Bowers Marsh January no 6

 Bowers Marsh January 6 25/01/2021

We would like to say thank you to all the people we have met and chatted with, walkers, joggers, cyclists, photographers and bird watchers for observing the rules and keeping a safe distance as we do on our walks.

January 25th up early and prepared, cameras, binoculars, coffee and water in rucksack off we go after defrosting the car, arriving at the empty car park about 9-30 we set off with intentions of finding and seeing the Bearded Tits. Turning the corner at the cattle shed we catch site of a few small birds in the early morning sunlight,  a pair of Reed Buntings, pair of Stonechats a Robin, looks like its going to be a good day for photography and a walk.

female Reed Bunting

female Stonechat


Robin and male Stonechat



male and female Stonechat




female Stonechat

Heading off along the track stopping by the cattle shed for a few minutes to take a look for any hunting birds (raptors) but the only birds are Pigeons sitting on the roof. We continue on past the frost covered pic-nic tables scanning the reeds and shrubs for signs of wildlife with the sounds of honking Geese and other water fowl in the distance.



Around the south of the field I walk over to the small pond with its willow tree and bulrushes hoping to see tits feeding on the seed head of the rushes but no nothing to be seen.





Back on the main path we go through the kissing gate and turn right and then left toward East Haven lagoon dodging the ice covered puddles as we walk.




Reaching the sluice and bridge across the drain ditch the path and surrounding area are flooded and saturated, to our right at the edge of the lagoon two guys are surveying the reeds and lagoon. We pick our way over the saturated grass around the large puddles and head on to the benches overlooking the lagoon.

a large collection of various water fowl on the lagoon

Scanning the reed beds and lagoon through my binoculars no sign of the tits but numerous birds on the lagoon, swans, mallards, widgeon, lapwing, coots and gulls to name but a few. Spreading a cover on the bench we settle down and take a nice hot coffee and water while we scan along the reed bed, to our right the guys we had seen at the sluice are now 100 yards or so from us aiming binoculars and large lens cameras at the reed bed, one of them, Martin, walks up to us and tells us there is a group of tits in the reeds where his mate is still photographing, thanking him we quickly gather our gear up and follow him back and once our eyes get accustomed to the swaying reeds we spot the Bearded Tits. Quickly we settle and start photographing these wonderful little birds swaying at the top of the reeds in the cool breeze. Just a few of the many photos we took.

males




female 




After about 15 minutes the tits begin to scatter and disappear deeper into the reed beds so we decided to walk back toward the sluice and see if can spot any more of them. As we were walking along a large flock of Widgeons took to the sky circling over the far side of the lagoon, 


Then over to our left an even larger flock of Geese were also circling the lagoon, perhaps some sort of predator could have disturbed them slowly they descend back on the lagoon. 




Reaching the sluice we spotted a few more tits among the reeds and a pair of female Reed Buntings also feeding on the seed heads.




female Reed Bunting




After more photos of the tits again they disappear lower into the reeds so we decided to head for home, on the way we saw a Meadow Pipit which was taking the micky by flying a little further on each time we got close in on it but eventually managed a couple of shots before it finally took off across the Dons Marsh.


Meadow Pipit

Taking a steady amble back to the car park, rounding the bend toward the cattle shed we again see Martin beckoning us and as we approach he points out, way across the field, a Peregrine Falcon sitting on a water troth it had been out hunting and was now preening its self, we thanked Martin for pointing it out and the information he had given us during our walk and we proceeded to the car park and home to look at our photos and we're very pleased to at last seen the Bearded Tits. 

distant Peregrine falcon

Map of the marshes. 


I hope you enjoy our images and my comments, please feel free to add a comment. Mickey 























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