Sunday 28 October 2012

Harrier x 2!

After a week of dark and misty mornings which produced a couple of CHIFFCHAFF and another flyover BRAMBLING, I was pleasantly surprised how bright it was this morning, a quick look at the patch was definitely in order.
When I arrived Stephens car was already there not surprisingly as it was probably gone 8.30am, very late for me. I spent sometime in the car park and looking over a field checking a flock of 50+ Gulls. REDWINGS were going over a BRAMBLING called and about 6 BULLFINCH kept away from the camera without too much trouble. I was glad I had text Stephen to let him know I was there as after 20 minutes or so he called to let me know he had just flushed a male HEN HARRIER (103) from the clover field!! Despite still struggling a bit with the back, I think adrenaline helped me down to the field where it had gone to ground in. On the way down I noted a couple of SWALLOWS before finding the bird on the ground in the stubble. We watched the bird briefly before it headed south into an adjoining field giving chase to some of the local finches and bunting, eventually it disappeared towards the lake, while we were watching this, Stephen picked up another bird just above Roundshill Wood, MARSH HARRIER, this headed off over the wood.  Two Harriers pretty much at the same time was great for the local patch, I did get a couple of photos but they are a bit ropey I'm afraid!!




Poor shots but a very pleasing sight!!


After the excitement a WEASEL posed just long enough for a picture and a good supporting cast of birds were noted this included, FIELDFARE (90), REDWING (40), SISKIN (5), REDPOLL (6), COMMON BUZZARD, JAY (4+), plus good numbers of REED BUNTING, YELLOWHAMMER, LINNET and SKYLARK.

Weasel

While I've struggled to get far on my walks the warden and his team have been busy building a hide to overlook the new pond, with the promise of a feeding station and some planting, it will be very interesting to see what we get.


20 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Wow! Two Harriers! Some morning that was Alan :-)

Millhouse Photography said...

A very rare sight (sadly) Alan. HH really struggling to breed in UK this year.

Neil Burt said...

Male Hen Harriers are cracking birds - and on your local patch!!!

Ploddingbirder said...

Male Hen Harriers are always a treat Alan.

ShySongbird said...

Well done on the Hen and Marsh Harriers Alan! Nice photos of the Weasel too.

It looks like that hide could become a good place to spend time eventually.

Maria said...

The weasel looks so curious and interesting!

Marc Heath said...

Poor shots they are not but a very valuable photo no doubt fo the patch, nice one Alan.

Adam said...

What a cracking day - very jealous ;-)

Mike H said...

Well done on a Male HH Alan a great one for the patch. Some nice shots as well for the record. The hide looks good and I am sure it will only be a matter of time before the pond is full.!

Tammy said...

The Harriers are very pleasing sights indeed! That weasel is a cute little creature!

Greenie said...

Alan ,
Two Harriers and a Weasel , a great return for your efforts .
Well done getting shots too .

Jason K said...

Nice one Alan...What a great day! Two Harriers! ( a bit greedy having both in one day lol)

I have only ever recorded Hen Harrier once at Shenstone and it was a Ringtail but the thrill of seeing one on your patch is just amazing!

Phil said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Phil said...

Fantastic Alan. I dream of finding Hen Harrier at New Hythe. A weasel would be great too!

Findlay Wilde said...

Thoes harriers look amazing with their back tipped wings. From Findlay

Helma said...

Very poor or not, you have at least a few pictures to make. Is also not easy though.

Sincerely, Helma

Rachel J said...

Oooh lucky you! The best I can offer is a marsh tit in my paltry 20 minute lunch break today. Somedays it feels like my feet are nailed to the floor six hours of every day :(

Friend of HK said...

What a productive morning!

Ornitocampero.blogspot.com.es said...

well done with the weasel and harrier, you keep one eye in the sky and the other on the ground!
Saludos from Pamplona!.

Anonymous said...

Whereabouts is the new hide?