The visit started in the Old Ferry Road, where Cattle Egrets had been seen yesterday. A small bird flying along the hedgerow drew my attention, and pleased to find it was a male Common Redstart. The egrets were still in the field with cows, four birds in summer plumage.
The reserve looks in great condition, with good water levels. No doubt the rains this week will have helped. Birds seen along the entrance track included female Marsh Harrier, several Yellow Wagtails, two Grey Partridge, and good numbers of Lapwing, some with small chicks.
The line of trees leading to the old school and brickfields looked promising, and proved relatively warm due to shelter from the wind. A number of Orange-tips were seen, plus the odd Peacock.
Along the tree-line two different Willow Warblers were singing, though the birds proved difficult to see. Nearer to the old school a Wood Warbler was then heard from the oaks, and the bird was watched intermittently for the next 45 minutes, singing frequently, mostly high up the tree.
At the school the resident Little Owl was proving popular with other visitors to Elmley.
Reed warblers sang from reedbeds of the brickfields, and eight Pochard were present on open water. A pair of Marsh Harrier from the reedbed flew over.
At the Swale a male Northern Wheatear posed on the shore, while Turnstones sat out the high tide on a wooden board.
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| Common Redstart |
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| Cattle Egret |
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| Marsh Harrier (female) |
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| Yellow Wagtail (male) |
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| Grey Partridge, this individual with crossed mandibles |
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| Lapwing (female) |
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| Lapwing chick |
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| Oaks near the old school |
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| Wood Warbler |
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| Little Owl |
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| Pochard |
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| Northern Wheatear |
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| Turnstones |
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