Venus Pool - Redshank

Two months have elapsed since finding a use for the long lens! Despite the poor light, managed decent views of a Redshank (first one of the year) at Venus Pool...

Feeding in front of the main hide...

The mud provided a better backdrop!

And after a swim across to the island, perched nicely on driftwood!

Venus Pool - Lesser Black backed Gull

Gulls normally keep to a respectful distance at Venus Pool and I was quite surprised to see this adult Lesser Black-backed Gull coming into full frame range as it dropped on the nearest island!

It was keeping an eye on a family of Canada Geese with small chicks and despite this take off to 'have a go' remained hungry...

Finally, a shot on the water just before it gave up and flew away from me!

Shrewsbury - Common Clubtail

An early morning tyre change in Shrewsbury saw me well placed to check out for Common Clubtail emergence in the Quarry Park? After 90 mins of walking the river bank, I eventually found one :-) Sadly it was in a really dodgy spot, on vegetation over the precipitous river bank!

It hopped a bit to the left to give me a head on view...

The distinctly clubbed segments 8/9 and waisted S2 plus markings key this out as a male.

As I risked a soaking and stretched ever so carefully closer to get this!

Then it was gone...

Shrewsbury - Banded Demoiselles

Whilst I saw only saw a single Clubtail, there were dozens of Banded Demoiselles on the wing and this species really takes some beating for their amazing metallic colours!

Even the females!

The males have a distinctive blue-black spot on each wing...

And very obliging too in the close up stakes!

Getting a clean background is often the hardest aspect in photographing them but a couple sat up nicely!

Stunning insects :-)

Venus Pool - Arctic Tern

After having had distant views of the Mere Terns the previous seek, a refreshing change beckoned at Venus Pool with a rather showy single Arctic Tern...

Clear views of the clear-cut black training edge to the primaries 

Some lovely views of the upperwing whilst banking and no primary wedge as seen in Common. Long streamers to the tail...

Another insect about to be swallowed!

Just two brief rests on terra firma whilst I was there! Note the short legs and blood-red bill...

A nice close pass to end with!

Stunning bird as always!

Venus Pool - Marsh Harrier

There's nothing like a message stating 'Marsh Harrier' to quicken the heartbeat and speed up loading the car. I was very shortly after gazing at the Venus Pool reed bed (far bank) with eyes glued onto where it had dropped in....

And here's the moment it flew out of the reed bed...

Only to be immediately intercepted by a quick response Oystercatcher!! I missed the moment to press the shutter as the Oyk dumped a shower of whitewash on the Harrier whilst they battled it out!

There was a little too and fro as the Harrier cruised over the reed bed once more...

Before turning over the pool, towards the hide! white sky is the most unforgiving of backdrops sadly!

And this fly over left me thinking 'if only'...

It quickly did an 'about turn' and headed east...

Another fine bird found by Dave Chapman, becoming a habit... Checked through the records, my fourth for the Patch

Venus Pool - Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers

The Marsh Harrier was obviously the bird of the day but the margin was developing some interest with a Ringed Plover closely associating with a LRP!

Ringed Plover...

Sidling up nicely to his new friend?

I think my talk 'identity crisis' has just found a new image!