My turn

Yesterday I was once again back at Southend-on-Sea but instead of the beach like last weekend I used the end of the pier. Yes, that's where Jamie Oliver and his mate Jimmy cook for celebrities for their C4 food programme. Anyway, I like using the end of the pier for photography with 2 Common Seal and a nice group of Med Gulls of all ages plus a single Dunlin and of course the Turnstone's it was a busy short session.

Turnstone

Male Stonechat

A unsuccessful look for the 2 Serin at a very busy Gunners Park on Sunday lead me to taking more images of Stonechat.  It seems that I still just can't walk past these little gems without pressing the trigger button on my Camera.

Male Stonechat

Med Gulls

The morning started well as I checked the fields at the Ingrebourne Valley for the 3 White fronted Geese and found them still there opposite Berwick Manor. I then made my way to Southend-on-Sea for a bit of flight shot action with the Mediterranean Gulls down on the beach.

Year listing at Rainham

A nice clear sunny morning at Rainham Marshes yesterday could only produce one patch year tick in form of a  Peregrine Falcon which flew towards the pylon. I  also had brief views of Kingfisher too and the same can be said of the Stonchats which went overhead along the foreshore. However the Golden Plover looked very smart in the winter sunshine out in the middle of the reserve but was to far for the 400mm lens that I carry around. It was a  good morning to be out but poor for photography. It was just one of those mornings when nothing came close. Unlike the week before when this Dunnock at Rainham showed nicely....

Water Rail

It was cold this morning walking around Rainham Marshes- bitterly cold in fact but I was determined to add to my patch year list. I was most of the way round without adding anything new, when 2 Raven called and flew East over the woodland area. These are now being seen regular on the reserve which is fanstasic news.

Due to the windy conditions it was hard going however I did stop at the small pool and wait for the Water Rail 's to show but just like last week it was a waste of time. Not to be beaten I waited near the feeders and watched and waited and watched and then BINGO!