"Blowing in the Wind"

 My first shift of the year in reception at Blacktoft. I arrived at 0745 just as it was getting light. The wind was very strong but at least it was fine. No sign of a barn owl.

The marsh harriers were very active and as they hunted over the lagoons birds flew away. This was not always easy in the strong gusts of wind, and many of the birds tried to find shelter at the bottom of the reeds or on the sheltered side of the islands. The harriers appeared to enjoy the wind as it allowed them to almost hover over the reedbeds as they looked for food.

sorry that the pictures are not pin sharp, but I took them from inside the reception hide. A pair of mute swans had chased other mutes away from Singleton, are they starting to establish territory?

The weather before lunch was ok, windy but dry and sunny. This deer came to feed in front of the reception hide.

After lunch the weather deteriorated

hail, sleet, snow and heavy rain showers. There was no sign of any birds during this time. In between the showers the marsh harriers were active and there was a constant stream of lapwing, golden plover and dunlin flying west, towards the grazing marsh. This moorhen was feeding in the ditch in front of reception.

After reception closed at 4pm I walked to several hides to check that the windows were not open as the rain would wet the seats. Singleton was the last hide I went into about 1630, and joined three other birders. The marsh harriers were enjoying the gusts of wind and at one time there were 10 birds in the sky at the same time. There was some interaction between some of the harriers.

Not a brilliant photo, but it was nearly 5pm! It was then a question of where to look. Watch the marsh harriers display, keep an eye out for a hen harrier, observe the hundreds of starlings that were flying towards the Trent or watch the otter!

Apologies for the pictures but the light was bad. No hen harrier came into roost this evening. Which is not surprising as there are few reports of hen harrier sightings. only reports of them been found dead, shot near grouse moors.

 I have used Blowing in the wind as the title of thios post as it not only reflects the agility of the marsh harriers but also asks how many times do we have hear about gamekeepers killing birds of prey.

How does the song Blowin in the wind go? The answer is blowing in the wind, or is the John Denver song more fitting

"And you say that the battle is over

And you say that the war is all done

Go tell it those with the wind in their nose

Who run from the sound of a gun"