Paxton Pits NewYear Birds

Spent an enjoyable couple of hours  yesterday afternoon in the Cobham Hide just watching the birds - the light was very poor but managed a few images of the action including this Long-tailed Tit, one of a party of 4 or 5 who landed in the bush in front of the hide. The Marsh Harrier paid 'its' (female or juvenile) usual visit. The Cormorants are coming into breeding plumage as their nesting season can start early January.

Marsh Harrier and Cormorant Versus Perch at Paxton Pits

This Cormorant caught and eventually swallowed a large perch while the very smart female Marsh Harrier spent quite a few minutes flying around looking for prey. 

Paxton Miscellany

A mix of images from an enjoyable day at Paxton looking for fungi (Mycena species and Winter Stalkball) in the morning and walk with friends looking at birds etc in the afternoon 

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Very Wet Thursday

 Yesterday was the monthly walk at Paxton Pits and, unsurprisingly, only a small group ventured round the reserve. We did manage to record 37 bird species including Garden warbler, Chiffchaff, Common Terns hopefully nesting on the rafts,  adult Cormorant ?teaching young about fishing and Great Crested Grebe pair. Back in the garden in the afternoon, many insects were sheltering on leaves and flowers while the spiders continued to monitor their webs.

Paxton Pits

The mist cleared at Paxton on Saturday to give some wonderful reflections with the absence of wind. Cormorants, Herons, Coot and Moorhens were all getting on with building nests and setting up territories etc