High and dry at Elmley

I always try to get up to Elmley late April and do a bit of 'kerb-crawling' along the track. The temperature being very high for the time of year and the ground extremely dry, with water levels in the scrapes leading up to the farm quite a bit lower than previous years; a testament to how little rainfall there has been recently.

As well as low water levels, the bird count appeared to be down on previous years (of course one day is not wholly representative). I only had the morning out so did not walk down to the first hide, which is a favourite of mine in the afternoons when the sun swings round to the west.

I did not necessarily expect to see any rarities so to that end I was not too disappointed when I didn't. However it was great to be out on such a beautiful morning with a chance to take a few pictures being a bonus.

Coot were busy with nest building.

A number of lapwing were already hunkered down on their nests while others were feeding.

This pheasant was quite happy being only a few feet from the car, giving me the opportunity for a few portrait shots.

Redhsank were one species where the numbers were noticeable down on previous years. This one was a little disgruntled to have been woken up as I cruised by.

 

This linnet was collecting dandelion seeds.

I saw at least 8 individual yellow wagtails, all but one of them male.