The Safari has been having to do curtailed early morning Patch 1 walks due to the darkening mornings and bad weather. Mostly we've only been getting to the top field and the Golden Triangle rather than round the park or the rough fields further on, not only are the rough fields rough but they are now like quagmires after all the rain we've had. Still we've had a few interesting sightings like our first Skylark (P1 #41) and Meadow Pipits (P1 #42) although the latter have probably been forgotten to be added to the spreadsheet on an earlier date, they also appeared over Base Camp in small numbers the other day while we were doing a bit of vegetation hacking (Garden #29) - It's like a jungle at the back and although we don't like tidying up habitats just for the sake of it - as has been done recently on the top field, they've stripped out all the cover from under the hedge, it was going to die off anyway but at least some shelter would have been left, the bushes too have been turned into spherical lollipops; power tools make the butchery of the countryside (and wilder suburban areas) far too easy! - Goldcrests have been a feature too and we've seen a/the Kestrel on the water tower again. This morning a Goldcrest nearly had our eye out as it flew straight towards us being blown down the road by the strong wing, luckily for us and it it managed to dive into a thick garden shrub before any collision occurred.
Yesterday we'd arranged a trip out to far flung places with CR but a doggy disaster, not of our making this time, meant we'd have Monty in tow so we were forced to stay local and went to Marton Mere for the morning. The weather was worse than forecast so somewhere where it wasn't too far between hides in case of heavy rain was going to be a boon anyway.
The wetland was quiet as we walked in, it's probably still a bit too early in the season for a Stonechat to put in an appearance there and even if there was one the fierce wind would have kept it tucked well down in the vegetation anyway..
Our first stop in the reserve was at the refugium where no-one was home. From there it's only a short walk to the Viewing Platform where the light was against us but we gave it a good while failing to get any pics of the passing flock of Long Tailed Tits. A Heron came in and landed in the reeds along the north side but didn't flush out any Bitterns.
With not a lot happening we wandered down to the Heron Hide where we watched a Cormorant come in from the south east and join a couple of its mates sat on the reed edge along the opposite bank.
C picked out a Little Grebe fishing in the fringes of the pool below us. For the most part it kept itself annoyingly tucked in behind the reeds and dived frequently meaning we were second-guessing where it would pop up all the time. Eventually it did come in to some open water and we were able to get a few shots off. Although it was actively fishing we never saw it surface with any prey, either it was unsuccessful or swallowing small invertebrate prey items underwater.
A Water Rail called and we got a count of nine Gadwall - nowhere near the 19 counted by TS, we obviously weren't trying hard enough!!! Taking advantage of a longer gap between showers we moved down to have a look on the scrape. With all the rain it's looking a bit too full of water for most waders although we wouldn't say no to a phalarope dropping in...no such luck today! Nearby is a large patch of Michaelmas Daisies which are great insect attractors and true to form had attracted the attention of a Red Admiral.
Overlooking the scrape is a bench which today was being taken advantage of by a Common Darter sunning itself to warm up between the showers and cloudy spells.
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| The 600mm isn't the best for macro invertebrate shots! |
With the scrape empty save for a few Teal we continued our circuit stopping to look for the reported Peregrine in the field and any sign of the Kingfisher along the spillway and dyke, but had no joy with either.
At the Bird Club Hide the grass and reeds on the bank directly in front of the hide have been cut but not to the sides so looking straight out is OK-ish - the reeds in the water still need cutting - looking out to the sides the view was limited making hunting for the Bittern which may (or more likely may not) be stood on the edge of the reeds on the far bank awkward. A Grey Wagtail (MMLNR #82) flew past high above the reeds struggling to make much progress in the wind and a Sparrowhawk appeared over the reeds on the far bank and dropped into the scrape flushing out a small flock of Teal.
Easily the best sighting here was a very quick Stoat dashing from left to right along the water's edge, it appeared to be carrying something small but was far too quick for either of us to lift the camera. So after not seeing one anywhere for several years we've now seen two in a week here - how mad is that, it just shows how unpredictable wildlife watching can be...and that's the essence of it, you never know what you might come across but one thing is for sure - if you don't go out you won't see nowt (#IFYDGOYWSN).
Looking at the clouds to the north west a break gave us the chance to leg it round to the Feeding Station. It was lively in there. Good numbers of Chaffinches as usual,
Singles of Reed Bunting, Dunnock and a Chiffchaff that was too close to the hide window for us to get a pic of, cracking views though - didn't even need the binoculars. It came in twice both to the same Willow bush right by the window.
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| Dunnock |
Most of the entertainment was provided by the Blue and Great Tits. The peanut feeder was particularly popular with the Blue Tits, we tried for five but as a fifth flew in one of the four was flushed off.
Suddenly there was a bit of a panic and the small birds scarpered in to cover. A Grey Squirrel arrived on the scene and no matter how well protected from the raiders the feeders are they always seem to get a meal - and a big one at that.
Star of the session was a cracking male Great Spotted Woodpecker. For once it was on one of the closer feeders and wasn't bothered by our hushed conversation or clicking shutters. We both filled our boots.
It wasn't even bothered when a Great Tit joined it on the feeder, sometimes they can be a bit feisty and chase off all-comers.
Before heading back to the car we had another look from the Viewing Platform where a Cetti's Warbler was heard and more surprisingly a Jay (MMLNR #83) seen flying across the mere. We got a pic but it's hardly conclusive!
So with no sign of any Bitterns or Otters and now getting hungry we called it a day and wandered back to the car passing a hunting Kestrel on the way, the first sighting of the morning.
Not a bad morning out given the weather especially the strong wind, there's always something to see if you look - or if you get lucky!
Where to next? We're helping out with the Living Seas team doing a seawatch tomorrow morning and with several Leach's Petrels seen from the Prom this morning we're hopeful for something exciting provided trhe wind does turn too far to the north - fingers crossed.
In the meantime let us know who's jay-walking across your skies. 
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