Alkborough Flats – August 4th

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A small group of 8 birders enjoyed an excellent day out at Alkborough Flats on Sunday (4th August) for the YOC Club trip. Size isn’t everything, or so they say, but it meant we were all able to access the main hides together comfortably and stay fairly tight as a group such that everyone could benefit from all the sightings. The day was divided into two with the Trent side explored during the morning giving us good views of Spoonbill (12), Garganey (2), Great White Egret(4), Black Tailed Godwit(60), Spotted Redshank (4), Ruff (7) in various phases, Bearded Tit (countless) and a solitary juvenile Yellow Wagtail. From the flood bank we could see numerous Avocet and Shelduck feeding aside the Trent and inland on the flashes we had a Pectoral Sandpiper visible through the reeds. Walking along the footpath Reed Warblers could be heard, Bearded Tits constantly ‘pinged’, Water Rails ‘squealed’ and the occasional  Cetti’s Warbler sang.

After lunch we wandered down to the Tower Hide (a proper tower up 3 flights of steps) where we could observe the Humber at a distance where there were countless Avocets, Shelducks and a flock of Barnacle Geese. The occasional Marsh Harrier would slowly waft across the skyline. This hide is a great vantage point where the full reedbed can be observed.

We had exactly 70 species for the day (list was recorded on BirdTrack) which was, of course a good return, but it’s the sheer numbers of some species that makes this place so worthwhile visiting. On a small channel in one field alone we had 4 Great White Egrets and 59 Little Egrets (out of a day total of 78). Perhaps the only disappointment was no sightings of Bittern, earlier in the year they are very evident but no such luck on Sunday.

Thanks to Stuart for keeping score during the day, to Jeremy for both his kind words and counting the Little Egrets (!) but a sincere thanks to everyone who came along for making it such an enjoyable and good humoured day out.

Many thanks to Alan Swain for leading and providing the above summary.