Elmley Break Part One.

 I did think I would just do one blog concerning our 3 day break to Elmley, but having looked through the photographs that I wanted to post, I have had to make it a two blog trip, as the wildlife and opportunities were so brilliant.

As I had absolutely no idea what to get Lisa for her birthday, we decided together that an Elmley experience would be a really good idea, just hoping that the weather would treat us well too. As it was, despite it being cool we had very little rain, and sunshine some of the time. In fact, almost perfect weather conditions.

The deluxe shepherd hut that we stayed in was everything we could have hoped for, with stunning views across the marshes. This one was also very private and not overlooked at all, so we could sleep with the curtains open, and with a full moon, the marsh was visible all night. In the morning before getting up we had a Barn Owl fly past each morning, along with a Marsh Harrier and Brown Hares running around.

The Shepherd Hut.

Sunrise on our final morning.

As we arrived and drove down the entrance track we enjoyed the sightings straight away with several birds and Hares. Of course, as we were there for the 3 days, we could drive up and down the track as many times as we wanted, although we also walked an awful lot, and saved some of the track for after all the day visitors had left, this was when the Hares came to life.

Many Redshank were present and showing along the entrance track.

Male Marsh Harrier.

Skylark.

Lisa spotted this Common Snipe on one of the drives.

Curlew.

A pair of Little Grebes were paired up and diving in a pool just by the track. This one had just caught a tiny fish.

This Kestrel pounced on prey while we were watching it, and immediately started to pull the prey apart.

One of the first Chiffchaff in the wooded area.

One of the things we both really enjoy about Elmley, is the large number of Brown Hares. Here they are allowed to live without the terrible persecution that they suffer in too many places these days. It must be a tough life being a Hare, living out in all weathers, and so often being hunted. On one of the drives we even saw a mating pair. Along with most things a Hare does, it was a very quick process!!

Mating Brown Hares.

A grooming Brown Hare.

A close encounter!!

Eyeing up one another.

This Hare was wet, possibly from the dew, or perhaps an early swim.

Part two coming soon concerning the spectacular Owls we saw during our stay.