Pied-billed Grebe and alot of driving

Another good day out birding yesterday with Martin B as we made a long trip to Ham Wall RSPB in Somerset for the Pied-billed Grebe, which is now becoming a bit of a rare . It was  Pretty striaght forward though, as we viewed it from the 2rd platform, just a shame it was at the other side of the lake. But a tick is a tick!. We enjoyed some views of a couple of Bittern's in flight and we were on our way home via Moor Green Lakes in Berks for the Pallas's Warbler. A few birders their hadn't seen it and had been there before, so it was nice to pick it up straight away in the over hanging bramble over the river and get all the birders on to it. They are smart little birds. Other birds seen through the day were 6 Red Kite, Kingfisher and loads of Buzzards on the motorway. The down side was only the 390 miles I had to drive......

PPallas's Warbler

Goldcrest

Pied-billed Grebe  (honest)

But which one is Martin blow?

Barn Owl

Had the last hour of light over Rainham Marshes RSPB this evening at the West end of the reserve looking for S E Owls and had good views of one but this Barn Owl stole the show as it came close. Stunning birds when seen out birding and even better when 10 minutes from my house. Just a shame the light was fading!

ISO 800 and hand held

Something from the weekend sir!

I suppose you could call this blog update the mid week filler, but I call it ' I've got three more photos I would like to share' anyway, I've really been enjoying the  photography side to my birding of late and lets hope it continues!

 

Bearded tits

As I won a pair of tickets for the Photographer of the year at the Natural History Museum, I took Martin Refern with me to see how it's done properly, but before we went to the exhibition, we popped in at Hyde Park for the showy Bearded tits that have been around for a while. Where they showed well in their tiny narrow reed bed . Just a shame the weather was rubbish as it was raining and cloudy!. But still enjoyed watching them as did the members of the public did too as they passed by.......................................

Ringed necked Parakeet

Slav-tastic!

I'm in shock, why?, well after our bird survey today Paul, Mo and myself went to Littlebrook for another go at the Slav Grebe. I was happy with the views I got the other week but today, was awesome!. Watching it at close quarters again was so enjoyable. The Grebe couldn't of proformed any better for us all.

 

More!

Having took over 200 photos yesterday, I thought I would put some more on of the Dipper as its probably going to be along time for another one to show so well for so many birders ?. 

Black bellied Dipper

 I went along to Thetford, Suffolk to see the well watched Black bellied Dipper with Martin B today, where it showed really well. Watching it feed so close at times was a real treat and hearing it sing too!. 

We must of been there for a couple of  hours with a small crowd. A cracking bird  and  a brilliant day out.