Thanks to volunteer Gary for getting up early, writing this report and taking the photos!
On a still dark Monday morning, we gathered for the monthly wetland bird survey (WeBS) for the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) – having been allocated Amberley Wildbrooks West, the longest muddiest walk (thanks guys), Celia and I set off.
Walking down the track from the village it was obvious that it was going to be a good day, the sun was shining with a promise of warmth, although at that time there was a bitterly cold easterly wind. Many wigeon, teal and mallard were peeling away as we approached at more than a hundred meters but some braver Canada geese just moved to one side. As we reached the river bank a female marsh harrier lifted from the ground pursued by a couple of crows but quickly disappeared behind the bank. Amberley Swamp was now full of both water and birds, unlike the last time I saw it when it was bone dry. Wigeon and teal made up the majority of ducks present, but mallard, pintail, shoveler, gadwall and little grebe added interest. Walking along the elevated river bank, skylark, reed buntings and meadow pipits were calling as a red kite patrolled back and forth, and in the tussocky areas snipe zipped away from our approach. As we got to the furthest point of our walk a water rail squealed and a pair of stonechat perched prominently on reed stems. Celia said that this part of the reserve always reminds her of seeing a green sandpiper, and as we were discussing the likelihood, out popped a green sandpiper. I’m sure you can conjure up birds by thinking of them sometimes.
The footpath back was particularly slippery and muddy but the views were magnificent over towards the eastern section of Amberley Wildbrooks (not our patch to count thank goodness!), several flocks of Lapwing were wheeling about in panic which we estimated to be of at least 2,500, with a further more distant flock of perhaps 500 – 1,000. The reason for the panic was not immediately obvious – surely it couldn’t be two red kites that were twisting their tails as they lazily drifted over? But then first one and then a second (smaller) peregrine took it in turns to whoosh through the swirling mass, singling out a starling which they relay chased until we lost them from view. Then would you believe it, another green sandpiper skipped a few yards down a ditch.
A flock of approx. 120 common gulls lifted into the air, and looking up, a kettle of 9 buzzards circled west drifting with the wind, but hold on, the top one looks different. Slimmer with longer tail and black tipped wings, a male marsh harrier kept with them until they disappeared into the distance. Now back for a nice cup of tea. I knew it was going to be a good day.
The next day – Tuesday. Hides and Trails duty today, so started off walking down to the Hanger viewpoint as some maintenance work was due to be done later. A female kestrel greeted us with stunning views as it perched just meters away, and later it gave an exhibition of hovering at eye level. Huge numbers of wildfowl and Lapwing were on show, but rather distant, and as the water level was marginally lower than last week, there were no tufted duck but plenty of pintail, shoveler and Shelduck among the legions of wigeon and teal. About 30 black-tailed godwits in total were also present but rather spread out, and took some finding in the dull conditions. A brief fly-by by a marsh harrier put some of the lapwing into the air which was fortuitous as three ruff could be made out, and later after persistent searching, a solitary golden plover emerged from a group of lapwing.
Along the river bank some circling crows caught my eye. I almost ignored them, but I’m glad I didn’t as the reason the crows were circling was to try to mob a short-eared owl. Unfortunately, it soon moved out of sight behind some trees.
And so on to Winpenny for what turned out to be Raptor Afternoon. A magnificent male marsh harrier was quartering the South Brooks giving the opportunity to study its full male plumage, and compare profiles and flying technique with two nearby buzzards. A peregrine sat quietly surveying the scene in one of its favourite trees not troubling anything as an apparent female marsh harrier came up from the reeds, but on closer inspection some grey could be made out along with blackish wingtips (see attached mobile phone photos) indicating that this is in fact an immature male.
The short-eared owl then reappeared and gave a close flypast to an appreciative crowd in the hide just as a red kite drifted over the brooks. It was difficult to know where to look - Not a bad afternoon.