Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Swallows and a Bittern!

I joined DW at The Patch this morning where 30+ Mediterranean Gulls could be seen, at least 1 of which was sporting a green colour ring, also there were at least 2 North Thames colour ringed gulls there as well. Only 1 Common Tern over the boil and a handful of Sandwich Terns feeding further out.
2 of the 30+ present at The Patch this morning
At the south end of the ARC at least 1 eclipse drake Garganey among the other moulting dabblers and 150+Lapwing with 5 Little Egrets.
Eclipse drake Garganey
From Hanson hide still a couple of Reed Warblers singing in front the hide, also 100+ Coot and 2 Little Egrets strutting around on what will hopefully in a few weeks be an island. 
Taken at 3200 ISO
In the Screen hide the 4 Swallow chicks must surely fledge in the next day or so. The confused adult came to the nest carrying mud, realised its mistake and added to the start of a new nest a few feet away.
Bittern over the ARC car park
I was just getting back into the car when I heard the bark of a Bittern and just managed to catch it as flew up towards the Tower.
Lunch time I had a couple of hours watch/snooze from Plodland seeing the regular pair if Marsh Harriers, a Common Buzzard and a Little Egret of note. On the feeders Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, House Sparrows, Starlings, Jackdaws and Rooks. 
A late afternoon visit to Scotney saw a Curlew and an Avocet of note. 

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