Up with the lark - literately - at 5am for the BTO Nightingale survey. Unfortunately I had no success in finding any in East Malling/Ditton but I managed a good number of Whitethroats, Blackcaps (including females) and Chiffchaffs in Ditton Quarry and the watercress beds in East Malling. A Cuckoo called clearly from the Broadwater Orchards, East Malling (which are in full blossom, see photo above).
Checking the paddocks in East Malling I relocated the male Ring Ouzel (+arrow), with a Wheatear to boot.
The Ouzel was flighty, spending prolonged periods in a tree, and was sporadic in putting in its appearances, but good to see it was still around. A male Sparrowhawk dipped out on a Sparrow breakfast, and a Little Owl huddled in its favourite tree. 4x Swallows skimmed the paddock sward, and a couple of Skylarks exalted over the neighbouring fields. I thought I had a brief glimpse of a second Ouzel, but it was only a couple of seconds glance. However, while I was taking a picture of the Ouzel a bird dropped down beside it, I fired off three shots, looked up and both birds had gone - completely disappeared. The second Ouzel or a posturing Blackbird? Decide for yourself from the, erhmmm, photos below!
7 comments:
Adam ,
Good to see that the arrows and punctuation marks are still part of your photographic portfolio .
Well done with the Ring Ousel(s) .
Will leave the decision to the experts .ncesb ardscree
I dont want to leave the 'fence' either way on the second Rouzel Adam, bloody good record either way though.
Myself and Eddie tried to locate the Ring Ousel this morning Adam, no joy though. Carol and I are moving to your neck of the woods soon by the way. Currently buying a house in West Farleigh, will watch out for you along the river!
The famous arrow shots, love them. A good bird to no doubt get on the patch.
Great to have the Ring ouzel and Wheatear great bieds to get locally :-)
Hi Adam, it's quite funny actually. I took my daughter to a scouts allotment by the Nursery at Bradbourne house last week and on the way out I stopped to scan a field saying to my wife something like "I am pretty sure Adam saw a Ring Ouzel around here last year"....there wasn't one there at that time though!
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