A Summer Visit to Titchwell Marsh

16th June 2018

Probably not the best time of year to visit Titchwell, but when you are in the area it would be rude not to. As I was leaving the visitor centre I could here a Blackcap chacking in the ditch to my left so stopped to see if it was going to appear. It didn't, but the reason for the alarm call became apparent as a Jay emerged form the undergrowth, in my experience a fairly scarce bird on the reserve.

Along the trail were the usual suspects including this rather fine Black-headed Gull which spent most of its time looking at its reflection in the water, and the Shelduck sifting the mud. Aren't you glad you don't have to get dinner this way?

Still quite a few Avocets around, but not many chicks as apparently they had a very poor breeding season. Still a joy to see.

Not too many waders on the reserve at this time of year and one of the few that came close enough for a photo was this rather confiding Little Ringed Plover. Notice the golden eye-ring.

There were the usual Greylag and Canada Geese present, but a total surprise was this Pink-footed Goose which by now should be in Greenland or Iceland. There was a second bird present which appeared to have a damaged wing, but this individual showed no sign of injury so perhaps was just enjoying our warmer summer.

I had seen a rather smart Spotted Redshank in full summer plumage but it was staying on the far side of the freshmarsh. However, it suddenly took to the air and flew to within just 50 yards from where I was standing and posed for a few photos before flying off again.

For the stars of the show award, second place was awarded to the dozen or so Little Gulls which mostly kept just tantalizingly out of range, but on a few occasions did come close enough for a few shots.

But today 1st place goes to the Tawny Owls which were sitting up high in the trees above the track from the car park to the visitor centre. The first photo is the juvenile bird which at this stage is no more than a fluff-ball with wings. Unfortunately, it remained huddled up and obscured all the time.

Luckily the adult was more cooperative considering I was photographing almost vertically, and is the first Tawny Owl I have ever photographed.

Red-letter Day!!!!