Pallid At Last

Having had 2 blanks on my last 2 visits to Welwick, I was begining to think I ought to turn my attention to something different especially seeing as there are some pretty cool birds around at the moment.I thought though, out of them all which one would I like to get a decent shot of and the answer came back-pallid harrier.

So off I went this morning after negotiating some icy roads I got to Welwick at about 7.30. There were 4 short eared owls in flight as soon as I got there but they soon disappeared. I took up a new position although there is nowhere really any good for first light at Welwick.

I waited until about 10.30 and there was no sign of the pallid and I contemplated moving on. However it was a nice morning so I went back to my favourite place and by now the sun had moved round so the light was a bit better.

There was a single marsh harrier and a few large flocks of waders but other raptors were pretty thin on the ground.

I could see a distant harrier moving across the saltmarsh and slowly but surely it got closer. My theory had worked and I managed to position myself close enough to the bank and under the cover of a bag hide for the harrier to come within about 40m. It was in view for a total of about 5 minutes and never showed again until at least 1.00 when I headed for home.

I'm quire happy with these shots but light wasn't brilliant, shots were under exposed, it could have been a bit closer-maybe next time.

Pallid Revisited

I had yet another go for the Pallid Harrier at Welwick today (after a recce yestreday) and tried a different tactic.

It worked to a degree insofar as I got my closest views yet however there is still plenty of room for improvement.

Hopefully it will stay while the end of winter and if it does so the hours in the field count will continue to grow-currently in excess of 50 with not much reward.

I could spend my time sat in the car photographing hen harriers down the road, but I love the challenge that this bird presents hopefully I will get the shot I am after in the not too distant future.

Stoney Creek

I had a trip out to Stoney Creek yesterday in hope of seeing one of the much photographed hen harriers.

Having picked up some tips from Garry Taylor I parked up on the roadside verge and waited.

It took quite a while for some action but there was plenty to keep me occupied as robins, blackbirds and wrens fed just outside the car as well as a large flock of fieldfare. Also plenty of waders were flying overhead and a solitary little egret flew up the drain. A pair of stonechats perched up occasionally on the set aside vegetation.

The highlight of the supporting cast however was a kingfisher that flew out of nowhere over the hedge and presumably along the dyke.

Eventually a hen harrier got up and was spectacularly chasing a small bird but didnt make a kill.

For the next 4 hours or so I was treated to quite close views of these spectacular birds of prey.On the way back I saw a couple of very close short eared owls and managed some nice shots in the late afternoon sunshine and mist.

If only the pallid harrier would pay a visit.....