After the morning at the Oyster Beds Ian and I decided to take the short trip to visit Farlington Marshes. However due to Ian's van not being able to get under the barrier at the main car park we parked on the east side of the marshes and then walked coastal path to the reserve on the east side. It was still a glorious day with the golden sunlight and deep blue sky. As we came on to the coastal path a Kestrel was sitting on one of the overhead pylons.
A male bird it sat looking down intot he grass below, on cold days the Kestrel will conserve energy by hunting from a prominent perch rather than use energy to hover.
With the tide still high there was a substantial roos to Redshank on the shore line.
We entered the reserve and walked down the east side sea wall path. The hope was that maybe there might be a Short-eared Owl that had gone unnoticed by others. A pair of Stonechat were flycatching form the bushes near the old brick pill box. This male posing nicely in the sunshine.
The marshes were covered with Canada Geese and Brent Geese, but suddenly they all went up and the sky was full of geese and their calls.
The Brent Geese settled on the Deeps but as we approached, they all took off again and flew past us at a reasonable height.
On the grass around the pools at the Deeps you could hear the whistles of Wigeon.
No owls at Point field, but this Grey Heron sitting in the sunshine.
As we made our way towards the Lake the waders were moving out in the harbour. It looked like they were mainly Dunlin and they settled on the exposed island.
At the Lake there were a lot of duck both inthe water and on the shore. The water was still and reflecting the deep blue of the afternoon sky. This drake Teal looking splendid in the water.
The most numerous duck on the lake was the Pintail, with many on the bank, but several quiet close to the sea wall.
Having swam to the deeper water this drake decided it was time for a bath.
Some vigourous wing flapping.
Followed by some amazing somersaults.
Then rounded off with some proper wing flaps.
Once complete, the Pintail made its way back to the bank to sit out the rest of the afternoon.
We were making our way back and crossed to pick up the path alongside the stream. The light was beginning to fade but was creating some lovely scenes. This Black-tailed Godwit feeding in the stream.
As we walked towards the information hut a Sparrowhawk flew low along the path and then dropped into the reeds by the bench. As we walked forwards we could just see the head, we waited and it came out into the open.
We thought it might be sitting on prey, taken when it flew into the reeds, it sat still in the grass looking around.
I edged closer, the bird not looking too concerned.
It moved a little closer to the edge of the grass and I was able to drop down lower.
Its always a treat looking into the eyes of a supreme predator.
And I have had quite a few encounters this year.
Something then went over and the Sparrowhawk took off and swept up and then down into the reeds and then came out and settled on the other side of the path.
Then it was off and away behind the Information Hut.
A Pied Wagtail was bathing in the small pool alongside the path.
A nice bath before what will be a very cold night.
Walking back along the coastal path a nice show from the Old Man's Beard.
The tide was now falling and there was some nice habitat for the waders. This Curlew looking smart with the reflections in the shallow water.
A little further along a female Kingfisher on a post in the water.
There were more waders on the walk back, Oystercatcher and Redshank, but nothing else of major interest. A really good afternoon, despite there not being any Short-eared Owls as yet.
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