Acaster and Gos

The water is dropping rapidly and right now the Ings look brilliant. If only they would stay like this for a couple more months, though with a warm week predicted I think they will be dry by next weekend. In the meantime a new high of 38 Gadwall were present this morning, plus five Teal and two drake Shovelers. Let's hope a Garganey shows up before the water disappears!

Headed northeast to meet Tony Martin and Steve Norton and we spent some time searching for Goshawks. The conditions weren't brilliant so we were quite happy with five sightings of three or four birds. The first sighting was of a distant soaring bird that then did a couple of great switchbacks and some good stiff winged flapping. I noticed it also put it's head up, above the level of the wings a couple of times, which is mentioned in BWP. Also saw Dippers, Grey Wags and several Crossbills, one of which flew past calling a piping 'djup' with two more conventionally sounding mates. Sadly, it didn't stop....

By 2pm I decided to head south, having a quick look at a dozen or so Bramblings by the road side, and then on to Castle Howard where a solitary Whooper Swan, two Goosanders and c20 Goldeneye were the only birds of note.