Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus )

Clickychick had an appointment for her Angiogram today.  She had to be there for 9:00 so I dropped her off.  The process along with observation afterwards was to take several hours.

Fortunately, there are a number of nature/bird reserves within striking distance of the hospital.  So I headed off along the coast towards RSPB campfield marsh reserve.  First I stopped in a lay-by and had a while watching the Bar-tailed Godwits feeding along the mudflats.

Next was the RSPB reserve where I began with a visit to the "wetlands centre", a rather grand name for a small room with displays about the reserve and coast nearby.

I enjoyed the three hides, although two were constructed in a way that let the wind through, it was a chilly morning.  I returned to the car for lunch and getting warm, then on to Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Drumburgh Moss reserve.  Here the first thing I was greeted by were the Exmoor ponies.  They and indeed cattle are used to graze rough pasture and woodland on many reserves.

The species for my records were:
Redshank
Mallard
Herring Gull
Magpie,
Carrion Crow
Lesser Black-Backed Gull
Curlew
Black tailed Godwit
Moorhen
Widgeon
Shoveller
Canada Goose
Pink-footed Goose
Lapwing
Woodpigeon
Blackbird
Buzzard
House Sparrow
Blue Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Redwing
Fieldfare
Little Egret

The extras are Exmoor pony, Lapwing and Pinkfeet