Saturday 23 March 2013

He Who Dares Wins

I looked out of the window this morning to be greeted with strong winds and heavy snow falling so with that in mind went straight back to bed for a while. A while later I eventually got up and decided that I needed to go out in the hope that some birds would be in the Reculver area. After clearing the car I had a drive down to Reculver parking near the old Roman Galley pub and walked through to Reculver in heavy driving snow which at times was a challenge to see in, let alone bird in! The snow finally got lighter later mid morning and I was able to see a number of good birds, despite the conditions. The highlight this morning was finding a male Ring Ouzel (118) in a field alongside a male Wheatear. I tried to attempt a shot of the Ouzel but it flew over a dyke and landed out of sight in a field along with some Fieldfare. Nonetheless a good record on a day like this. The Wheatear came a little closer and I was able to grab a shot at some distance. Its not every day you get a Wheatear photo in the snow in Spring!

Wheatear in the Snow

I moved off towards the sea where I spent some time walking around the towers and a short walk east down the seawall before soon returning. I couldn't find yesterdays Black Redstart but just the other side of the towers I found a nice male Black Redstart which showed nicely at distance but was never near enough for any shots. Also around the towers were 2 Scandinavian Rock Pipits. Other birds noted here were 8 Redshank, 3 Meadow Pipit, 3 Red breasted Merganser flew east, 1 Great crested Grebe offshore, 8 Kittiwake east, 5 Gannet east, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Kestrel, 6 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover and walking back inland produced 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Golden Plover, 7 Tufted Duck, 4 Gadwall, 3 Shoveler, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Teal, 1 Skylark, c100 Fieldfare and 1 Grey Wagtail. What I thought was going to be a non starter today actually ended up being a very productive session. Hopefully out tomorrow and who knows what will be around. As the title says, Who Dares Wins!

Looking West from Reculver Car Park



5 comments:

  1. still looks fairly winter like over there

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  2. I know people are tired of the snow, but it makes a beautiful background! Lovely shot!

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  3. Those Wheatear are tough little birds, none over my way yet though :-)

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  4. I 'dared' on Thursday but certainly did'nt win Marc.

    You really do have to worry for the Wheatear don't you - snow and a Wheatear - not the combination you like to see.

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  5. Nice one, the Wheatear is special, the first I've seen this year.

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