Marsh harriers at RSPB Blacktoft Sands.

 

This was the view I had at 0945 this morning from Ousefleet hide. I met Gareth the warden on the main part of the reserve and after a catch up I walked down to this hide. Shelduck. lapwing, dunlin and shovelers were on the lagoon. A marsh harrier flew over and disturbed them all. 

I could hear a water rail from the lagoon on my right and eventually it appeared from the reeds. I was waiting for it to walk clear of the reeds before taking a photo when it flew.

On my way back to the main part of the reserve, I disturbed fieldfares, which were feeding on the berries on the long hedge.

Marshland lagoon was full of water but empty of birds so I walked to the next hide, Reedling.

More birds on this lagoon. A single female goldeneye

Pochard, wigeon, mallard and snipe.

First hide was the next hide I visited, where a single little grebe had the lagoon to itself.

Townend hide was my next stop and I had just arrived when the rain started again. A marsh harrier was busy hunting along the edge of the reedbed. A male pheasant walked in front of the hide.

I arrived at Singleton hide just as the sun started to shine again. A grey heron was standing to the left of the hide.

I had hoped to see a ringtail hen harrier but no luck. Marsh harriers were very active.

As I walked back to my car, I saw a barn owl hunting along the flood bank, and lots of fieldfares were in the trees next to the flower meadow.