Montagu's Harriers at Blacktoft Sands

Male Monty treats us with a fly past

Garganey

Marsh Harrier

Greenshank

Heading up to Yorkshire for a couple of days took me north east past the small town of Goole where RSPB Blacktoft Sands is located. It took about two hours from the Midlands which was ideal for a break and thankfully the reserve was open when I arrived at 8.30am.

An RSPB volunteer in the visitor centre offered a friendly welcome and some advice regarding the reserve lay off. First bird to catch my eye was a male Marsh Harrier flying close over the reeds.

After about ten minutes the pair of Montagu's Harriers came into view. It is only the second time I have seen this species so to see them glide through the scope was a superb experience. 

It's great that they have returned for the second year running to the Humber. Only seven pairs nested last year in the UK, making them critically endangered and imperative to ensure every pair raises young, which the Humber pair did last year. So lets hope that they stay and breed successfully again, it certainly looks positive at the moment.

The Monty's are sub Saharan migrants and its thought that this was causing them problems as they migrated through areas in Europe where they shoot birds of prey, however radio tagging of some of the adults revealed that it is still persecution in the UK that is contributing to their continued decline. What shame on those who carry out such selfish acts which of course are against the law and a criminal offence. The birds are best viewed from Townend and Singleton hide, the birds will have Species Protection Wardens carrying out a 24hr guard on the site.

As I started to explore the rest of the reserve I located a pair of Garganey on the bank of the first hide whilst a Greenshank was also present. It was great to see some of the pairs of Avocets whilst I also noted two Ruff amongst the reeds.

After a great couple of hours it was back in the car to head to Bempton.