A few pics from last week

Hi all!

Sorry for the delay in posting these, as they are from last weekend (Saturday).

Common Sandpiper

Hadn't seen a Common Sandpiper before and this one landed quite close to the hide so I managed to get a close up of it. It didn't stay there long though and soon disppeared to the back of the reserve. When I first took the shot I thought it may be a Green Sandpiper but then I got it off the camera onto the computer and saw it was definitely brown.

Common Blue (Polyommatus Icarus)

Juvenile Sedge Warbler

There were several juvenile Sedge Warbler in the bushes along the access track to the Wellmarshl hide. The adult was actually coming in and feeding them too, but unfortunately it was doing this out of sight. Once the adult had gone though the young were then venturing out a bit waiting for the next meal.

Goldfinch

I think this may be a juvenile too as it's feathers don't look completely defined yet.

These were taken on the Saturday and I only managed time to get to the South Fleet hide, but there wasn't too much else around that I could see unfortunately. It was still nice to walk around the peace and quiet of the reserve though.

I'm hoping to get back this week for a few evenings after work so hopefully I'll have better luck and be able to get further out.

Cheers,

Gaz.

Hi Gaz

We drove through Elmley yesterday (Sunday) down to the car park and then down ferry road to the bridge and river, it was very windy and very quiet at Elmley we just saw 3 marsh harriers and a kestrel. We did have a swallow following the car down near the farm at the entrance but the shots came out blurred, there was plenty of swallows and Goldies down ferry road though. The photo of the Common Blue is excellent and I think your right on the juvvie goldie.

Shane

hi Gaz

Your report, and photos are a joy to read

I love your Common Sandpiper - Dave and I saw one at Rutland Water, a couple of weeks ago and I could not believe how tiny they are, and that distinctive glowing white underbelly stands out a mile.

Never seern a juvenile Sedgy - they are less stripy than their parents, but still very distinctive colouration of the feathers around the head area.

The Goldfinch is a Juvenile as it has no red around its head area yet.   Makes the bird look a little bald!

Thank you for sharing your experiences

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Yet Another fine set of pics Gaz, thanks for posting em.

Thanks for the comments guys.

Shane: I think it is that time of year where things are pretty quiet, although as Gordon said it should pick up soon as more passage waders arrive. I was pretty pleased with the photo of the Common Blue. Invariably, as with many butterflies, they move just as I take the photo and I just end up with a coloured blur!

Blackbird: Thanks. Glad you like the photos. I've not made it to Rutland Water yet, but it's another one on my list. I'd not seen a juvenile Sedgie either, but there were at least two there and they didn't seem too concerned at my presence. So it's worth keeping an eye on the bushes along the access track for them. I did think the Goldie looked a little strange and it caught my eye when it landed. Again there were several making their way along the access track towards the Wellmarsh hide.

AC: Thanks mate! Glad you like them.

Cheers,

Gaz.

Hi Gaz

Great photo's there again Gaz. Up at fleet the other Sat/Sunday, marsh harriers, kestrels, egrets, bearded tits, there was a report that there has been a peregrine around the fleet on the tele-lines on the road way.

James...    

Gaz

great photos again,

James i saw the peregrine first time, just after i met you a couple of weeks ago and again last Saturday at Capel in the fields across the road, there was also 20-30 Little Egrets and a Spoonbill in behind the "white Mountain" it was easily identified when they all took flight.

I was also lucky enough to see 2 more peregrines at Elmley one by Wellmarsh and one on the access track on the way out sat in the field by the last cow grid. It took off and circled high and went into a fast dive disappering from view over the 2 roundabouts toward Sherness.

Also talking of the 2 roundabouts as you come onto the island, ive seen a little Owl roosting 3 weeks running on the first pole as you go around the 2nd roundabout and head toward leysdown, although its in an awkward place to stop!

Hi CS

Great to meet you the other weekend, We have changed or route to work, and go over the old Kingsferry bridge and have been keeping an eye open for the little owl no sign as yet. Its great to see the peregrines around our area again at Elmley, and the fleet. On the old road towards the Kingsferry Bridge, left hand side large pool, by the trees and the old  WWII Bunker, we did see a Barn Owl there on the way to work this morning, there is also a green car parked up there nearly every morning without fail, that's the old road as you turn into Elmley and follow it round to the right and towards the bridges. Might be worth a look there, for the Barn Owl, and the Marsh Harrier came over our car the other day again going to work...

Regards

James..