Fairburn Ings

A trip out was long overdue but with the covid restrictions places were few as travel out of a tier 3 into a lower tier was a no no, so I decided on RSPB Fairburn Ings mainly for the starling murmaration which should kick off at about 3ish so I decided on exploring other parts of the reserve and I started down at the cut lane/village bay area.

On my walk down the lane I came across a few Goldfinch, Chaffinch and House Sparrows to get things moving. Lower down the lane I could see there was various thrush about Redwing, Blackbirds, and Fieldfares in the berry ladened bushes. The Robins were around here very friendly and came fairly close. Great Tit, Blue Tit and Long tailed Tits added to the day tally.Out on the main bay were plenty of Goosander, Mute Swan, Cormorants, a few Little Egret, Tufted Duck, Pochard, and a pair of Goldeneye, several Grey Herons were flying about, a king fisher was seen at the end of the lane flying across the river.

Out then onto the visitor centre area where I picked up on Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Pheasant and Nuthatch around the feeders, this is where I got a tip off that the Kingfishers were showing at the screen, not hesitating I headed off quickly that way. Ten in looking and I found two birds, distant and amongst the trees. An hour later and patience paid off with the Kingfisher coming closer and perching up mid-stream really made my day (see video).

Well it was nearly dusk so I headed off for the final event off the day the Starling murmaration along the coal tip trail and I wasn’t to be disappointed. Only happening during the winter months when UK and Continental birds come together to form a safe communal roost, a sight to behold as they form various shapes in the sky before settling into the roost (see video)

Birds Day List :- Blackbird, Black headed Gull, Blue Tit, Crow, Chaffinch, Coot, Cormorant, Dunnock, Fieldfare, Goldeneye, Goldfinch, Goosander, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Long tailed Tit, Magpie, mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Pochard, Redwing, Robin, Starling, Tufted Duck, Woodpigeon, Wren (32)

Video of the Day Press HERE