Another amazing week for birds of prey here at Fairburn. Red kites and marsh harriers have been seen every day, a peregrine was over Hickson’s Pool on Tuesday and today five buzzards were seen together from Pick-up Hide.
One of the most exciting sighting this week was a female smew out on main bay. It was reported on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and there is still time today so hopefully it’s still around!
Female smew, Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
Large groups of pink-footed geese flew over on Saturday, Sunday and again on Thursday. 18 pintail were seen heading west over the visitor centre on Monday and 19 skylark were over New Flash on Wednesday.
Lin Dike has been busy for non bird sightings with 4 roe deer and a weasel seen there on Sunday. And off along the Riverbank Trail today 7 whooper swans were visible from Bob Dicken’s hide while there were 16 snipe, 5 at Charlie’s and 11 at Big Hole on Thursday.
Tree sparrow, Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
House sparrow, Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)
Blue tits started prospecting nest boxes near the visitor centre this week and there have been record numbers of house sparrows to complement our blooming population of tree sparrows. If you’re used to seeing tree sparrows around the visitor centre and Discovery Trail, you can pick out house sparrows fairly easily. They’re slightly smaller, with a grey crown rather than brown, and are missing the distinctive black cheek spot.
As ever, keep letting us know your sightings!