One word .that summed up this day ... and I hadn't eaten loads of Baked Beans .... Windy.
Elmley Nature Reserve is a beautiful place to visit in Kent, peaceful, tranquil and nature in abundance. However, with it being very close to the coast, flat open marsh lands, it will be windy, but on this day it was more so than normal. Which when you are going to photograph birds, especially Owls, this causes a problem. Coupled with the dark skies in the afternoon, the conditions were not a photographers favourite.
The targets for the day were Shorties (Short Eared Owls), Barn Owl, Little Owl and the unlikely sighting of the Long Eared Owl, then if it happened, the Bittern. Not discounting the other Birds of Prey, such as Marsh Harrier it stacked up to be a fun filled day.
Getting up in the dark is never easy, but when the gates to the reserve don't open until 9am, it certainly helps he he he. Otherwise I would have been up at 5am. In the summer, I dread to think for first light and seeing golden hour, given the 1.5 hour drive.
On this venture I was accompanied by a young, keen, new to photography, James who I met at the last Big Cat Sanctuary Open days, I always find helping others help to consolidate your own learnings and makes you remember what you should naturally be doing.
Upon the Gate opening at 9am, we drove slowly down the main track to the car park, taking our time to look to see what we could see, without crashing. At one point, we witnessed a Marsh Harrier chasing another bird of prey, it all happened so fast, it was over before we knew it had happened. What I didn't expect, was sheep, the pesky sheep, we will return to these in a bit!
This location is pretty large and you can easily get lost, but following some research via the Kent Birding Facebook Group, a real friendly bunch, we had some tricks up our sleeve. Basically don't venture too far from the car park and the old school house and use the main entrance drive will stand you in good stead to see something.
The Old Schoolhouse brought our first bird of prey, a Little Owl, hidden in its favourite spot, it didn't really do much but still a pleasure to observe.
We then walked backwards and forwards only ever to see Marsh Harriers and Kestrels in the distance, always too far to take a picture. Eventually we descended on a hide by the waters edge after quite a long walk, ate some food whilst we could and enjoyed the scenery, making our way back to Car Park for the Shorties, who will always go hunting in the afternoon.
So we decided to follow the lead of an experienced visitor who had set up his big lens opposite the fields near in the old school house, after waiting some time, I decided to venture further down the track, saw the Little Owl again, always feels good letting others know where something is, the look on their face and seeing the Little Owl hidden away, which otherwise they would never have seen it, simply walking on by. Bonus.
Our bonus never materialised in the shape of a Barn Owl, however, after chatting to some really friendly and informative people (again) we headed back to the car park, to then see a Kestrel hunting right in front of us - cool to be so close and they did not feel bothered by our presence. But still no Shorties.
Decision made, let's roll, get in the car and go back down the track following another tip off, Shorties on the way out and maybe a Bittern. Jackpot - two Shorties hunting. First problem, taking photos from a car window, easier said than done with a long lens, think I need some more practice. Secondly, I am returning to the Sheep, the bloody Sheep ... always wanting to get in the way and be on the Owl cat walk, they obvioulsy didn't get the memo, not impressed ha ha ha. C'est la vie. Triple whammy, the dark clouds in the sky and the sun slowly beginning to set. What can you do, the joys of wildlife photography, simple work it. It's these challenges that define us.
In conclusion, I think I managed to get some ok pics. So will I visit again, of course I will. Will look to stay in one of the cabins on site, therefore early morning golden hours can be achieved.
Should I have got out of bed really early, of course I should have!
Next time, hopefully better light, a Barn Owl, a Long Eared Owl and a Bittern, please. Plus the other amazing wildlife too. Not asking much, am I?
