A much calmer day today with almost no wind and despite staying bright for most of the daylight, it sadly clouded up for the last few hours. However this did not stop some excellent Short-eared Owl action with at least seven birds seen once again with dog fights between them and the Marsh Harriers and the Carrion Crows.
Mark Jones got these lovely shots yesterday evening - no such light this evening...
There was the now usual collection of foreshore waders and I reckon upwards of a 1000 Lapwing were out on the reserve and kept being spooked by the harriers and Peregrine and quite probably a blowy bit of paper or a cow flicking its tail....
Marsh Harrier (Mark Jones)
The Wigeon and Teal flocks were very mobile too and the Pintail amongst them were especially smart.
Wigeon and Teal in the sunshine (Mark Jones)
A couple of Little Egrets were seen toe waggling and Little Grebes are still on site and catching Sticklebacks in the MDZ Pool.
Alasdair Wilcock
Mark Jones
The Bearded Tits were seen today by Jen Blake while opening up the hides and Pete Jackson saw one of the Dartford Warblers back in the usual spot by before the Ken Barrett Hide with Stonechats accompanying as ever.
A dapper little female Stonechat (Alan Reynolds)
There was a high count of Greylags and Canada Geese today with 181 and 203 respectively and a little before dusk the whole lot flew low past the centre and across the Thames to roost on the lakes on Dartford Marsh. It was quite a sight!
Down at the centre feeders the Collared Doves were congregating and I counted 51 this morning while down in the woodland the seed was attracting the usual finches and tits as well as Robins and Dunnocks. I need to get down there and make those feeders a bit more sturdy and presentable!
Chaffinch (Joanne Josephine)
Great Tit (Val Callen)
and this lovely Robin (Mick Ladner)
No skyscape pictures to round up with from me this evening as there was nothing to see - just a blanket of dull, low grey cloud. Oh well - everyday is different!
26-11-15