Burnham Overy - Spectacled Warbler

Tempting though it was, I'd had to ignore the Norfolk Spectacled Warbler for a variety of reasons - that is until I woke up this morning, thought about it, saw the news come out and made an impromptu decision! Gotta go for it..... Four hours later at midday, I was surveying the Suaeda....

Most of the early birds had gone but there was a persistent/changing group of approx 20 on site. Apart from constant chatter and one individual walking tannoy system it was generally good natured! I was lucky in that I had great but distant views for approx 5 mins on arrival, 50m from Gun hill......

I then had to wait another 90 mins before it was refound - 100m from the boardwalk and at last -presentable record shots :-)

Finding a bit of distant suaeda for the background helped but the stark lighting certainly didn't help!

Singing on and off......

We know it's nest building and now lining one of the two nests with feathers!

This one made me smile :-)

And whilst there's plenty of better images out there, I was content to remain in the 25m + zone for this one. And then leave him in peace (until another gallery assembles the following morning!!)

My favourites? Sitting quietly waiting does work!

You have to admire their suppleness!

I'd drunk 1 1/2 litres of water, it was still scorching and I wasn't looking forward to the (mile +) yomp back to the road until chatting to the warden, got a job as gate-man (and a lift) back from the boardwalk!

Thumbs up for a bumpy ride back! Note the special bespoke suaeda/dune camo gear I'm wearing?

Not the sort of terrain to take your car down (a shuttle bus would make a killing!) and three gates later we were back :-)

A molten Tunnocks teacake completed the day :-)  The painful spectre of back to back twitch / lifer dips (Terek Sand and Savi's) had now been laid to rest - wonder where I'll end up next???

Loch na Keal - White-tailed Eagle take 2

Every day is different as I've found with visits for the White-tailed Eagles and the feeling was.... it can only get better after the poor showings of the previous day?

Despite the weather being mostly overcast, it surely did improve with at least four approaches, most involving a dive for fish plus an expected bonus out on the sea. Here's a composite look at some of the better images of the day (the birds may not be in strict sequential order) ......

A shallow approach from this male.....

Banking to lose height.....

Despite the larger size of the female - incredible agility, almost rolling over with this steep approach!

The final approach!

Talons ready for the pick up.....

Despite only 300mm of reach, this approach was just too close!

 Finally - the departure - from all angles!

Then sea meets land......

The final unexpected flyover whilst checking the open waters of the sea for Cetaceans?

No Cetaceans seen but Common Seals, Great Northern Diver, Gannet, Guillemot and an unexpected sight - Kestrel carrying prey!!

Loch na Keal - White-tailed Eagle take 1

I could never tire of photographing (or trying to!) White-tailed Eagles. I won't bore you with my efforts from the loch side the previous day, white sky and uncooperative birds didnt' help.

Two opportunities now beckoned - aboard 'Lady Jayne' skippered by Martin Keivers of Mull Charters. With patchy blue skies, this first chance couldn't fail - or could it??

The Eagle chicks had been ringed the previous day and neither adult seemed to be in the mood for flight! Nothing is ever guaranteed where wildlife is concerned! There was just one encounter with the local male - here's the best of the limited action.....

The arrival - and despite the blue skies, with the early afternoon sun high in the sky, the underwing is destined to be in shadow.....

A brief sequence is the 'sweet spot' of blue sky and not backlit!

A shallow dive against the sky....

And then, the land.......

It was worth it for this particular image?

And I'm eager to have another go!!

Guillemot, Gannet, Herring, Common and Great Black-backed Gulls were also for the frame and may get some attention one winters eve? Moving along the coast a seawatch turning up a couple of Manx Shearwaters. After a pub meal, what better end than a male Hen Harrier from the car at Grass point!

Iona - Corncrake!!!

A visit in August 2013 with Gemma proved to be Corncrakeless although we did have a brilliant day! I vowed to return at prime time and whilst maybe a bit later than that - hopes were high that I would score today?

One thing was for sure, I didn't need a packed lunch after this Tigh-na-Mara breakfast??

I watched as the entire population of Iona disembarked from the ferry? My back was urging me not to yomp with too much gear so I travelled light with the 100-400mm zoom.....

The back of the fire station is close to the Iona ferry terminal and a cert for Corncrake and at last two were rasping in the vicinity! Heard only was never going be enough however and if Corncrake was going to make the life list - I would have to work harder! A change of angle and viewing the reed bed on the far side at least gave me a momentary but tickable view of one!

It was not enough however and I made my way up the 'crossroads' where at least two were calling - one within 2 or 3 metres of the road!! But where.... Argggghhh!

Eventually, I sensed movement behind some Iris and there lurking behind the leaves - was another Iris - within the eye of a Corncrake!

It was still not enough though.....

I've got limitless patience in this kind of situation and eventually.... patience paid off as this individual emerged from the correct side of the Iris :-) Yay, I was nearly happy now!

 And then something unexpected - something Corncrakes don't normally do! It emerged into the meadow, framed by the daisies! OK,. I'll confess, I was quite happy now but where's the long lens when you need it!!!

I needn't have worried, as it came completely into the open some 10-15m away!

 Ever closer.....

Yessssssss :-)

 I suppose in the scheme of things, I couldn't really ask for more (and I didn't get any more as it skulked away - never to be seen again!) Rasping away, taunting me but now safe and secure.....  thinking back I realised why it's dangerous for a Corncrake to be out in the open?


My second sighting had occurred an hour or so previously when I was mystified by the brown 'creature' a Herring Gull was attacking in the distant meadow? It actually picked it up before dropping it and then I realised it was in fact a Corncrake!

 I have to be content with three Corncrakes SEEN in one day - two photographed and one of them quite simply (like the breakfast) more than enough :-)