Black-tailed-Godwits at Greylake.
Photo’s of the Godwits on my blog.
Also, got a pic of pair of waders with a small group Dunlin that flew over the car park. I’m not sure what they are! Possibly Ruff?
http://carlbovisnaturephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/the-end-of-2015-and-last-visit-to.html
I have a shot taken today 29/12 with 219 godwits, and that is not quite the total number as I couldn’t fit them all in the frame! Greylake really is godwit city this year.
It’s a shame the godwits can’t be seen very well from the hides until they take to the air, but the snipe are making up for it.
23-12-2015 At last sunshine!!, this break in the weather allowed an opportunity to visit Greylake and enjoy the sight and sounds of the thousands of birds that can now to be seen from the hides, in the far distance a flock of what must have been a thousand Golden Plover, sadly they never came close to the hide ,similar numbers of Lapwing floating like confetti in the sunlight made for an astonishing sight, a flock of forty one Black-tailed-Godwits made for an equally impressive fly past,full supporting cast of Ducks, Pintail numbers down on last year, numerous Snipe close in front of the hide. Marsh Harriers were less active than usual, Peregrine seen on a distant tree.Greylake at the moment surely must rank as one of Europe’s greatest wildlife displays.
Photos on website.
Black-tailed godwits - flock of 41 at Greylake today
15+ Black Tailed Godwits yesterday, as well as a Redpoll near the reeds on the return path to the car park.
Pics on my blog;
http://carlbovisnaturephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/redpoll-black-tailed-godwits-and-cast.html
Greylake 07-12-2015 a few periods of sunshine were most welcome giving a chance to take some pics of the large flock of Golden Plover at the rear of the reserve, two female Marsh Harriers and a Male seen,one Peregrine, duck numbers substantial but they seemed strangely lazy this morning , a few Snipe, a very quiet day.
Photos on website of the Golden Plovers, has anyone the patience to count them. http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Hi Carl and James,
I spent Friday at Greylake, as ever the hides were packed but the masses of birds seem more than happy to stay out of sight.
Highlights during my 7 hours in the hides:
Kingfisher hovered twice, fairly close to the hide
Peregrine flyby over the hide but spent most of its time in the dead tree
Marsh Harriers put the the ducks up in the early hours but as the day wore on the ducks seemed quite happy to stay on the ground with the Harriers above. At one point one of the harriers landed close to the birds.
Water Rail walked in front of the hide twice
Goldfinch, Wren, Long Tailed/Blue/Great Tits, Chaffinch around the hide
Stonechats on the reeds
Starlings picking off the insects from the reeds.
Huge flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover in the distance.
Mute swans flying around
plus plenty of banter in the hide…..
I must have just missed you Carl!
2 Peregrines acting very aggressive towards a lone Buzzard sat on his post.
Also a high flying Sparrowhawk.
Videos on the site:
Ever increasing numbers of Winter Duck yesterday, mainly Wigeon, Teal and Shoveler, plus a handful of Mallard, Gadwall and a pair of Pintail, my first this Winter.
Also hundreds of Golden Plover and Lapwing.
Raptors present were a male Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine and Kestrel.
Also seen were Little Egret, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Raven and the usual Tits, Finches and Reed Buntings in the car park.
Pics on my blog;
http://carlbovisnaturephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/hundreds-of-wintering-ducks-lapwings.html