So it was in the vehicle at 5.00am for a 15 minute drive to the first hide. It accomodated all 6 of us with a toilet of sorts. We had to arrive around dawn as one of the target species, White-tailed Eagle, would not perform if we were seen. The bait was two large fishes that were anchored down and then it was time to wait for developments.

Weather was cloudy with the odd shower, but warm - rising to lower 20's centigrade.

The usual Hooded Crows soon came in.

arguing over the food.

Settling down, another of the target species, Golden Jackal, quickly made a cautious appearance. This is an African species that is beginning to colonise Europe. In fact our Danish members said that the odd one had been reported in Denmark.

and then we were checked out by a Raven, a naturally very wary species.

with up to five Golden Jackals arriving.

The sole Raven soon became a pair

with displaying activity.

One White-tailed Eagle was watching proceedings from a tree top about a kilometere away but eventually flew in.

It was an immature bird and tried to feed from a fish located in the top of a tree stump

but not entirely successfully as it was severly harrassed by by the Hooded Crows and the Ravens.

After a couple of hours of frenzied activity, things quietened down. In the distance a couple of Marsh Harriers were patrolling the reedbeds and one came close enough for a photo.

Finally, we were collected at around 11.00 am to return to the hotel, lunch, downloading and a rest before the afternoon session.

Loads more photos of this session in the Recent Additions section.