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| view from the hide on Boxing Day |
Boxing Day enjoys a special tradition here in the Isle of Man -Hunt The Wren - or in Manx Gaelic, Shelg yn Drean . Although I was unable to go along to Port St. Mary this morning to join in the singing and dancing I did go on a special Wren Hunt of my own to Ballachurry Reserve in the afternoon, where I was not disappointed. Just near the boardwalk a Wren was busily preening in a thorn bush. Later I both saw and heard others. Here is my full report.
Birds:
SC210694 Blackbird heard but not seen.
SC209694 ( from Hide) 2 x Great Tit; Wren; Jackdaw; 2 x Robin; Wood pigeon flying over.
SC209694 ( elsewhere) 2 x Great Tit; Song Thrush; 2 x Chaffinch
SC208694 2 x male Pheasant; Wren preening; 2 x Magpies flying over; 2 x Chaffinch; Robin;
3 x Long Tailed Tit;
SC208695 Goldcrest; Great Tit. Wren heard but not seen.
Just outside the reserve in the thicket I also saw 2 x Blackbirds SC209692 and across the road at Ballakilley a male Pheasant noisily came in to land SC210694
Noted:
Some of the Hawthorn trees are already in full leaf!
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| this hawthorn in full leaf is visible from the hide |
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| looking back from the bridge |
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| reed bed and pond, late December |
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| December landscape |
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| Great Tit |
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| busily preening Wren |
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| thankfully no longer persecuted and looking its best on its special day. |
http://www.culturevannin.im/video_story_465967.html
P.S. for those attending the work party on Thursday: following all the rain on Christmas Day the paths are very wet. Wellies could be useful!
