Friday, 14th February: A cold, grey and cloudy start, but some sunshine breaking through later. Remaining dry throughout, but feeling very chilly with the wind having shifted to the SE and increased to force 5-6.
Bilsham farm: On the reservoir this morning were a single Egyptian Goose, 17 Tufted Ducks, a Shoveler, three Teal, and two Little Grebes. Then a herd of about 30 Mute Swans flew generally west over the adjacent fields, before half a dozen of this flock broke away from the main group and settled on the reservoir. One pair of the small group then began a courting and mating display, before the small group also flew off west. Amongst a flock of the regular gulls there was also a Lesser Black-backed Gull.
On Bilsham reservoir this morning (from the top) were: Egyptian Goose, Tufted Duck, Lesser Black-backed Gull (photo doesn't really show its nicely yellow legs), Little Grebe and courting Mute Swans.
Ancton: A brief visit to check the damp fields off Ancton Lane produced the feeding flock of Curlews, together with two Little Egrets. The trouble was, my viewpoint in the Lane was not good, being hampered by the thick hedge, but also a herd of cattle which were up close to the road and so consistently blocking my view! I estimate there were about ten Curlews, but trying to photo them was difficult and I only got three of the group!
Curlews at Ancton Lane; one partly obscured by a cow's rear end!
Thursday, 13th February: Yet another day of grey skies and just a few hints of brightness later, with a light to moderate NE breeze force 3-4, though remaining dry.
Elmer Rocks: After the recent influx of divers, today it was a return to quiet conditions again, without a single diver seen, although there were 15 Red-breasted Mergansers, four Great Crested Grebes and two Gannets offshore, whilst a Seal appeared fairly close in. A flock of 13 Oystercatchers flew in to join two individuals on the rocks and three Sanderlings were on the beach as the tide rose, but otherwise there was little else of note.
(above) This flock of 13 Oystercatchers flew in to join two others on the rock islands, whilst (below) a Seal popped up briefly inside the islands and I managed to capture this image showing it to be a Common (Harbour) Seal - not the expected Grey Seal.
Ancton area: A small flock of a dozen or so Curlews has been visiting the damp fields off Ancton Lane in order to feed over several days (with thanks to D. Bole), whilst two Buzzards were around and a couple of Long-tailed Tits were prospecting a hedgerow, but otherwise it was just regular/common species.
Buzzard at Ancton
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