With the snowy weather hanging on and a few good birds seen in the Reculver area in the last few days I thought I would make an early start as usual. I left home at 5.45am and had a drive around the lanes. It wasn't long until I saw the first of 2 Barn Owls as one flew over the Thanet Way and a little later I had good views of one as it hunted in the growing light, pouncing every now and then in the snow. I tried for a shot but most were binned due to the high ISO's required, this one just about getting through but a lovely sight to watch.
Barn Owl - Marc Heath
Other early bits this morning included 3 Grey Partridge, 5 Red legged Partridge, 1 Little Owl and 2 Pheasant. I then birded the Brook and Reculver area for a few hours, sometimes in heavy snow showers but luckily after c45 minutes they passed on. Birds noted this morning included 1 red head Smew which allowed a few shots, albeit not that good.
Smew - Marc Heath
There were 2 Kestrel, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Grebe, a walk of the dykes produced 15 Common Snipe and I almost stood on 1 Jack Snipe (103) which soon flew away. Also 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard and 5 Woodcock were in the caravan park. There were 2 Pintail (104), 7 Wigeon, c80 Gadwall, c600 Teal, c15 Pochard, c30 Tufted Duck, 1 Siskin (105), 2 Water Rail, 3 Curlew, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Redshank. A difficult day for the camera in tricky light conditions but pleased to have photographed the Smew again. Perhaps it will hang on for tomorrow and the sun will shine!
Barn Owls are always great to watch ...
ReplyDeleteMarc ,
ReplyDeleteYour Barn Owl and redhead Smew shots , I would be well happy with , please .
Especially the Barn Owl .
Knock-out Barnie image, Marc!! Very unusual!
ReplyDeleteJust took a look at Phils Smew Marc, a lot trickier to find in hos images than yours but an excellent test for ID on the species....brilliant little creature in particular the drake which I rate as one of the most attractive of all ducks.
ReplyDeleteSome great birds today Marc!!! Well done with the Smew! I'm still trying to get decent photo of the Northward Hill Barn Owl!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice shot of the barn owl Marc.
ReplyDeleteLove your Barn Owl photo!!! I have always wanted to see a Barn Owl. Glad you got a shot of the Smew as well.
ReplyDeleteLove that Barn Owl, Marc! What appears to be a swan in the background in the second photo almost looks like an iceberg.
ReplyDeleteMarc, you shouldn't spoil your blogs by being critical about your photographs, I'm sure that most of us look at them and find them superb, yesterday's certainly were, and to my untrained eye couldn't be improved on.
ReplyDeleteIndeed a cracking sight to see those Barn Owls Marc. Nice shot in the grass.
ReplyDeleteWell done on that lovely Barn Owl Marc, they are magnificent birds!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally jealous of that barn owl. It's great for that encounter and once again managed to fotografere. Really beautiful, I think.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the widgeon have you stand up very nicely.
Greetings, Helma (from Holland)
I would be happy with a shot like that of a Barn Owl, hopefully when I pop up to Norfolk on Tuesday for a short stay I might get lucky.
ReplyDeleteNice post Marc, like the Barn Owl pic, good selection of other species to.
ReplyDeleteThe light the snow gives off is very difficult to work with sometimes Marc, I have to set my exposure compensation to over expose by two thirds at times :-) Any Smew shot is still a great image to have though :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird this Barn Owl, well done pics, Marc
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to all for the comments, I never knew so many people read what I actually put on the blog.
ReplyDelete