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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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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
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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.
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