Monday, 2 February 2015

A GRAND DAY OUT

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.

1 comment:

  1. 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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