Monday 20 March 2017

Westhay 9/3/17 - G C Grebes, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine

Arrived at Westay at around 07.30 am to very grey skies and misty drizzle. The forecast was for the skies to clear quickly but it took its time to clear. Driving across Tealham Moor to get to Westhay we discovered a new Heronry with at least 6 nests plus at least 30 Little Egrets together in a field.
Our full walk around Westhay started at the Lake Hide then on to the end of London Drove visiting the other hides and screens on the way.  At the end of London Drove we turned right onto the road and then took a right onto Daggs Lane which brought us back onto the reserve.  We paid a visit to Island and Virador Hides but there was nothing to be seen.  The same with the Tower Hide not even a Bittern or Marsh Harrier.  The best part of the day was around lunchtime when we had walked back to the new North hide. We were informed that we had just missed a Grebe Dance, we didn't see the dance but we had some great views of the Great Crested Grebes displaying and nest building.  Two pairs of Marsh Harriers were also seen as well as a Peregrine in hot pursuit of a Snipe, which it failed to catch.
Brilliant to see a Great Egret come in close as well noticing it's lovely breeding plumage and colours.
30 Species seen today with some close encounters and a lovely 6 mile walk around the reserve.

   Marsh Harrier on its usual tree

               


  Little Grebe

                
                    Walking in the air - Little Grebe whizzing across the water 

Canada Goose

               
                    Celandine- herald of Spring

   Violets - always a welcome sight


                
                   One of last years young Mute Swan

   Taking a bath
       
               
                   Head flicking Grebes


               
                
                    Nest building 

   Wow! That's some stick


                
                   Marsh Harrier 


            
               
                   Brilliant to watch the Marsh Harrier in flight over the reeds

   Peregrine 

                

   Peregrine heading off after its miss of a Snipe

               
                   Gadwall, good numbers at Westhay

   Grebe nest, one of two being 'chosen' by this pair of Grebes

               
                   Reaching that itch

   Attending the nest

               



               

   It's going to be some nest! 
                
                
                   Showing off - Grebe display style


          
               



  
               
                   That sinking feeling

    Amazing how the Grebes almost lift out of the water

               

   Showing the wing bars

               
                   Great Egret flying in

   The Egret is landing

               

    Green lores, blackening beak it must be breeding time

               


   Egret disturbing a Snipe almost looks like it's eating it!


               


    More wing bar display from the Great Crested Grebe

               

    Beautiful! 
  
                


   Coltsfoot another early Spring flower

               
                   Black Swan in with some Mute Swans as we were driving home across Tealham        
                   Moor

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