Ringed Plover and other coastal birds

By Words | Published February 11, 2012

To make a change from all the snow, which is still lingering on the hills, I went down to the coast at Rottingdean today. A few of the usual suspects were there, plus some less common birds. Among the regulars are the fulmars. I liked this image of a nesting pair.

Less usual was that they were also resting out on the calm surface of the sea.

There was another small flock on the water, and these definitely count as 'unusual': great crested grebes. It's the first time I've seen them at sea. They were a long way out. Not a great shot, but you can just about make them out here.

The next shot is also a bit iffy, but it's a great image for comparing the size of a herring gull and a kestrel. This was taken at the top of the cliffs at Telscombe Tye.

Back down at sea level, the wading birds were in evidence. There were oystercatchers…

The stars though were the ringed plovers. A small number were busy feeding as the tide started to retreat.

One last shot today. It's a diversion from my usual subjects. It's a pair of local cats which raced through the garden this morning and ended up on a neighbouring roof.

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Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

This entry was posted in cat, water birds and tagged , .

10 Comments

  1. gdare February 13, 2012 at 2:02 am #

    Is that gull chasing a kestrel?

    😆 at local lolcats 😀

  2. Words February 13, 2012 at 10:02 pm #

    Erwin, thanks!

  3. Words February 13, 2012 at 10:02 pm #

    Darko, yes the gull is seeing the kestrel off. This happens all the time! Glad you liked the cats.

  4. gdare February 14, 2012 at 4:02 pm #

    Yesterday we've seen herring gulls attacking osprey – or golden eagle, we were not sure. It was a big bird but I guess gulls are bigger bullies 😛

  5. Words February 14, 2012 at 9:02 pm #

    Darko, wow, that must have been great to see! Gulls and crows are always attacking raptors. It seems to be a hobby with them.

  6. gdare February 15, 2012 at 3:02 pm #

    About two months ago I saw two bald eagles having some kind of fight. After a couple of minutes they parted, one of them obviously defeated, wanted to escape. As if they were just waiting for that, few gulls attacked a winner. Strange birds :doh:

  7. Words February 16, 2012 at 10:02 pm #

    Birds are quite crazy at times!

  8. SittingFox February 19, 2012 at 7:02 pm #

    The cat contest is great! I've never seen grebes at sea either. Guess the cold conditions forced them to seek out salt water environments.

  9. Words February 19, 2012 at 11:02 pm #

    Adele, I wondered about the cold weather and freeze causing the grebes out. It makes sense, though I presume they need fresh water to drink.

  10. Wulpen October 19, 2012 at 8:10 pm #

    Very nice shots….:up: