August 2008
Kingfishers at Grove and a Wryneck at Swalecliffe.
31/08/08
Wryneck, at Swalecliffe this evening.
Not much to report today on the Avian front, as I only spent a couple of hours in the Turf Field hide at Grove Ferry this morning, trying out a new camera body I purchased yesterday. It was nice to see the two Kingfisher perches being used again, and I am sure that the reed cutting in front of the hide and around the perch bases have resulted in the return of these birds, and make no apology for yet again taking more pictures of the Grove Ferry Kingfishers, being such splendid looking birds that they are. If the weed was now dragged from the water, it would be a very nice Kingfisher viewing point. I quietly arrived in the hide at 8 o clock, and there was a Male Kingfisher already on one post, and it was not long before a Female arrived, chasing the Male off and into the bush at the side of the hide, (I could of grabbed hold of it as it was that close) and then returning and chasing the Female away. For two hours there were 2 Kingfishers present in the area, allowing some photos to be taken, and amusing my self and another photographer, Nick Powell, whom had joined me in the hide. Other sightings were 2 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, a fly by flock of at least 12 Common Snipe, and also the usual wild fowl were present on the pool. Reed and Sedge Warblers, as well as Bearded Tits were seen, and 1 Marsh Harrier was my only raptor whilst at Grove. I did see a Little Owl basking in the morning sunshine, on the fallen tree as I made my way to Grove, via Stodmarsh due to the Grove level crossing closure this weekend. I met Martyn Wilson as I left the hide, and walked up to the White House with him, as he had seen at least 40 Yellow Wagtails in amongst the cattle grazing in one of the fields. I saw quite a few, I did not count them, but there were several juveniles in attendance.
News filtered through that there was a Wryneck showing well at Swalecliffe, so I ventured out this evening to try and connect with the bird. I noticed at least 8 Whinchat’s immediately, but it took an hour to locate the Wryneck, along with Sue Morton and two other birders that had arrived. Although the light had gone when the Wryneck was seen, we did have good views of it, as it passed through the bushes.