After leaving 'Dunge' a short journey to Rye Harbour NR and the chance of Little Tern. There were at least five birds, but they were high in the sky. Two other tern species breed here on this well managed nature reserve - Common Tern and Sandwich Tern.
This pair were much easier to photograph :-)
The smart Mediterranean Gull thrive on the reserve.
Unexpectedly, a Kittiwake flew low overhead in to the sun.
Migrant waders were thin on the ground, this Bar-tailed Godwit tried to find a spot to land.
Northern Wheatear breed here too.
29 April, 2009
Rye Harbour NR -29/04/09
Dungeness - 29/04/09
A warm and sunny day with little wind and calm seas meant sea-watching was unproductive, the exception was a single Pomarine Skua.
The only frustrating part of the day came much later. On reaching home, news broke of a Crested Lark to the observatory ! This bird had possibly been present for three days, and you would have thought ... well,never mind, these things happen !
On the land, Linnet and Meadow Pipit and Black Redstart were found around the power station.
A few Whimbrel were noted around the old gravel pits.
A Cormorant citadel.
19 April, 2009
Grovebury Quarry
A few migrants included Common Sandpiper, a pair of Little Ringed Plover, two Yellow Wagtail and a female White Wagtail. A sizeable Sand Martin colony is taking shape in this working sand pit. Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap sang from the thickets.
18 April, 2009
Local Patch - 18/04/09
Some sun at last ! - but back at work.
New birds included a pair of Oystercatcher.
The Little Ringed Plover were displaying today.
17 April, 2009
Local Patch - 17/04/09
Weatherwise, another murky day. At least the rain stopped around lunch time.
New birds in today:
Whitethroat - 2 singing males.
Dunlin - a summer plumaged bird on the scrape
Yellow Wagtail - 1 over
New birds seen by others:
Lesser Whitethroat, Black-tailed Godwit.
The Common Sandpiper remains, as does Green Sandpiper and the male Shelduck.
16 April, 2009
Local Patch - 16/04/09
A very gloomy and rain filled day so photography was uninspiring. Oystercatcher and Yellow Wagtail were seen. Other new birds included a Common Sandpiper and a male Shelduck on the scrape. A Little Egret put in an appearance.
12 April, 2009
11 April, 2009
Local Patch - 11/04/09
A dank drizzley grey day when cameras should be left at home !
New in today:
On the scrape, the first Yellow Wagtail this year fed and bathed, and the first Water Rail for some weeks skittered around the margins. Hirundine numbers were well in to double figures.
Such were the poor light levels that these shots were taken (hand-held) at ISO 800, and 1/200 and 1/100 sec. shutter speed respectively
06 April, 2009
South Bedfordshire
This Red Kite was some compensation after a fruitless search for a Ring Ouzel. Other notables were: Fieldfare (11), Willow Warbler (2).
05 April, 2009
South Beds Badlands
On the local patch early morning saw the first Willow Warbler followed by Goshawk and Red Kite. The mist rose revealing the graceful Mute Swan.
News broke of the first Redstart seen in the paddocks at Blow's downs. Digiscoping would have secured a reasonable image, instead a rather distant record shot will have to do !
This Woodpigeon was feeding on freshly emerged leaves.
Elsewhere, a Firecrest was very active, but stood still long enough for this image, albeit in rather low light.
Just as active was this singing Marsh Tit.
This Meadow Pipit defied convention by posing in a tree.
Nuthatch
03 April, 2009
Local Patch - 03/04/09
A cold foggy morning followed by blazing sun.
New in today: A single House Martin a five Barn Swallow lingered for a while in the fog, but eventually moved on. A third Little Ringed Plover joined the pair and much displaying/chasing occured. The Sedge Warbler was singing but remained shy.
A pair of Pied Wagtail have favoured the site recently.
Mute Swan
Whooper Swan (plastic)
02 April, 2009
Local Patch - 02/04/09
New arrivals today included a Sedge Warbler (first in Bedfordshire this spring?), singing male Blackcap, a second Little Ringed Plover, and a few Barn Swallow and House Martin which moved on quickly. A passing Peregrine was mobbed by the local Lapwing.
The resident pair of Grey Wagtail fed on the waters edge.
The Brecks
Lynford Aboretum - Three fly over Hawfinch, displaying Siskin and two Egyptian Geese in a tree were the highlights.
Olley's farm, Thetford - Despite ideal conditions and fantastic weather a couple of hours waiting failed to reveal a Goshawk. Compensation in the form of Woodlark, Stonechat and three Crossbill were enjoyed.
Lakenheath RSPB - A superb site with the over-wintering Great Grey Shrike in the carpark, a fine pair of Garganey on the lake, booming Bittern, Bearded Tit plenty of Marsh Harrier and a brief view of one of two Common Crane.
Elsewhere in the Brecks there were two distant Stone Curlew.
