The best of 2023

Elmley Nature Reserve on Sheppey

Elmley a private reserve, previously run by the RSPB. The unique offereing is the long drive up to the car park, where you can use your car as a mobile hide. Once at the car park, you head off on foot either to the hides (the nearest is 1.25miles) or down to the reed bed at the Brickfields.  The star attractions are SEOs in the winter although you may be lucky enough to glimpse a Little Owl, Bittern, Bearded Reedlings or a even LEO.

Short eared Owls at Elmley






Bearded Reedlings at Elmley




Long eared Owl at Elmley


                                            Little Owl at Elmley




Waxwings at King's Hill

It has been a great winter for Waxings in the UK. Eventually a few made it to Kent and they stayed long enough at King's Hill near Maidstone to be considered a regular fixture.



Osprey at Hothfield
Osprey was spotted at a private fishing lake near Hothfield, only about 11 miles from our house.  Thanks to Birdguides, we were the first to the location, after the patch birder who spotted the bird.  It was an unringed juvenile, so presumably will not be back to the UK in 2024.






Bird photography at a falconry centre
My wife was kind enough to give me a gift of a photography session at Bird on the Hand, near Church Langton. While not exactly birding, it is bird photography and that, I think, is how I would describe this retirement hobby of mine.










Miscellany

First successful Avocet breeding at Black Hole Marsh, Seaton

 Migrant Bewick's Swans at Slimbridge

Black Wing Stilts at Seaton and Slimbridge



Cuckoo by the river Stour

White tailed Eagles at Poole Harbour



 Purple Heron at Whelford Pools

Grey Phalarope on the lower Otter

Kingfisher at Stodmarsh


Black Stork on Sheppey

Sand martins breeding for the first time in the Seaton boxes


Goldcrests at Branscombe


Kestrel on Sheppey

 

Wheatear at Elmley

 
Spoonbills at Oare


In-situ shots

Skylark


Sedge Warbler


SEO


Grey Heron

Yellow Wagtail



Whinchat












































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