Thursday 14 November 2019

An Early Winter Visit to Wallasea Island

3rd November 2019

It's that time of year again when we are waiting for the Short-eared Owls to arrive. There were three present at Wallasea Island late afternoon on the 31st October, so time for a recce visit on a beautiful calm and sunny day.There were a few passerines around although, apart from a flock of 50 Linnets, no large numbers. This male Reed Bunting was feeding on the dead heads of some Sea Aster. Also next to the track was a pair of Stonechats








There were several sightings of Marsh Harriers, although all distant, and a lone ringtail Hen Harrier hunting along the River Roach seawall in the south-west corner of the reserve. There was also a pair of Common Buzzards present which, despite all the posts and fences around the reserve, insisted on fighting over one particular perch.




There must have been at least five Kestrels present with one hovering next to us and for once the right wind and sun direction. Doesn't happen very often.








So what about the Short-eared Owls? Well, there had been no sightings on the reserve during the day but at 2.30pm two birds flew in high calling from the North and proceeded to lose height until at ground level. Unfortunately, they were never seen again until we left which was well after dusk.

But today the star of the show was this lone Corn Bunting which stayed enjoying the sun while we circled it to get the sun behind us. Why can't all birds be this cooperative?












Well, another superb visit to this amazing reserve and I am sure we will be back once the Shorties have built up in numbers.








No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.