Rye Meads doesn't open until 10 so I went to the Forest. I hadn't walked far when I heard a lot of small birds making a racket in a tree and an owl flew out. He perched up and gave nice views before promptly flying off as my camera.... still a good start.
I got to the lake and found THREE Common Sandpiper sitting in the south east corner. My first of the year and a forest tick. Really chuffed!
There were two Great Crested Grebe chicks on the lake and two Common Tern chicks on the raft. The adults went mental chasing a Buzzard as it flew over. A few warblers, bullfinch, Green Woodpeckers, Bullfinch (pair), Tufties and a Yellowhammer. Also some youngsters!
Nice stroll.
on to Rye Meads.
A few lapwings and terns at the Draper Hide as well as two Green Sandpipers.
A common tern in flight. Not in such large numbers this year and I'm told the same is true at Amwell.
And so on to the lakes to see if the Black-Necked Grebe was there. Well he was but boy was he distant. If he was over there when found then it was a good spot. I was scanning saw a dark Grebe that was too big for a Little Grebe and two dark for a Great Crested. The ear tufts were the give away!
So as I have no photos have a little Grebe. Alas the sun was in the wrong place!
A Hobby flew over the lake giving nice views!
a few dragons and butterflies about but they were not playing ball.
Still a very nice set of birds for a local stroll!
4 comments:
Great shots Pete. Looks like a lovely place to visit.
Looks like a pretty good day in the end Pete.
Strange you mention the Terns; there doesn't seem to be the usual numbers here this year either.
Sounds like a lovely day out, Pete. Glad the black-necked grebe was still present even though it was too far away to photograph. Love the dabchick photos and the reflections in the water in the second photo are lovely.
Great you got the Grebe and the Dabchick is lovely; and with Common Sandpiper sounds as though is was worth staying local. Aren't the roses great at the moment too!
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