Thursday 28 August 2014

Melodious revisited and Black-necked Grebe demise!

I aborted the early morning sea watch today as I could barely see the shore line through the drizzle. Though when it cleared 5 Balearic Shearwaters and some Arctic Skuas and Bonxies came past.
At Galloways 9 Whinchats, 14 Wheatears, 2 Stonechats and 4 Common Whitethroats, but no sign of the Wryneck.
In Dengemarsh Gully I virtually trod on a Wryneck which promptly disappeared though it was seen again on number of occasions through the day. The Melodious Warbler was still present and showed very well most the day, also there 2 Redstarts, 2 Garden Warblers, 6 Wheatears and Pied Flycatcher was reported. 


This afternoon an adult summer plumage Black-necked Grebe appeared in the Gully above the sluices showing extremely well, though it appeared to be a little sickly. As myself and some others present were photographing it a large Pike grabbed it, the Pike took it under and resurfaced with it briefly before taking it back under. Although eventually the Grebe did get away flailing into the reeds I cant honestly see it lasting long.
In the image below you can see the disturbed water behind the Grebe which is the Pike about to strike. 


 More shots of the Melodious Warbler


 On the ARC the Red-necked Phalarope was still present though distant, at least 3 Garganey and a Little Stint were the other highlights there.
A plod form the north end of the Long Pits down the east side to the Desert and back found 17 Common Whitethroats and 6 Willow Warblers with a trickle of south bound Hirundines over.
 Redstart Dengemarsh Gully

1 comment:

  1. More great shots Martyn and so sad that the Pike picked on a BNG !

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