Wonderful Warblers

Wonderful Warblers - Baby rabbit in frosty grass
Wonderful Warblers

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, or so the saying goes, well, my plans for today were an early start to attempt to catch sunrise, and be out on the patch before anyone else would be, and hopefully catch a few summer migrants, one in particular found yesterday (when I was having a lazy day).

But then 04:47 arrived and I went back to sleep, the 6 o’clock alarm came and went, and eventually I got up just before 7, helped make lunch for the little lady and then headed out onto the patch in search of wonderful warblers.

Wonderful Warblers

In contrast to Tuesday’s walk, the cold northerly wind was not blowing as I passed the Old Church and headed off into the Ouse Valley Park once again. The sun was shining down, from lightly clouded blue skies, as I made my way through to the Old Lock area, a light frost still clinging to the shadows, and I felt quite war as I strolled.

Old Church in Old Wolverton
Old Church in Old Wolverton

 

Ouse Valley Park
Ouse Valley Park

 

One of my favourite spots on the patch, not for the birds or wildlife, I just love the view
One of my favourite spots on the patch, not for the birds or wildlife, I just love the view

Grasshopper Warbler

My main aim of the day required me to get to the millennium bridge, so rather than follow my usual path through the nature reserve, I headed straight along the river path, the sounds of Sedge and Reed Warblers accompanying my quick tread.

Arriving by the bridge, the loud song of a Sedge Warbler burst through the bushes beside me, while Chiffchaff and Willow warbler could be heard across the river, and then faintly, as my ears adjusted to pick out the sound, a Grasshopper Warbler could be made out, the constant reeling noise, like a bicycle free wheeling, became clearer. Singing somewhere deep inside a bush, most likely, hidden in an area that non camp site users are not able to access  this small brown/grey warbler has an awesome song, that can carry some distance.

I took a chance and crossed the river, and headed up the footpath that follows the railway line, on the off chance that I could locate the “gropper” sadly once over the river I could no longer make out the monotonous tones, as I walked though other sounds became clear, the delightful singing of several Skylarks, high above the surrounding fields; the loud chacking and scratchy singing of Blackcaps, the warbling sound of Common Whitethroats; and the gentle twittering of a pair of Linnet, the male’s striking pink colouration standing out beautifully; And then a chunky warbler darted passed me into the bushes.

A subtle coloured, Garden Warbler, popped up again, and burst into song, these striking large warblers, may not be as obvious as others, but there is beauty in their blandness.

Garden Warbler
Garden Warbler

New Workings

After having another listen for the Grasshopper Warbler, but struggling to pick it out over the sounds of passing trains, helicopters and the constantly singing Skylark and Sedge warbler, I headed off along the river once more, deciding to pay a visit to the new workings beyond the Viaduct.

As I walked the wind began to pick up a little and the chill it brought with it began to seep into my hands, exposed while carrying my camera.

Over the new workings a pair of Little Ringed Plover chased each other high above the deep waters, accompanying a small flock of Sand Martins and House Martins. A Kestrel swooped in close to me, then briefly hovered above the scrubby grass before being harried off by a passing Carrion Crow.

Kestrel Banking
Kestrel Banking

 

Lamb 100
Lamb 100

Back to the Floodplain Forest

Heading back through the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve, there was little of note on the Stilt pits, a lone Common Sandpiper and a single Redshank the only birds worth mentioning, and with more work installing fences for the forthcoming horses, the pits between the hides, were even more bleak, fortunately at the farm a pair of Little Ringed Plover put on a great show for me, coming really close to my position in the hide.

I may have got a little carried away with the photography if I’m honest, so I’ll only post a few here now, the rest will be at the end.

Little Ringed Plover by Rocks
Little Ringed Plover by Rocks

 

Rule of Thirds - Little Ringed Plover
Rule of Thirds – Little Ringed Plover

 

Side on of LRP
Side on of LRP

Silhouettes

Moving on to the Aqueduct hide I had barely entered when the loud “cronking” of a Raven could be heard overhead, dashing out of the hide I was privileged to watch as the large corvid was harassed as it tried to fly through, by a carrion crow, it was amazing to see how much the larger raven dwarfed its cousin.

Raven Silhouette
Raven Silhouette

 

Raven Silhouette in action
Raven Silhouette in action

Sat beside the Aqueduct I had the opportunity to watch a Chiffchaff high in the branches singing its heart out trying to attract a mate. The bird stayed perched for quite a while, back-lit by the bright white clouds that had now enveloped the skies it made a great picture.

Chiffchaff Silhouette
Chiffchaff Silhouette

The greying skies now began to shed their excess water and large drops of rain speckled my jacket, so I headed off home once more, pleased with the wonderful warblers.

Other Photos

LRP
LRP

 

Wading the pools - Little Ringed Plover
Wading the pools

 

Another Little Ringed Plover photo
Another Little Ringed Plover photo

 

The 2nd of the two Little Ringed Plover
The 2nd of the two Little Ringed Plover

 

peering in the water - Little Ringed Plover
peering in the water

 

Little Ringed Plover bathing
Little Ringed Plover bathing

 

Shaking off the excess water - Little Ringed Plover
Shaking off the excess water

 

Lapwing
Lapwing

 

Mute Swan
Mute Swan

 

Mute swan throwing back its head
Mute swan throwing back its head
Robin
Robin
Goldfinch
Goldfinch

 

Song Thrush
Song Thrush

 

Red Campion
Red Campion

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