Another very mild day, but at least a glimpse of sunshine for a while!
Shortly after leaving home this morning, a single swallow flew over, heading roughly in a south-easterly direction near Martletwy. Noting Derek's earlier posting, perhaps there has been a small late passage of swallows through the county this weekend?
Later, after helping with the first of the Constant Effort winter ringing session at Mullock (where 4 chiffchaffs were ringed and a firecrest ringed a couple of weeks ago was retrapped), we headed over to Marloes Mere, where we had not been to for about a year! Expected waterfowl included 50+ shovelers, 60+ mallards, about a dozen or so wigeon, teal, 4 tufted ducks, small numbers of lapwing and snipe.
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| Part of a mixed flock of ducks; good numbers of shoveler were present |
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A marsh harrier occasionally appeared and, at one point, 3
hunting peregrines flew over (probably 2 males and a female). None of the large number of jackdaws and starlings in the area appeared to be caught, at least when we were there.
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| A resting mallard seemed totally unphased by a snipe feeding very close by, almost at touching distance |
Just before late afternoon drizzle started to
set in, an unexpected male ring ouzel flew from some scrub on the far side of
the mere and landed just inside a patch of willow. In flight, its silvery-edged
wing markings were obvious in the darkening gloom; its gleaming white gorget stood out
when it landed in the willows.
The marsh harrier passed close to the willow
patch, being pursued by a carrion crow. Unfortunately visibility during a period of increasingly heavy drizzle was too poor
to determine if the ring ouzel had stayed put, or had moved on.