Sunday 27th November 2016

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Getting colder....


This morning saw the first real ice on the reserve this morning, not enough to skate on of course but enough to freeze the puddles on the tracks and the marsh.

There were few signs of wildlife this morning but with a bit of effort some choice birds were seen.

Jack Snipe (1), Common Snipe (17), Water Rail (3), the three Water Rails were all within a few metres of each other which is so unusual for such a territorial bird.


I was hoping that the male Hen Harrier would still be around and sure enough it was hunting the dunes and marsh, eventually making a kill in the inlet, (which I think is actually called - Swan Pool Drain - on old maps).


A map from 1831
This afternoon I bumped into Veronica and Chris, they had good views of the Hen Harrier again as well as a Sparrowhawk, I saw the bird very well after I left Veronica and Chris, it's a big female, it could well be the same bird that has been seen off and on for almost a year.


A distant shot but gives an idea of the size of the bird



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