Monday 11 December 2017

Frosty Alkborough Flats with a Fox

A very frosty, but still morning with sunny spells. Given the high tide and lack of wind I decided to go to Alkborough Flats. The flats were indeed very frosty, and the area in front of the hide also covered on ice. The only birds visible were Marsh Harriers, at some point four flew together. 
A couple of Stonechats hunted on the frosty plains.
Song Thrush with Snail.
Four Marsh Harriers.
 I decided to walk around the reserve and as I was leaving the hide I noticed a Fox ahead of me. It was mostly preoccupied with hunting and it didn't notice me. It stood tensely listening and did it's foxy jump a couple of times. These were the most prolonged views I've had of a Fox ever!
Listen.
Typical fox jump.
About to jump.
Fieldfare.
On the wet grassy fields, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit and Redshank were resting or feeding while some Fieldfares and Greenfinches were on the hedges. A Mink ran across the path and didn't appear again.
Lapwings and Black-tailed Godwits.

Kestrel, with the Wolds in the background.
Barnacle Geese.
Whooper Swans.
Black-tailed Godwits.
One of two Little Stints on the frosty grass. One managed to catch a large earthworm.
The iced out wet grassland where the Little Stint were feeding.
The river Trent.
A flock of Shoveler and some Wigeon on the river.

Bullfinch.
Carrion Crow mobbing a Buzzard
The remains of a Song Thrush meal, broken snail shells.
 The snow and hail showers seemed to veer towards the Wolds and Alkborough stayed dry, and in the afternoon, the sun made an appearance.

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