short eared owl - Thorpe Marshes

short eared owl - Thorpe Marshes

Monday 12 September 2011

Worth the wait!

 I set off yesterday to Titchwell in hope of a little gem of a bird ,knowing that i would not be alone but when i arrived at the car park  & counted 40 something cars i new this was gonna turn into a packed crowd, especially when the clock showed 7.10 am !
 I made my way up the path to see a crowd of birders along the bank looking down into the reed pool.Yorkie had been there since 5.45am and had missed the only glimpse, that of a quick Little Bittern flying low across the pool. Me and Yorkie started to catch up and watch the crowd increase.After a few flying Little Egrets and a Curlew , one of the wardens had just been told of the Cattle Egret flying.Immediatley all eyes to the sky(well actually some stayed hooked on the pool thankfully) and there it was flying from the new hide towards the direction of the car park.A new bird for me. Not long after this a Peregrine came over and soon was harrassed off by a Lapwing . It was around 10 am that we heard a yell of "got it!". The Little Bittern (240)was sitting on the edge of the reeds and was there for a few minutes showing well.I had it in my bins but then lost it as coats, elbows and heads got in my view!I was then kindly asked if i wanted to look through a birders scope which had a fantastic view of its striking streaks and bright bill.After thanking him, i relocated my scope and jacket among the masses. As i did i saw Jim and Debs heading up the path.They didnt wait long before they too got great views of this super Bittern. Me & Yorkie decided to see what was to be had at the Brackish Marsh and Island hide. We had a Grey Wagtail and a Juvenile Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipits, 2x Pintails,1x Spotted Redshank ,Avocet , Common Sandpiper,Dunlin, & Ruff.
 We decided to head back to the car park and as we did the Little Bittern had just come out in the open again and was giving great views.Couldnt have got any better views then this-magic! A super mornings work.
 Happy Birding,
  Shaky

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