Black-winged Stilts at Potteric Carr - 23rd June 2022

On the way back from North Yorkshire I took a short detour off the A1 to Potteric Carr which is just on the southern outskirts of Doncaster. A gem of a reserve, managed by The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. I had heard that a pair of Black-winged Stilts had bred and raised four young and this was a species that I had never seen in the UK. Quite a long walk to where the action was but the hide quickly revealed a few Little Egrets.

A Kingfisher perched up briefly.

And right in front of the hide, a Water Rail.

After a tense few minutes I had views of both Stilts and very distant views of two of the chicks. The light was difficult, but here are a few shots of a very elegant wader.

A great reserve and great birds!