Kent visit

A day in Kent was the plan, concluding with a talk at Gravesend on the birds of The Camargue region. I set off after the rush hour and headed to Oare Marshes near Faversham. As always, a good place for a spot of birding. Usual fare was seen through quite heavy mist which meant no photographs would be worthwhile. Avocets and redshanks were on the small scrape by the road, with curlew on the tidal mud flats. Viewing anything over 20 yards away was impossible but in the gloom, pintail, pochard, shoveler, wigeon and teal were noted whilst overhead linnets, reed buntings and goldfinches called.
After this I set off for Elmley Marsh on the Isle of Sheppey. A reserve I haven't visited for a fair few years. As I drove in a female merlin shot across the road and perched on a post, but still too gloomy for any long distance photography. Little egrets, redshanks, grey herons and lapwings were seen as I drove to Kingshill Farm car park. Also, marsh harriers seemed to be everywhere.

lapwing

little egret

little egret

grey heron

marsh harrier being mobbed by a lapwing

marsh harrier in courtship display

Once parked, I checked the pools over the farm wall, where good numbers of regular wildfowl were noted (mainly wigeon) and a few egrets and avocets.

On to the track to the Wellmarsh hide and plenty of reed bunting and more of what had already been recorded. In the distance a common buzzard overhead and a peregrine came to land several fields away. The mist was still making long range photography impossible, but the sky was brightening and the mist was being burnt off, albeit slowly.
Into the hide and a cacophony of black headed gulls. A marsh harrier took a wigeon and alighted on the ground to feed. Pintail flew through and several snipe were noted on one of the islands.

wading avocet

avocets and black headed gull

bhg

reed bunting

Soon, my time was running out and so I headed back to the farm hoping for some short eared owl views. None by the time I got to the car, just more marsh harriers, several curlew and some meadow pipits

marsh harrier

marsh harrier

curlews

meadow pipit

As I drove along, I suddenly saw movement in the grass by the side of the track. A short eared owl. I stopped the car, but too close, all I could get in the photo was the car door. Eventually, the bird took flight:

take off

Photo taken through the windscreen.

hunting mode

After a short while the splendid bird landed in a field. I reversed the car for some more photos.

The bird then took to the air once again and began hunting over the long grass on the otherside of the track. This was better as less likely to be a silhouette photo as I now had my back to the sun. As I watched I became aware of another bird in the grass.

2nd short eared owl

2 in the air

One bird remained in the air and made several passes before both went down. By now there were 3 cars stopped and occupants viewing these spectacular birds. At this point I think I shall indulge myself and include all the worthwhile photos. I took over 100 shots of this bird and, as can be seen, the mist was still hanging around, making sharp photos very difficult, so these are the best .

Just brilliant to watch this majestic bird at such close quarters. Certainly not an every day birding sight and the best views of this species I have had for many years.