Collared Pratincole at Ham Wall RSPB

Date: 12/07/2016

Location: Ham Wall, RSPB

Weather: Cloudy but some Blue Skies

Other Species: 
Great White Egret, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Collared Pratincole, Little Egret, Lapwing, Little Bittern (heard), Glossy Ibis - Plus many more. 

Observation: 
A Collared Pratincole turned up on Sunday at Ham Wall so only being 25 miles away had to go! Never seen one before and a cracking bird it was too. On arriving joined the 40 or so people on platform 2 looking and watching, only took about 2 mins for it to take to the skies, this my first effort! But a life tick!

It generally stayed at a distance hunting with the many Swift's never coming closer than about 150 meters my 400mm just about capturing it .

Best effort ! 

There were many large lenses there but i'm very happy with this f8 1250 640 iso.

Here's a tighter crop. 

The Collared Pratincole are unusual among waders they hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows and Swifts although they can also feed on the ground. They are normally found in warmer areas of Europe like Spain.

While there saw the 2 Glossy Ibis, Bittern, Marsh Harrier and also Great White Egret's. Also at Ham Wall at the moment and breeding is the Little Bittern, a bit further along and into the reserve I walked along waited for hour & 15 mins, I did hear it bark, it really does sound like a little dog barking! But unfortunately didn't see.

While walking back to car park got a brief view of Marsh Harrier hunting.

 An Excellent reserve and well worth the effort!

Thanks For Looking !

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