Harlequin Duck in Iceland (part 4)

We only counted three Harlequin Ducks all weekend but boy are those males smart, stunning and a tick for me to. This pair were on a fast flowing river with the sunlight behind them making hard to get the right exposure, add to the fact both birds were very wary of us and the afternoon light was harsh for photography, so we just sat there with our bins glued to our eyes......

With only these two images to show I just might just have to go back and have another crack at them one day.

Common Snipe in Iceland (part 3)

There was plenty of Snipe seen in Iceland on posts,diplaying and making that lovely 'drumming sound' they do with their tail feathers even up till mid-night Jono and I enjoyed all these below  from our hire car window which was our mobile hide for the all to short bank holiday weekend.

Red-necked Phalarope in Iceland (part 2)

These tiny little waders were on most pools and steams we looked at and sometimes just by the roadside in not much more than a small puddle.With not much cover around they would tuck into the edge of the pools and just sit tight just below your feet giving amazing views!.

With loads of images taken, here are just a few and will probably do another blog on them?

The idea was to get low down to the pools or streams and get a clear background and also try to get some nice mirror like images.

 

Iceland ( part1)

This time last week Jono and I were enjoying the amazing landcape and excellent birding/photographic opportunities found in Iceland and with good weather we made the best of the long bank holiday. Lots of images still to go through and here are just a few to start  with.....

We met up with a local birder/police officer just by chance one afternoon and he passed on info for Slavonian Grebe,12 in total on varoius pools but  this one showed nicely.

Up to six male Ptarmigan seen over the three days these two being the best and were just by the road side.

To hear these Red-throated Divers calling was a first of me and they to showed well to.

It really was a good weekend!

The X factor

It's certainly been a good week birding locally again with Stone Curlew, Great white Egret and Black Tern all added to my Rainham year list on Thursday evening after work. Then Saturday afternoon at Vange Marsh RSPB 2 Black-winged Stilt graced the pools but the star of the week was the gorgeous female Red-footed Falcon found by Steve Arlow.

The Falcon just had that 'x factor' about it as it flew over the reed bed giving great views to all the birders throughout the afternoon, stunning bird!

Red-footed Falcon

Black-winged Stilts

Happy valley

The Ingrebourne Valley is providing some quality birding in terms of patch birding in the last seven days, Greenshank, Garganey and last night a elegant Wood Sandpiper showed well at the viewing area found by Dick J. With the water levels looking just right at the moment, we're all hoping for another wader to grace the valley.

 Wood Sandpiper taken with the x2 converter at F11 ISO 400

F5.6 1000/1

F5.6 1000/1 ISO 400

Wryneck at Rainham Marshes

Hot on the heels of Razorbill and Stone Curlew, a Wryneck was found at the west end of the reserve on Saturday morning at Rainham marshes RSPB but was elusive and wasn't seen again. So when I finally managed to turn up Sunday morning I didn't except to see it fly across the small path and sit up in the reeds and pose for a few seconds and wait for me to unzip the camera from the bag! 

Andy T and Pat the volunteer also got views when it flew to a nearby tree and when it perched on a wooden post where the cattle are grazing, which was the last time it was seen just before 9.00 am

Wryneck

Also on the move were  50 Swifts, 9 Whimbrel, 2 Yellow wagtail and 3 Female Wheatear.

 Female Wheatear