Warbler Woes!!!

 As both readers of the previous post will remember I was laid up on the sick-sofa, suffering as only a man can😪. However news of a Marsh Warbler, a lifer, at Waltham Brooks saw a miraculous recovery so Margie and I headed over. Marsh Warblers are pretty much identical to the naked eye to the more common Reed Warbler, so really needed to hear it singing to be able to add it to my list. The best way to achieve this is to arrive before dawn  and stake out the area where it has been reported from, consequently we rocked up at 8.30😢😰 I can't even blame Margie I really was sick!! Things started ok as we walked along the river, plenty of singing Sedge Warblers, Blackcaps and Reed Warblers, the Merlin App was working overtime but no Marsh Warbler was registered!!😢 The views were good although the dreaded heat was starting to build!!

Waltham Brooks by Margie

Waltham Brooks by Margie

Waltham Brooks by Margie

Banded Demoiselle

Sedge Warbler

Grey Heron

Not sure about this one maybe  a Black-tailed Skimmer

Mallards mostly in eclipse plumage!

We bumped into another birder, who told us where the bird had been heard, he hadn't seen it and it hadn't been heard while he'd been there!! Bummer!! 

We waited in this area for half n half or so but no luck, though Blackcap and Reed Warbler sang occasionally!! We gave up and headed back, apparently it was heard again a couple of hours later😂😢blooming birds!!

Kestrel being mobbed by a Swallow

Swift

Beautiful Demoiselle

Another Sedge Warbler

Distant Red Kite

More ferocious beasts!

Sedge Warbler

No luck with the target, but a very nice walk none the less! Lots of  Dragonflies seen, was surprised not to see a Hobby. Can't win em all!!! If it was easy everybody would be doing it😂

Back Garden Stakeout

 I've been a bit under the weather for the last few days, with lots of headaches and feeling spaced out!! (nothing new there😂) possibly Hay Fever or just the hot temperatures over recent days taking their toll, as both my regular readers will remember when the temperature goes over 20 degrees I begin to suffer😢!!  Having bravely struggled into work all week, I decided to have a sofa day yesterday. I was looked after magnificently all day by Margie💓 (she didn't feel great either, but obviously as a man I suffer much more than she does 😱😲) However due to her awesome nursing I started to feel a bit better so I decided to stakeout the garden, with a view to getting a few shots of our local birds, I had been watching their activity all day from my sick sofa, their comings and goings were quite entertaining. I cunningly moved the bird bath, which I had noted being very popular, into the middle of the garden and began the set up. They were a bit wary to start with, sticking to the Hawthorn. But I managed a few shots.

Male House Sparrow

Our wildlife patch, these purple flowers attract a lot of Bees, although they were obviously having a break when I took this shot!

Female House Sparrow

Has to be stated that we were a bit low on variety yesterday, mostly Sparrows and Starlings and the odd  Blue Tit and Robin that did visit didn't fall into my trap!! There were also a couple of Feral Pigeons, four Collared Doves and 3 Woodpigeons, which I just ignored. The Woodies have started their chase each other around the garden antics, which were so annoying last year!!

Male House Sparrow first down for a drink

Mr White Eye our regular male Blackbird sadly didn't come down to the pool to drink, though did briefly alight on the fence

Miss No Tail also put in an appearance and seems to be getting around ok!

It should be noted that my desired reflection shots were largely thwarted by my inability to position the bird bath in a level manner!!😏

Female House Sparrow

Starling

Juvenile Starling, we have had quite a few of these this year!

Couple of young House Sparrows. There have been a few young uns being fed but numbers seem down compared to usual, Lets hope for some second broods!

A reflection, sort of!! Whoop!!!

A nice hour or so, there were a couple of Swifts knocking about, but couldn't really get on them from my position just back in the doorway !