Like last week, I spent the a few hours at the end of the day cruising around the reserve. I had my first Black-necked Grebe's of the winter on the big pool
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| Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) |
There was some aerial interaction between a 'territorial' Marsh Harrier and a Greater Spotted Eagle that was passing over
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| Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) vs Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) |
A little further along, some more aerial action. This time between the Western Osprey and a passing Steppe Buzzard
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| Western Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) vs Steppe Buzzard (Buteo b. vulpinus) |
I have found this Daurian Shrike on the same bush each time I have come to the reserve, at least this time the light came from the right direction
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| Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus) |
An injured female Eastern Stonechat in the golden glow of the late afternoon light
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| Eastern Stonechat (Saxicola maurus) |
While I was photographing the Stonechat, a Peregrine came blitzing past overhead, these just record shots that I was quite amazed to get given it's speed
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| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) |
Down at the beach, a Greater-spotted had taken out a Black-headed Gull and a number of others joined it to try and get in on the action - a little like Vultures at a kill. Once they arrived, the Eagle with the Gull mantled over its food, but the others did manage to sneak a piece now and then. One of the birds that arrived, appeared slightly smaller, a lighter brown than his compatriots and I though had more visible stovepipe legs. Unfortunately, the birds were really a long way off in dying light and even 800mm wasn't enough to give much more detail for a confirmed ID
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| Greater Spotted Eagle (Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), bird on the left is the one in question |
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| Greater Spotted Eagle (Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), bird on the right is the one in question |
Heading back to the gate as the sun set, I had a special visitor - a single Western Cattle Egret against the pastel orange glow in the sky
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| Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) |
I savoured the moment and got all creative with the clouds and sun as it subsided
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| Jahra Sunset |
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| Jahra Sunset and Common Black-headed Gulls returning to roost |
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