A Magpie Looking for a Tail - Reculver 22/01/19

As it was such a beautifully sunny afternoon I paid a visit to Reculver after work. Though it was cold, there was next to no wind. I only caught the very last of the sunshine but it was extremely welcome. The sea appeared to be very quiet with only a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls on the water and remained quiet the whole time I was there. There was a small flock of 9 House Sparrows in their usual bush while the Blackbird was out hunting for worms again. I could see 8 Mute Swan in the back fields but otherwise it was very quiet.

I headed along the sea wall and saw a Curlew fly west. I did try for a photo but did not have much success with it. There were a couple of Mute Swan in one of the oyster farm dykes. Every now and then a Redshank would call and have a quick fly round. The tide appeared to be going out but only very slowly.

Curlew

I could see a Short-eared Owl hunting in the distance over the oyster far but unfortunately, though I saw it several times throughout my visit, it never came close enough to try for a photo. When I looked back towards the towers I could see a large bank of cloud coming in. The forecast for tomorrow is not great. A Carrion Crow flew past me so I grabbed a shot.

Reculver and Sky

Carrion Crow

A Redshank flew down onto the churned up mud and was kind enough to allow some photos. In the photos I can see that it is ringed.

Ringed Redshank

Ringed Redshank

I liked the reflection of one of the cormorant poles in the sea, with said Cormorant standing on top of it. I caught up with the tailless Magpie again and though a little distant I tried for a photo. I wonder how it lost its tail.

Cormorant and pole

Tailless Magpie

I had a sit and a rest on the sea wall, near the green bank, and a flock of 22 Linnet were spread between a couple of the bushes. They were chattering away. I had to use a high ISO but at least it meant that I have some nice memory shots.

Linnets

Linnets

I was really very cold by this time and in a lot of pain so I started to head back. The walk back was very quiet. Once I was back near the towers I could hear a Little Owl calling and also 3 separate Grey Partridge (79) calling.

As I neared the car park I thought I would try for a shot of the bay. It has not come out great but I like the reflections in the water.

Night shot of the Bay

Birds seen this visit include: 9 House Sparrow, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow, Redshank, 1 Curlew west, 2 Dunnock, Robin, 3 Stonechat, 22 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush, Wren, Reed Bunting, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Gull, 3 Grey Partridge