An enjoyable day !

[davetee]

After having an unusually long lay-in, till midday, and a potter in the garden where I saw a pair of Goldfinches and a pair of Greenfinches feeding, I decided to go for a walk around Rye Meads RSPB reserve. In the first hide I saw a Grey Heron fishing...some Pochards, Shelducks, Coots, Moorhens, Black Headed Gulls and a great variety of Ducks and Geese. I was at the reserve last year hoping to see a Kingfisher, without success. Today was different, not only did I see my first Kingfisher ever, but I saw it diving off it's perch to catch fish...what a terrific sight!

A little further along the Otter Trail, in the same stretch of water I stopped to watch a Tern fishing. I also spotted some small Reed Warblers in the same area. On the far side of the water I caught a Cuckoo in my binoculars, perched midway up a tree, although it wasn't making it's familiar call. No sooner had I left that spot I saw a Kestrel tearing at it's prey at the top of a telegraph pole and I was joined by a couple who had just spotted a Hobby nearby.

Almost back at the visitor centre my path was blocked by a pair of Swans with several Cygnets. The male Swan started towards me...slowly at first and then with a determined increase in speed...at which point I decided to beat a hasty retreat. Even though I had to take a long detour back to the visitor centre I had a smile on my face...what an enjoyable day!

[jaykay]

sounds like a very productive day to me as well, don't blame you for the hasty detour either. well done

[davetee]

Thanks JayKay.

Forgot to mention..there were also a couple of Cormorants

[Hedge Witch]

I love Rye Meads too, davetee Do you remember where you saw the Kingfisher? I heard they were having some work done on the site and much of it was closed. I take it it is fully open now?

Rye Meads | Wild About Britain

[davetee]

Hedge Witch it was on the Otter Trail. Take the path off to the right and there's a hide at the end of it. There may be 2 Kingfishers which were flying down the far end of the water on the right and also fishing in the smaller stretch of water to the left. You have to go back down the path to get onto the main trail back to the visitor centre,

Dave