I awoke this morning to the wind battering the windows and the forecast was for snow flurries for the morning. With the hope of no Owls probably flying in this I had a brief lay in before getting ready and then driving over to Reculver where I parked up at the towers. The wind was pretty strong and coming from the north east and with temperatures just above freezing this was not going to be a pleasant walk. The morning brightened up a bit later but walking down the seawall in the cold wind was an experience in itself, my face being totally numb at most points. I had hoped to be rewarded with maybe a Gannet or Kittiwake for my troubles but it was not to be. Birds noted this morning were c160 Cormorant, 3 Oystercatcher, c180 Brent Geese, 8 Curlew, 2 Marsh Harrier, c40 Linnet, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Red throated Diver, 13 Redshank, 25 Dunlin were in Coldharbour, 62 Golden Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstone.
Ringed Plover
Walking back I met a cold Julian Perry which made me feel I wasn't the only idiot out in this weather. We walked inland and managed to see 2 Grey Heron, 5 Teal, 33 Fieldfare, 8 Skylark, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Kestrel, 2 Little Egret, 12 Gadwall, 13 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 6 Pochard, 19 Teal, 4 Mute Swan and a walk through the fields produced 11 Snipe and 8 Redshank. No birding tomorrow and back to work Monday so hopefully if the weather allows I will try to make a visit in the week. Maybe that Little Owl will call at dusk somewhere in the area, hopefully within my earshot!
The Ringed Plover is so beautiful, it's the way you captured it, the camera work is excellent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous shot! The feather detail is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely day if it weren't for the weather - at least you have birds! Soon it will be warmer!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice day out~ The photo is superb.
ReplyDeleteI was cold here marc, so god knows how it felt in the coastal wind!
ReplyDeleteI'll send one of my Little Owls over your way, there are 3 pairs here, so I can spare them :-)
Beautiful bird, beautiful picture, beautiful composition, beautiful light, beautiful.... everything!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Marc!