Caught off guard

Most people know I'm rather obsessed with kites but am never that successful at seeing them unless up high.  Well today that changed as a red kite suddenly flew low over some trees close by carrying what looked like a rat (or possibly just half) and being harassed by crows.   Unfortunately the light was poor in its direction; I wasn't prepared for it and it came a bit too close for me to get in some of the frames as you can see.  It was gone as quickly as it appeared and soon disappeared over the top of the next line of trees.  It made my evening though I have to say.  Maybe next time I'll get the blue sky to go with it.

 These red legged partridges are what I was photographing when the kite flew over

There have been quite a few wheatears passing through recently.

A few meadow pipits

And lastly this is Phils garden warbler.  Best I could manage as it was never going to keep still

My First Patch Hoopoe

Having heard about the local hoopoe last evening I was so pleased that it chose to stay around as firstly,  I've only ever seen one very distantly and secondly, I was unable to get out to see it until lunchtime today.    I'm grateful to our intrepid local birders who spent time this morning relocating it and as you can see it was well worth it.   Needless to say I took quite a few photos some of which follow.

Montagu's and Kite

Well, such an exciting day!  A montagu's  and a red kite all at once! I didn't know which one to watch.  Well I did really and the harrier won of course.  I started the day off badly through nobodies fault but my own. I waited for just over an hour from 8ish with Tim White (who had been there since 5.30am!), but boredom got the better of me and I cycled off down to Seaton Marshes not knowing if it was still present or not.  Luckily Tim was more persistent and text me that it was up.  Its a long way from Seaton Marshes to Colyford Common under those circumstances believe me.  Anyway I got back there to find it had gone down in the reeds again.  At least it was still here.  More persistence this time and after about an hour and 20 minutes up it came.   A great show followed with the highlight being the red kite mobbing the harrier.

The squabble with the red kite was nearer to the people gathered on the Axmouth road than us but we still had great views all the same

Eventually the harrier moved away and we lost sight of it but it was seen to go up and off by others.

Finally the last sighting of the kite as it went up and eastwards over the hills.  Thanks to Tim for his help and don't forget to look at his 'Colyton Wildlife' blog which will show much closer photos than mine from his big canon lens.   Hopefully Steve on his 'Axe Birding" blog will post some great videos that he took.  Both are listed on the right hand side of my blog. 

Firecrest

 Presumably this firecrest on Seaton Marshes today is the same one that Tim Wright has seen a few times over the past few weeks.  It was very active in the afternoon sun and easily disturbed by the large numbers of people out enjoying the long Easter weekend and the sunshine.

Our Long Staying Glossy Ibis

I shall really miss our glossy ibis when it chooses to go.  I've become so accustomed to seeing it every time I visit the marshes that it will be strange without it.  It has been here since October when there was originally 2 and during that time it has changed colour quite dramatically.  I have collected rather a lot of pictures over the last 5 months and have been having a sort out over the last few weeks.  

Having been somewhat overshadowed by the green winged teal that is still present I think it deserves a post to itself for having stayed so long and given us so much entertainment.

These last 3 were taken back in October and show how brown it was originally.

A Trip To Portesham

A spur of the moment decision yesterday morning to take a trip to see the Portesham Pallas's warbler turned out to be a great success.   Within a few minutes of our arrival is was showing really well and continued to do so on and off from then on.  It was a shame the light was rather dull but it is a strikingly beautiful little bird and was lovely to see whatever the light.  It was very active chasing lots of little flies.  While being quite mobile around the bushes and trees it gave me a really enjoyable hour.