Page 9 - Out Birding Feb 2025

Pigeon, Teal, Coot. We were hoping to catch sight of the Osprey which had been rec- orded regularly over the past few weeks.
In Geedon Hide, overlooking the rapidly filling river estuary, we iden􏰀fied Curlew, Redshank, Shelduck, Brent Geese, Black-Tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Turn- stone, Great Crested Grebe, Black-headed Gull. The surrounding woodlands were showing some glorious autumn colours counterpoin􏰀ng the grey skies.
From Robbie’s Hide, overlooking the River Colne and the farther bank, we had some fine views of an incoming flock of Avocet, along with Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Pere- grine and Buzzard tracking up and down the river. In addi􏰀on, Cormorant, Lapwing, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Dunnock. The star of Robbie’s Hide was undoubtedly the Kingfisher(s), an electric blue streak dar􏰀ng along the shoreline, close to the hide. At one point we watched the Kingfisher hovering for several seconds, a behaviour none of us could recall seeing. We headed back to the centre for lunch. Warming up with hot drinks, we added Magpie, Goldfinch, Great Spo􏰁ed Woodpecker, Common Gull to the list.
At the Kingfisher Hide, no Kingfishers, but Long-Tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker, Li􏰁le Grebe, Oystercatcher, Knot. The Knot, so jam-packed onto a small island, they appeared as a solid mass of shi􏰂ing shades as they jostled for op􏰀mum posi􏰀on. With the Osprey s􏰀ll evading us we headed to the Margaret Hide.
Most of us were inside the hide in 􏰀me to see a large number of waders put-up off the mud. Jonathon, slightly behind the group, had managed to get a photograph of a raptor flying above the hide which had triggered the erup􏰀on off the inter􏰀dal zone. From the hide we added Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin. Across the rapidly draining mudbanks, we listened to the bird-sounds redolent of marshlands, individual calls of oystercatcher and redshank and the cha􏰁ering of Brent Geese across the river. Later close examina􏰀on of Jonathan’s photo revealed it to be the Osprey that had eluded us all day. Perhaps demonstra􏰀ng how nature keeps happening all around us, whether we are around to see it or not.
With the light fading we headed back to the Centre a􏰂er an excellent day’s birding, a count of 44. Thanks to Mar􏰀n for leadership of the walk and for the company of Joyce, Helen, John, Gavin and Jonathan.
Peter
Hanningfield Reservoir 16/11/2024
Seven of us met up on a mild autumn morning, all feeling op􏰀mis􏰀c for a lovely day's birding. A􏰂er saying our farewells to Liz, who we le􏰂 in the centre enjoying watching the 􏰀ts and squirrels on the feeders, we set off towards the Lyster Hide. The autumn colours in the woods were stunning and as it hadn't rained much for several weeks the leaves were dry and crisp underfoot.
Our first sigh􏰀ng in the Lyster Hide was 4 Goldeneye, two males and two female. Mar􏰀n saw a Red-crested Pochard in the distance. Later we, spo􏰁ed a group of 21
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