Started off by going to Venus Pool after work on Friday. Was chatting to some friends about a bittern that had spent the previous winter there. None of us could remember when it first arrived. Not 10 minutes later, a brown bird flew up into a tree, sending the gulls in all directions! Buzzard? No! It was bittern!!!! By this time, the sun had basically set so the photo is dreadful! But it's a record!
Decided to return early Saturday morning, but although still there, (s)he had hidden up in the reeds!! The goldfinches feeding in the teasels more than made up for it!
Later that day, I was out with family and we passed 3 fields with several (around 30) buzzards, crows and gulls worming! I stopped and took a few pics. This one has 4 buzzards on the ground and 1 flying (bit small to see)
a closer view of one of the buzzards.
Then Sunday afternoon, I returned to Wood Lane. Had made my first visit the week before and had seen a polecat but not managed a photo! Determined to 'capture' it, I arrived at the hide about 3.00 pm and at 4.45, a bit of moving grass caught my eye. Dark fur confirmed it! So I waited until it finally popped its head up! I squeaked (I was alone in the hide) and it looked in my direction and sniffed the air, then went on about its business!
I watched it for some time, mostly just catching the odd glimpse of dark fur in the grass... A while later however, it reappeared and flushed a rabbit out of the reeds! I only just managed to snap quick enough to capture it.... The rabbit got away!
What a weekend!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
hi Maria
What can I say ...you certainly had a eye full of delights on this trip alone
You lucky person seeing a Bittern. The Bittern is a must see for many. A picture is a thousand words in one. Their booming noises are something else to listen too. Never seen one but only the shadow of one slinking off into the undergrowth a long time ago.
The pictures of the Goldfinches on the Teasal is a beautiful sight. We all know that they like their food un natural too. Love to hear their tinkling calls.
Do you know a group of Goldfinches are called a 'Charm of Goldfinches' {sweet term for them}
Wow 30 buzzards would be something else - never knew of them to be in a large group before. Wonder if they do that same thing at this point of the year. l.ike a meeting of old friends!
The Polecat what what what! .... superb ....would you need to report a sighting of that for the records I wonder?
Your pictures are outstanding, and I love the Polecat/Rabbit all action shot too. {thumbs up}
Hope that you find your Polecat again. {wink}
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Thanks Blackbird! Hoping that the bittern will stay with us over the winter as one did last year! (same one?)
Will strive to get better photos!! The polecat was great!!! So lucky to see it! :-)
Hi MarJus, you obviously had a great time and what super photos. Very inspiring! I will try to get out into the countryside somewhere this weekend if I can, weather permitting. Probably Langford Lakes which is a Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Reserve about 20 mins drive away. Will post on Monday if I see anything exciting.
Lori
There is something new to learn everyday...
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