The Hidden Prowler

Green Sandpiper 

Little-ringed Plovers

As i sat hidden amongst the long grass just below the seawall watching a few waders on the flood water. A slight movement from behind the group of Pied Wagtails caught my eye. A Stout was prowling throw the grass. Edging his way closer to the group of unexpected birds. But it's mission was a failure as soon as it broke from its cover and the Wagtails just flitted further along the muddy margins. An unexpected treat to my regular Monday visit to the ranges.
 

Not to Ruff

 

A misty Monday morning wasn't what one had hoped for. But as i headed to the point a very obliging Short-eared Owl was very busy quartering the marsh looking for food. This rather smart Owl kept me company for most of my visit during the day. On the flood water a Green Sandpiper, Three Ruff  and a single little ringed Plover were busy feeding in the margins. Whilst two Great white Egrets patrolled the fields nearby.

Busy Marsh.

After signing the visitor log my first sighting of the day was a group of 18 Whimbrel feeding around the sand butts & pistol range. Being overcast getting any decent photos was out of the question so a few record shots were snapped. By the time I had made my way to the point the sun was just starting to show and the tide was rising fast. Next was a low fast flying Cuckoo my first sighting of the year. Unfortunately he didn't stop for a photo but a nice sighting never the less. The Marsh harriers were all busy around the reed beds giving me some nice photo opportunities. A couple of newly arrived Reed warblers could also be heard singing amongst the reeds. On my way back I decided to give the Little ringed Plovers another try as I hadn't been able to find them earlier in the morning. And how pleased I was to see them still in the same area as my previous visit. And with the sun now behind me it seamed a good time to try and get a few better photos without having to disturb them. So in all another pleasing visit to my patch. Roll on May and my next visit. Till then please stay safe peeps. 

Spring has Sprung.

This was my first visit to the ranges for the month of April. The summer migrants have started arriving. Whitethroats, Wheatears, Sedge & Reed Warblers to name but a few were seen and heard during my walk. But my favorites of the day was The Cuckoo and Little-Ringed Plover. And how pleasing to see some Avocets.

Windy ringed plover.

Being on the layer breton causeway Abberton, with poor light and in windy conditions, isn't ideal weather to photograph in. This Little ringed Plover was the highlight of the day for me and my first for this years list.

Little or Ringed

Not the best of Photo's but you can see the eye ring on the little ringed plover (top). Both pictures again are from the island