Trip to Greylake Rspb Reserve

                                                  14th February 2022  

                                                Greylake Rspb reserve 

                                                                   

Baikal Teal with Wigeon,Teal & Shoveler.

On Monday the 14th February we took a trip to hopefully see the superb drake Baikal Teal at the quite amazing Rspb reserve Greylake in Somersett & Bristol.

I have never been to this reserve before and i was suitably impressed, there were 1000's of Ducks , mainly Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Gadwall & Shoveler, plus 5+ Great white Egret were seen.

On the raptor front we saw Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel & Common Buzzard, there were both Water Rail & Cetti's Warbler being very vocal but remaining hidden.

Amazing head pattern on the Baikal Teal.

The main attraction Baikal Teal took some finding among all the other ducks however every so often some of the ducks would get spooked and the landscape would change revealing more birds hidden and it was on one of these occasions the Baikal Teal gave itself up to it's admiring crowd.

Baikal Teal having a sleep.

 

An Away Day Plus Shorelarks Revisited

                                       10th February 2022 :  Eastbourne

                                                           

American Robin.

An early morning trip to Hill road in Eastbourne on Thursday the 10th February was rewarded with spectacular views of an American Robin.

We arrived on site at approx 6.40am and we could hear at least 2 Tawny Owls calling from the nearby woodland plus plenty of Song Thrush & Blackbirds singing in the new morning.

Rear view of the American Robin.

Once daylight had arrived and more & more birds were appearing from their night time roosts we were all waiting in anticipation of the  American Robin putting on a show !!

We were not disappointed , the American Robin put on an amazing display, feeding hungrily on the plentiful berries, hopping about on the grass , flying all around us and could often be heard ' calling '.

Many thanks to the residents of Hill Road for allowing us all access to see this amazing bird.

American Robin.

Leysdown - on -  Sea  Isle of Sheppey

After leaving Eastbourne we headed to Leysdown-on-Sea in the search for the wintering flock of Shorelarks.

We managed to see all 7 Shorelarks  on the beach between the free car park at Warden Point and Central Beach, they once again showed really well and with patience the birds come really close, however all my photo's are digi-scoped.

Shorelark

We spent the rest of the afternoon on Sheppey adding 10+ Brambling along the track to Shellness, 1 Whooper Swan in with the Mute Swan herd at Capel  plus a Ringtail Hen Harrier at the same site.