Friday 2nd December 2016

December already............

Its hard to believe that it's already December and 2016 is drawing to a close.

The weather has generally, been, quite benign and the recent run of cold frosty days has made for pleasant times in the countryside.

I thought I would try a ringing session just before sunset as today looks like being the last of the "windless" days for a while. My aim was to capture Pied Wagtails, there has been a decent sized roost in the reed-beds.. but not tonight... just two were caught along with a Blue Tit, still three birds for 20 minutes work not bad.

Wagtail, Pied or White?

I noticed a small "murmuration" of Starlings in the distance and thought they may be on their way to the roost at Ashpits LNR, they were not so I scrambled to get the net down before the now growing flock descended into the reeds.

There's a Hen Harrier somewhere?

In the end there was a sizeable flock of c3500 birds in the reeds when suddenly they all flew towards the water treatment plant, followed closely by the male Hen Harrier.

It was getting very dark when the birds returned to the reeds, the sound of their wings,

then their chattering must be one of natures spectacles

The harrier decided better of his chances and carried on across the reserve finally going down to roost.

A flock of c400 Jackdaws built up over the reserve before heading off towards Pembrey Forest.

This is the first evening I have seen the Starling roost, they may just be "mobile" birds with no fixed abode, or they may use the reserve for a while, worth getting out about an hour before sunset to see.