It was seriously windy today, about force 5 and it whips across the reserve. There was not a lot of birdlife to see, but even so, there were some highlights.
About 10.45am from the Mere Hide - loads of jackdaws flocking around, suddenly put up by a peregrine. Although it was only around for about 15 seconds, there were some stunning views as it tore into the flock of jackdaws. I don’t know if it actually took one of the jackdaws, but it twisted and turned so that we could see most angles – good views of the underside and under the wings. Apparently it turned up again a few minutes later but I didn’t see that.
Also on the mere were about 20 teal, two moorhens and 2 shelduck.
Next to the west lagoon hide. There’s rarely much there, but patience can bring some good sights. Two reed buntings in the bushes, I think they’re always there. Total of two moorhens and a coot, two redshank and a curlew. Photo of curlew and redshank obligingly posing together, but when I had put the camera away the curlew then fished out a frog and ate it to the delight of the watchers in the hide.
Finally to the Jackson Farm Hide. 7 little egret, 8 avocet, 12 black headed gulls, 1 grey heron, 4 shoveller, about 15 black tailed godwit, about 50 teal, 1 greenshank, 2 little grebe, 10 pheasant, plus woodpigeons, stock doves, starlings, the usual suspects. I am surprised at the continued presence of avocets and little egrets so late in the year, is it global warming perhaps, or are they just returning because there are less human predators?
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