Saturday 4 February 2012

Sheppey Again

It was a pretty hectic morning for everyone. My wife was very busy getting us ready for our expedition; (among many other things) creating an amazing packed lunch, filling 3 flasks (soup, coffee & hot water) and making sure we had plenty of blankets, gloves, scarves etc. Two of our fantastic carers came to get Thomas up and ready. My daughter was making last minute touches to her packing (off to Paris for her French exchange week) and I was watching the cricket on TV.

Sheppey, as expected, was very cold and most areas of fresh water were completely frozen over. But even though this diminished the variety of wildfowl on offer at Elmley, there were plenty of raptors about including several each of Merlins, Peregrines, Kestrels and up to 5 Marsh Harriers. Other highlights here were hearing the wistful Golden Plover call somewhere overhead; a huge cloud of several thousand Wigeon taking to the air together (probably 'spooked' by a peregrine); we also managed to pick out an elusive Cetti's Warbler flitting through the reeds, along with a couple of Reed Buntings.

Birding in style at Elmley Marshes: cosy in the hide, watching the 'raptor show' with steaming hot coffee and packed lunch including some delicious home-made pasties.

We spent the afternoon at the other end of the Island where we were able to use the van as a hide and park side-on to the beach. Here, a good variety of waders were on show, including Knot, Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Turnstone and Oystercatcher. Then, as we raided the soup thermos (scrummy - Karen makes the world's tasties soups!!) 8 White-fronted Geese flew overhead and a lone Brent Goose swooped down to the playing-field behind.

Finally, as we were about to drive away, the day was capped off perfectly by the appearance one of my all time favourite birds - a Short-eared Owl. It was thrilling to see it quartering the ground beside us and diving down on perhaps an unsuspecting vole. We turned around and drove back for another 'fix' of this superb bird and at one point, it flew up and passed close to the van. Then as if that wasn't enough, a second Short-eared Owl appeared - perfect!


And it's lovely now writing this, recalling our day with a glass of sloe gin, snow falling outside...
and watching the football on TV.

8 comments:

  1. What a wonderful day you all had! Sheppey did look a little bleak but you were clearly well prepared with lots of warm clothing and sustenance.

    How lovely to round your visit off by seeing the Short-eared Owl and getting a photo too.

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    1. It was a fabulous day thanks. Yes we need to be well prepared - Thomas can't drive his chair with cold hands so we had hot water bottles and those shake-to-activate hand warmer things.

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  2. Sounds and looks like a great day Jerry, that piping hot flask looks just the ticket :-) Great to find the Short eared Owl, one of my favourites too.

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    1. Yes Alan, we were were certainly very glad of that flask when we got there.

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  3. Wow! what a great time. You were all cozy and warm, yet able to see so much nature, the way it's meant to be... Here in Florida we have a whole other set of nature, I've put some of them on my other blog..
    Art Hearts Journey .You can get to it by clicking on the doll on the sidebar.. If you ever care to see the Egrets, Herons, and of course the gators, there are some photos. We don't have to fight the cold weather.,.just open the back door.. BJ

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    1. Great to get your comment Barbra Joan, and lovely to read about your amazing wildlife. They say the world's getting smaller and smaller and blogging is the proof! I'm not sure what I'd say if I saw gators in my garden though; when I opened my back door yesterday morning, it just pushed back the snow. I've just had a look at your other blog and especially enjoyed seeing that pink and yellow moth on your post box. Keep looking in and hopefully by June I'll be able to put up an Elephant Hawkmoth which is pink and green and big!

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    2. ...loved that Short-eared Owl. They are a favorite of mine too!!

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    3. Loved your Great-horned painting Kelly. You certainly 'hit the ground running' with the guache technique; very impressive! Have you ever tried acrylics?

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