Friday 20 March 2015

Far Ings and Water's Edge

The weather forecast of showers resulted in a trip to a reserve with hides. Far Ings ticked the box. In the event, the rain didn't materialised, but it was cold and a bit breezy anyway, so access to a visitor centre with hot beverages was much welcome. Highlights included a singing willow tit in Far Ings and a water rail calling and grunting, tantalisingly close but out of sight in the reeds.
A large patch on the reed bed had been burnt.
Two of the cormorants on the tern raft.
This marsh harrier landed on the cut reeds and stayed there for quite some time
Until another one turned up...
And a chase ensued.
Marsh harrier
Dog violet, one of the few flowers about.
Male reed bunting
Tufted duck display
Rabbit
View from the new draughty hide.
Redshank by the estuary
Female Goldeneye
Singing Willow Tit
Little Grebe
Two woodpigeons sitting on their nest.
Yellowhammers, Dunnock and Blackbird.

2 comments:

Robert Jaques said...

Hi Africa,

I think the willow tit has been mislabled as willow warbler throughout your post.

Not 100% but I think the dog violet is early dog violet Viola reichenbachiana

Rob

Africa Gomez said...

Hi Robert, thank you! now corrected. That would have been an early willow warbler!