I managed to get down to Grove Ferry tonight for an hour where I spent the time on a freezing cold ramp which was not helped with a raw northerly wind blowing straight through the reserve. I stayed till dusk and noted a few birds including 1 ring tail Hen Harrier which showed well through the scope before flying off over to the back pool, the photo below being taken at Stodmarsh in February 2012.
There were 5 Marsh Harrier, 10 Mute Swan, 1 Kestrel, c1000 Lapwing, c450 Teal, 1 Pintail, c115 Fieldfare, a Bearded Tit heard, 13 Greylag Geese and 1 Sparrowhawk. I could see 3 distant Egrets feeding in fields near Harrisons but with the light fading I could not identify them although I suspect one of them may have been the Cattle Egret. Also noted were c3000 starling flying around in various flocks with one flock having a Woodcock tagging on which then flew past the ramp at close range towards the paddock, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron and at 4.20pm, 3 Bewick's Swans flew into the main pool, 2 adults and 1 juvenile and nice to know they have returned back to the valley, hopefully they will stay for the winter. The photo below was taken at Reculver in February 2012. Looking back through some photos I have hardly any of Hen Harrier and Bittern, perhaps this winter will give me the opportunity to get a few pleasing efforts of these birds. Hopefully out at some point over the weekend, think the thermals will be making an appearance though!
Hen Harrier
There were 5 Marsh Harrier, 10 Mute Swan, 1 Kestrel, c1000 Lapwing, c450 Teal, 1 Pintail, c115 Fieldfare, a Bearded Tit heard, 13 Greylag Geese and 1 Sparrowhawk. I could see 3 distant Egrets feeding in fields near Harrisons but with the light fading I could not identify them although I suspect one of them may have been the Cattle Egret. Also noted were c3000 starling flying around in various flocks with one flock having a Woodcock tagging on which then flew past the ramp at close range towards the paddock, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron and at 4.20pm, 3 Bewick's Swans flew into the main pool, 2 adults and 1 juvenile and nice to know they have returned back to the valley, hopefully they will stay for the winter. The photo below was taken at Reculver in February 2012. Looking back through some photos I have hardly any of Hen Harrier and Bittern, perhaps this winter will give me the opportunity to get a few pleasing efforts of these birds. Hopefully out at some point over the weekend, think the thermals will be making an appearance though!
Both cracking images Marc. I think you're right about the thermals for tomorrow morning!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, Marc.
ReplyDeleteThis Swan is really beautiful!
Greetings,
JR