What a day!
Starting out early and his deciding to make a day of it, things started a little slow........
However the Kingfisher arrived, albeit for a short period as the excitement of some of the hide members unsettled it but we managed to get a nice couple of shots. My Bro' got a shot as soon as it landed and also got the flying off shots too so I have attached 1 of his images to start.
Although I love the Kingfishers, one of my favourites, I have to say is the Little Grebe and it is catching the KF up in the entertainment and popularity stakes. Its fishing skills are second to none and the little chap we watched plucked 4 good sized fish out of the water in minutes!!! Great to witness. Great to test one of my new lenses out on again.
Has anyone noticed the reserves UNLIKELY lovers? I have now seen this PAIR???? going around together for at least 2 weeks??
Yep the Canada Goose and the Greylag. I bet others have seen this too! I had to snap them in private to save them the embarrassment, I think the caption says it all.
The Little Egret spent a long time fishing too and flitting between sections of the water, then flying off and returning. Another spectacular fisherman who shimmies with the feet to disturb the water bed....worked a treat.
The swans were very active 2 adults and 5 Cygnets, they preened and exercised most of the day.
Just as we were leaving, although right over where the tractor had been cutting hedges all day, a male Kestrel swooped in and nailed its prey to the top of a bail before devouring it. I witnessed feather clouds and saw a few feet of intestine being drawn out! Yuk. A bit of noise in this pic sorry, but at such a distance with such a crop it was to be expected.
So even though it was a relatively quiet day in the hide, what we got was quality, as always at Old Moor!