Red Kite Feast

This Red Kite was perched on the dead Canada Goose on the sand spit at Little Marlow GP, and defending it from other interested parties, such as the Crow.  It is not known how the Goose died but certainly not killed by the Kite.  It will no doubt provide a feast for a number of birds and mammals.

Egyptian Geese - Little Marlow GP

Despite Egyptian Geese normally preferring a nest hole, these two are a reminder that we should not leave the Tern rafts on the water until next Spring! 

Lots of wildfowl around today but not really close enough for decent photos.  My attempts at photographing a close Goldcrest failed as the little blighter typically moved around constantly and hid behind leaves and branches.  Something I need to persevere with!

Great Northern Diver - College Lake

This adult bird was found by Rob Andrews at 12:45 while trying to relocate a drake Goosander.  A great find with less than 20 prior records in the county.  The bird was on the main lake, so when I arrived it was a long long way from the main hide!  Rob returned to the site and we both walked along the west side of the lakes to get a closer view.

Showing the classic GN Diver heavy bill and head shape.

It was quite often seen "snorkelling" for fish.
A one point it appeared to swallow a fish.

Showing one of it's powerful feet

A brief wing flap which I was lucky to catch on camera.

I am not sure what the bird was doing here.  It was certainly not swallowing a fish.
We thought we heard an unusual call at one point but it was not a typical GN Diver call.

Also at College Lake were two Pintail, both 1st winter birds, but no chance to photograph in rapidly failing light.

Wooburn Green - Flackwell Heath

A walk on a very overcast morning from Flackwell Heath to Wooburn Green and back produced a few birds.

A covey of eight Red-legged Partridge were nice to see.

The next field produced these Rooks, Jackdaws and
a few more Red-legged Partridge.

The walk also produced a flock of about forty Linnets, at least two Bullfinches, calling Goldcrests, Redwings, Fieldfares, Meadow Pipit, a flyover Redpoll, a Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and of course plenty of Red Kites!

Pagham Harbour Trip

My daughter Katherine and I decided visit Pagham Harbour (Sussex) for a day trip.  In the 1980s and 1990s we visited the site many times when Katherine was seven+ years old. So this was a trip down memory lane for both of us.

We arrived at about 10am and soon headed down to Church Norton to try and see the waders at high tide.  Unfortunately the tide was extremely high and prevented us reaching the beach, so we headed to Sidlesham Ferry and the RSPB visitor centre.

First stop was the churchyard at Church Norton.
Always worth a look around for unusual species.

Black Redstart - A pair were feeding in the churchyard.
Here perched on the roof of the church. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Above the car park.

Grey Plover - High tide at Church Norton.

High tide roost - Waders included Grey Plover, Curlew,
Oystercatcher, Redshank and Dunlin.

Little Egret - Plenty to be seen.  In the 1980s these were not present in the UK!

Avocet - On the pool at Sidlesham Ferry.
A species that is far more common at this site than in the 1980s.

South of Sidlesham Ferry.

East Side

Brent Geese and Wigeon

Brent Geese taking flight.

Curlew - Good numbers present

Dorney Lake

Golden Plover - Part of the flock.  The first time I have seen this species at this site.
They took off from the reserve area and flew around for about ten
minutes in typical Golden Plover style.  They left to the north.

Golden Plover - At one point they flew over the causeway.

Stonechat - Seen on the southern side of the causeway.
A female was later found along the north side

Mute Swan - Dorney Lake does offer the occasional flight shots as
birds fly along the length of the lakes

Great Crested Grebe

Medmenham

Always a nice walk along the river Thames here and usually plenty of Buzzards and Red Kites.

Three Buzzards and a Red Kite (with another Buzzard just out of sight.  The Buzzards were still there an hour later when we came back.  Not sure what the attraction was but maybe just a safe place to rest.

This Red Kite perched conveniently close to the path.

Turning a bit as I got closer.

Too close!

This adult Great Crested Grebe ventured fairly close to the bank.