Titchwell Marsh - Visit (Part 2)

The second part of our visit to Titchwell Marsh Reserve in which I have shown all the birds of interest that I was able to photograph.

The Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)

A small flock observed moving about the marsh and feeding on the ground. 

Its main food is small seeds.

An interesting bird that nests on high ground in the northern part of the country and moves down south and to the coastal areas during the winter. Its size approximately is, bigger than a Sparrow and smaller than a Blackbird.

The Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

A delightful small wader which I photographed as it was running about the beach. It feeds on tiny beach crustaceans and insects.

The Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 

(or Peewit) as I use to call it as a boy in Somerset when it was a familiar sight nesting in the fields.

Farming practices have changed considerable, which has reduced its status to "vulnerable". That said, one can still observe large flocks flying about in winter and settling in open fields.

Six Dabchicks or correctly named Little Grebes (Tachybaptus ruficollis) all sitting on the same little patch of water that wasn't quite frozen. 

The most I have seen in one gathering, but they really had nowhere else to go.

I observed a small group of Long-tailed Tits (Aegithalos caudatus) moving about the reeds. They appeared amazingly, to find something to eat.

The Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

At this time of year its more difficult to identify if you are like me, not well versed in wader identification, but the black armpits when it flies is the easiest method.

The Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

A common wader that you will find on most shorelines around the country.

The Cock Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) 

Observed on the path along the Fen walk.

Never a species to miss out on a chance of easy food. At the Reserve they walk about under the feeders and eat all the seeds that fall to the ground.

A solitary first winter Blackbird (Turdus merula) having found a suitable perch, looked like it was there for the night.

Ducks

A few Pintails (Anus acuta) and Shovelers (Anas clypeata) sitting on a very cold bed of ice.

The Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) 

A common sight which I observed down on the shoreline near the waters edge.

A loan Dunnock (Prunella modularis) perched on low scrub