An Early morning walk around some of Walland Marsh was very rewarding with good numbers of Tree Sparrows seemingly in every bush and flying over into the fields, plenty of Yellow Wagtails, 4+ Corn Buntings, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Hobbys and a singing Quail. From there i went to The Patch but just the usual culprits there. A Black Redstart was on the power station wall. At the carpark i heard the news of the Great White Egret and the Marsh Warbler. As i walked from the car park at the centre to the viewing ramp 3 Ravens flew over calling (2ads 1juv). As i approached the viewing Ramp i could hear the Marsh Warbler, but in 3 hours all i had was 3 fleeting views even though most of the time it was singing less than 20 feet away, its mimicry was brilliant with Great Tit, Chaffinch, Bee-eater, Nightingale, Sedge Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, House Martin all copied.
While waiting for it to show 2 Common Cranes flew over, A Bittern was booming, Beardies were pinging, 6+ Hobbys were hawking over head and the Great White Egret was showing well on Denge Marsh.
From the screen and Hanson hide on the ARC Pit 2 Avocets, 8 Black tailed Godwits, 11 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and more Hobbys. At the Eastern end of the pit 2 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers chasing each other presumably a territorial dispute.
While waiting for it to show 2 Common Cranes flew over, A Bittern was booming, Beardies were pinging, 6+ Hobbys were hawking over head and the Great White Egret was showing well on Denge Marsh.
From the screen and Hanson hide on the ARC Pit 2 Avocets, 8 Black tailed Godwits, 11 Dunlin, 2 Little Ringed Plovers and more Hobbys. At the Eastern end of the pit 2 pairs of Little Ringed Plovers chasing each other presumably a territorial dispute.
Hi Martin,
ReplyDeleteI'm very plesed you are having such a good time birding at the moment. I love all the new pictures, you've posted especially the Hobby, Garganey, and the LR Plovers (excellent). I doubt there are many other places in the UK which could give you such an eclectic mix of birds. The only birding I have made recently has all been Nightjar surveys (I've just got back), but as yet I've found none.
Catch-up soon!
Nick