Elmley Marshes(RSPB Reserve) (1 Viewer)

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Mar 5, 2003

• #1

Had a great day at Elmley today,over 40 different species seen in a couple of hours.
I won't bore everybody with the full list,but the highlights for me were close views of Hen Harrier,Short-eared Owl and Kestrel.
Although Kestrels are common there,this particular one showed almost a Robin-like " tameness",allowing me to get within about 10 feet before moving off a little,and letting the pattern repeat itself so that we spent 20 minutes or so in close proximity!
The entrance and other tracks have all been renovated recently,which makes this ,for me,the best site in East Kent.

Trevor.

 

birdman

Орнитол&

• Mar 5, 2003

• #2

Nice Little report there, Trevor.

As for "boring" us with a full list - I for one wouldn't be bored if you still have it. Let's face it... I add a bird list to my reports!

Anyone else got an opinion?

 

kingfisher

Scouser in exile

• Mar 5, 2003

• #3

Nice one Trevor,
I know Elmley very well as i used to go birding there during my time in the South East, to me it is one of the best sites one that i would love to see again, wish you had posted your sightings for the day, as they give those who have not been there an idea as to what birds you may see......

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Mar 5, 2003

• #4

I don't think long reports or lists are boring at all especially if you try to make them sound exciting.

I am glad you had a great close encounter with the Kestrel! These sort of encounters are to be considered special privileges!!!

 

P

peter hayes

Guest

• Mar 5, 2003

• #5

Thanks for thaat Trevor, which whets the appetite nicely for KENTBASH at Elmley Marshes on Sunday 27 April. Please note the change of date.

 

Andrew

wibble wibble

• Mar 5, 2003

• #6

What was the change in the menu?

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Mar 5, 2003

• #7

Thanks for the positive response,I'll happily post the full list of sightings and I'm sure I missed more besides!

Little Grebe,Cormorant,Grey Heron,Mute Swan,Shelduck,Wigeon,Teal,Mallard,Pintail,Shoveler,Pochard,Tufted Duck,Hen Harrier(male),Kestrel(fem),Grey Partridge,Pheasant,Moorhen,Coot,Oystercatcher,Avocet,Ringed Plover,Grey Plover,Lapwing,Little Stint,Dunlin,Black-Tailed Godwit,Curlew,Redshank,Black-headed Gull,Common Gull,Great Black-Backed Gull,Woodpigeon,Little Owl,Short-Eared Owl,Skylark,Meadow Pipit,Pied Wagtail,Robin,Blackbird,Fieldfare,Carrion Crow,Starling,House Sparrow,Goldfinch,
A possible Spotted Redshank misses the list due to the uncertainty of 'bad Light Stops Play'

Trevor.

 

kingfisher

Scouser in exile

• Mar 6, 2003

• #8

Great list Grouse, and a Little Stint as well, a very lovely bird to see, see we would have missed that......add to that 2 Owls. Thanks for the list Grouse.

Sounds like Peter has politicians on the menu.........i think we should be told.

 

robinm

Registered User

• Mar 6, 2003

• #9

Nice one Grousemore. It's a great reserve

It's interesting what you say about the Kestrel because I had a similar close encounter there a few weeks ago. We approached a post with a female kestrel on it and it did not fly away. As we got to about 20 feet it flew onto the ground about 30 feet off the path and we realised that it had caught something. So we stopped and I trained my scope onto it. I realised that it had caught a snake (or maybe slow worm - I'm no good at reptiles). This snake was longer that the kestrel and was writhing around. As I watched in huge close-up through the scope the kestrel ripped the head and the top part of the body off and ate it and then swallowed the rest whole like a piece of spaghetti. It then realsed it was too close to us and waddled around before managing to take off and fly a few yards off. Amazing.

Robin

 

Grousemore

Senior Member

• Mar 6, 2003

• #10

What a sight that must have been!It may even have the same Bird that I saw.Mine was initially perched on top of the "new" hide and whilst inside i could hear it scratching about on the roof.
Trevor.

 

birdman

Орнитол&

• Mar 6, 2003

• #11

Thanks for posting the list, Grousemore.

I like "bad light stops play". I use it myself quite a lot!