Rammamere & King's Wood

Weather wise, a very dull day indeed. A 3.36km walk over the Rammamere Heath and in King's Wood, Heath & Reach produced little of note, but included three Marsh Tit and a Lesser Redpoll. I try to avoid the Stockgrove Country Park as it is very popular with dog walkers.

Brilliant Bunting

Present since 31st January, this record shot of a Little Bunting showed on and off until about 09:30 this morning at Amwell nature reserve in Hertfordshire. Digi-scoping would definately have the edge on this occasion ! The bird associates with Reed Bunting at the feeding station set between two reed beds.



A few Water Rail can often be seen scurrying between the reedbeds.



One of three Red Kite at a location in the south of Bedfordshire. Also seen were a pair of Raven, three Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Siskin.



Not another Robin shot !

Norfolk Niceties

A trip to Norfolk with a very cold early morning start at Lynford Arboretum.



Lynford is a regular site for Hawfinch. There were a few in the arboretum and half a dozen or so in the paddocks feeding under the Hornbeams.



This fellow has perfected the art of levitation !



Great-spotted Woodpecker



A mini 'twitch' to see two Waxwing reported in a residential area of Kings Lynn.







Over at Thornham Harbour there was no sign of the Lesser Yellowlegs of recent days. This Little Egret did, however, oblige with a fly-past.



Over at Titchwell RSPB reserve six Bearded Tit were feeding very close to the footpath oblivious to one and all.









Rowdy behaviour on the marsh - two Black-tailed Godwit lock bills.

Woburn: Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

A once familiar call alerted me to a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. This sparrow-sized woodpecker is best looked for in spring before the leaves emerge.



Ok already - it's another Robin image !

Canal-side Walk

Another spring-like day ensued, with temperatures reaching 12 Celsius, prompting a walk along the Grand Union Canal from the Globe Pub to Leighton Lock. Bird song much in evidence including this European Robin.



Behind the sewage works a short burst of song from a Common Chiffchaff, nearby a large source of food awaits !






















A view south from Leighton Lock



Greenfinch



Black-headed Gull



On the news today - Mankind IS responsible for global boiling !

Dunstable STW

More signs of Spring as the mild weather continues. Birds in song include Skylark, Chaffinch and Dunnock.

One of five Reed Bunting around the Scrape today.





The Little Egret continues to be noted in and around the site. Last week it was along the brook adjacent to the bypass.

Little Owl double-take

Just every now and then, when reviewing a set of photos, something unexpected happens... a pin sharp image appears ? Sadly, not this time ! There's a whole raft of reasons why this image of Little Owl is poorly focused (light, location, car engine still running etc) and therefore should never have been shown. However, closer inspection revealed two pairs of eyes instead of the expected single pair...

Dunstable STW: Winter Offerings

Seasonal stuff - European Robin



A Greenfinch feeding in the sunshine.



A drake Pintail has been present since late November.



This Little Egret has put in an occasional appearance during December.

Thurleigh: Hen Harrier - a county tick

This adult female Hen Harrier has been seen regularly near Thurleigh, Bedfordshire. Despite birding regularly in the county for eighteen years i've never seen one, so it was a welcome addition to the list.

One of the three or four Stonechat present on the set-aside:

Lesvos Part 7 of 7, 17th May, 2006

Little Tern could be seen daily at the salt pans.



White stork feed at the salt pans and nest on suitable stuctures in surrounding towns and villages.



European Bee Eater at the salt pans.





Olivaceous Warbler at the salt pans - miles from its usual haunts !



A male Red-backed Shrike along the track to the 'Goat Pit'.



Yellow-legged Gull over the 'Goat Pit'. This area is not for the squeamish !



Eastern Black-eared Wheatear.



The Crested Lark is common here and approachable.



This Middle-spotted Woodpecker was very shy. It has a bill full of food for its offspring but the nest was well hidden deep in a fenced Olive grove.



This Eurasian Hoopoe was feeding in the same Olive grove. The shot was taken from the car through a chain-link fence.

Lesvos Part 6 of 7, 16th May, 2006

A pre-breakfast trip to Kallonis inland pool. Two Squacco Heron bathed in early morning sunlight.



Another of the heron tribe - a Little Bittern in flight.



This Great Reed Warbler fed openly on the far side of the pool.



A pair of White Stork at the nest in a village just north of Skalla Kallonis, complete with House Sparrow lodgers.



Whilst driving the tracks across to the East River we saw our only Lesser-grey Shrike of the trip.



Bees the size of your fists ! Err... well almost !



A mean-looking Hooded Crow in the East River.



Whilst following a track west of Napi we came across this old stone bridge.



Although heard regularly, Cirl Bunting was rarely seen. This individual was the closest one came to the camera, in an olive grove not far beyond the old stone bridge.



Back at the Kallonis inland pool a European Bee-Eater flew overhead.



An Olivaceous Warbler near the pool.



Newly arrived the day before - part of a flock of Rose-coloured Starling feeding in fields behind the salt pans.



Still a good few Greater Flamingo on the salt pans.