Cresswell 17/2/2014

Well the original plan today was to finish work and head to a local hot spot for owls, but with the rain pouring down I decided to make a trip to cresswell pond.  What with it only being a 10 minute drive from work and supporting a hide to keep dry in, it seemed like a good idea.

In the bushes on the path to the hide I seen Tree Sparrows (my first of 2014) and a little Dunnock skitting about in the undergrowth!

Once inside the hide I couldn't believe how low the water was and just how many birds where gathered!! 

Lapwing, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal & Moorhen were all in abundance. With the Lapwing making the place feel like a rock gig with the noise volume. 

A few Grey Heron were scattered about, no sign of the reported otters though.

Little Grebe and Red-Breasted Merganser fed close to shore. On the far shore I could see Shelduck and geese, however due to quickly disintegrating light conditions I couldn't identify the geese. 

The cherry on top was my first ever sighting of a Water Rail, in a break between reeds in front of the hide! Seeing that was a great buzz. Such a secretive, dainty bird. 

Just before I left a flock of roughly 30 Whooper Swan came into land on the pond. 

Not bad for a 45 minute birdwatch after work! Nice way to wind down after a long day!

(Apologies for the awful pics) 

The past few weeks.....

Well it's been a few weeks since my last blog, so to quickly to recap the events of my last few weeks birding we have to start at West Hartford.

It's a site I've frequently visited since my last blog, and it's played a blinder. A new site to me for birding but it's become one of my favourite places to bird.

I'll summarise my best sightings from there in a list.

Marsh Harrier (my first ever and as soon as I got out the car no less)

Woodcock (Always a brief 'flying away' glimpse)

Snipe (Flushed and climbing high but quick descension into the reeds)

A close encounter with a female Sparrowhawk (amazingly close)

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Decent fly by view)

***possible (can't confirm) Water Rail running through the marsh near the fence post

Kestrel (regular treat) 

And a brief glimpse of a Short Eared Owl as day soon turned to night, last Thursday after work, very exciting. Purely for the reason that's the one bird I was after considering the time of day! 

The picture below was taken just after seeing the owl, I happened upon it just out of chance by scanning the back hedge line. It landed briefly on a fence post to the right of the big tree and vanished into shadows! 

I spoke to a dog walker and birder who told me what had been seen at West Hartford etc 

He shocked with news he had earlier flushed a Bittern, unfortunately no sightings by myself as of yet.

I also revisited Horton Burn again recently, seeing the Little Egret and Kingfisher/ers again. As usual the foliage and gardens along the burn were teaming with multiple passerines. And surprisingly a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in a conifer tree. Nice surprise. 

(Shame about the rubbish pic!) 

Wrapping up warm left me looking slightly suspicious!