Elmley, on the Isle of Sheppey, can be a marvellous place. Usually the drive from the road to the car park takes me 1-2 hours depending on what is there. Yesterday afternoon, it didn't take me so long, as I didn't see much on the way in. I walked down to the first hide. Almost immediately I saw, distantly, the Bonaparte's gull which promptly moved further away after a few short hops into the air.
A mute swan was nesting near the track.
 |
| Mute swan - female. |
There were plenty of ducks, waders and marsh birds. The avocets were busy mating!
 |
| Avocets |
The marsh harriers terrorised the whole marsh!! Some turnstones walked around the edge.
 |
| Turnstone |
A female wigeon passed by with a large wound on the side of her head. Wonder what happened to her?
 |
| Widgeon - Female - with head injury! |
There were quite a few pochards, especially lone females.
 |
| Pochard - female |
Two common terns circled the Wellmarsh Hide. My first terns for this year. A male pheasant passed very near the path.
 |
| A gorgeous male pheasant |
I started back to the carpark. I was the last to leave. I had nearly reached the exit when an oystercatcher came very close.
 |
| Oystercatcher |
Shortly after that I passed a pair of red-legged partridges literally on the side of the road. I stopped and reversed but they had already gone further away. Anyway, this shot is handheld in poor light just before sunset.
 |
| Red-legged partridge |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Welcome. If you have a Google or Gmail account, use this form to comment on any blog posting. Comments are moderated first so there will be a short delay before they appear.