After a mornings torment headed up to Whittle Dene on the off chance of some action shots. Had been watching the Common Terns on the wire above the dam road earlier in the week and attempted to get some courtship feeding shots but the female just wouldn't keep still. No change there then.
The male was pretty cool though just hanging about in the air.
Whilst the missus gave him a barracking for not doing his duty.
A birder who I have met on a number of occasions but whose name I still don't know (apologies)stopped and told me a Black Tern had been present yesterday. Was half hoping for the same but no sign in the hour I spent there. Plenty of Yellow Wagtails though strangely all female. Got the header shot as she looked on at the feast in the air but missed all the shots from the hide where a different bird was pouncing on them from the grass bank. Instead she mocked me from behind a Dandelion.
and the other residents just glided past imperially.
However just as I was about to leave a large bird glided over the reservoir and toward the reed bed. A couple of circles then off east only to perch for about twenty minutes near Albemarle. I sort of got the yellow head in flight but it was very pale. Fortunately the record snap shows the tri colour wing with large black fingers and a cream cap of immature female Marsh Harrier.
A splendid way to end an enjoyable afternoon,
I can't remember when I last went to Whittle Dene. I might have a ride down this coming week.
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