Karl Martin bird blog: Oxford Island

Yesterday I went back to Oxford Island with hopes mainly of seeing Reed Warblers which had been reported outside the Kinnego Hide. The weather left a lot to be desired so I spent a lot of time under the cover of the hides. Straight away, I could hear two Reed Warblers calling from the same place they were reported, but they were both apprehensive to come up to the top of the reeds, maybe in fear of getting soaked. I waited for about an hour and a half in total looking out at the reeds only to catch a brief glimpse of one coming a bit nearer the top and then disappearing back into the depths. Needless to say I was unable to capture it. Not to fear though, there were plenty of other photo opportunities from the ever present Pochards and Great-Crested Grebes. A nice surprise came when a Grey Wagtail perched on a stick quite close in front of the Croaghan Hide, the view from which was otherwise devoid of birds. I also tried my luck at photographing the House Martins as they wizzed by my head around the back of the centre. Other notable encounters included brief views of an elusive Jay, a Grey Heron in a field beside some cattle and several Blackcaps. A highlight of the day was when a female Red-Breasted Merganser flew into the water alongside the Grebes, my first this year. To top off a wet but worthwhile day, I got close views of a Red Kite flying near Craigavon Golf Centre on my way home.