Saturday morning. The First of May began bright and cold again. I waited an hour or two until the sun burnt off the frost and then drove north, hoping for a quiet walk in the warming sun and fresh air.
They came along the private track, four adults and two dogs against the skyline. Urbanites on their May Day weekend. The egret saw them coming and flew off with loud protests.
Hunkered down in the car and concentrating through the viewfinder, I'd not seen the intruders headed my way.
Thankfully the townies took the other direction and left me in peace. Such are the joys of trying to bird now that lockdown is all but over when the countryside become a free for all again.
Great Egret
I disturbed a Buzzard from the fence line but it made no sound as it slipped away perhaps thinking I'd not seen it in the exact same place for a couple of weeks. The local Carrion Crows gave the Buzzard a noisy send off .
Carrion Crow and Buzzard
Along the track two pairs of Redshanks showed all the signs of having nests nearby. Oystercatchers too, piping and wary. And a Lapwing called to youngsters to get their heads down - “Mayday, mayday”, and then circled and flapped to make sure the danger had passed. The young Lapwing were in the longer grass of a ditch, safe enough and hidden from a ringer's view.
The sun came from the wrong direction. Overexpose the only way to get some sort of picture.
Redshank
The Wheatear on the other side of the sun made for easier viewing even though it kept a safe distance.
Wheatear
The ditches also held 3 Little Egrets and a Grey Heron. On and in the reed fringed edges of nearby pools came 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Sedge Warbler and the snapping song of 4 Reed Warblers. A couple of Swallows whizzed by; so good to see a few at last. No House Martins seen but the farm hand reported seeing House Martins and a Whitethroat on Friday.
Pied Wagtail
On the water - 4 Greylags with young, 2 Canada Geese with young, 2 Shelduck, 4 Moorhen, and then 2 Coot with their early brood.
Coots
And now on Sunday morning we have a hailstorm. No kidding! Help.
Hello, Phil
ReplyDeleteThe warmer spring days are bringing more people outdoors. It looks as if the crows are escorting the buzzard out of town. Great shots of the Redhsank, Wheatear and the Wagtail. I love those cute chicks. Happy Sunday, wishing you a great new week!
when I lived up in Michigan I loved seeing coots - here in Florida you see them in winter when they migrate south - I just like the look of them
ReplyDeleteLucky you and great sightings, We still cannot really go anywhere and if I wanted to spend time birding I would need to go for a 3 hour drive. Not allowed!... The garden birds are pretty quiet at present, too much else on their minds!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week. Diane
You got some great photographs here Phil.
ReplyDeleteMay's weather has not started well has it!
I think Sue may enjoy the recipe I posted today - Gin and Lime Truffles!
Delicious :)
Have a good week.
All the best Jan
You've got some fantastic shots here, Phil! I especially love those cute chicks.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday!
The Banner Photo Of That Owl Is Amazing - Excellent Action Shot There - Be Well
ReplyDeleteCheers
Phil - Mayday, indeed! That Wheatear is a handsome specimen, and I also enjoyed seeing the Coot with young. Hope the weekend brings you better conditions!
ReplyDelete