Cattle Egrets at dawn 17/10 a visit to the levels

The sun was just coming up as we arrived at Ham Wall. As We got out of the car I suddenly glimpsed a group of egrets flying towards us through the early morning light. We immediately new they were the Cattle Egrets so I grabbed my camera for a few shots in the awful light. But wow what a sight as over 20 Egrets flew past us, what a start to the day.

Our path then took us onto Ham Wall reserve, the Avalon Hide and the viewing platforms. Not as many duck species as we thought but they are starting to come in. Bearded Reedlings were heard all over the reserve and we managed to see several along the way. Lucky as well to get some good views of Marsh Harriers, Great Egrets and a Bittern.

The sunny warm day brought out the butterflies, good to see so many Red Admirals around.

Wow! 20+ Cattle Egrets heading our way

        

               

   Egret flypast

    

                

                

 

               

Heading off to the fields for the day

               

                  Sunrise after the Egrets have flown .... 

   Bittern 

               

                

                

                   Great Egret

   Bearded Reedlings

                

                   Beardie

               

                  Red Admiral

               

                   Sulphur Tuft 

Slimbridge 2/11/16 - Pintails, Geese and Cattle Egrets

Once again an early start for Slimbridge and entry through the 'secret gate' at 08:15.  Lovely sunny and bright but as always the wind blowing through the hides!

Still not too many ducks have arrived and no sign of the Bewick's.  However from the Holden Tower we saw Barnacle and White fronted Geese, Little Stint, Black tailed Godwits and good numbers of Wigeon.  In total we saw 59 birds for the day not forgetting the 6 Cattle Egrets in a field in the village of Slimbridge.  All in all a good day, other highlights being Pintail, Redshank, Golden Plover, Lapwings, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Shoveler, Little Egret, Cranes, Kingfisher, Goldcrest, Fieldfare.   

Looking forward to a return visit in a few weeks time.

Canada Geese looking down on Barnacle

             

                Odd one out - Greylag with Canada Geese

   Black tailed Godwit flock

                

                   Distant Peregrine watching the Barnacle Geese

   Blue Tit 

                

                   Great Tit

   Redshank 

               

    Lapwing

                

   Taking a bath

               

                   Teal

   Fluffed up Jackdaw

                

                   Basking Red Admiral in the heat of the Autumn sun

   Pintail coming out of 'eclipse' no pin yet!

                

   Water off a ducks back - Pintail

               

   Female Pintail

               

                   2 of the 6 Cattle Egrets - surprise of the day

               

                   Great to see the Egrets with the cows

               

                 Looking for insects

            

               

                  Awesome to see 6 in one field here in the UK