St Aiden’s RSPB Reserve 16th July 2021

We arrived at St Aiden’s around 10:30am and enquired about the possibility of seeing Black-necked Grebes which are supposed to breed here and we got some advice as to out best plan. This involved taking the red path as far as the smaller track that crosses it (dotted line on the map) where we should turned right and walk to the end where we could turn right again which took us back on our parth back to the reception area. We couldn’t get a paper maps so we had to wing it with a phone photo of the map on the noticeboard. We were told our chosen route could probably be done in 45 minutes which suited us because we were still a bit exhausted from our visit to Fairburn Ings followed but a scorching day out on the cliffs. If only!

Our actual route took us a long way down a path that was bordered by bushes and which, in season, could probably be teeming with birds. THis late in the year this was not an option so we had a walk before we could reach any significant water. When we got to the left turn in the path we were hopeful of some good birds on the water but the Black-necked Grebes were nowhere to be see. It seems they were in eclipse and perhaps were hiding away at the moment. As usual, a volunteer’s description of what you might see is a big list but what you do see isn’t so impressive. The truth of the matter was that many of the birds were a long way away and without a scope – again to hot to carry one – and those that were there seemed to be Coots or juvenile Coots or Little Grebes or juvenile little Grebes. Even the ducks were hard to determine though we probably got all the usual suspects.

On the dotted path between the bodies of water we came across a Kestrel on the path devouring what looked like a Meadow Pipit. As we approached, it looked very warily at us and as we neared it flew off a few yards up the path before resuming its lunch. Three or four times this was repeated until it eventually flew off. It was instantly mobbed by Black-headed Gulls and other birds so presumably that why it was near the path – anything for a quiet life.

It turned into a bit of a slog as the day went on and the round trip took us more like three hours that three-quarters of an hour. Interestingly, some birders were on bicycles which should have been a clue. Like Fairburn Ings, it is a big, open site that is probably better n Spring and, perhaps Winter, but the birds seemed a long way away. Perhaps carrying a scope would be more practical in normal temperatures but at the present heat it just wasn’t possible and it was a trudge back to the reserve reception.

We were grateful when we got back and could sit down and have an ice cream and a drink. As we left, we saw a Whitethroat singing from the top of a tree. Perhaps the best bird of the day! I think a visit in Spring when the BLack-necked Grebes are allegedly visible, nesting just a few feet from the path would be worthwhile and certainly the long paths would be more entertaining with birds in the surrounding bushes. It’s just that we got the wrong time of year on one of the hottest days of the year. Phewww!

Bird Sightings : St Aiden’s RSPB Nature Reserve 16th July 2021 2021