#reedbed

[hedwardslimane]

the marsh

[solivagant-stimboards]

Bearded Reedling stimboard for @corvus-cervus with reedbed themes!

Sources: x x x / x x x / x x x

[angiec333]

Autumn reeds at Potteric Carr, South Yorkshire, England

[belfastroadster]

Crannog reflections.

[dansnaturepictures]

28th November 2021-Lower Test and home

I enjoyed seeing the moon which I took the first picture in this photoset of, nice sky scenes with thin white clouds, autumnal colour on the leaves of trees visible from my room, Collared Doves, Goldfinches and views generally in bright sunshine as I got up this morning.

We went to Lower Test this morning/early afternoon where funnily enough we also went a year ago tomorrow on a very sunny Sunday morning/early afternoon. This morning it was lovely to see the in places rushing river shimmering in the sunlight, the vast reedbeds gloriously illuminated to create special views with little bits of red colour in the trees still, bits of green in trees still such as willow with again much dark green mistletoe clinging to some trees. All the more so uplifting to see in harmony with the visible signs of an urban and industrial area. I took the second-seventh pictures in this photoset of views and the water here today.

Towards the mid point of the walk where we turned to go back it got really exciting for birds. Firstly a falcon, a lovely Kestrel gliding through the air. Then a quick view of an exciting Jack Snipe bounding over a wet field. On the way back flowers grabbed my attention too, white-dead nettle or bee nettle looking like pearls among the greenery and some delicious yellow pineappleweed as well a flower I learnt at Lakeside back in the summer that holds on well and has been one I’ve really enjoyed seeing many times as the year went on.

When nearly back walking back alongside the river the moment of the day came as I spotted one bird of prey in the air and another bird with it I didn’t really get a chance to properly look at the second but believe it was the same species. I was thrilled to find in the binoculars when looking at the first of the birds a second falcon for the day, the magnificent Peregrine. A glorious view of them up against a blue sky, and I have had a really good run for seeing these birds towards the end of the year in a really good year I had for seeing them with so many sightings. Indeed this was the second sunny early Sunday running we enjoyed seeing Peregrines after the brilliant Slimbridge trip last week both in the WWT reserve and on St. John the Evangelist Church on the way.

When home outside the back garden it was nice to notice some green plants springing up where some do some with purple flowers I believe a type of vetch. There was a lovely garden snail on the fence too which I took the eighth picture in this photoset of with my macro lens. I also enjoyed the hebe, fuchsia, yellow flowers one shown in the ninth picture in this photoset and bits of white flowering on the bush which I took the tenth picture in this photoset of as the colourful season in the garden shows signs of fading and I liked seeing the Goldfinches, Starlings, House Sparrows and Collared Doves more when back. The Goldfinches and Starlings in particular it was lovely to see visiting the balcony feeder as many are doing lately whilst I had a relaxed afternoon on the middle level of the house allowing really intimate views. With it dark when I get down here after work and at weekends now it was a novelty seeing out the window from this level for an extended period today. I hope you all have a great new week.

Wildlife Sightings Summary for Lower Test: One of my favourite birds the Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, great views of Carrion Crows, Magpies with some on cow’s backs and around cows which was interesting, Blue Tit, a few Robins, Stonechat, Jack Snipe, Herring Gull, Mallard and Teals really well.

[dietariil-lustrat]

Dibuix: Ocellets.

[boomingbittern52]

A new pair of binoculars and exploring further afield

My new hobby was now firmly established but it was clear that in order to properly see the birds I would need some new binoculars.  The little pair that I had received as a free gift last year were 8x21 great for the garden but not much good when trying to see birds on a lake at some distance.

Not wanting to spend a fortune so soon after Christmas, we settled on a less expensive angled spotting scope (20-60x60 for around £40) and some HD Binoculars - Avalon 10x42 Pro for under £180.  

Armed with the new kit we decided a test run at our local Lake was in order in preparation for my first trip out planned for later that week.  The Lake was full of something new - Red Crested Pochard.  I could not stop looking at them, I loved the big rounded head plumage.  They were swimming around amongst the Tufted ducks, another stunning bird.  This was also the day that I was to see my first Shoveler, swimming in circular movements, head down in the water.  

Swans and Canadian Geese had taken over some of the pathway.  The Canadian Geese grazing on the grass and two of the Swans were showing signs of courtship, facing each other and lifting there heads to communicate.

RSPB The Lodge, Bedfordshire  - we arrived mid morning and after watching a male Chaffinch near the car park area, we set off to explore some of the walks.  We headed into a heathland area but there was not much about.  We did spot a male pheasant with a clear crisp white collar.  Turning back we started out on the Woodpecker trail.  A flock of Redwings flew up from the undergrowth in the wooded area as we walked by, we caught glimpses of brown birds but could not find them in the trees to confirm or see them more clearly.  The highlight for me was the easy views from one of the birds hides, this one positioned opposite their bird feeders.  Members of the Tit family flew busily from tree to feeder and then back again, some grey squirrels were also present. We saw a Jay, spotted over the back field sitting in one of the trees who decided to come closer to take a look.  The Jay flew to the small tree beside the feeders which gave me ample time to get a close look.  The bird eventually did fly down to scoop up some food, not seeming to take much notice of the squirrels.  The surprise last minute sighting was the Red Legged Partridge who was picking over spills from the bird table behind the visitors centre.

The following week we headed to RSPB Otmoor in Oxfordshire.  This was my first time visiting a large reedbed environment.  The landscape was so peaceful with banks of feathery seed heads illuminated in the light of the sun.   I immediately knew I had come to somewhere very special.   We spotted Lapwing almost upon arrival at the first piece of wetland, I marveled at how exotic the birds looked.  We got chatting to a chap who visits regularly and he told us to look out for Marsh Harriers, usually spotted above the Church towards the back of the reserve.  I kept an eye to the sky as we walked up the main pathway and at last caught site of a large bird soaring over the tree line and up into the sky exactly where the local chap had advised.  But too far away for my binoculars.  We moved on and made our way into the `Wetlands Watch` hide.  To one side of the hide was a grass path lined with shrubs which was full of Reed Buntings, Chaffinches and there was at least one Linnet.  They flitted backwards and forwards from path to branch so we had plenty of chance to enjoy them.  Other people had spotted Yellowhammers among them but we were not fortunate enough on that occasion.  

Coming out of the hide we turned our attention back to the wetland side.  It was then that I spotted two large Hawks flying above us.  This time we were close enough to get amazing views and after a quick check of the guide we realised we were looking at two female Marsh Harriers, with cream heads and rich brown bodies.  I was glued to the spot, watching these birds through my binoculars I suddenly felt all emotional, almost moved to tears.  Not sure why these particular birds had this impact on me, I suppose it was the graceful movements and the complete shock that we had been lucky enough to see these wonders.

A noisy flock of Geese flew overhead, they were loud due to the sheer number of birds.  We watched their descent down to the waters ahead and took off in that direction.  On route we watch flocks of Lapwing (possibly mixed in with Golden Plovers) move seemlessly in the sky.  It reminded me of how flocks of Starlings move.  We came to a large expanse of water surround by grass verge and tree line.  There was a huge number of mixed ducks and geese all congregated together in this one place.  We spent the remainder of the visit just enjoying these birds, all busy swimming and feeding together in complete harmony.  There were Eurasian Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Shovelers, Gadwell, Mallard and a pair of Pintail.  Greylag and Candian Geese grazed all around the waters edge.

On our way back to the car park we stopped to look at the bird feeders as there was Pheasants feeding beneath them.  A Sparrowhawk made two flybys whilst we watched so maybe he had been luck enough to catch one of the small birds on a previous occasion.  Back in the car we ate our sandwichs and talked over the highlights of the day.  I’m looking forward to  second visit!

[stumbleimg]

Common reed bunting - bruant des roseaux