We pulled up in the drive and made our way down to the cottage where we were once again greeted by the most wonderful view.
Not only did the view greet us but we were also serenaded by the whistling calls of the many Wigeon out on the marsh and the honking of hundreds of Canada Geese.
It was a case of a quick settling in and then I was outside on the small terrace scanning across the Brooks. I was hoping for a bird of prey, or even better an owl as the light faded, but I was more than content with the general sights and sounds coming washing over me, the perfect way to de-stress from a working week.
As well as the Wigeon there were good numbers of Pintail and Shoveler, both of which can be distantly seen here.
Also present in large numbers were Lapwing, with many along the edge of the water or a little way into the water, their reflections cast into the still golden water.
As the winter sun sank lower into the sky, the colours started to change, the sky taking on an orange hue which proved to be a lovely background for the Pintail as they flew around searching for a suitable landing spot.
The Brooks were now taking on different view, long shadows cast by the fences and sedge tussocks and the sky turning a steely blue colour.
To the south west the sun had disappeared behind the trees along the Hanger in the RSPB reserve.
Out on the brooks the duck continued to call, and every so often small groups would either fly in, or take off and circle around looking for an alternative spot. I noticed in the gloom a Kestrel appear in the tree alongside the cottage, it was quite dark now but the Kestrel appeared to be intently scouring the ground below in search for prey.
Finally I had to call time, the cold was increasing, but so was the darkness and I took one more look out across the Brooks and gathered my equipment and went inside to light the log burner, and to enjoy the evening in a very comfortable property.
Dawn was a little earlier as we were that little further to the east than home. It had been a cold night but I must admit to not expecting the scene when I peered around the curtains at bout 7.30am.
The kitchen window looks out to a small orchard where there were several feeders. As I looked out I could not see any birds, and then I noticed sitting on the fence a female Sparrowhawk. There was no sign of any feathers so it must have failed in getting breakfast. I rushed to get the camera but she was off, heading across the frosty marsh to a series of alarm calls.
I went back to the scene across the brooks, the golden grass of yesterday evening having been replaced with a white frosting.
Looking more to the north west the sky was pink from the rising sun behind me.
I disturbed a Great Spotted Woodpecker from the orchard, and it flew across to the trees on the Hanger. I watched where it went and picked it out amongst the twist boughs, lichen and autumn colour leaves.
This is a typical woodpecker view in winter woodlands.
After the visit of the Sparrowhawk the birds took their time returning to the feeders, but come they did. Here a lovely Blue Tit.
And at last the Great Spotted Woodpecker caught as it flew into the apple tree before scaring off all the tits on the feeders.
The visitors included, as well as the Blue Tit and Woodpecker were Great and Coal Tit, a Nuthatch, and Dunnocks. A Robin sang from the bushes alongside the footpath.
We didn't rush to visit the reserve, we were planning to spend the day, or until sundown. There have been Short-eared and Barn Owl and Hen Harrier reported and the afternoon would be the best time.
We started off in the West Mead Hide. The walk down the zig zag path producing a few fly over Redwing, and plenty of Robins waiting for you to disturb some small morsel. Everything from the hide was distant. There were two Peregrines sitting on fence posts a long way off, and a Marsh Harrier gave teasing views as it appeared and then dropped back down behind the distant sedge, sending the gulls and duck up into the air.
On the pool in front of the hide were Teal, Shoveler and Wigeon, while Pintail could be seen spread out across the marshes but again distantly. The most dominant bird was the Canda Goose, once again their continual honking the sound of the marsh. Every so often they would fly into the pool in front of the hide, usually in groups of three or four.
The hide began to get very busy, and those arriving paid no attention to others, their loud annoying voices taking an edge of the scenes outside the hide. As a rersult we decided to move on, and headed off to the Winpenny Hide. This was supposed to be the best hide to see the raptors as it is the closest to the river, which you can't see as it is hidden by the high dyke bank.
The scene was much the same, but with a different angle of vision. We relocated the Peregrines, and added another to make three, there were also a pair of Buzzard occupying two posts, one being a very pale individual. The Marsh Harrier too put in some fleeting views, and above the marsh a Red Kite passed over.
The closest bird to the hide though was a Wren, it would appear and sing from a bramble branch in the sunshine close to the hide window. With the lovely green background produced by the grass behind, it was a lovely opportunity for some close shots of the tiny little bird.
Then all the duck, gulls and geese started to take to the air and it quickly became clear it was down to the Marsh Harrier that was heading towards us followed by mobbing Jackdaws.
The jackdaw di not seem to be distracing the harrier from its hunt, here the head looking down as it glided on a perfect dihedral "V".
It then headed slightly away from us heading for the gap between the hide and the river dyke.
It appeared quite slight, the markings indicating that this was probably an immature male bird as opposed to an adult female, the lack of cream on the fore wing is more in keeping with an immature, the female being the larger of the sexes.
It disappeared from view, but a sudden movement of gulls to our right heading out across the marsh was a signal that it was probably about to return, and sure enough it appeared over the river, this time being pursued by the larger crow which did cause it some concern, the harrier taking action to avoid some of the attacks.
A pair of Stonechat had also been present in front of the hide, but preferring to stay around the area of sedge grass. The male though finally came to the fence close to the hide, and again there was the lovely green background.
It was a case of wait and watch, and things would turn up. The Marsh Harrier had flushed several Snipe as it flew through, and these were now returning, showing up their hiding places. This one flew in and for a split second showed well before sneaking off into the sedge and out of sight.
Black-headed Gulls would come and go, sitting out on the water they would throw some nice reflections.
A very distant Kingfisher on a sluice gate entertained for a while as it fished and moved from post to post. But once again the hide became busy, and with this coinciding with the call of lunch time we decided to leave and walk the loop back to the visitor centre and the cafe. Once again Robins seemed to watch our every move as we walked the main path.
There was little of interest on the walk, A group of Fieldfare passed over, their clacking calls announcing their presence before we saw them. We passed on viewing the brooks as we had been given the opportunity earlier in the morning from the cottage.
After lunch we consisted of a very nicec soup and bread roll we headed back to the Winpenny Hide, hoping that it wasn't too busy. At the bottom of the zig zag path a Buzzard was perced high in a pine tree.
Several crows were not happy with it being there and constantly bombarded it from above. Finally it flew off with the crows in hot pursuit.
The hide wasn't too busy and we were able to get the same seats we had vacated earlier. The scene outside hadn't changed that much, although the Peregrines were now gone. In front of the hide were several Lapwing throwing nice reflections into the water.
But the main feature was the continual arrival of Black-tailed Godwits from the north brooks. The total at the end of the day was estimated to be around 500 to 600 birds, and they would arrive in large flocks and then settle around the pools albeit very distantly.
I found a Ruff on one of the flooded patch which was doubled when someone with a teelscope got on to it and found there was another with it.
The Lapwing in front of the hide became a lot more animated when a third bird arrived. What wasn't clear was if the original couple were a pair and that the male was chasing off another male. It is apparently possible to tell the difference between male and female by the length of the crest but this doesn't really become evident until the early spring
Regardless the intruder was not welcome and a lengthy battle ensued that involved both birds flying aggressively at each other.
They chased each other back and forth, each bird flying up and gaining height then dive bombing the other in the manner seen when they drive off a predator.
Between the bouts of actual contact fighting there would be a lot of bowing and showing off the russet brown vent feathers.
This behaviour is more associated with bonding between male and female, it is known unsurprisingly as "venting" and is the way thatthe male indicates to the female a suitable nest site.
Whetehr this was intended as bonding to the original female he was defending is uncertain. It could be there were two female, but how does that explain the attacks?
After a while all calmed down, and the Lapwings became just two again, and they resumed the peaceful habit of feeding in the shallow water. They would dip into the water sending a ripple out which would distort the reflection.
As the ripple disappeared the reflected image of the Lapwing would become clear once again
Through all this we continued to scanthe marshes and along the side of the river for the hoped for Owls, i wasn't fussy, a Barn Owl or a Short-eared Owl would do, but there wqas no luck. The godwits continued to drop in, and the duck started to move as if agitated by the gloom closing in, finally at juts before 4.00pm we decided to call it a day. If they were to show now it would be far too dark to see well, we just had to accept it was nature's way!
We headed back to the visitor centre and after picking up provisions for our birds at home we made our way back to the cottage.
The next morning there was no frost but it was still cold. The Black-tailed Godwits had moved back to the North Brooks and put on one hell of a flight show just before we left, wielding around in the sky like a starling murmauration showing the silvery white bellies as they twisted and turned.
It was a lovely relaxing weekend, disappointed that we missed out on the owls, I am sure they are there but we will return.
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