An indecently early trip down to Inner Marsh Farm this morning produced a good crop of waders, plus a few raptors.
Immediately obvious on arrival were the large numbers of Lapwing roosting on the causeway; less conspicuous was a small group of waders feeding at the back of number one pool that included a handful each of Dunlin, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and a single Spotted Redshank.
Not too long until the breeding season now, but unlike many of the Black-headed Gulls replete with new brown caps, none of the shorebirds showed any sign of moulting.
A ringtail Hen Harrier was next of the agenda, and after quartering the edge of number two pool for ten minutes it obligingly flew right in front of the hide, whilst on the wet meadow a male Peregrine perched on a clod of earth cast ran the rule over potential prey items.
No sign of the Bittern this morning, although as I write this I notice much to my chagrin that it was reported just after lunchtime! Like the over-wintering Marsh Harrier, this bird seems intent on giving me the run around this winter!
Lots of activity near the mere on the new reserve today, with quite a few blokes involved in netting the remaining fish from the drained pool. With good sized carp fetching a king’s ransom, it is hardly surprising that they are keen to retrieve every single one.
I also understand that our Polish friend’s penchant for eating carp has led to many of the fish being poached nationwide. I can’t think why – as somebody recently told me, there is only one way to prepare carp: cook between two pieces of wood, then remove the carp, throw it away and eat the wood.
Inner Marsh Farm 28.02.10
2,500 Lapwing
6 Ruff
1 Spotted Redshank
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail)
1 Peregrine (male)
1 Sparrowhawk
Until later.
Immediately obvious on arrival were the large numbers of Lapwing roosting on the causeway; less conspicuous was a small group of waders feeding at the back of number one pool that included a handful each of Dunlin, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and a single Spotted Redshank.
Not too long until the breeding season now, but unlike many of the Black-headed Gulls replete with new brown caps, none of the shorebirds showed any sign of moulting.
A ringtail Hen Harrier was next of the agenda, and after quartering the edge of number two pool for ten minutes it obligingly flew right in front of the hide, whilst on the wet meadow a male Peregrine perched on a clod of earth cast ran the rule over potential prey items.
No sign of the Bittern this morning, although as I write this I notice much to my chagrin that it was reported just after lunchtime! Like the over-wintering Marsh Harrier, this bird seems intent on giving me the run around this winter!
Lots of activity near the mere on the new reserve today, with quite a few blokes involved in netting the remaining fish from the drained pool. With good sized carp fetching a king’s ransom, it is hardly surprising that they are keen to retrieve every single one.
I also understand that our Polish friend’s penchant for eating carp has led to many of the fish being poached nationwide. I can’t think why – as somebody recently told me, there is only one way to prepare carp: cook between two pieces of wood, then remove the carp, throw it away and eat the wood.
Inner Marsh Farm 28.02.10
2,500 Lapwing
6 Ruff
1 Spotted Redshank
1 Hen Harrier (ringtail)
1 Peregrine (male)
1 Sparrowhawk
Until later.
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