Sunday 3 April 2022

WW and Marsh Harrier


I photographed this singing Willow Warbler with numb fingers this morning. It was bitterly cold on Orcombe Point, after a clear night and overnight frost. It was my first of the year and, had it been warmer, would have probably performed a bit better. Good to see and hear all the same. Otherwise just a pair of Stonechats, 9 Linnets and a handful of singing Chiffchaffs.
Back home, with both kids at work, Lu and I pottered in the garden. A gold-crowned Marsh Harrier flew upriver at about 1025, before re-orientating and heading high east. Otherwise just 3 Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were scoped from the garden.
A quick look at Blackhill Quarry produced the drake Ring-necked Duck, 2 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Grebes and small numbers of Stonechat and Dartford Warbler. Nearby - 21 drake Mallards on Bystock Pool and at least 63 Fieldfares on the archery club playing fields, along with a single Mistle Thrush.

The Ring-necked Duck remained steadfastly asleep while I was there this morning.


 Female and drake Tufted Ducks - Blackhill Quarry.

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