salltmarshe delph
Posted 20-02-10 at 09:09 AM by ruthiewren
It was an icy start and at first I thought of visiting RSPB Blacktoft Sands but then thought would try a little nature reserve Saltmarshe Delph, tucked away near the Humber estuary. Was not disappointed. Although there was just one hide I observed a small flock of Gadwall and a gregarious group of Coot at the water there. It looked promising for future visits.
Across the road under a railway bridge lay the rest of the reserve, a little gem of older woodlland and some water areas. Here I saw Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird and Robin at various feeders which were hidden in amongst moss covered trees. The highlight was a Marsh or Willow tit (not sure which) at one of the feeders, and saw my first greenfinch this year. After a cold but very enjoyable couple of hours I returned via N.Duffield Carrs. The water here was the highest I had seen and the hide further away flooded. Went into the first hide hoping to find Pintail which I was told were there, but disappointed. Large flocks of Wigeon and a few Teal. Tree Sparrows in surrounding bushes. On a previous visit this week at a site nearer to Bubwith bridge I had observed Whooper Swans in a neighbouring field, and a Barn Owl obliged by cruising into view! On the whole plain fare, but a nice week birding.
Across the road under a railway bridge lay the rest of the reserve, a little gem of older woodlland and some water areas. Here I saw Chaffinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Blackbird and Robin at various feeders which were hidden in amongst moss covered trees. The highlight was a Marsh or Willow tit (not sure which) at one of the feeders, and saw my first greenfinch this year. After a cold but very enjoyable couple of hours I returned via N.Duffield Carrs. The water here was the highest I had seen and the hide further away flooded. Went into the first hide hoping to find Pintail which I was told were there, but disappointed. Large flocks of Wigeon and a few Teal. Tree Sparrows in surrounding bushes. On a previous visit this week at a site nearer to Bubwith bridge I had observed Whooper Swans in a neighbouring field, and a Barn Owl obliged by cruising into view! On the whole plain fare, but a nice week birding.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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Hi Ruthiwren,
Sounds like you've enjoyed some good birding recently. Nice to see Barn Owl, keep looking for the Pintail though, there are loads about at the moment.
Welcome to the forum.Posted 22-02-10 at 08:15 AM by alanjns
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Saltmarshe Delph
Hi Ruthiewren
Pleased you enjoyed your visit to the Delph. The part of the reserve where you saw what is Willow Tit is called Willow Garth. It is a breeding bird there. Normally the Delph can hold up to 100 Gadwall in the winter period along with Teal, Pochard and Tufted Duck. Because of the hard winter numbers are much reduced at the moment. In summer we have breeding Marsh Harrier. For such a small area it has a lot to offer.Posted 23-02-10 at 05:41 PM by delphbirder
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Hi Ruthiewren,
Just spotted your blog.
North Duffield Carrs is my local patch when I'm home in the UK - I live in Bubwith not far from the bridge over the Derwent.
I quite often see barn owls in the area, though the last one I saw was a few miles futher north at Wheldrake Ings.
It's a great sight to see all the waterfowl on the flooded water meadows. When I was home at Christmas mostof it was frozen(except for the river). The water levels certainly get high this time of year, though I've not seen
the 2nd hide flooded.
I'm home soon and looking forward to seeing what's showing in my local patch.Posted 26-02-10 at 05:12 AM by ijwilki 
