Twitchy Beardies

After birding the Ingrebourne Valley for 19 years I've finally added Bearded Tit on the patch. Les text me at silly O'clock that there were 3 birds present near Berwick Ponds.  Then patch twitcher Dave Mo text to say the birds were still present at 7am Wednesday morning, so I made a slight detour as I was heading out to work and BINGO a patch tick! and puts my small patch year list on 97. Cracking birds, would of liked to have got some photos but didn't have time but more than happy to see Bearded Tit at the valley. 

Chu-it!

It might only be a Spotted Redshank but this smart wader made history today as its the first record for the Ingrebourne Valley and myself and Dave McGough were the only birders from the valley to see it. We both were waiting for the  other valley birders to arrive, when the cattle feeding at the viewing area flushed it!. A real shame for the others as its a MEGA for the patch. Hopefully there will be more waders to arrive at the valley as the viewing area looks really good at the moment. 

 

Pec Sand

Well, it took me two goes at the weekend to notch up my third Pec Sand for the site at Rainham Marshes RSPB not the nearest one I've seen but as always a good bird to see locally ! The first shot I took was in Cornwall back in 2011 and was a real cracker up close. The second shot was from Rainham today Sunday and as you can see I won't be winning any prizes. Good scope views though from the first platform. Also  it  was nice to see a few returning waders on both evenings.  Greenshank, Black  tailed Godwit, Whimbrel and LRP were all on  the back of Avely pool.

 

Record shot of the Pec Sand, behind the coot and in front of the Juv Black headed Gull!

Binned

As I only had two hours birding all weekend and binned all but one photo of a Spotted Flycatcher I was trying to photogragh, its in Black and white for a change. I didn't even take that many shots due to not liking the back ground or more to the point, it was to far away. I returned to the same site and felt good that myself and Martin Redfern should get some close ups but it wasn't to be. Still had good views but thats the birder in me, but the photographer in me says, I must go back again! 

2 for 1

Nothing is for free anymore, or is it? Took this shot over Rainham Marshes  it's the same photo but re-crop

Little Grebe

Rainham Marshes RSPB was the venue this evening for a photo session at a showy pair of Little Grebe along with their young.

Black Jack

I've taken loads of shots of Black headed Gulls, so on Saturday I made sure I got something a little different from the past. 

 

 

I know its not prefect but I like this photo of a Jackdaw taken on Saturday. As I now shot in manual and the sky was grey its makes a nice Black and white picture.