No birds here

I made three visits to the valley this week and the outcome was the same, no new birds were found. It does seem that Wanstead is reaping the rewards this year and good luck to them too as some of the boys do put in a lot of hours. I do too some times, but it may just be down to location location?. So Sunday morning  I tried Rainham Marshes for a change and added 2 Sandwich Terns and Greenshank for the RM year list but little else. Then Monday late afternoon I returned to Rainham near the stone barges and found 5 Wheatear on the hill. Hmmm, no Whinchats still and certainly no Wrynecks as their are a few in the London area this weekend. I will keep looking as always.......


Not much on the photography side this week and to prove it, here is a distant shot of one of the Wheatears in the rain from Bank holiday Monday.

Wood Sandpiper

I couldn't tell you how many times I've visited the Ingrebourne Valley over the years but it must be thousands. So yesterday evening just before six O'clock and well over due I finally found a  Wood Sandpiper at the viewing area and a spanking shiny Juv too. Normally a Wood Sandpiper is rare at the valley but I think this one is our Fourth of the year so far. Other than that the patch has been quiet the last few weeks other than 3 Black-tailed Godwits. 

Record shot

Martin's

Here are a few shots of House Martin's in Greece from a old disused gravel pit which they used to rest up and keep out of the sun.

Alpine Swifts

Most evening's I would take a few shots of the Alpine Swifts either from the hotel balcony or walk just around the corner to higher ground where they would feed or not as the case maybe. They certainly didn't make it easy in my hour slot of free time. I always enjoyed the good views but it  would of been nice to had them closer to be honest. In the ten days spent there on our family holiday I never heard them calling, which I thought odd?

Up to 20 birds seen most evenings!