AGM AND IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF

[Wandering Tattler]

If you are heading North to Wathgill for the AGM this weekend then you may be interested in a slight detour. A male Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) has been present at Potteric Carr, Doncaster for the past few days and is still there this morning. Potteric Carr is just off the M18 and only one junction East of the A1(M), therefore very convenient for anyone passing North; even if you were planning to take the M1 futher North as it is only about 10-15 minutes east of the M1 junction 32 and you can proceed on your journey by retracing your journey back one junction to the A1(M).

There is a £3.00 entry fee to the site if you are not a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust member. Potteric Carr is an excellent reserve and the best place I know for Willow Tit (at the appropriately named Willow Marsh).

If you are interested then try visiting their website at the following link and good luck:

http://www.potteric-carr.org.uk/

[Tony Kennelly]

Tim

thanks for the tip. I will give it a go & probably rutland water too. See you tomorrow.

Tony

[Wandering Tattler]

There is also a Great Reed Warbler at Straws Bridge NR, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, just West of the M1 today.

[Tony Kennelly]

Tim,

thanks for the advice & the chance to see a lifer for myself. The Iberian Chiffchaff was still singing away from the top of an open tree by the path showing very well & seemingly undisturbed by the constant small group of birders beneath him. Also 2 male Cetti's warblers (I'm a little surprised they've moved so far north) but however not the Willow Tit before I had to head home.

A fantastic reserve & very large too. It will be well worth another visit especially with half a day or more to spare.

Having been worn out by the busy weekend, I didn't go for the great reed warbler as I've already seen it in Mallorca & I'm sure another one will turn up closer to home in the next few years!

For those travelling along the A1 in cambridgeshire keep an eye out for Red Kite. I saw 1 south of Wittering on Friday & another near to Sawtry on Sunday.

Cheers

Tony

[Wandering Tattler]

Tony,

Really pleased you got the Iberian Chiffchaff. You were lucky to see the Cetti's too, they appear to have colonised Potteric this year and are very uncommon in Yorkshire. Mark and I did gp for the GRW and had good views. On the way home I went to look for something else and instead came across 2 Common Cranes, which was the icing on the cake after a fantastic weekend for which I am sure you will agree we all owe Tony Crease, Sophie and David an enormous thanks,

Tim