A Trip To Elmley Part 1 - The Entrance Track

15th December 2024

Time for a visit to Elmley for the Short-eared Owls but first a slow trip up the entrance track looking for anything that puts in an appearance. Often get a distant Buzzard sitting on a post or tree along here and today was no exception, although this was a lovely pale individual.

Also a few distant Marsh Harriers, but only this female came close enough for a shot.

Apart from the usual Lapwings the only waders present were a handful of Curlews.

Also saw my first Brown Hare here for a while, and luckily it was used to cars and sat feeding quite close.

The Lapwings are now looking resplendent and can always be relied on to wander around just outside the car providing some great opportunities.

And on the way out I managed to get a shot in the golden hour.

A nice surprise today was a pair of Stonechats by Gate 2 and although the female kept away, the male did venture close at one point for just one shot.

But the star of the show today was the tame female Kestrel which picked us up at the entrance and followed us along the track so it could pose on different posts. Just how good is that?

She even dropped down for a snack at one point.

Wow, what a good start and now on to the reserve and hopefully some Short-eared Owls.

WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!