11th April - Yala National Park to Mirissa, Sri Lanka

The final drive set off again at 5.20, arriving at the centre as one of the first.  As we sat waiting for the permits, an Indian Nightjar flew past us, and then could be seen sitting in the middle of the road.  Was this to be a good sign?  The plan again was the same as before, back to where we had seen the Leopard before, however again the plan changed almost immediately.  Sampath received a call from his friend, we turned around and raced along a track which did nothing for all the bumps and bruises we had received all week.

As we came around a bend we could see only a few Jeeps in front of us, and in the open was a Leopard.  I watched as it got up and walked into the scrub and out of sight, but what I did not see immediately was the other Leopard sitting out in the open.  

Camera up, and plenty of shots, thankfully the SD card was full so I took it out and replaced it with a new one, this one was OK when I got home, so at last I have pictures of Leopard.

More vehicles arrived, and as usual they wanted to get the best positions, incredibly one person got out of the Jeep, and was talking on the phone.  The Leopard immediately turned its head towards the person.

These were two cubs, probably about nine months old, it listened to the man, and then looked around.

and then finally went to get up. 

But was clearly stiff after lying down, and went into some strange stretching positions

It wondered off in the direction of where its sibling had disappeared, but stopped just before the scrub, to turn around to look back, the man was still talking on his phone

It then seemed to pull a face that said "idiot" and then walked off to join the other one, out of sight.

What a beautiful animal, oozing with power and stealth.  Finally we had been treated to wonderful views of the Yala speciality, and with no problems over pushing and moving Jeeps.  The mood again changed and as we set off we really didn't care what else turned up, we had seen what we had hoped for.

We did continue though, and we came across another set of tracks in the sand by the side of the road.  Again there was leopard, and Sloth Bear, and you can see them both in this picture.

When you think bear you think of a large animal, so when I saw the bear prints I thought they were too small, but the Sloth Bear is in fact a small bear only about a metre long.

We followed the tracks and the road came around to an opening where there was a mongoose sitting on a rock.  It quickly went from view, but when it emerged again we could see it wasn't one of the commoner Ruddy Mongoose we had been seen, but a Stripe-necked Mongoose

It was foraging for food, digging into the sand with its muzzle, and muching on something it found.

Leaving the mongoose, we were in for some more excitement, the driver saw a leopard on our left, but as we came around the bend we came across another by the side of the road.  Startling it, it shot off quickly through the bushes.

A blur I know, and probably all a Spotted Deer sees before the lights go out, but a record.  The thought was these were two cubs also, and the one we startled was play stalking the other.  We waited to see if they showed.  As we sat there a Green Bee-eater perched alongside us.  Thankfully I photographed it, only to be told by Helen to be quiet.  I didn't take any more, so I only have one Bee-eater photograph from the trip, gorgeous

Once we realised that they were not going to appear we headed off, and came to the lake by the bungalow, and site we had visited before, and seen White-bellied and Grey -headed Fish Eagles.  There was always something going on during the last visit, and it was the same, thankfully today.

Firs up, by the side of the track was an Orange-bellied Green Pigeon.  This was a pigeon I wanted to watch, beautiful

On the other side of the lake were a pair of Brahminy Kites.  These kites are a common bird along the coast, and quite a widespread bird, as I have also seen them in north and Eastern Australia.

Wild Boar were drinking at he far side of the lake, with Cattle and Intermediate Egrets and an Indian Pond Heron feeding in the lotus and mud around them.

There was not much open water, the lake covered in lotus flowers and leaves.  On these Pheasant-tailed Jacanas scampered about.

A White-throated Kingfisher also sat patiently on one of the dead leaves.

We were on a raised bank over lookingthe lake, and in the bushes along side the bank a Baya Weaver Bird was in the process of building its nest.  A really complicated structure of grass and reeds.  You have to wonder how they go about starting it.

I successfully managed to capture an image of why the Pheasant-tailed Jacana is named.  Its long tail feathers streaming out behind it.

We moved up a little to the end of the track, taking us closer to the reeds and a little more open water.  A Purple Heron was stalking through the reeds in front of us.

and close by the more familiar Grey Heron was doing exactly the same.

Black-faced Langur Monkeys were running about on the shore, and a small party had come down to the water for a drink.  Clearly this is a dangerous exercise, because the monkeys were ever watchful, looking out for each other as the bent to drink.

They were joined by Spotted Deer, and as the deer came to drink, the monkeys would jump in surprise.  The deer are really beautiful, with delicate spots and a lovely black stripe down the back.

As I watched the monkeys I saw that they seemed to be drinking, and at the same time watching in the reflection of the water for movement.  This seemed to allow two to drink at the same time.  You can see the eyes of the monkey on the right looking into the water.

On the other side of the bank we picked up a Golden Jackal, gradually it made its way around the lake, coming quite close to us, and upsetting the monkeys and deer, although it did not seem to have any interest in them.

This monkey watched it from the safety of a nearby tree.

The alpha male monkey seemed to be occupied with some of the females that were drinking, but distractions resulted in him not succeeding in his quest.  We decided to leave, but as we back up a brightly coloured bird behind us was spotted and we stopped to enjoy a Small Minivet.

It was checking the ground beneath it for insects, and posed nicely for us.

We turned to leave, just stopping at the end of the path to see an Imperial Green Pigeon, another beauty, and the largest pigeon in Sri Lanka.

We stopped one more time by a small pool.  An Indian Darter was perched on a branch over the water.

We also wound our way past some more rocks that typify the landscape here in Yala, no leopard, but then I think we had done pretty well this morning.

It was back to the hotel, breakfast and pack before checking out as we were off back to Mirissa.  As we waited for the minibus, the Langur Monkeys around the pool were teasing and enjoying themselves.  Love this picture of the sunbathing monkeys.

Our journey took us back along the coast road we had travelled a few days earlier.  through the same towns and cities.  We stopped along the at  Hambantota first to admire the Lotus flowers on the lake.  The leaves and flowers are picked for food, and you could see the boats in amongst the plants.

The second stop was at a Fruit Bat colony.  Hundreds of Fruit Bats could be seen hanging in the trees, while every so often  some would fly between the trees.  You can see the fox shape of their heads that gives them an alternative name of flying fox, and the extended finger on the wing that they use to grip, and to clasp their wings around them as they hang for the trees.

In the trees you can see some of the bats cuddling young ones inside their closed wings.

Alongside the road you can see dead bats hanging from the power lines.  What happens is they hang down from one line, and then touch one beneath it creating a circuit, and electrocuting themselves.  Thankfully there are not too many.

We left the bats and continued to the hotel outside Mirissa where we checked in once again, and then headed back down to the pool and beach, where some concluded some major business.

The beach was as empty as before, this view reminded me of Tracy Island in Thunderbirds.  All that needed to happen was the palm trees fold back and Thunderbird Two take off!

We made the most of the daylight, staying outside to watch the sun set into the Indian Ocean.  The birds were Greater Crested Terns, attracted to the same fish the Stilt Fishermen were after.

The fishermen were of course on their stilts, whether fishing or not they created a lovely picture with the setting sun.

Tomorrow we have one more Whale Watch, our last chance to find the Blue Whale we had hoped for before we return home.  I am glad I have been able to post some photographs that show the beauty of this wonderful place.

8th - 10th April - Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Day Four - 8th April

This morning saw us up a little later than the previous days, but it was early enough to enjoy the quiet time just after dawn along the beach, and around the property.

A single Cattle Egret walked around the lawns, and on the beach there was an Indian Pond heron, again unfortunately I am not able to show them.

The fishermen were also up early, the morning light giving a different perspective on them, and the bay in which they were fishing.  The stilts are in relatively shallow water and the rods have a line with a hook on it that they lift up and down in the water.  The fish go after the shine of the hook, as they do not bait it.

The trees in the grounds were dropping strange flowers that we thought at first were from a Fig.  But it turned out that these were flowers from the Fish Poison Tree.  The flowers when they fall into water, poison the fish.  They look quite beautiful though, this one I mounted on a rock to get a good look.

We set off as the day was just beginning to get hot, we nice and cool in the mini bus air conditioning.  Our journey would take us around the south coast travelling on single roads through the cities of Matara, Tangalle and Hambantota.  We would stop at the most southerly point of the country, Dondra Head to see the lighthouse we had seen while out at sea yesterday.

As usual the roads were busy, and in the towns and cities there were plenty of people out shopping in preparation for the New Year celebrations to take place on the 13th.  In Matara the first large town we came upon there were vibrant colours in the shops, and plenty of Tuk Tuks everywhere slowing us down.

Tuk tuks were also lined up alongside the road, some grandly decorated, others quite plain.

While it was hectic, and busy it didn't seem as over powering as Indian, with the madness was a calm, a paradox maybe, but that was the way it felt.

In many places by the side of the road were piles of pots.  Apparently pots are bought new for the New Year feasts, but looking at the number available, I would think there are going to be many left over.

We got lost  looking for the lighthouse, but this took us down to the waterfront where again we could see the brightly coloured boats and ships.

This Tuk Tuk looks like it is looking at the boats jealously.

At the lighthouse eventually we were able to have a walk around the area.  It was being tidied up, and there was a man cutting down coconuts with a sharp knife blade strapped to a very long pole.

The lighthouse looked like any normal lighthouse, and that is probably because it was built by the British to replace a wooden one that burnt.  The lighthouse is the tallest in Sri Lanka.

We went back on the road, stopping again at a cafe for a drink.  In the main room there was this sharks jaw, from the smell it was a recent catch.  The owners were sheepish about what and where it came from, and a little later on our guide Sampath was able to find out that it was from a Thresher Shark, a protected species.

Outside of the the towns the fields and ditches would be full of egrets, mostly Cattle Egrets they would follow the cattle of workers in the paddy fields, their reason being the cattle or workers would over turn a meal at some stage.

The landscape then changed from the lush green vegetation to a drier environment.  This is known as the Arid Zone, and was to be the landscape we would find in Yala National Park.

Unfortunately this is where the photographs end.  After checking in, and sorting our selves out we took off on an afternoon game drive.  Entering the park we passed large expanses of water and small pools where we saw Water Buffalo, Wild Boar, and Spotted Deer.  Of the birds at the first stop we found a pair of Greater Thick Knee, Pacific Golden Plover, Wood, Marsh and Common Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets.  There were plenty of herons and egrets including Striated and Intermediate.  

We were searching for Leopard, and every so often we would race off following a call to say there had been a sighting.  We would turn up along with many other jeeps, stare into the undergrowth and wait, but to no avail.

Back to the birds, the stars for me were the Little Green Bee-eaters.  They would perch by the side of the road, and then zoom off to catch a passing insect.  We had seen them in India, but they never fail to impress.  More water birds included Open-billed Storks, Painted Storks and Lesser Whistling Ducks.

Highlight of the drive though was an encounter with a group of Asian Elephants, with three youngsters, one being probably only weeks old.  At first they protected the young ones, but as we watched the young ones became a little more braver and became a little more active, and pushed each other to play.

Eventually it started to get dark, and we had to return to the hotel, we did so in the knowledge we had five more drives in which to find Leopard.  Back at the Hotel we were advised to call for an escort when walking from our cabin and the restaurants.  The resort is in the buffer zone of the park, and many animals can wander through, including Elephant and Leopard.

Day Five- 9th April

It was another early start, driving to the park in darkness.  We had to wait to get our permit at the entrance but were on our way in as the sun came up.  Plenty of birds were seen and photographed (!), and there were many false alarms of leopard sighting but nothing turned up.

The park is a mixture of scrub, open grassland, water and large sandstone rocks.  The rocks are apparently a good place to find the Leopards, but despite continual searching we didn't turn up anything.

This rock group is known as the Head Rock, its not difficult to understand why.

We returned to the hotel in time to get breakfast, and then we decided to go for a walk to the beach.  We set off walking around the lagoon by the hotel where there was a European Kingfisher, and plenty of Barn Swallows.  As we approached the beach, it became very hot, and despite the presence of a breeze from the ocean it soon became quite uncomfortable.

You couldn't swim here, there was a fishing village with pots for catching lobsters, but as well you could see a few tuna.

We walked through the hot sand, and eventually turned off and walked back around the cabins to the pool area.  Our next drive was at 14.30, so it was off to relax and to get ready for our next attempt.

On this drive we were successful, but for awhile I thought we were going to miss out due to the crowds, and lack of any order around who and how long you claimed the pole positions.

There had been a report of cubs and an adult out at the west end of  the park.  We set off in the general direction, but it was a long and uncomfortable drive with very few stops.  Finally we came around a corner to run into a group of Jeeps that were clearly trying to look at something.  There then started an incredible sequence of jostling Jeeps, queue jumping and bad tempers.  I must admit to a bit of bad temper, but there were clearly no rules about how to ensure everyone saw something.

There was a Leopard there, but it seems the view was not that clear.  We tried to position ourselves, but with no luck, we could not get a clear view, and every time we moved somebody else filled the space behind us.  By now the general opinion was the Leopard had gone, and no one could see it.  The best thing to do in this situation would probably be to sit and wait, but we were not in a good position, but we could see the open area.  Incredibly our driver set off, and our space went.  We drove up the road, then turned around and came back.  The guide stopped the Jeep as he had seen something moving.  Yes it was a Leopard, and it was walking back to where we had been.  We raced back and again fought our way with the others.  We finally saw the Leopard, it had come down to drink at a pool and we watched as it drank, and looked around.  Again I had pictures, they did look good on the camera, but there we are.  

Finally the Leopard stood up, turned and walked off into the scrub.  It tail being held high, the black tip moving as it walked, the scene I have always wanted to see, and at last have achieved.  It is a magnificent cat, the markings looking even more beautiful in real life.

The mood in the Jeep changed, there was a air of relief, and nothing elese really mattered after that.  We drove around to continue the search, but our hearts weren't in it, we had seen Leopard, and we wanted more.

Day Six - 10th April

It was another early start, and the same pattern as yesterday, straight to the park centre, wait for the office to issue the permit, and then off into the park.  As we headed towards the first set of lakes the sun was just coming up over the distant trees.

All the Jeeps ahead of us were hurtling down the road, but we stopped to look at the dusty road.  The guide saw tracks, and we turned off and followed the pug marks which were clear made by a Leopard, but they were heading in the opposite direction to where we were going.  We continued on along the track, and also came across tracks made by a Sloth Bear, they too were going in the other direction.  

The track brought us to a series of rocks, that I would imagine a Leopard would look wonderful on, but all we could see was a single male peacock, and the sun now getting higher, and warmer.

What then followed was a frustrating drive, stopping in places, but only to wait to see if anything would emerge.  The stops became less and the drive more uncomfortable.  The positive mood we ended the day with yesterday started to evaporate.  Finally we came to an area where there was an open space of green with a series of dead trees.  We could see Water Buffalo and Wild Boar in amongst the Lotus, and of the birds Purple Heron, Spot-billed Pelicans and Brahminy Kites on the nest.  We also saw a Land Monitor on the path in front of us warming up in the morning sun.

Then it was back on the bumpy dusty roads, and we were heading back to the hotel.  We did stop once to witness a strange bit of behaviour.  A Changeable Hawk was on a dead branch that was lying close to some bushy scrub.  The hawk was being mobbed by a pair of White-browed Fantails, who probably had a nest close by.  Nothing unusual in that you may think, but it was all about the way they were mobbing the hawk.  They would jump literally on to the back of the hawk and peck at it while sitting on the neck and back.  The hawk though made no effort to move, and just put up with it.

Back at the hotel, we spent the time up to the next drive by the pool.  This gave me the opportunity to photograph Purple Sunbirds around the pool, and to find at last the owner of the most annoying song around the hotel and scrub land, the Asian Koel, a dark blue black bird with a red eye. 

As we boarded our Jeep for the afternoon drive an Asian Elephant was feeding in the trees close by, and about 30 metres for our cabin.  As we headed off the Green Bee-eaters were jetting around us on either side of the track.  Waiting at the park centre a flock of five Malabar Pied Hornbills flew across in front of us, and then perched in the trees alongside the track.

The plan was to head back to the site we had seen the leopard yesterday, but this changed when Sampath received a call, we turned off in the opposite direction, and raced along a track.  We thought Leopard, but it turned out to be a tusker elephant which really did not give a very good view, the elephants feeding in the scrub by the track.

Here is a picture taken by Dan of me taking a picture of one of the elephants that unfortunately was lost!

Leaving the Elephants it was back to the plan, but another call detoured us once again, this time though with good intent, a possible Sloth Bear, but as usual we couldn't find it after some more traffic problems.  By now then there was not enough time to head off back to the previous days leopard site, so we drove around the area, with no luck at all.  As we came out of the park we came across a group of Elephants with a couple of youngsters that entertained us for a while, as they pushed each other about.

Back at the hotel we realised we had but one more drive to get that special view of leopard.  Today had not been a good one.  A combination of tiredness, and the failure to see anything today had deflated us.  The mad dashes only to find out it was elephants was also a rather frustrating tie, we could have been asked.  But who knows what may happen tomorrow. 

5th - 8th April - Mirissa, Sri lanka

Unfortunately the blog posts for this trip will not be completely full of photographs due to a failure of the SD card When I Looked to transfer the images from card to camera. Almost 16GB of images have been lost which has been very upsetting. But I will try to convey the details of the trip with what images I have, and of course the wonderful memories.

This trip had two main objectives, whale watching with the hope of seeing Blue Whale out of Mirissa, and then search for the leopard in Yala National park. helped The first of the week what whale watching.

Day 1 - 5th April

We arrived in Sri Lanka at lunchtime on the 5th after a deceptively long ten hour flight from London. After watching fridges and ovens pass us as we waited for our fellow travellers to arrive we were on our way to our first location, the Insight Resort in Ahangama. The journey Took about three and half hours, taking us on new highway, then through the capital Colombo, back on to a highway, and then along the coast road to our hotel.

Along the way were treated to a very lush green vegetation, with plenty of Cattle Egrets, Open-billed Storks and Black-headed Ibis. There was a lot of open water by the road side, and so we Encountered several heavy rain storms.

It was hot and humid when we arrived, and after checking in there what not much time to explore before it started to get dark. The hotel led out on to a beach, and looking away to the west you could see several stilt fishermen in the surf. I am sure we will get the chance to see plenty of synthesis over the next few days.

By now we were both exhausted, and a few beers and dinner were quickly followed by a much needed sleep.

Day 2 - 6th April

It was an early start, leaving the hotel as the sun came up It was a short drive to the harbour town of Mirissa. Originally a fishing village, but since 2006 It has become the centre for whale watching in Sri Lanka, and as a result local tour Businesses have grown up here. About 10 nautical miles off shore the continental shelf drops away to over a kilometer deep, and this is the attraction for migrating whales. The season runs from November to April, and the main attraction is the passage of Blue Whales, But They are not alone and other species are seen as well, notably Bryde's Whale and Sperm Whale, plus huge pods of spinner and Striped Dolphin.

As we waited for the boat to leave Whiskered Terns flew around the fishing boats every so often diving into the water.  The light early morning was wonderful, and lit up the brightly coloured fishing boats in the harbour

Once out of the harbour the swell increased and it became a challenge to stand up and scan the sea out to the horizon. There were more about terns, white-winged Black Tern, Great-crested and Caspian being the most numerous, and every so often you would see gatherings over the water where small fish had been forced to the surface by Tuna.

As we got further out to sea flying fish could be seen alongside the boat, gliding just above the waves long differences. Every so often a Flesh-footed Shearwater would fly past skipping the tops of the waves. A darker individual with a more pointed body and wings sharper turned out to be my first Jouanin's Petrel.

We came across a pod of Spinner Dolphins and they entertained us for a while as they chased tuna through the waves, There were groups intent on fishing and hunting, and then every so often you would see them leap from the water and throw themselves over.

The lookouts were now picking up spouts in the distance but they were not the traditional high spout of a Blue Whale, but the more angled puff of what was probably a Sperm Whale. The boat left the dolphins to play and headed off in the direction of the spouts.

Very soon we came upon small groups of two or three Sperm Whales. As they broke the water the spout would be forward of the animal as it moved through the water. The Sperm Whale is the large largest of the Dolphin family or toothed whales did includes the Killer Whale or Orca. Sperm Whale being the large largest predator on earth. In addition to the teeth they have a single blow hole did dictates the type of spout when they blow.

The boats were gathering around them, and when they became to close the whale's back would arch and then the tail would come up, and the whale would dive and out of sight.

By now Sperm Whale were all around us, and small groups would appear on the sighting of a spout.  Numbers were estimated to be about 30 plus, a group that is referred to as a super pod.  Every so often he whales would emerge further out of the water, and you could see the large head, followed then the back with the ridges and ripples in the skin, and finally the fluke, that when raised high indicates a deep dive.  We followed them for some time, and I took many photographs which unfortunately are now lost.  It was a magical sight, and a rare one that also meant we were very unlikely to see Blue Whale.  When the Sperm come through the Blue Whale head out to deeper water.

Finally we turned back to port leaving the Sperm Whale to continue on their way.  Their migration takes them from the Arabian Sea around the tip of India and up into the Bengal Bay.  The journey back to port saw us pass through several large flocks of terns, mostly Great Crested and White-winged Black.

Back at the hotel, we spend the rest of the time by the pool, and in the late afternoon walked along the beach to see the stilt fishermen.  This was a tourist arranged demonstration and we were asked to pay for the privilege of photographing them.  I paid, but didn't take any pictures of the fishermen but just enjoyed the view of the sunset across the beach.

Day 3 - 7th April

Next day it was up again early, and on our way back to Mirissa.  This time though we stopped top watch the sunrise over the moored fishing boats in the bay.

The sun as it rose changed the colour of the sky and the water.

The area where we were standing was also a landing place for the local fishermen, and was a huge attraction to the local House Crows who appeared to roost in the tree next to the buildings.

They called incessantly and birds would come and go to augment the numbers already present.  Finally the sun broke free lighting up the sky.

and with the sunrise the House Crows were off to scavenge where ever they could.  These crows (not these specifically) were seen everywhere there were people.

When we reached the harbour we boarded the boat, and set off hoping to emulate yesterday's success, but it was not to be.  We almost immediately came across a small pod of Bottlenose Dolphins, and then a little later on Striped Dolphins that have a beautiful pink belly and white stripes on the flanks.  There were to be a few more encounters with pods of Spinners but no sign of any whales.  The boat continued to head out, and into deeper waters.  We eventually went 20 nautical miles offshore.  Along the way excitement was provided by a huge Manta Ray swimming just below the surface, again there were photographs, but now just memories.

Finally the word was out there was a Bryde's Whale showing, and we set off in what seemed an endless journey, that ended when we came across the whale.  Almost immediately other boats appeared desperate to show the customers a whale.

Bryde's Whale is a medium sized whale that behaves in a similar way to that of a Minke.  It would break the surface, spout and they you would see the dorsal fin and it would be gone.  There is no fluke to speak of and they are very quick.  We followed it for awhile, but now it was late and we had a two and a half hour journey back to port.  We finally got back about 15.00 much to the annoyance of some of our fellow travellers.

Back at the hotel there was time for a swim, lie down, or a walk along what was a beautiful beach, the ocean being warm but with a very strong current.  

Other entertainment for some was a game of cricket on the beach.  Some of the players taking it very seriously!

The stilt fishermen were back in position, and Helen took this long distance shot that didn't incur a fee.

As the sun sank into the ocean the Rose-ringed Parakeets flew in to roost in the palm trees.  Our time here was now over, we would return at the end of the holiday for one more whale watch, that hopefully will produce our quarry, but for now it was a meal, and bed as it would be another early start the next day.

1st February - Farlington Marshes

I met up with Ian at Farlington on a day when strong winds, heavy showers and a very high spring tide was due, it was also the morning after a night of heavy rain.  We set off along the sea wall walking through puddles, while looking across the Hay Field you could see many flooded areas.

The tide was rising, and the Brent Geese were already feeding in the fields, and more passed over us coming in from the sea.  The wind was picking up so the chance to see the Bearded Reedlings was not good, and it was probably going to be the same for the Short eared Owl reported during the week.

We walked around to the point and picked up a Peregrine low over the water.  It settled on the island that was very quickly being covered by the tide.  This is an attempt at a digi-scope picture with my phone held to the scope eye piece, not the best photography I have posted but you can see it is a Peregrine sitting to the left of the rocks sticking up.

We then experienced all forms of weather.  First the sun, then a complete rainbow, then rain and finally horizontal hail.  We toughed it out as did the Peregrine.  Waders were now flying around looking for any patch of land to roost on, the tide rising fast.  They even tried to settle on the island with the Peregrine but quickly decided against it.

The falcon then took to the air, and flew up gently into the sun.  It climbed quite high, then turned, pulled in the wings and shot like a missile back down, then lowe over the water scattering a flock of waders, as it pulled up we could see it had taken a small wader probably a dunlin, it then flew back to what remained of the island to eat its catch.  With the tide now almost covering the island it flew off still carrying what remained of its meal.  Who needs cheetahs on the Masai Mara, when you have a top, top predator displaying its skills like this?

The tide was now very high and the waders were pouring over the sea wall to find dry land to roost.  Out in the harbour any dry land was now covered.  The waders, Knot, Dunlin and Grey Plover put on a spectacular show.

They were picking out islands within the pools but would not settle and would be up and away almost as soon as landing.

On one of the panics and flock flying off I picked up a small falcon flying below the flock, it swerved in but failed to catch anything, from the size and tail length it could only have been a Merlin.

The waders continued to put on a wonderful show, and another Peregrine appeared, this time a large bird probably an adult female.  We watched her zip across the marsh, and attempted to knock down a Brent Goose, which just dropped to the marsh to evade the lunge.

The wader show is emphasised by the flashes of white created by the turning  of the birds, flashing the white undersides.

This is the upper side.

Then as they all turn together the white under side flashes in the winter sun.

You can also see this in the video.

The action was all around us, and out on the sea large flocks were wheeling around against the battleship grey sea.

We decided to walk on, and stopped to watch the amazing number of Shelduck that were all over the fields, joined by many Curlew.  From one of the wildlife counters who were attempting to count the birds on the marsh the number of Shelduck was 334.

The weather then returned, and we sat with our backs to the wind, rain and hail, the wind was so strong it was whipping spray off the sea creating a mist that was quite strange.  The wind and rain eased so we decided to make our way back to the relative calm of the car park.

25th January - Sidlesham

We spent the weekend once again at the Crab and Lobster in Sidlesham.  The Saturday morning we had a walk down to Church Norton and then on to Selsey.  There wasn't that much about, and the tide was well out.

A Little Egret fished in the creek as we set off

The trees along the footpath were covered in lichen, which looks quite beautiful

The teasels were covered in Goldfinch as we approached but flew off with the tinkling calls ringing out around us.  The heads of the teases though looked lovely against the rain drop covered bushes.

We took a different path and ended up at Church Norton where there were Firecrests in the trees.  We walked on, and passed an RSPB van that we did not realise was carrying the adult Glaucous Gull.  The RSPB had decided to take it into care, and unfortunately it died the next day.

The sea was a long way out, but one adult Red-breasted Merganser was quite close in, and allowed us to get close by walking down the beach to the sea.

We went as far as East Beach, stopped for a drink then headed back.  The tide was now starting to come in, and the groynes were getting covered, but the Herring Gulls didn't care as they perched on the posts.

A little past the beach houses a Red Admiral flew past us, a sure sign of how mild it was.

At Church Norton we walked to the footpath we had come down, and passed a field that had about a thousand Brent Geese in it.  As we approached they started to walk away from us, and then they took to the air, and flew to the back of the field.  There is something abouit geese in flight.

As they flew back their shape looks quite spectacular.

We made our way back to Sidlesham.  We decided to walk to the north wall after changing to wellingtons, but as we did the wind started to pick up , and the skies darkened so we decided to turn back.  It was very quiet on the wall though.  

Back in the pub, the rain came down, but we missed out on the strong winds and possible tornadoes that hit elsewhere.