It was a big disappointment actually, as all of the lakes and ponds are frozen over with only miniscule patches of open water remaining. These are populated by the ever-agressive Coots; presumably they have chased off all other species bar Mute Swan, which they probably leave alone, though I wouldn't put it past them. Maybe if they ganged up? The best I got were three flocks of Redwing totalling perhaps 110 birds - not bad for round here I suppose.
I only spent an hour or so on the patch before coming home, and after dumping the family in Wanstead village, headed off to Rainham, whose elegant and picturesque landscape I had not seen for a few weeks. People describe it as bleak, and when you pass the "Welcome to Thurrock, we shoot to kill" sign, it can appear a little forboding, but the reserve is a big slice of stunning habitat in an area that might otherwise go overlooked by birders concerned for their continued wellbeing. Once I'm through the three sets of gates and into the carpark, and then through another set of gates, over the two drawbridges and onto the reserve I tend to feel quite safe. Today, in the snow, the place looked better than ever, and the crunch underfoot on the boardwalks was most satisfying. Even more satisfying than that however was a pair of Bearded Tits showing extremely well just off the southern boardwalk. I've seen this species here before, but never as well as this, and it was very irritating when my camera battery packed in after only a hundred and fifty shots. Still, before that sad moment I got a few which I'm fairly pleased with, but if they continue to be as obliging as this then I'll be back in the near future. Having said that, once the camera became 2.8kg of useless metal and glass, it was a pleasure to just stand and enjoy the birds feeding away without needing to worry about shutter speed and the merits of landscape over portrait composition.
I realise that I have not written much lately about my ongoing domestic adventures. For all those readers who visit to glean top cleaning tips and the latest recipes, and who must be fretting that we're not only starving, but also up to our armpits in accumulated food debris and dust, worry not, everything is fine. Mrs L has finished work for the year, and is now in charge. Well, she was always in charge, as I'm sure you all know, but now she really is in charge. Hands-on in charge. Yup, I am on holiday, as from yesterday evening. So Mrs L will now be practising what she [so often] preaches, and by this time next week dust in Chateau Lethbridge will be a thing of the past. Hem hem.
Stunning photos. Stunning bird. I'm quite jealous.
ReplyDeleteThey really are superb photos. The light was very kind to you I think. Particularly like the top shot and the bottom two.
ReplyDeleteAt Rainham I once came across a solitary policeman sleeping in his squad car. I found this very reassuring...until I began to wonder if he was actually dead. Gates and drawbridges? Why am I not surprised? Or are you pulling my leg?
Not kidding about the gates and drawbridges - they raise them at night so that people can't access the centre from the sea-wall, and there are iron railings and fences everywhere. It might be an RSPB reserve now, but the genteel folk of Thurrock still have a penchant for setting fire to things. Innit.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm aware, nobody's tried to break in... maybe Purfleet isn't all that bad.
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos, these guys always hide when I'm at Rainham though..
ReplyDeleteYes, as the others have said the photos are fantastic. Were you exaggerating or did you actually shoot 150 frames???? Perhaps a side-post at some point about your camera equipment?
ReplyDeleteThanks and Merry Christmas ( a few days late ).
Actually I took 155. And I would have continued taking them until the memory card was full (700+). Opportunities like this come up so rarely that you have to make the most out of them. I was seriously annoyed when the battery packed in!
ReplyDelete