Today I returned to the marsh land we visited yesterday, but I awoke early and arrived just as the sun was rising at 5.45am. I started with a quick walk along the old disused railway that flanks one side of the marsh, to see if I could see the resident Barn Owl. As soon as I set off a Roe Deer shot across the path but I was too slow to get a photograph, and then the Barn Owl swooped on me from behind , so I managed a few quick shots before it left the marsh and headed off away over the fields.
I retraced my steps and headed into the marsh and followed the river, the sun was up and it was bright and cold, and the Shellduck were calling and flying over head. The kept flying low over the river, seemingly looking for the perfect spot and I spent a good 40 mins just watching them swoop and glide.
As I headed round the river the Sand Martins were all flying, in the same spot as yesterday, but today rather than leave the marsh and go onto the beach I followed the river and the further I went, the more Sand Martins and their Bankside nest I saw, there must have been 600 or 700 off them flying low over the river and water and then perching for a rest on the old barb wire fences.
The Whitethroats were still out and there were at least five Grey Herons that I spotted, as well as Skylarks, Warblers and Stonechats. Just as I rejoined the old railway the Barn Owl came out again and I spent the next hour sitting on the line watching it hunt, then it turned tail and flew away across the fields, I assume it was full and was heading home. I took the hint and left for home for breakfast !
As the sun was starting to set and the heat of the day was done, I went out to look for the pair of Hares I had seen earlier in the week and I wasn’t disapointed as I found them almost immediately . They were chasing each other around and seemingly just having fun, they took some creeping up on though and I did manage to get within 30 feet of them just as the sun was setting over the fields.
All in all a perfect wildlife day and I hope the many photos below do it a little justice !
Click the small images to see the larger versions
