A golden opputunity to do a bit of birding for 1/2 a day, so what sholud it be? Local? East Coast? not enough time for Spurn to catch a few migrants. So it was visit Number 91 to Blacktoft Sands 28th August. Todays visit was soley for Digiscoping having got the Cable Release Bracket from the birdfair last time out I was itching to get into the field and give it a try out. On arrival at 8.45am I made my way up to Marshland Hide to view the waders. I wasn't disappointed the area was full with Black Tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Spotted Redshanks, Green Sandpipers, Dunlin, Lapwing, Golden Plover and Ruff. There was also a glimpse of a Spotted Crake along with a Water Rail these soon vanished back into the reeds when the Marsh Harrier showed up quatering the reed area. Ducks include a Pintail, Mallard. and Teal.

I moved on down to the next hide > Xerox. Again the waders were plentiful but nothing different from Marshland except for Snipe. I got a quick glimpse of a Reed Warbler but it was quick. Time was running out I had to be back home for 3pm so I moved down to the Singleton hide for the last hour. I'd taken about a hundred pictures at this time I was pleased with some but alot were throw away. A few Swallows going through 2 Grey Herons, Little Grebe and another glimpse of a Water Rail just before the Marsh Harrier showed up again.

What about the pics. I was pleased with the bracket no end  , but my focus is a bit dodgy I have'nt got that sharpness to the pictures. Could it be down to eyesight not quiet getting that edge??? or something to do with the set up??. Weather held, one spot of rain when I was in Marshland Hide early on. Day total at 34 species. Missed bird was a  Merlin in adjacent farmland. The year total up to 118.

Well the season closes and the butterflies get less. We did well with our Buddliea this year attracting many insects, mainly bees and an amazing amount of butterflies. We attracted Peacocks, which where by far the most represented along with Red Admirals, Large Tortoiseshells, Large Whites and we got a few Gatekeepers this year and Comma's.

Here it is again the great event we look forward to each year the Rutland Water Birdfair. To look at equipment we would like but need a loan to purchase. I looked at various binoculars this year why? 'cause i like to dream. I quiet fancied the Swarovski 8×32 Bins small light weight fitted nicely in the hand and gave a beautiful image and at £1100, well, we all need dreams. We meet our guide from the Gambia for Nov '05,Yaya Barry, taking it easy, and caught up on a few things, good to see old friends. I bought a new field guide for the Gambia ready for our next trip in March 2007 and then wondered around the vaious stalls looking and marvelling at the paintings. Not forgetting the Supermarket trolley art, great stuff.(look at the pic). I also purchased a Cable Release Bracket for camera in a hope that it will give me a bit more stability for the digiscopiing efforts – watch this space.

We stopped overnight at a place in Woodnewton the Bridge Cottage great place and if you need a place to stop in the area this is it, look no further than  Bridge Cottage

We saw some great birds in the area, try looking around Blatherwycke Lake. These included Red Kites at least a dozen. Buzzards, Kestrels and Hobby in the Raptor line. Waders included Lapwing, Common Sandpipers and a Whimbrel, with Swallows and House Martins going thru a plenty.
I hope next year is as good. More photos at my photos