5th April - Elmley NNR, Kent

It was a weekend away in Kent with my daughter and a trip out to help my son-in-law get used to his new camera, so it had to be a trip to Elmley.  When we arrived it turns out that you have to pre book once again, due to trouble with toggers through the winter.  Fortunately, there were enough day tickets available so we were in and set off along the entrance track, with windows down.

It was another beautiful day, although there had been some mist and cloud along the north Kent coast early on.  Temperatures were nowhere near those of Friday and there was a fresh easterly wind.  Redshank were all around the pools sheltering amongst the grass.

Not a bird I photograph often, the Coot.

This could have been a regular Lapwing photograph, but I felt the beautiful colours in the wing deserved a close up.

We parked up, then headed down the path towards the old school building.  As we approached I scanned the one brick wall and sitting out in the sunshine was a Little Owl.

It was sheltering from the wind and enjoying the sunshine.

I walked around to see if I could get a different view.  This meant looking through branches and the wind helped to open things up.

But it was better from the original spot.

Leaving the Little Owl we walked down the path to the pools and reed bed.  There was a group of photographers looking longingly into the reeds for Bearded Tits, but it was far too windy.  Instead we had to make do with a nice male Marsh Harrier.

It was then followed by a female.

Flying into the wind meant that it was held up and showed very well.

Leaving the best until last.

We walked on, heading to the river.  A Peacock was sheltering from the wind and taking in the sunshine.

The tide was falling, but there was a good number of Mediterranean Gulls settled on the water.

At this time of year the adults look very special with their black heads and red bills and eyes.

Their calls ringing out as the gulls took to the air.

Walking back to the car park a settled Green-veined White butterfly on the blackthorn blossom.

After a comfort break we set off towards the hides.  Mediterranean Gulls passed overhead and I was more interested in the aircraft passing overhead when suddenly from the reeds this Barn Owl flew up.

It was 12.30pm, bright sunshine and a very fresh easterly wind, not conditions you would expect to see a Barn Owl flying in, but here was one and it showed so well.

As with the Marsh Harriers the wind meant the owl was held in the air which helped catching it as it flew.  The bright light also meant that I could shoot at a very high shutter speed and low ISO helping with the sharpness and focus.

Definitely some of the best photographs I have ever taken of a Barn Owl.

It dropped low over the reeds.

Then dropped down onto a mound within the reeds.

It then flew again a short distance this time and into a small bush.

From here it sat at the top of the reeds looking out across the reed bed.

As we waited to see if it would fly a Kestrel came over and hovered in front of us.

From the hide there was distant views of two Spoonbill, but more of interest were the Avocet in front of the hide.

A squabble was always something to expect.

Leaving the hide we headed back once more and the Barn Owl was still in the tree, but then took off and flew around the reeds once more.

The Elmley farm house in the background.

As we walked up the slope to the car park a Raven flew past.  It seemed to have something in its bill, but it wasn't clear what it was..

After lunch we headed back, driving down the track once again.  As we approached the first gate, gate number four there was a male Marsh Harrier flying along the rife.

Then quickly joined by a female.

The female dropped into the grass and was joined by the male, what followed appeared to be mating but it wasn't clear.  Both birds then flew off, the female carrying a stick.  There was also another female sat on the ground close to a clump of bulrush.

We were told there was the possibility of a nest here, but why were there two females?

Leaving the harriers we came across a couple of Cattle Egret, foraging around a small heard of cattle.

It has been a amazing day with great views of the two owls, the Barn Owl a real treat.  I only hope my son-in-law doesn't expect days like this every time he goes out with his new camera!