Tuesday 27 December 2016

Bearded Tits at Reculver

With a day of sunny skies, light winds and the family going out shopping with friends for a few hours, I decided to cycle down to Reculver to see what birds were about and with the nice sunshine, maybe a few photo opportunities. I arrived at 8am and walked down the seawall to Coldharbour before walking inland to Chambers Wall before retracing my steps back to the car park at midday. I saw a good variety of birds which included c120 Brent Geese, 1 Common Scoter, c100 Stock Dove in fields at Coldharbour, 7 Mute Swan, 10 Red throated Diver, 1 Curlew, 27 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Great crested Grebe and 2 Meadow Pipit. After having a cup of coffee at Coldharbour, I walked inland where I found 2 Bearded Tit. With the sun still shining nicely, I spent some time with them and after a bit of patience, I was rewarded with superb views and plenty of photo opportunities.




Bearded Tit (male)

The birds seemed quite happy with me sitting down near the reeds and flew quite close on a few occasions. They certainly made my day being so close and it was nice to be able to study them in good detail. Moving on I noted 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Pheasant, c20 Corn Bunting, 2 Stonechat, 1 Kingfisher, c50 Redwing and 1 Cetti's Warbler. As I walked back I noted 1 Shag flying west, 4 Redshank, 3 Oystercatcher, 7 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret and 2 Lapland Bunting flew west calling. A really nice session made all the better by the showy Bearded Tits and the lovely weather. 



Bearded Tit (male)

14 comments:

  1. 'With a day of sunny skies, light winds and the family going out shopping with friends for a few hours'....Perfect situation Marc, and such excellent results with shots of the Bearded Tits a'plenty. And a bike ride, well that's a first isn't it Marc....Christmas present?

    Beat Wishes.

    Pete.

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    1. Cheers Pete. I cycle to work every day so I am used to travelling in this way. Keeps me fit along with the running. Certainly a nice day to be out.

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  2. What a treat for 2016,you made good use of the light,these are one of my favourite birds,when I saw your shots my jaw dropped,superb images Marc.
    John

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    1. Many thanks John. They are definitely little stunners and provide for a good photo.

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  3. Fabulous shots Marc. They are few and far between here and move about over a large area in my best site. Difficult to get extended views!!

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    1. Thanks Bob. I was lucky that the reedbed was quite small and that with a bit of patience, they showed nicely. A real bonus.

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  4. Nice work Marc, expertly done! Never had the chance to photograph Beardies, one day!

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    1. Cheers Warren. You should arrange a trip to Stodmarsh, plenty there at the right time of year.

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  5. Great pictures! I would like to see this bird sometimes. Happy New Year 2017!

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    1. Many thanks Anne. Best wishes to you too for 2017.

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  6. Stunning stuff Marc. Happy New Year.

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  7. Really stunning work Marc, that is my favourite.

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    1. Many thanks Bob. They are cracking little birds aren't they.

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