Just before Christmas last year, news came through of a Rough Legged Buzzard taking up residency between Thorne and Stainforth in South Yorkshire. True to form it stayed in the area after the New Year and so plans were made to go over and see it. However, due to inclement weather and personal commitments, it wasn’t possible to go when we wanted to. But yesterday was perfect: so the twitch was on!!! So it was a quick dash down the A1 and the M18 and we made Thorne in just under 2 hours. After some negotiations of a very muddy ditch we climbed the old Stainforth spoil tip which is now completely grassed over and gave a great vantage view over the area where the birds favours. True to form it appeared and gave a superb show – although distant. The grey head, white tail feathering, dark carpal patches and dark belly area which suggests a juvenile all showed brilliantly in the strong winter sun. We then moved along the ridge of the spoil tip and unbelievably the bird was now right above us – but as I have learnt when photographing birds all things are not perfect; I was shooting almost into the sun with just a silhouette to aim at!!! The bird stayed with us for about 5 minutes and I was desperately hoping and trying to get some better angles. But it wasn’t to be. As quickly as it arrived, the bird banked west towards the area where we had first seen it, beyond the housing estate settling into some distant birch woodland. Time was up: we had to move on. On the way back to the car a small fast flying raptor suddenly appeared and flashed by us; a Merlin – a very nice unexpected bonus!! For our return trip we went cross – country and had a visit to Bubwith Ings. At Bubwith bridge, the Derwent was in flood and there were lots of wildfowl present; including Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal and Pintail. Just as we were leaving there was panic amongst the Lapwings and a female Marsh Harrier came into view quartering the flooded meadows ; Great end to the day!!
Species List for 2020: As of Jan 16th – 66
Species photographed 455 – Target 500
