For the 3 members who arrived at 07:55, this was an incredibly successful trip because they saw all the birds that had been targeted. The leader who arrived at 08:10 was highly miffed because he ‘dipped’ on the Hawfinches which had just flown off, not to be seen again! Grr!
Hawfinch
However, the 6 members who attended did have an excellent time in pleasant, breeze free, spring like weather, clocking up 49 species before lunchtime. Besides the the Hawfinches, the other highlights at Rufford were good views of Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Male and Female Goosander, Goldcrest and close up views of a Marsh Tit.
Disagreement over a lady
Marsh Tit
We then moved over to the nearby Eakring Flash to find and photograph the magnificently plumaged drake Garganey.
Drake Garganey
Photos courtesy of Joyce Sawford and Doug Aston.