Yellow Wagtails

At this time of year the fields below Honer Farm at Pagham attract large numbers of Yellow Wagtails. These birds are always mobile and fairly skittish, not usually allowing close approach. I have tried several stratagems to get closer to the birds with the camera, even sitting in with a herd of cows and trying to look like one of them, but that didn't really work.  Of course the birds use the grazing cattle to flush flies and grasshoppers, so when the herd stops the birds just drift away. You have to be in a moving herd.

Today was slightly different, Martin spotted good numbers of Wags moving with the cattle so we just had to have a look. Martin's initial ploy of trying to attract the herd towards us by waving a large bunch of grass failed so we ducked under the wire and set up shop in the field. It wasn't long before we were surrounded by some very inquisitive young cattle and the birds came with them. I have never been bothered by cattle and the nibbling of shirt sleeves and licking of trouser leg was all very amusing. Unfortunately the close proximity of the cattle also obscured most of the views of the birds so we moved away - of course the cattle followed but at least we could see the birds. Finally, the cattle decided to settle down and chew the cud and the Wagtails moved on. I had previously counted a flock 140 birds here before but today was exceptional - we reckoned at  least 200 birds present.

I have said before that a garden pond is just as entertaining as a bird table. In the early spring we cleaned the pond and removed some of the vegetation, this has paid dividends in increased dragonfly visits. Southern Hawker and Common Darter providing some decent photographic opportunities.