while numbers of birds were low, I considered the trip to Uitkerke a success especially with this observation of a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) - waterral. The rail had been resting for a long time at the edge of the reeds and was just getting ready to walk around a bit when a young hen harrier flew over and scared everything away... ah well, it will be for some next visit to Uitkerke - Bart Vannieuwenhuyse's Photos- powered by SmugMug

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Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) - blauwe reiger in Uitkerke. In the middle of summer bird-life was actually at a low point and not too much was stirring in the polders. I was happy with this fellow strolling along the hide

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Although not too much was stirring in the Uitkerkse Polder, there was a rare guest and so I "scored" my first casarca (Tadorna ferruginea) in the wild...probably a bird that escaped somewhere...

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > while numbers of birds were low, I considered the trip to Uitkerke a success especially with this observation of a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) - waterral. The rail had been resting for a long time at the edge of the reeds and was just getting ready to walk around a bit when a young hen harrier flew over and scared everything away... ah well, it will be for some next visit to Uitkerke

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Mom is bringing some food and in the meantime tries to lure the chick out of the nest

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) - grote bonte specht - mom feeding the chick - it was remarkable how "careful" the adult bird was in feeding the young - but then, the chick was rather enthusiastic and would pick mom's feathers several times

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > With its right foot out of the nest, the chick is ready for the big step - just seconds after taking this picture, it flew off and left the safety of the nest...unfortunately, three days later, the little bird crashed into our window....shame and what a waste...

Bart Vannieuwenhuyse > After the sad news of the past weekend, we were very happy to see an other young a few days later - in fact, we now have 3 woodpecker chicks and one very busy mom in the backyard - incredible to see them in action - great fun, better than television - way better !!

while numbers of birds were low, I considered the trip to Uitkerke a success especially with this observation of a Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) - waterral. The rail had been resting for a long time at the edge of the reeds and was just getting ready to walk around a bit when a young hen harrier flew over and scared everything away... ah well, it will be for some next visit to Uitkerke