Aire Valley sightings blog - 22 January

It’s been a chilly couple of weeks at Fairburn Ings and St Aidan’s this past couple of weeks, but this hasn’t stopped wildlife making an appearance. The roe deer and green woodpeckers have been posing beautifully for visitors and photographers at Fairburn Ings, and a water pipit has been hanging around at St Aidan’s. Read on to find out all about what has been seen recently at the reserves.

The top ten sightings recently at RSPB Fairburn Ings have been:

1. Red fox
2. Green woodpecker
3. Bullfinch
4. Roe deer
5. Curlew
6. Kingfisher
7. Eurasian jay
8. Red kite
9. Treecreeper
10. Lesser redpoll

Our star species this week is the treecreeper. This species can be quite difficult to see, as it is very camouflaged against tree trunks as it scuttles up them, looking for insects to munch on. 

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

• Bullfinch, goldfinch, wren, blue tit, reed bunting, goldcrest, treecreeper, Eurasian Jay, lesser redpoll, long-tailed tit, robin, great tit, dunnock, green woodpecker, chaffinch, fieldfare, wood pigeon, siskin, willow tit, great spotted woodpecker, skylark and blackbird
• Cormorant, tufted duck, mute swan, curlew, kingfisher, grey heron, moorhen, coot, mallard, greylag goose, gooseander, teal, little grebe and lapwing
• Kestrel, red kite and buzzard
• Red fox and roe deer

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

1. Water pipit
2. Kingfisher
3. Bittern
4. Siskin
5. Barnacle goose 
6. Marsh harrier
7. Golden plover
8. Tree sparrow
9. Grey partridge
10. Woodcock

Our star species this week is the tree sparrow. Tree sparrows are not common around St Aidan’s, and have seen massive declines across the UK. Unlike house sparrows, they are not associated with people and are quite shy, so if you get them in your garden you’re very lucky!

Here is a more extensive list of the sightings:

• Water pipit, yellowhammer, goldfinch, greenfinch, tree sparrow, siskin, fieldfare, grey partridge, stonechat, robin, reed bunting, blue tit, lesser redpoll, bearded tit, green woodpecker, chiffchaff, song thrush, goldcrest, grey wagtail, redwing and linnet
• Golden plover, kingfisher, bittern, woodcock, gooseander, grey heron, shoveler, little egret, oystercatcher, water rail, great white egret and shelduck
• Peregrine falcon, marsh harrier, buzzard, little owl, kestrel,
• Roe deer and stoat

When you’re out and about at RSPB Fairburn Ings and RSPB 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!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

To keep in touch, follow us on social media here:

Twitter

Facebook

#RSPBFairburnIngs

#RSPBStAidans