The first Friday of February was a beautiful, sunny day. As I headed out around the Scrape with David the guide I looked forward to seeing plenty of different birds, and I wasn't disappointed:
David's one of those people who relentlessly manages to see loads of common scoter offshore whatever the weather. On this occasion they came so close even I could see them!
The immature glaucous gull flies past - the sunlight looks lovely on those white wingtips.
Mr Mallard is looking good!
I know it's a traditional shot of a lapwing but those colours are too beautiful to miss.
A colourful shelduck.
Mrs Wigeon and her bodyguards.
A distant marsh harrier.
It came closer! Lovely.
One of two curlews lurking about.
Ooh, the lapwings have spooked ........ what could be about?
Who's this? Those wings look distinctly pointy.
This is most definitely a bird to strike fear into any small wader (and a fair number of bigger ones) ............
............. a magnificent peregrine falcon! By this time the shrieks of 'OH MY GOD' were repeatedly being heard in the hide. Thankfully the bird was too far away to be bothered.
This is, in fact, an immature bird - the chest is vertically streaked, not horizontally barred.
It obligingly turned around and showed its other side. What a fantastic bird.
A nice synchronized display from the shelducks.
There was excitement on the West Scrape as this family of whooper swans was identified by another guide! What a great end to the morning.
Enjoy!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Hah! That Peregrine's hanging round for a Starling Supper I bet! :-)
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You did well Clare getting that Peregrine Falcon in flight. Great pics especially of the Lapwing too.
Lot to learn
Wow Clare, what an exciting day you had with all those birds and lovely photos plus the Peregrine Falcon to top off the list ! bet you couldn't believe your eyes lol
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Regards, Hazel
Very nice Clare, and to have a Peregrine falcon land even if it was a distance away you had a nice day out.
Jim
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Lovely and to get the PF, the icing on the cake.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Nice PF. He/she isn't going to catch much down there.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)