Cooling Marshes

August 28th



A morning visit to see what was around, I was hoping to catch up with Hobby, although I saw 4 over the Fields all kept their distance unfortunately.

However it turned out a good morning for Raptors, best of the lot will go to a female Merlin turning a female Peregrine inside out, good interaction that also pulled in a Marsh Harrier, quite the spectacle watching all 3 dog fighting.

Common Buzzard – 4
Peregrine – 2, adult Tiercel and juv female
Marsh Harrier – 4+ adult and juv’s grouped together hunting
Merlin – female
Kestrel – 12 working the fields as grass recently cut
Little Owl – usual place
Hobby – 4
Sparrowhawk - female

Female Perergine up river

On the wader front 19 Grey Plover still retaining some summer plumage were good to see and the Black Tailed Godwit flock numbered around 600 birds.



Bar Tailed Godwit – 4
Snipe – 3
Ringed Plover – 11
Avocet – 15
Golden Plover – 1
Whimbrel – 2
Green Sandpiper - 5

Plenty of other birds seen including 8 Yellow Wagtails, Corn Bunting and Wheatear. Photos are pretty poor, naff light and dodgy photographer.