Avocets, Warblers & more Spring 2022
Although I have busy with photography workshops this spring and as our customers will know I never use my cameras when out with clients, one of my golden rules.
In between workshop and office days I have been working on a couple of projects this spring, getting out on my own gives me time to reset a bit physically and mentally.
I must thank my friend Graham Wagner for letting me know that the Avocets had started to hatch. I’ve been trying to get up there for several years now but work has always stopped me and I have now have my own mobility buggy that fits into the car boot thanks to Tim. This has given me access once again to the more distant location that I can no longer reach on foot.
This year it has been all about Avocets and Warblers. Subjects I have photographed before but not with my current equipment. So far I have managed to capture images of Cetti’s Warblers, Willow Warblers, Reed Warblers and one of my favourites Sedge Warblers. Oh and few of Reed Buntings, Whitethroats and Wheatears.
The Avocets are really fascinating to watch, almost continuous squabbles between different Avocet pairs that get very aggressive with back kicks like horses and even grabbing by the neck, while they’re not doing that to each other they spend most of the rest of the day seeing off any potential predators, from Gulls, Shelducks, Marsh Harriers, Oyster Catchers to Little Ringed Plovers. The Avocets raucously ‘scramble’ together and gain altitude quickly to see off any potential predators.
Some of the early chicks are now getting quite big and beginning to stretch their wings. They are very good a disappearing into the mud or any foliage when they need to, just as well really as they have a habit of wondering away from mum and dad.
Steart Marshes Gallery Link
