June 2008
Better weather and a few photo opportunities this morning at Grove Ferry.
08/06/08
Red Crested Pochard at Grove Ferry this morning.
A late start this morning, reaching the viewing ramp at Grove Ferry about 9 o clock, with a dull start to the day, but late morning saw the Sun finally break out from behind the clouds, leaving the reserve bathed in sunshine. 2 Little Ringed Plovers and a Ringed Plover were the highlights from the ramp, but most of my morning was spent in the new Turf Field Hide, along with Steve Ray, where a dapper looking RED CRESTED POCHARD was seen, and eventually swam to the island in front of the hide, giving a good opportunity to photograph the bird. Common Terns were seen all morning, flying up and down the dyke to the front of the hide, and a Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting and a Wren was seen, all feeding chicks in well hidden nests. A Sparrow-hawk passed gracefully by, some 6 inches from the waters surface, and a Kingfisher was seen, briefly hovering out side of the hide window, but I was not quick enough with the camera.
Day list. 47 Species. Collard Dove, Carrion Crow, Cormorant, Jackdaw, Pheasant, Mallard, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Cetti’s Warbler, Cuckoo, Marsh harrier, Common Tern, Mute Swan, Little Egret, Shell Duck, Pied Wagtail, Coot, Black headed Gull, Ring Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Teal, Green Woodpecker, Gadwall, Shoveller, Great Crested Grebe, Wren, Lesser Whitethroat, Greylag Geese, Sedge Warbler, Turtle Dove, Sparrow-hawk, Red Crested Pochard, Sand Martin, Pochard, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Swift, Moorhen, Kingfisher, Stock Dove, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Grey Heron, Herring Gull.