Another week has passed and we are fast approaching July which (allegedly) will kick off with a heat wave! A perfect opportunity to get out, enjoy the warmth and spot some wildlife, and there’s plenty to see at Fairburn Ings!
One of my favourite stories of the past week came from a couple I met down at the feeder screen. They told me they’d seen a green woodpecker bullying great spotted woodpeckers off the feeders! I wish I had arrived just a few minutes earlier and had the chance to see what I’m sure was quite a spectacle.
Who'd win in a fight? Green woodpecker thanks to John Bridges (rspb-images.com) & Great spotted woodpecker thanks to Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)
There’s been lots of activity on the flashes – ringed plover, curlew, redshank and wigeon have all been spotted. Some have also been treated to some great views of a barn owl hunting and a marsh harrier soaring through the skies.
Marsh harrier - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
If you’re at Pickup hide, look out for the big mouths of little sand martin chicks as they poke their heads out of the wall. We’ve still got avocets and chicks over there as well as oystercatchers and their chicks. The avocets at the duck feeding platform are delighting families as they feed the ducks and swans. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook page over the next few days for a special chick themed blog post!
Avocet with chick, photo thanks to Tim Jones.
You don’t have to venture far from the visitor centre to get some special encounters with wildlife. This week someone was lucky enough to see a bank vole in the wildlife gardens! Wildflowers are everywhere at the moment and many can be seen walking up from the car park, though if you do venture a bit further there are some beautiful orchids to be found!