Stomping the paths of HQ

I have spent the past few weeks or so, walking around the reserve from Grove Ferry to Stodmarsh and back to see what I could get with the camera. In fact, several opportunities have arisen and the weather has not been too unkind which is always a bonus.

Sunrise from the path between the Marsh hide and the Alder wood at the Stodmarsh end of the reserve.

The view early morning from the Reed bed hide with the Tern raft on the main lake at Stodmarsh.

Cattle Egret's are becoming more frequent and increasing in the size of the flocks with probably around 20 birds on the reserve in amongst the various cow herds grazing on the wet meadows. Standing at a gate using the cows on the other side as a shield, it was possible to get the birds to wander in fairly close with me being hidden by the cattle, but they are very wary.

The Bearded Tit's are starting to gather in the reed beds around the Marsh hide and can be heard pinging away, especially in the early morning sunshine. With the wind on a few occasions recently being near on non existent, the birds take the opportunity to climb the reed mace stems and feed on top, which is a result if you want to watch and photograph these charismatic little reed bed dwellers.

Whilst hidden behind the cows when photographing the Cattle Egrets, a male Marsh Harrier came towards me hunting a dyke at the side of the field. Unaware of my presence he flew over the top of me and very close.

I caught up with a Long-tailed Tit flock on the southern edge of the reserve which a few proved to be very obliging.

A not so dapper looking Garganey has spent a bit of time on the pool in front of the Feast hide, moulting, before his journey back south for the winter.

A few Waders have been seen now the water levels are dropping with Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit all being noted.

Black-tailed Godwit

Finally, there has been a fair bit of Bittern activity around the Feast hide at the Grove Ferry end of the reserve with probably three bird being seen during the time I have been there. Also, a Hobby has been hunting Dragonflies over the pool.

Bittern

Hobby

Hobby Food

Let's hope October will bring something a little exciting to the reserve.