With a shining sun and a light breeze I headed out for Bossenden woods and Oare,for once Bossenden was birder free and I soon found treecreeper,nuthatch,great spot and green woodpecker,at last a high pitched drumming alerted me to the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker quite close by,he then flew up and further away,but I managed a few record shots.
MALE LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER- red on the crown of male birds,females black crown.
The smallest of the woodpeckers about the size of a great tit.
GREAT TIT
NUTHATCH
COAL TIT
From here I made the short journey to Oare,where there were plenty of ducks on the half frozen pools and many waders enjoying the ebbing tide.
LITTLE EGRET-no wonder they were popular as fashion accessories look at those plumes.
AVOCETS -A healthy population here.
SHELDRAKE -note the shield on the bill.
MUD MUD GLORIOUS MUD
GREY PLOVER
REDSHANK -
PINTAIL
SHOVELLER
TEAL
At about half three with the sun lowering in the west this little beauty appeared-
BARN OWL =HOVERING OVER A VOLE
GOING IN FOR THE KILL
BARN OWL - WITH VOLE CAUGHT AND EATEN.
A PERFECT END TO A GOOD DAYS BIRDING.
Another good days birding Phil with some great shots. You did well to find and smudge the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Barn Owl.
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