoveler, great crested grebe, jack snipe, great white egret, pink footed goose, goldeneye, curlew, wigeon, lapwing, mute swan, coot, gooseander and little grebe
• Marsh harrier, red kite, buzzard, peregrine falcon, sparrowhawk and kestrel
• Roe deer

The top ten sightings at St Aidan’s recently have been:

1. Chiffchaff
2. Green sandpiper
3. Shelduck
4. Curlew
5. Hen harrier
6. Marsh harrier
7. Peregrine falcon
8. Mediterranean gull
9. Black tailed godwit
10. Jack snipe

Our star species this week is the jack snipe. Smaller than the common snipe, this bird is quite a rarity, so is very exciting to see!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

• Greenfinch, goldfinch, Cetti’s warbler, chiffchaff, song thrush, stonechat, stock dove, grey partridge, green woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, bearded tit and lesser redpoll
• Whooper swan, Mediterranean gull, pink-footed goose, shelduck, curlew, gooseander, oystercatcher, green sandpiper, Caspian gull, black necked grebe, Iceland gull, pintail, black-tailed godwit, little grebe, water rail, ringed plover, barnacle goose, jack snipe, common snipe, great white egret, golden plover, woodcock and kingfisher
• Peregrine falcon, marsh harrier and hen harrier
• Peacock butterfly

When you’re out and about at Fairburn Ings and St Aidan’s, do let us know what you spot. You can do this by writing in the sightings book in the visitor centres, or by letting us know on social media! Happy spotting!