St Aidan's RSPB Reserve

[Neil Southworth]

As I was in the area I decided to check out this fairly new RSPB reserve near Leeds. It was formerly known as Swillington Ings and like Fairburn Ings has been formed from mining subsidence flashes. For once in my life I turned up at a site on spec on a day when a rarity had arrived in the form of Long-billed Dowitcher! Also on view were Great White Egret and a couple of Hobbies. The site apparently also holds Bittern, Bearded Tit and Cetti's Warbler.
It could well be worth a Field Trip as it's only an hour away (M62 permitting), but there's no shelter so we would need a fine day or a Plan B!