Patch MEGA

Louise fancied a trip to York today for some "retail therapy" before she returns to work on Thursday, so I decided to drive her there and fit in a session at you know where!

I arrived at NDC at 11 and headed for the Geoff Smith Hide as per usual. The weather was "iffy" but no rain yet. It's getting to the end of the season now and the vegetation is high and the water level low.

The first thing of note was the number of Swifts present, I estimated c60 birds feeding low over the reserve no doubt brought down by the conditions. I started to scan the small scrape at the Western end with my scope. It's a fair distance but Birds can be identified if there's no shimmer, which there wasn't today due to the thick cloud cover. The 7 Ringed Plover are still present and a bonus Little Ringed gave itself away with a flight across the Reserve. I scanned some more across the tall grass not expecting much but ever hopeful...if that makes sense!?

Then...a couple of heads appeared! First thought Heron but only for a second as these two had red on them!!! They were only in view for a few seconds before disappearing into the tall grass...

I was stunned. I'd dreamt of seeing Cranes on the deck here (sad but true) and thought I might get lucky one day. 

Today was that day!

After around 10 minutes they reappeared and started walking slowly and stately towards Garganey Hide. I HAD to get down there. We set off and slowly but surely we made it. I opened the flaps and set my stall out once again. No sign as I grilled the vegetation. Maybe they'd flown off as I was walking down?

I then looked to the left towards the Farm...and saw a sight that will remain etched in my memory forever, as there, some 70 yds away in full view, were these beauties...

To find this Species on my inland Patch is obviously VERY special indeed. You may recall Haydn had 3 over Skippy recently and I have ONE previous record of 3 Birds (shared with Haydn) 20/3/2011. We did get the "heads up" on these birds as they had been seen flying South from Wheldrake. They flew over Duff and landed on Bubwith Ings. Today's duo were actually ON the Reserve and self-found "to boot"!

Again, if you're a "Patcher" (or maybe even if you're not) you'll appreciate the satisfaction of this sighting. It makes up for the many "quiet" visits and proves that perseverance can pay off...eventually! To see this elegant Species strutting around my beloved Carrs has to be "right up there" in my experiences here. It only took 38 Years!!!

The Birds eventually flew to the far North of the Reserve...

The perfect setting

...and when I returned to the Geoff Smith Hide I couldn't relocate them unfortunately. There was no further sign before I left at 2.15. On reflection, if the Cranes has been at the side of Garganey Hide on arrival I may have missed them!?

An truly unforgettable experience...

Update: The Birds are still present this evening.