A bitterly cold day that felt even colder at midday due to the wind turning NW. A large and nervous flock of Fieldfares, with a few Redwing fed in the hawthorns of the car park. I surprised a stoat as it run on the grass on the car park, but it run into the hedge before I could take any photos. The Fieldfare were quite nervous and took off every time a car went pass the road by the nature reserve.
Fieldfare.
Thrush flock.
The visitor centre/hide and was closed, as in the winter months it only opens on the weekend, so I went to Xerox hide first. A Reed Bunting fed on the path with a Wren and a Robin.
Reed Bunting.
I spent some time at Xerox. There was a large Teal flock and I went through it in search of a Green Winged Teal that had been reported at Blacktoft, but no luck. Some Dunlin fed amongst the teal.
I moved on. The Hawthorns on the long stretch to the Ousefleet hide were laden with berries, good news for the cold and hungry thrushes.
At Ousefleet, the highlight were the six Konik ponies, which were drinking in the sun and having little squabbles. They are use for conservation grazing on the reedbeds and marsh in the nature reserve.
The light was fantastic with mostly clear sky. This is the view from Ousefleet.
An informative panel with the Humberhead levels and nature reserves within it.
I moved to the eastern end of the reserve. There were barely any birds from the hides, but a Marsh Harrier quartered past, with the great backdrop of Alkborough.
The view from Singleton hide.
I ended up returning to Xerox. Found some Redshank feeding near the hide.
More Teal.
Three Marsh Harriers together at some point. One of them flushed all the birds (top shot). The following photos all from Xerox.
Marsh Harriers.
Dunlin.
Shovelers.
Wigeon.
A Redshank (left) and a Spotted Redshank (right) posing beautifully next to each other.
Little Egret.
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