Fair weather birding (1 Viewer)

[Hobbes2]

What a difference a bit of sunshine makes! The optics work better, the photography works better and your eyes work better :-O

For what feels like the first time in months, lol, the skies cleared, the sun shone and the birds sang. I went up to my local reservoir to make the most of it. The drive over provided views of 3 Red Kite and 1 hovering Kestrel all of which were bathed in sunshine and brilliantly clear to observe.

Within a few minutes of going up to the water's edge, I spotted a lone Fieldfare in the pastures nearby. What a beauty. It's a lifer for me making it even more of a treat. I watched it swoop in the wind, pearch in a nearby tree, retreat to the ground and then fly off to find cover elsewhere. Gorgeous view of it, bathed in sunshine.

Then it was off round to the hide. Through the woods, I came across a solitary Blue Tit, again bathed in sunshine, removing bugs from the lichen on the branches. I watched it for a few minutes, taking in the sight of this little chap, almost glowing in the bright light coming through the trees. Bliss.

Along the path, I spotted the flit of a Treecreeper and latched on to it making its way up a trunk closeby. I carefully waded into the undergrowth, up to the tree, only to see it disappear into the canopy. I always love meeting up with Treecreepers.

Finally, I made it to the hide and was blessed with yet more sun-drenched sights. Large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing sparkling in the light, taking to the skies in drifts every now and then, moving first one way and then the next before settling again on the flats, superb. A Common Buzzard perched in a far off tree, taking a break from the harsh wind, 4 Common Snipe feeding on the shoreline and a Redshank with legs and beak that positively glowed in the crisp, winter sun.

4 Grey Heron with groups of Teal, Wigeon, Coots, Shoveler, Mute Swans , Great Crested Grebe and so it goes on....all out on the water or on the bank, sheltering from the wind.

The walk back to the car saw a little Wren and a magnificant Red Kite vying for my attention! And the drive home was not complete without 2 further sightings of Kestrels.

*sigh* Bliss.

What a difference a bit of sunshine makes.....

Hobbes

 

[karpman]

What a difference a bit of sunshine makes! The optics work better, the photography works better and your eyes work better :-O

For what feels like the first time in months, lol, the skies cleared, the sun shone and the birds sang. I went up to my local reservoir to make the most of it. The drive over provided views of 3 Red Kite and 1 hovering Kestrel all of which were bathed in sunshine and brilliantly clear to observe.

Within a few minutes of going up to the water's edge, I spotted a lone Fieldfare in the pastures nearby. What a beauty. It's a lifer for me making it even more of a treat. I watched it swoop in the wind, pearch in a nearby tree, retreat to the ground and then fly off to find cover elsewhere. Gorgeous view of it, bathed in sunshine.

Then it was off round to the hide. Through the woods, I came across a solitary Blue Tit, again bathed in sunshine, removing bugs from the lichen on the branches. I watched it for a few minutes, taking in the sight of this little chap, almost glowing in the bright light coming through the trees. Bliss.

Along the path, I spotted the flit of a Treecreeper and latched on to it making its way up a trunk closeby. I carefully waded into the undergrowth, up to the tree, only to see it disappear into the canopy. I always love meeting up with Treecreepers.

Finally, I made it to the hide and was blessed with yet more sun-drenched sights. Large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing sparkling in the light, taking to the skies in drifts every now and then, moving first one way and then the next before settling again on the flats, superb. A Common Buzzard perched in a far off tree, taking a break from the harsh wind, 4 Common Snipe feeding on the shoreline and a Redshank with legs and beak that positively glowed in the crisp, winter sun.

4 Grey Heron with groups of Teal, Wigeon, Coots, Shoveler, Mute Swans , Great Crested Grebe and so it goes on....all out on the water or on the bank, sheltering from the wind.

The walk back to the car saw a little Wren and a magnificant Red Kite vying for my attention! And the drive home was not complete without 2 further sightings of Kestrels.

*sigh* Bliss.

What a difference a bit of sunshine makes.....

Hobbes

Sounds to me like you had a smashing day mate!

And congrats on the new lifer:t:
My afternoon was complete contrast lol 2-4pm Owling was dark glum cold and it rained the local hooliguns came down the track to shout a little abuse and the owls unsuprisingly stayed away lol:-O

Love it all the same:t:

karpman

 

[Hobbes2]

Sounds to me like you had a smashing day mate!
And congrats on the new lifer:t:
My afternoon was complete contrast lol 2-4pm Owling was dark glum cold and it rained the local hooliguns came down the track to shout a little abuse and the owls unsuprisingly stayed away lol:-O

Love it all the same:t:

karpman

Thanks Karpster... shame about the Owling. I tried for Barn Owls recently with no luck for similar reasons - kids on bikes in the area. Will you try again tomorrow or was it a group outing thing?
Hobbes

 

[karpman]

Thanks Karpster... shame about the Owling. I tried for Barn Owls recently with no luck for similar reasons - kids on bikes in the area. Will you try again tomorrow or was it a group outing thing?
Hobbes

hey mate will go again sure, Me and a bud i go with alot, He kinda got me started think he wanted the company lolB

karpman

 

[Simon Jeffs]

Hi Guys,

Finally, December 5th, the weather looked like it was clearing so a chance to get out. Load up the Laguna with gear and wife and thrash over to Dungeness RSPB to go Smew spotting. After ages Christmas shopping, eating mince pies and drinking coffee and mulled wine, we cover up and head out. Never seen so many waterfowl about! Loadsa teal, wigeon, shovellers, tufties and about a dozen really nice pintails. But where are the smew? We searched, we went from hide to hide but they remained elusive. was it just a rumour? Were they just widgeon glimpsed through the rain? Over to Denge Marsh hide to find the great White Egret. No sign of it, but lovely views of two black-necked grebes diving in synchrony right in front of the hide and the usual Marsh Harrier ambling about. And then it started raining AGAIN! So, gave up on the idea of a bittern hunt (still never seen one), and searching for the two glossy ibis that were about and trudged back through the foul and filthy to amble back to Eastbourne.

Still, at least we got out. Will it ever stop raining long enough in Sussex for another trip this side of Christmas?

Cheers

Simon

 

[Hobbes2]

Hi Simon
Glad you had a break in this horrible, rainy weather. I too had gone out in search of Smew. They'd been reported at the reservoir but when I arrived it was clear they'd moved on, unfortunately.

Shame you missed out on looking for the Bittern.

The weather has cleared here again this morning. Not sure how long the sunshine will last but I might head out and see....

Catch ya later,
Hobbes

Hi Guys,

Finally, December 5th, the weather looked like it was clearing so a chance to get out. Load up the Laguna with gear and wife and thrash over to Dungeness RSPB to go Smew spotting. After ages Christmas shopping, eating mince pies and drinking coffee and mulled wine, we cover up and head out. Never seen so many waterfowl about! Loadsa teal, wigeon, shovellers, tufties and about a dozen really nice pintails. But where are the smew? We searched, we went from hide to hide but they remained elusive. was it just a rumour? Were they just widgeon glimpsed through the rain? Over to Denge Marsh hide to find the great White Egret. No sign of it, but lovely views of two black-necked grebes diving in synchrony right in front of the hide and the usual Marsh Harrier ambling about. And then it started raining AGAIN! So, gave up on the idea of a bittern hunt (still never seen one), and searching for the two glossy ibis that were about and trudged back through the foul and filthy to amble back to Eastbourne.

Still, at least we got out. Will it ever stop raining long enough in Sussex for another trip this side of Christmas?

Cheers

Simon

 

[Hobbes2]

The weather has cleared here again this morning. Not sure how long the sunshine will last but I might head out and see....

....and head out into the sunshine I did....

and had a surprisingly good morning

Great views of the usual 3 Red Kites on the drive over there. Then up at the reservoir's edge, I spent a good while watching a beautiful little group of 6 Common Snipe preening, bathing and feeding. They really are spectacularly beautiful creatures.

I left the Snipe to head on round to the hide but was distracted to the nearby fields by flocks of thrushes calling overhead. They landed on bushes on the far side of the pasture. I quickly set up the scope and had great views of c25-30 Fieldfare which eventually increased to c40+ birds. After about 10 minutes they moved back towards me and the reservoir and gave me even more of a chance to enjoy my second ever sighting of these winter visitors.

Once in the hide, a fellow birder pointed out the "Redshank with the funny white head"....which as some of you will know has turned out to be a Ruff (thanks to everyone who helped with the ID)! And, that's another lifer for me. I'm tickled pink :t: Along with the 'weird Redshank', we caught sight of another group of 9 Common Snipe almost completely camouflaged by the reeds. There were the usual flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Wigeon, Teal, Tufties, Coots and more I'm sure.

The drive home was another source of excitement. I suddenly spotted a beautiful chocolate brown Bird of Prey perched on a telephone line post. It was watching over a field full of Gulls, Crows, Golden Plover and rabbits. I pulled up on the verge (careful not to cause a major accident, lol)...but just as I came up opposite the bird, it flew over to the far side of the field, quite a distance away. I still don't know what it was. It wasn't big enough to be a Buzzard but was much bigger than a Sparrowhawk or Kestrel. I'd guess Hen Harrier but don't know if that's really likely....?

Anyways, all good stuff (especially cos it wasn't chucking it down with rain all day :t
Hobbes