A Cracking Kestrel - Shuart to Chambers Wall 23/04/21

I had a wander through from Shuart but unfortunately forgot to take my voice recorder and didn't keep a list of the birds I saw today. So I just took photographs of some of the highlights. As I neared the railway crossing a pair of Greylag Geese were in one of the fields.

Greylag Geese

On the way to Plumpudding 5 Sandwich Tern were off shore and ahead I could see a Kestrel hunting over Plumpudding. It dropped down, presumably onto prey as it remained down for a while. Coming back up it settled on the fence giving some nice views.

male Kestrel

After a couple of minutes it lifted off and moved over to hover very close to me allowing some cracking views.

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

Those views were great but I couldn't believe it when it dropped down a level and then began to hover right in front of me and just below eye level. What an absolute beauty. I felt so incredibly lucky to experience the best views of a hovering Kestrel I have ever had and from an angle I do not usually see it from. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

 

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

male Kestrel

After hovering for a while it settled back onto one of the fence posts before moving off and trying its luck elsewhere. What a great encounter with a beautiful bird.

Kestrel

When I reached Coldharbour the pair of Shelduck were busily feeding. A couple of Black-headed Gulls were having a disagreement but otherwise it was quiet.

Shelducks

A pair of Tufted Duck were on the river as I made my way up to Chambers Wall bringing the visit to a close. The memories, though, of watching the Kestrel will stay with me for a long time. What a beautiful encounter.

male and female Tufted Ducks

male Tufted Duck