Well that was quite a day.... some serious Water Rail action off the Northern Trail and everyone was as well behaved as the trio of birds that spent the day scuttling around the Terrapin Pool. Lots of raptor activity too with five Marsh Harriers, 2 Buzzards, Peregrines, Sparrowhawks and Kestrels; swirling waders for the first hours before the tide turned; our first Bittern of the year that flew from the woodland all the way out onto Wennington (and yes I did shout very loudly); peering sleeping Barn Owl; calling Bullfinches and Cetti's Warblers; swathes of duck in the best winter plumage including over 30 elegant Pintail; two blobby Harbour Seals hauled out on the mud; dashing Kingfishers; pink fingered wet Brown Rats; illuminous Greenfinches and the decimation of the stock of cakes in the cafe.... Hope you all had as good a day as me....
And perhaps my Bittern poem with just a little bit prescient?
Bittern heading off! Many thanks to Duncan Eames for papping this!
And some rail shots too
Trevor Oakley...
Elaine Crew...
Jo Collins....
and a wee little video from Pat Hart ...
Not sure what the weather is doing tomorrow but it seems to make no difference to the rails!!!
Enjoy!
17-1-15