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
still looks fairly winter like over there
ReplyDeleteI know people are tired of the snow, but it makes a beautiful background! Lovely shot!
ReplyDeleteThose Wheatear are tough little birds, none over my way yet though :-)
ReplyDeleteI 'dared' on Thursday but certainly did'nt win Marc.
ReplyDeleteYou really do have to worry for the Wheatear don't you - snow and a Wheatear - not the combination you like to see.
Nice one, the Wheatear is special, the first I've seen this year.
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