A shopping trip to Junction 34 , Castleford this afternoon was followed by a birding outing on the way home at Swillington.
It's a good while since I've been here and I'd forgotten just how huge this site is.
It was very windy here which was a shame.
I had about 90 minutes here which is no where near enough.
The numbers of birds and the 'noise' was a bit overwhelming to be honest.
Dropping down the hill from the visitor's centre, I turned left on the path between two large pools.
Here there were Common Tern and loads of Black Headed Gull with Swift and Sand Martin.
Huge flocks of Geese were very distant seen from here also.
I retraced my steps and and turned left along the 'red sandstone' path.
As I walk up here, a large Raptor was seen way off in front of me, high to my right.
As usual with Raptors - I'm struggling with ID.
I discounted Buzzard, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk - hoping for a Harrier sp. at the time but I cannot be sure.
Three leisurely wing beats seem to lift the bird and it gently lowered again before another three slow wing beats.
I believe it's a Marsh Harrier.... Or maybe not?
I sipped up really, walking all the way up to the large pond at the top of this track. Having reached here it my time was up and it was time to leave!
A few photos:-
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