In the far too many years I have been trying to capture wildlife with a camera, close images of a Great Spotted Woodpecker for one reason or another, have largely been an uncommon occurrence. With the invaluable help from my mate Andy, this has now been put right.
Another forecast for a windless morning on the 18th October and this time the weather man got it right. I once again met up with Tim and Andy at Grove Ferry and we had not reached the Feast hide before the familiar pinging of Bearded Tits were heard out in the reed beds. During the morning we came across several groups in various places between the viewing ramp and the Marsh hide. There were quite a few juvenile birds noted which is good news. There were at least a dozen Cattle Egret's as well as a solitary Great Egret seen from the Marsh hide.
A sortie to Grove Ferry meeting Tim and Andy with the intention of getting some Bearded Tit images was dashed as the gentle breeze that was forecasted was in fact quite a gusty blow thus ensuring the Beardies were staying hunkered down low in the reed beds and out of sight. We did hear a few so knew that they were out there sheltering from the wind. The Feast hide at the Grove end was full, as is the norm of late so we carried on to the Marsh hide where we were entertained by about 8 Cattle Egrets that were feeding in close proximity to the hide, moving further out as they followed the grazing cattle. We also saw three Bullfinches along the entrance track but they were not at all interested in posing for photos.
In still and sunny conditions, I returned to the garage pools at Pegwell, hoping for another go at the Black-necked Grebe but it seems it has moved on to pastures (or pools) new. I stopped off at Minnis Bay on the way home where I was entertained by three Bar-tailed Godwits, feeding along the shoreline before being spooked by dogs and moving further round the coast towards Walpole Bay where I saw them again feeding out on the rocks as the tide approached.
A dull and gloomy morning visit to the garage pool at Pegwell on Sunday (6th) where the visiting Black-necked Grebe showed really well, at times, just 20 metres from my vantage point.
A return visit on the afternoon of the 8th (Wednesday) with some nice sunshine and being in the afternoon the sun was now behind me. Although not as close as on my previous visit, I managed a few more images of this smart looking (even in winter attire) Grebe.
After missing the juvenile female Red-Footed Falcon on my visit to Elmley on the 16th September, I returned as it was still being reported, flying and perching around the car parking area of the reserve (19/09/24). This time it was very easily seen and I managed some perched shots (fence and dead tree) as well as some flight shots of this stunning little Falcon as it went about it's business hunting the abundance of dragonflies on the reserve.
Female Red-Footed Falcon (juvenile) on various perches
A quick trip to Grove Ferry with a visit to the Feast hide before walking on to the Marsh hide and returning to the Feast hide on the way back out of the reserve. Frequent light rain showers ensured not much was happening but a Bittern flew across the reed bed to the back of the pool in front of the Feast hide and the two juvenile Great Crested Grebes at the Feast hide now seem to be down to one. A Kingfisher was seen twice, flying low up the channel in front of the hide but not stopping to fish.
A Pectoral Sandpiper was seen from the Well Marsh hide on the Elmley nature reserve and although always distant, I did manage a few shots of this visiting American wader. I also witnessed a Merlin take out a Ringed Plover on one of the Islands, before flying off with the luckless Plover, an amazing feat, given that the Merlin's body weight would not be to dissimilar to the Plovers. A heavily cropped shot to record the event.
An unlucky Ringed Plover being taken out by a Merlin
