Olympic Torch

The Olympic torch came to Havering today and went right pass our house. Everyone from the area were out on the streets to see a once in a life time opportunity.

I had to have a photo with a real Olympic torch

A Spoonfull of Lizards

Although the weather was terrible this morning I was still keen to try and get out and have a look to see if any Waders had dropped in over night at The Ingrebourne Valley as Rainham Marshes had 7 Wood Sandpipers yesterday and I would be happy with just one, but with all this rain we have been having the water levels are still to high, sadly. So having got wet on the patch I went along to Rainham Marshes rspb for the Spoonbill which was still there (thanks Paul for the text)it was on Avely pools and right at the back, so record shots are below also there were 2 Green Sandpipers. However, when it did finally stop raining I had 6 Common Lizards on the boardwalk which was a change as I don't get to see that many when out birding....

Spoonbill

Little Grebe doing a rain dance

Liitle Owls

It does seem like the local Little Owls are doing really well as I get to see them quite often lately. This set of pictures were taken just outside the Ingrebourne Valley area. The adults have be around for a bit of time now, but last night it was the first time I caught up with the Juvenile birds. So hopefully better pictures will follow?

Juv

Juv

Juv

Adult

Gannet in London

Who says June is quiet!! Today DDL kindly rang to say there was a Gannet at Walthamstow reservoir on East Warwick, Gary James had found a third summer there in the afternoon. Along with a few other birders who also needed this difficult bird for London it showed really well. I do hope it's just resting up and moves on, but like most sea birds that turn up on reservoirs they normally get picked up dead the next day? So fingers crossed!! A London tick

Little Bittern

Over the last few years there have been a few records of Little Bittern but unfortunately I've not been able to go for one reason or another, but this morning Monkey and myself went along to see the Adult female at Stocker's lake Hertfordshire. It was on show as we walked along the stream and showed well for the 60 or so people there. Although it was on show all the time we were there, it was sometimes partly hidden by the tall reeds. It was well worth the long wait for it to be added to my life list.

June

June is a funny old month in the birding calender,not much happening on the rares front but always a chance of one. Well, it wasn't on the patch today as I walked around looking. The garden however produced Common Buzzard and a Peregrine, which wasn't bad at all. Also, June is the time of year when other non-birding photos appear on peoples blogs too like Dragonfly, moths and of course flowers. Hmmmmm, one of which is on mine. Peregrine going over the garden Common Swift is not a easy bird to photograph Hairy dragonfly

Singing Marsh Warbler

After having seen 16 Crossbill go over our garden calling this morning and checking the valley. I went along with Mo to see the Marsh Warbler at Rainham Marshes, which did not show well while we were there but was still great to hear singing. Like the ones I've seen before and heard for that matter, they are always entertaining to listen to copying other bird calls like Swallow, Quail, Blackbird and Blue Tit. See if you can recognise anyone from the crowd shots?