Today I made an effort to get to the Island Mere Hide by 8 am. Not easy with my knackered body. It was cold, bloody cold. But Ottery McOtterface came and did us proud. Wonderful to see again. Four visits and otters on three days. I must be lucky.
There is only only thing better than a bittern and that is two bitterns. They flew in close one after the other. Missed the first one as my jaw was on the floor, but got a poor shot of the second.
In my first report I praised the comfy stools in the hide. And they are. But after 5 hours and another otter visit my bum was numb. I retreated to the cafe for beef casserole
Now, Green woodpeckers may be common to some people but not to me. I have seen a brief green flash but in the end today patience paid off .
Am I lucky. I saw all I had hoped for. But Minsmere certainly delivers if you wait and are happy to get a numb bum.
Well worth the minor discomfort!
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Lovely photos, Wildebeasts, and if you turn up on Friday people will be following you around the reserve because you are lucky! Probably helped that you were there by 8am. (And also, as you have seen, if you are patient, Minsmere always delivers!)
Kind regards, Ann
Just fabulous Wildebeasts! I've never seen Bittern although I've heard them boom a couple of times, and I'm still waiting to get a half decent photo of a Green Woodpecker myself so well worth a bit of discomfort!! Especially with an otter thrown in to boot!
See my Flickr photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/
Glad the Bitterns finally turned up for you, it would have been embarrassing for us regulars if you'd been there all week and they'd stayed hidden all the time :-) Did you get to see any Adders? They were about during the week (certainly on Wednesday when Mrs WJ was there)
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No adders but loads else to see. The bitterns flew so close they were wonderful. And for me a GWP is a real treat too.
I'll agree with the GWP - we see them all the time on Whin Hill, but they're normally very skittish & don't hang around to let you get close enough for a decent pic. Glad you found one accommodating enough :-)
What a good week you're having! I love seeing green woodpeckers, they are one of those birds I hear a lot more than I see (along with the Cetti's warbler, which clearly has a warped sense of humour).
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Iknow how to creep up on things :-)
Were you there today? We kept an eye out for you.
Not today. Decided to go to the owl sanctuary. I know, I know captive birds. But I regained my photography confidence and learned so much I can put into practice in the wild. My last day on my hols tomorrow and I will be at Minsmere for sure.