Marked out at the moss

The Safari went oop north with marine biologist DB on a terrestrial wetland jaunt this morning. We arrived shortly after first light - would have got there earlier if it wasn't for slowies on the road...at that early hour...aaaarrgghhh. Lookin good at that hour though!

We headed for the Red Deer zone but found a Great White Egret instead.

And a far more usual Grey Heron

 A bonus Kingfisher dropped in briefly

Before too long a late lingering Marsh Harrier out the wind up the Teal and other ducks on the water

First shot was a bit duff, the second attempt was worse!

 The Teal quickly settled back down

And the Kingfisher returned, a little further away this time but nicely silhouetted against the sky

This is a bum shot is of a mystery bird - anyone going to have a guess? Yes, we do know what it is

After listening to a good talk by Mark Avery we went back out and found this young buck - we'd seen two stags and a hind earlier but unphotographable as they were hiding under the trees

A Robin kept us entertained while we waited for the Bearded Tits which we only saw briefly but thoroughly enjoyed - a lifer for DB, as were the day's numerous Jays.

None of the dozen or more Snipe could be turned into a Jack Snipe

With frost on the ground and frozen ice in the shallows we didn't expect to see a Common Darter

After a quick chat to fellow blogger JA we headed off on a twitch on the way back to Base Camp
We were successful with the Lesser Yellowlegs (W 273, BI 187) but dipped the Wood Sandpiper that had been with it all morning

While we were being lectured by MA DB, who hadn't gone to the talk, saw an Otter...we are not amused!!!

Where to next? Family day tomorrow but we might get out somewhere with the kiddies.

In the meantime let us know if the Fieldfares have arrived en masse in your outback - we saw 5-600 early on this morning in several large flocks.