Thursday was a bad day for both of us at work, so whilst walking the dogs after work, we decided as it was a pleasant evening we would go down to the reserve.

This was the first time we had visited the reserve in the evening, so we were unsure what to expect.

As it happened, once we had arrived, we almost tripping over the wildlife, everywhere we looked, there was something to be seen.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”70″ gal_title=”Close Sartfield – Robin”]

Due to the light fading fast, I was forced to use the camera at its limits, hence the quality of the pictures, but I do have sharp pictures, be them a bit soft and noisy.

The field alongside the reserve was usually full of sheep, this evening, there were lambs, geese, pheasants and hares. Big hares. It has been a long time since I have seen hares this large, more like a dog!

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”74″ gal_title=”Close Sartfield – Hare”]

There were two of these big hares, but they were not only very timid, they were on the other side of the field, so the picture is not as good as could have been.

Walking towards the hide, curlews could be heard and one flew past, no doubt looking for a roost.

At the hide we surprised to see so many wallabies eating just in front of us. We counted about eight in total.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”75″ gal_title=”Close Sartfield – Evening – Wallabies”]

Just behind the hide a chaffinch was singing for all he was worth. He had a territory, and he was advertising his presence to all. Even trying to out sing the robins!

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”77″ gal_title=”Close Sartfield – Chaffinch”]

Time past all to quickly and it was soon time to return as the sun was sinking fast. On the way back through the Curraghs, just alongside the road we saw a family of geese. I’ve never seen a gosling so young, I always thought that they were kept well out of sight.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”78″ gal_title=”Close Sartfield – Geese and Gosling”]

Just goes to show, keep your eyes open and look. You never know what you will see.

Until the next time……..