St Aidans

Hi Gary. That's an impressive set of sightings. Pardon my ignorance, but whereabouts is St Aidans? I've Googled it (as you do) and found one in Durham and another in Darlington. Is either one the correct location?

Is that near you Alan?

Closer than I am, that's for sure. Looks like a great location for Raptors. Nice one Gary!

Hi

It's the one near to Fairburn, West Yorkshire. As you'll see on the RSPB web page, the visitor center and car park are still closed but the site itself is still accessible on foot. Well worth a visit. Have seen little owl there too with nesting kestrels and black necked grebe with young last year.

Hi Gary

I went to St Aidan's last summer when the visitor centre was first opened (before it closed again).  What a lovely reserve it is too.  Within five minutes I had seen the kestrel on its nest and a little owl sitting on a nearby post.  It was back in June when I went and the fields were full of wild flowers and orchids, the banks full of sand martins and lots of terns on the lakes.  It's only 5 miles away from my parents' home so I hope to get back before too long.  Where did you manage to park now that the car park is closed?

Hi Christine

Yes it was good last spring. You just park on the main road by the entrance. Hopefully the problems will get sorted out soon.

Gary

The RSPB seem to have had to back away from St Aidens at the moment due to some legal matters but I think staff from nearby Fairburn Ings still take a great interest in the place.The nearby Swillington has had some great birds over the years even if it is not the prettiest to look at.