Tuesday 22 July 2008

Norfolk - Cley Marshie Shoot

With hopes of Marsh Harriers performing and only one day left, I opted for a 6.00 start down at Cley. I always encourage people when giving talks on photography to break the rules - do something different! So, confronted with a juv Marsh harrier within 40m or so with the sun in the background - I was forced to practice what I preach! I quite like the result, including that cobweb!!







Breakfast could wait, as the light levels grew so did my attention to this juvenile who every now and then would return to his 'Elderberry' perch!












Frequently calling plaintively for food, then off as the parents delivered.....












A final close up view following this awesome encounter. Watching any Raptor at close range is always an exhillarating experience, now where's that breakfast?






As for that breakfast, courtesy of Pentland Lodge in Sheringham (details on request) - don't know when I've had a better one. Tell you what, I didn't eat or need to eat until tea-time!!!

After a quick call at Salthouse which yielded only Ringed Plover.....






The bulk of the morning was spent on Kelling Heath trying to nail Dartford Warbler. With the help of a local we found a youngster tagged onto a pair of Stonechats but they were very mobile and guess which one of the three spent most of the time skulking. So, the only two birds captured:








Back at Cley, a Peregrine managed to put the entire reserve airborne! Amongst the mayhem, I managed to pick out the five Spoonbill which otherwise seemed to spend all their time on the scrape asleep!







A juvenile Little Grebe posed nicely.








I was getting back inot the Marsh Harriers when word of action on the North scrape reached me - a Pec Sand plus another (or the same Minsmere bird) White rumped Sandpiper! Talk about my luck being in (Jason is still cursing me!!)

Such a shame the birds were so distant, my record shots at Minsmere suddenly became works of art and this is all I could manage. No doubting the id and I'm sure (as were others) that this was a different bird?? Much paler head and noticeable dark crown when seen head on, not noted with the Minsmere bird but that same clinching attenuated shape - wow what an end to my East coast visit!!!



Monday 21 July 2008

Norfolk - is this Summer??

There I was - wearing layers, fleece, jacket, gloves yet still freezing in the grip of a stiff Northerly breeze - it was not a day for hanging about!! The Honey Buzzards at Swanton Nover evidently thought so too and remained grounded for the morning (and afternoon)!!


The day ended at Cley, the usual assortment of waders on the scrape.....






An obliging Little Egret,






The Gull roost included a few Yellow legged.....






and more Marsh Harriers! I noticed a family group 'food passing' (if you look closely - oops missed it!!) near the roadside. The juvenile seemed quite confiding....










Now that could be worth a look first thing tomorrow??

Sunday 20 July 2008

Minsmere - White-rumped Sandpiper

An invitation to speak to the Mid anglia AGS group in Suffolk was complemented by an enjoyable stay with good friends, good food (and a good opportunity for birds!) Having ticked Stone Curlew (three in fact) on the way down at Weeting Heath....









A break from things horticultural was planned - Minsmere beckoned for the Sunday!

The presence of a White rumped Sandpiper during the previous few days was an additional lure, I wasn't going to be prised away that easily!!

We planned to take in the whole reserve, a lot of walking and I had plenty of kit to yomp around. There were plenty of waders (Spotted Redshank/Redshank, Black tailed Godwit....






....Ruff, Knot, Dunlin etc) seen from the East hide but no White rump! Distant views of a Bittern gave a year tick and then another at the South hide - a single Roseate Tern on the deck. The West hide added Greenshank (below) and Common Sandpiper to the wader list.






No shortage of other Terns all over the scrapes - good numbers of Common/Sandwich/Little.






Common Tern were closest - seen here in flight and perched.....








Lunch was memorable for reaquainting myself with after many years and nearly eating a whole Battenberg!

Refuelled, we made our way to Bittern hide which maybe needs renaming 'Marsh Harrier', a very obliging pair of youngsters gave close views flying by......









The Island hide was memorable for good but brief views of Bearded Tit, another Bittern......






I checked out Birdguides on my mobile - 'White rumped Sandpiper on scrape from East Hide Minsmere'!!!!!! OMG I had nearly two miles to walk!

You can walk two miles carrying kit in less than 30 minutes. Looking into the sun, I got my first glimpse of the long bodied outline.....






Pheeewwwwwww, it was still there and it did fly a little nearer with a group of Dunlin, good for size comparison, never close enough though and strictly record shots.....












Now then, Norfolk tomorrow - I wonder what's on offer??

Sunday 13 July 2008

Venus Pool - Kingfisher (just for a change)

You can have too much of a good thing but just for the moment, I haven't tired of trying to get decent Kingfisher shots. Despite the overcast light, pleased with these.....










Add a little action!










Of course, the obligatory fish helps?








Then, put the two together......

Saturday 12 July 2008

Venus Pool - Green Peckers perform

A quick 8.30 onwards hour spent at VP was rewarded by the sight of an adult plus juvenile Green Woodpecker feeding adjacent to the main hide. As close as you will probably get to these guys!!








The alert, ever watchful adult keeping an eye on the inquisitive youngster - dried stems might just be a source of ants.....










A distant lone Dunlin was the only 'new' wader, at least a Common Sandpiper was within range.....









A large flock of Goldfinch (20+) were ever present but mobile - feasing on thistle seeds.








Lots of young birds too, including Tree Sparrow and Pied Wagtail.