The morning was a complete wash out, but the forecast was for this to move away and for sunshine in the afternoon. With all the rain over the last weeks I was keen to see what the water levels were at Posbrook Floods and what effect this has had on the birds, specially the Glossy Ibis that have been still around. I knew that the canal path was closed south of Posbrook, but it was possible to view the floods.
The journey was in glorious sunshine after the heavy rain in the morning and I arrived at the Bridge Street car park in more lovely sunshine. Leaving the car and walking the canal path it wasn't long before I came across areas where the canal had breached its banks.
At Posbrook, the canal was almost up to the top of the bridge, I can't recall ever seeing the water level in the canal so high.
On the floods there were Pintail and Wigeon, while I could hear the chattering of Black-tailed Godwits across the flooded grass. Scanning through the godwits I picked out the Glossy Ibis, three of them and very close to the path. I was able to use the cover of the trees along the path to be able to photograph them without spooking them.
Frustratingly they were feeding in the shade, but despite the lack of direct sunshine the iridescence in the plumage that gives the Ibis was still to be seen, here petrol blues and greens.
The afternoon sunshine was a lovely golden hue and with the trees surrounding the floods now in their glorious autumn colours, the orange colour was reflecting in the waters of the floods.
The Pintail swimming through the reflections.
The Glossy Ibis were moving around as they fed and eventually moved into the golden sunshine and the colours burst out on the Glossy Ibis's plumage.
There was an interesting feeding behaviour, the Ibis using the bill by probing around the stems of reed and grass. I assume that they were looking for invertebrates that were hiding amongst the stems.
You can see how the colours change as the Ibis walks into the sun and changes it's position.
Here an example of how it probes into the base of the water plants.
Then it was back into the shade and the greens and mauves turning to a petrol blues and greens.
But even then as the Ibis moved through the reeds the light would refract the colours in the feathers.
One Ibis flew away to the south of the floods and the other two made there way slowy in the same direction. I moved along the path to keep the good views, but paused to take in the autumn colours along the path.
A distraction from the feeding Ibis were the other birds on the floods, a large group of Black-tailed Godwits.
Good numbers of Wigeon have built up.
And of course the Pintail.
I was able to keep close to the feeding Ibis, using the trees as cover and viewing through the branches.
Last winter there were four Glossy Ibis that stayed locally moving between here, the reserve and Hook. Since the summer there have been three birds and it is difficult not to assume that these are from those four, with probably one of the group maybe perishing. They appear to be socially aware, Glossy Ibis are known to form large groups and will feed socially.
A move back into the sunshine.
The four birds last winter were aged as immatures, with white flecks on the head and neck. Glossy Ibis normally reach sexual maturity after two years, which would see these birds becoming adult in the spring. This would be signalled by them losing the white flecks and the neck and head becoming more dark maroon along with the petrol blues and greens.
It would be interesting then to see what happens, what sexes are these birds? All male or all female or hopefully a mixture which might result in a potential breeding attempt. Only time will tell.
For now they are here and provide an opportunity to enjoy a bird that only recently has decided that the south coast of England is a suitable place to live.
The sun was falling lower in the sky and the water was becoming much deeper in colour, almost a brick red now as the Wigeon drifted by.
The two Ibis then flew a little away, joining the group of Black-tailed Godwits. It was time for a splash and preen.
Then some extensive wing flapping to dry off, this showing off the glossy colours in the primaries.
The two birds together amongst the godwits.
They would hold the pose with the wings outstretched for some time.
Then the ruffled feathers were worked on to straighten out.
Then it was time for a snooze.
The other bird, mind you, was not finished and put on an even better show against what was now a gorgeous background of cinnamon orange water as a result of the reflection of the surround trees leaves.
The final "angelic" pose.
They then all settled down and the sun dropped lower in the sky extending the shadows across the floods.
I was also here in hope that the Barn Owl might hunt, once again the light was perfect and with the weather we have had it might need to use the time, as I walked back to the car park a drake Pintail drifted into the orange water.
A jay flew along the path ahead of me and settled on the path by the bridge, it is a busy time for the Jay at the moment as it looks to cache the many acorns about ahead of harder weather.
A Buzzard sat in a Willow enjoying the last of the suns rays.
While on the Bridge Street Floods there were seven Egyptian Geese.
I had seen a glimpse of the Barn Owl when I walked past earlier, but checking the tree now there was no sign of it. I stood on the path and checked both sides of the path, a Cetti's Warbler delivered some bursts of song and showed in the scrub and willow close by. Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwits flew south from the Bridge Street Floods.
I waited as the sun dropped lower and eventually behind the trees before finally setting. True to form a Barn Owl didn't show, and I must admit to doubting whether these owls can actually fly!
I was left to take in the reflections in the flooded canal as the light died along with my chances of any owl action.
One out of two isn't bad, the Ibis putting on a wonderful show and all but vindicating my decision to try the canal path this afternoon.
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