Church Norton and the West Side

A grand day out. A later start than usual on a fairly cloudy day with strong westerly breezes. First a visit to the Churchyard  at Church Norton in search of the RIng Ouzel again, just in case there was a chance of a photograph. No big lens this time, a portable affair with the 400m f5.6. Of course the usual happened a gorgeous Kestrel sat on a gravestone about forty feet distant posing like mad. Never mind, a decent shot and I set off on my walk to the Visitor Centre feeling fairly happy.

Kestrel

Very few birds in the gorse bushes and not much else happening  out in the harbour at high tide. Just before the Long Pool I was treated to three fly bys from a quartering Short-eared Owl. He/she finally landed out in the harbour after creating havoc among the Teal flocks. Just too far away for any real photos but I managed to mount the 1.4 extender and resting on the wooden bench obtained a couple of records to go with the in flight shots. Not quality but very satisfying to have captured the record.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

In the bramble bushes about 20 Stonechats, very active and accompanied by a pair of Whinchats.  Further on there were several Greenfinches in the gorse. On the path from the sluice to the car park there were hundreds of dragonflies, mainly hawkers, and a host of Red Admirals feeding on the Ivy  flowers. Spotted a very smart Willow Warbler drinking from the pond, Blackcaps moving in the hedge and a large flock of Goldfinches on the move.
The walk back to Church Norton was uneventful, the Stonechats had evaporated and in the strong breeze the smaller birds were deep in cover. Out in the harbour I counted 200+ Brent Geese.  Back in the Churchyard the Ring Ouzel was providing fleeting glimpses but never staying long enough to be photographed. As other birders drifted away I decided to stay until the sun faded and was rewarded at 1645 with clear views. There were two Black Redstarts in the hedgedrow at the back of the church, making forays out on to the gravestones and occasionally a Spotted Flycatcher appeared.

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel