WFV, Blacktoft Sands 26th November 2024

It was a fairly quiet bird today, but that was made up for by the spectacular light, especially in the afternoon.
We started in Reedling Hide, and saw plenty of Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and several Snipe. The Snipe were flying and generally more visible than the ones we saw later in the afternoon, roosting and camouflaged in the vegetation.
Marshland HIde was uncharacteristically (in our experience) quiet, so most of us moved on to Ousefleet Hide for lunch. There had been several Pied Wagtails on the approaching field, and some unspecified pipits. The Konic Ponies were grazing in the background.
Three Redshank were seen from Ousefleet, and flying to the neighbouring field. A Marsh Harrier was seen. During the day we also saw a few Tufted Duck, perching Stonechats and flying thrushes. We heard several Cetti’s Warblers.
We gradually made our way down to our final stop at Singleton Hide, where we spent a while watching the Marsh Harriers quartering and eventually dropping down to roost. It’s hard to specify the overall number, but five settled down together to the south of the hide. That was our signal to leave.
Thanks to Kevin for driving the return journey, always more work that the outward travel, with the standard congestion at Batley, but added to by an issue near the A1. Having left not too long after 4pm, we were parked up by 6ish (well, in time for John to run across City Park for his bus!).
Julia
(P.S. Thanks to the person who found my tripod attachment and placed it on the fence for me to find).