Still Spotted

The Juvenile Spotted Crake is still showing well at the Ingrebourne Valley from the viewing area and has been for the last 11 days. Here are some more images from Suday morning.

Juvenile Red necked Grebe

With Andy T kindly putting the news out early doors that the Juvenile Red necked Grebe was still present at Roding Valley meadows NR in the south east corner of the lake, Paulboy and I quickly made our way across town to Buckhurst hill. We found the bird with no problem as its only a small lake in the morning mist.

Once again a high ISO and a slow shutter was my choice and I got to work as did Paul and by looking at my twitter feed most the Londonbirders did too-and why not its a stunning bird to see in a rare plumage (not seen a Juv before)

Spotted Crake

After good views of the Juvenile Spotted Crake at the weekend on the patch I still wanted more action so  I returned Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday expecting the same, sadly it didn't show from 6pm to 7.30pm each evening. However Thursday evenings views were superb-shame the light was crap. but as the cattle have been grazing the front reed bed for the past few days it's now allowing good views to all visitors who visit the valley.

All above images ISO 1600 1/160 5.6

And add in Wednesday evenings  Osprey  seen by my wife and I over the reservoir (probably the same Juv seen Wedsnesday by Tom Bell) the patch is delivering the goods.........

Spotted Crake

After adding Whinchat and Greenshank recently to the patch year list today's Spotted Crake found by Andrew Gouldstone a visiting birder was much more like what us valley birders are after. The Juvenile crake which is my second one for the Ingrebourne Valley showed on/off all day in front of the viewing area in the first set of reeds below the wooden fence. Luckily I had my camera with me as Andrew didn't have his to record this local rare.

Audouin's Gull

Audouin's gulls were seen daily in Ibiza but trying to photograph them in the bright sunshine is a no no as the light is just so harsh. So the below images were taken on a late evening with the sun starting to set behind me. Armed with some slice's of brown bread I got to work for just ten minutes before them being flushed by a few late sunbathers leaving the beach.