Cheryl Crow

Here are a  few images from my pratice session of flight shots of a Carrion Crow all at ISO 640, its not easy to pick up detail in such a dark bird as the Crow. So it was a good learning curve and as the saying goes ' pratice makes perfect'. Well , I hope so.......

 

Firecrest

Today's mission was to look for the Firecrest at Knighton Wood in Buckhurst Hill. Where two were seen by Tony Brown yesterday and it was a bit of a mission  after searching for a couple of hours without any joy. It turned out that the last track we walked down I found them and 'Bingo' these sharp looking crest's put on a little show for myself and Martin Redfern, but were hard to get shots of them as they moved through the Holly bushes and Oak trees quickly.With their loud call we thought we might of found them much quicker but it was only seeing movement first that we did. A smart male and local birding you can't beat it!

 

Male Firecrest

Flicking bread

After not pressing the shutter button on the camera all last weekend I couldn't wait for the weekend to begin, so this morning I headed down to Southend for a bit of Gull action. Just flicking bread to a small group of Gulls gave me my little fix as I papped away!. Light was a problem with the sun coming out then hiding behind the clouds was a bit of an arse but managed a couple of ok-ish shots.  

 

Adult Common Gull

1st Winter Med Gull

In the computer

Going through some of my images the other evening, I realised that there was a few more unseen shots of the Red-backed Shrike at Canvey the other month. So, instead of leaving them ' in the computer' I thought I would share them as a mid-week filler.

 

Parrot Crossbill

To cut a long story short, I was away in York for a none birding family break and having enjoyed a bit of quality time with them for two days, I twitched the four stunning Parrot Crossbill at Gunners Park in Shoeburyness Essex on the way home. The light and weather was not to good for photography but I'm more than happy to catch up with all four of them and the fact they still hanged around for the second day. Their call was slighty deeper the Common and the bill seems spot on too, again alot deeper than Common. Having been good numbers in Europe I think we may see more on our shores.

 

Meds at Southend

Sunday's trip to Southend on Sea was all about photography, I didn't even take my bins! A few Med Gulls were around near the pier but surprisingly no 1st winters, perhaps they were at the end of the pier?. So here are some Adults and a 2nd Winter .

 

Above a 2nd Winter note the black in the primaries

Adult Common Gull

I didn't have that much time today for birding, so I payed my two pounds at the ticket machine for two hours, brought some bread from the local shop at Southend on Sea and sat on the beach for some camera action!.

   

Siberian Stonechat at Trimley Marshes

I was surprised to here this morning from DB and Paulboy that the Siberian Stonechat was still at Trimley Marshes Suffolk after it being there for 3 days in the week and that I could not make it in the week! . The Sibe Stonechat was on view as soon as I arrived after a hours drive, so that was a result, but a little to distant, till I made my way into the hide where it showed very nicely with common Stonechat. A tick for me so well pleased. They are very pale birds a bit like Whinchat without the big supercilium. Also had the Pec Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, Med Gull and a Brambling.

 

1st Winter Yellow-legged Gull

I am a bit of a Gull fan and don't understand birders who 'don't do gulls' why not? I know they can be tricky but still smart like this 1st Winter Mick found at the fishing boats at Dungeness!.