WFV, Blacktoft Sands RSPB, 02.03.10

 Herald MothThe sighting of a Herald Moth was a true herald of Spring when 12 of the group visited Blacktoft Sands on a beautiful sunny day.  Unfortunately high Spring tides had cut off access to two of the hides to all but welly-wearers, but there are 5 other hides from which to view the birds and we managed to record a total of 37 different species on the day.  Highlights were marsh harriers - the star attraction of Blacktoft - black-tailed godwit, snipe and tree sparrows but although there were most of the duck species that we could have expected, waders were thin on the ground.

After the cold winter, flowering plants were difficult to locate but we did eventually find three speices - daisy, groundsel and pussy-willow.  Mammals were represented by hare, roe deer, evidence of moles and a brown rat which seemed to have adapted to living in a tree over the top of the bird feeders!

Three big birds which spectacularly over-flew us appeared to be a bomber with fighter escort, but in reality were likely to be a K-135 Stratotanker preparing to re-fuel two F-15s, which gave a different twist to the day's sightings and we all returned to Bradford having thoroughly enjoyed our first outing of Spring.

Stuart