Saturday 10th: What a gorgeous sunny and warm day! Sandra, joined me for an afternoon of roaming our local Patch. And what should we encounter just five minutes after walking through the reception area....KINGFISHERS! Two to be exact. We were crossing the little footbridge over the stream (Mother Drain) that bisects the Reserve in half and I noticed a shimmering blue streak fly low level down the length of the stream and under the footbridge! Well, immediately we stopped and stood on the bridge for the next hour enjoying the views of one Kingfisher flying up and down the stream just inches from the surface, while presumably the other stayed with the nest. I set up the scope on the tripod and obtained some stunning views of both birds. It appeared that the male was catching fish and on one occasion as witnessed through the scope by Sandra, feeding the female. Well Sandra was delighted at this sight as she was saying beforehand that it would make the day if she saw a kingfisher. Well here's two! As we had the scope set up, we attracted a small gathering as people would stop and join us in watching these brilliant birds. One or two even had a look through the scope at the Kingfisher pair! Unfortunately I didn't get any decent images of this event other than the silhouette of a Kingfisher (below), as watching was a joy in itself! As Sandra said afterwards, "this was well worth the visit alone!"
Well, we proceeded with the walk around the Reserve for the next five hours! After the Kingfisher pair, there was nothing that could top that! We encountered a variety of Warblers on our amble, mostly spotted by Sandra! A Chiffchaff, Blackcap (though I can't remember whether it was male or female), a stunning view of a Wood Warbler and at least two Willow Warblers! Robins and Wrens were singing constantly along with the occasional Dunnock. Sandra had a running test of wits with two or three Peacock Butterflies, as she tried to photograph them! A fine view of a Grey Heron (top), at Loversall Hide with Teal, Gadwall and Mallards. At Willow Pool Hide we encountered some Chaffinches and Reed Buntings. A Grey Squirrel climbed one of the bird tables as shown below and proceeded to eat the Sunflower seed.
A pair of Canada Geese, one of which was ringed as can be seen by the photo, gave a show of grooming themselves at Willow Pool. Unfortunately the detail on the ring can't be seen which is a shame as it would be interesting to know where it was ringed. We continued the walk around to Huxter Well and Piper Marsh where we encountered quite a few Sand Martins - not House Martins as I originally said.
And finally as we were on the way out, at Old Eaa Marsh amongst all the BHG's was a lone Canada Goose sitting on a mountain of a nest as can be seen below! It was rapidly getting to Sunset and the mosquitoes were beginning to dine on us, time to leave.
