Due to illness (not mine) it's been a while since I've been out either on the patch or further afield, today I finally made it out for a morning stroll around the Flood Plain Forest Nature Reserve, It wasn't the most awe inspiring of walks, there was little excitement (although managed a few nice photos) but then I realised I had a number of photos from my previous foray out well over a week ago, so this post will mainly be photos combining both days out.
Combining Posts
Kicking off with my walk on Friday 12th May, the highlights were some lovely close views of Oystercatcher.
Coming in to Land
Oystercatcher alone
Joining in
Pair of Oystercatcher at Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve
Remaining Photo's From Day 1
Grey Wagtail
Grey Wagtail about to take off
Common Kestrel
Grey Heron
Carrion Crow
Grey Heron in Flight
Today's Walk
Today's highlights were not always avian, although the first was as I had some lovely views of my local Little Owl, perched out in the open, in the trees behind the Farm Hide.
Little Owl in the Open
Look East Little Owl
Hidden Little Owl (actually photographed after the first shots and 20 mins in the hide)
The real highlight of the day was a sight I have not witnessed in the past, even as someone who used to fish, and that was huge numbers of very large carp spawning all around the sides of the Stilt Pit lakes., their crashes and splashes, as they breached the shallow water was a real spectacle and loads of regular walkers stopped to enjoy the sight.
Spawning Carp
The only other real highlight was a close encounter with a pair of Sand Martin as they copulated on a barbed wire fence (we've all done it!!). The large spikes not affecting their love making.
Sand Martin copulating on barbed wire fence
Mating Martins
Pair of Sand Martin
Sand Martin on barbed wire
Sand Martin
Actually there was one last highlight as an enormous plane flew low over head and scared the sh*t out of me (I was looking the other way). I've no idea what "species" it was or where it was going but it almost brushed the tops of the trees over the canal as it passed by.
Unknown Plane - potentially spec ops following the river for low flying experience.
Remaining Photos from Day 2
Little Egret
Fish carrying Common Tern
Banking Common Tern
Preening Mute Swan
Mute Swan Wing Flapping
Swimming Great Crested Grebe
Close up Great Crested Grebe
Pied Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
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