A Meditterranean lunch

Sunday afternoon I took my wife out for lunch at the now trendy Leigh on Sea but stopped on the way in at Canvey Island- I know how to treat a girl!. A few smart Adults were seen and a really nice looking 1st Summer Med Gull were photographed. Not great numbers yet but they all look mint at the moment. With the sun going in and out behind the clouds flight shots were a bit difficult so I played it safe and done some images of them sitting on the calm sea at low level for a change due to the sun being in your eyes at that time of day.

The Kingfisher

As I left the Gadwall hide at Rye Meads RSPB on Saturday morning after having good views of the successful breeding pair of Black-necked Grebes I gave up my seat and went around to the Kingfisher hide. A pair of Kingfishers were on view straight away. The hide was full and you can see why, this Male showed really well with its disproportionately long bill and bright colours its always going to please the crowd.  Its the first time I've used a 1.4 converter on top of my 400mm lens, the plus side more focal length but you lose a bit of quality, you never get a free lunch as they say but with good light and at F8 I may still buy one it would be good to use again when its called upon. Thanks to Martin B for lending his for the day.

       

Short-toed Eagle

As we joined the other tired looking birders early Tuesday morning at the beautiful surroundings of Ashdown Forest with the song of a Tree Pipit in the background only slightly interrupted by a close Stonechat nearby, it was very peaceful. Then a shout from some fella " LOOK ABOVE" myself and Martin Blow and Co were getting great views of the third record ever of a Short-toed Eagle going over our heads as it came from right behind us. It circled a few times above our heads and at this point I thought I better get the camera out of the bag!. It was moving slightly away from us by then but what a bird and even when it sat in a nearby tree the scope views were really good as we could see its large head when perched and looking a bit Owl like as it looked left and right, superb. I know twitching is only looking at other peoples birds but I'm sure glad I did.   

Tail's of the river bank

Car tyres, bike frames thrown in a stream isn't the way people should discard objects that they don't require anymore but for this family of Grey Wagtail's they recycled them and put them to good use. What looks like rubbish to us, this family made them into perches, a feeding station and a place to just keep dry when the water level would rise. As I was tucked away out of sight it wasn't easy to gain images in low light due to over hanging tree canopy. So ISO 640 and a low shutter speed is not ideal but still pleased with the results and anyway it was just nice to sit down at the waters edge and relax and watch.

A right spectacle

Like most birders this week I went along to see the Spectacled Warbler on territory at Burnham Over Dunes after work on Friday. It showed well but most views were all to brief. As I've dipped one before a few years ago, its nice to finally catch up on this smart looking bird and it being a Male that's nest building in the Sueda bushes a bit like what the Marmora's Warbler did a couple of years back made it even more special. So, after I was more than happy with the views I made my way back to the car with Adrian Kettle who was also there. We picked up 2 Spoonbill, Bittern, Greenshank, Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Partridge and 3 Litlle Tern .The Terns were feeding in a small pool just off the main path which is where these images were taken from.

  

Phal behaviour

This Avocet was at Blakeney Point on Saturday in Norfolk a real beautiful elegant Wader, its just a shame they are so territorial when other Waders are around. As on Sunday afternoon I went to see the Red-necked Phalarope at Bower's Marsh Pitsea (my 4th) where they just relentlessly tried to move and persistently harass the even more stunning little Wader. All the Phal's I've seen before have been 1st Winter so it was really nice to finally see a Adult Female and they don't come much smarter that!

Distant record shot of the Red-necked Phalarope with a Avocet in hot pursuit.

Fulmar in Norfolk

 

 

Enjoyed the North Norfolk coast yesterday with Paul, Martin and Lee even though I stood around West Runton for a few hours trying to see the Black- headed Bunting without any joy.  The rest of the day was made up by trying to find our birds along the coast and combined with some photography was still a very successful day out. This Fulmar were patrolling the cliffs at Beeston Regis.