Tuesday, 26 November 2024

Marloes Mere

A male hen harrier and a short-eared owl were either side the mere when I arrived late afternoon, the harrier remained until the light went mostly towards the north side and Trehills field behind the old Oriole Hide. The owl was favouring the field south of the Britton hide where there were lots of linnet and 20-30 chaffinch. A merlin and a sparrowhawk both put in appearances over the same field. A kestrel hunted until it was too dark for me, it's silhouette still visible as I did a last scan from the car park. A ringtail appeared just before dusk towards the western edge of the mere flushing snipe and then drifted up through Trehills fields and away in the direction of Martin's Haven, it was likely responsible for putting up c1500 Golden plover that wheeled around high overhead before trickling back down in scribbled v formations. 200 Lapwing dropped in at dusk but seemed uneasy or were struggling to find enough dry land to roost. 5 Tufted duck.

Short-eared owl
Male hen harrier