Top of the raptor pops at Fairburn Ings

We’ve had a fantastic week for raptors, with a Top Ten different species seen in the space of a few days!! Here's the count down of birds of prey at Fairburn Ings 

10. Kestrals have been seen over the visitor centre during the week

9. Peregrines were seen over Newfield plantation, and the Flashes

8. Hobby seen near the visitor centre several times, plus sightings at Cut Lane and Newfield plantation

7. Red kites seen over Ledsham village

6. Buzzards have been seen in large numbers from Lin Dike, as well as sightings at Pickup, Lin Dike and Newfield plantation

5. Sparrowhawks have been seen over Cut Lane, the Discovery Trail, Pickup Pool and Cedric’s

4.  Marsh harriers at New Flash, Pickup Cedrick’s Flash, Hickson’s Flash and over the visitor centre.  

3. A merlin has been seen at the Flashes for most of the week and from Pickup Hide

2. Osprey have been seen from Lin Dike and New Flash on a couple of occasions. 

1. A hen harrier was seen from Lin Dike on Tuesday

Although it isn't technically a bird of prey, artic skua's are pretty scary for sea birds.  It was seen on Monday from Lin Dike.

We’ve had the first stonechat of the winter at Cedric’s this morning, plus a whinchat.  A black tern at Hickson’s pool and Lin Dike.  A stoat was seen at Pickup hide early this morning.

Yesterday we had sightings of a great white egret from Lin Dike and over the visitor centre.  2 whinchat were seen at Cedric’s, plus a wheatear, a white wagtail, black tern and 5 black tailed godwits.