Tuesday 30 April 2019

Purple Heron at Burnham

We attempted to find the Baikal Teal at Ouse Washes today but failed despite checking every hide and walking around six miles in the process. We did find a few Garganey and a Black winged Stilt along with Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, Ruff and a dozen Greenshank. Hopefully the Teal will give us another opportunity.

After dipping the duck we headed further north hoping to connect with the Purple Heron at Burnham Overy and this proved a better plan as we managed good views from the sea wall although this involved another lengthy walk.
I added a second year tick when Jim found a Lesser Whitethroat as we approached the sea wall.

Year list now stands at 235 

The Purple Heron at Burnham Overy
Black winged Stilt at Ouse Washes
Barn Owl at Ouse Washes
Wren
Little Egret at Burnham Overy

Sunday 28 April 2019

Red footed Falcon in Rendlesham

After a dawn raid on Minsmere where we bagged the Savi's Warbler and then Grasshopper Warbler we also picked up the Red footed Falcon on the way home to add three year ticks.

The Savi's warbler was easy as we could hear it's buzzing call on the way down to Island Mere hide.
Within seconds of entering the hide we'd picked out the bird sitting in a bush in front of the hide which pleased those in the hide who hadn't managed to locate it at that point. Also seen from the hide were a couple of Otters, a pair of Marsh Harrier and at least two Bittern.

We walked around to South Hide and picked up a Gropper reeling on the bend between South and the new wildlife look out(the old west hide). This bird proved much harder to see and it took ninety minutes to finally get on the bird as it reeled away sitting in the brambles about six feet in front of us.

At Rendlesham we parked up outside the old runway strip and found the owner of the house had agreed to us going into his garden to get a little closer to the runway. From his garden we watched the Falcon as it sat on the light platforms and dropped to the ground for beetles etc. On a couple of occasions the bird got up high and gave stunning flybys to the respectable crowd. Big thanks to the owner for the hospitality which I hope wasn't abused.

Year list now 233

Red-footed Falcon at Rendlesham
Red footed Falcon 
Dive bomb
Using the platforms well to spy on the pray below
A real stunner
what a bird

Saturday 27 April 2019

Scotland 2019 The best of the rest

Just a few unpublished images of the birds and wildlife encountered in Scotland this spring

Black Grouse
Black Duck
Black Guillemots
Black throated Diver
Black throated Diver
Blue-winged Teal
Dipper
Dipper
Dipper
A few of these getting squashed as they crossed the road
 Sea Eagle
Rock Pipit
Rock Pipit
Golden Eagle
Hooded Crow
Mountain Hare
Osprey
Red Deer
Ring Ouzel
Red Grouse
A small taster of what can be found in a week up in the Highlands

Scotland 2019 Black Guillemots at Oban

Black Guillemot

Black Guillemots
Black Guillemot
Black Guillemot
Black Guillemots
Black Guillemots

Friday 26 April 2019

Scotland 2019 Ring Ouzel at Cairngorm

Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Has to be one of my favourite spring arrivals

Scotland 2019 the Black Duck at Strontian

A few more images of the American Black Duck

Black Duck
Black Duck
Black Duck
Black Duck

Hybrid (Black Duck - Mallard)




Thursday 25 April 2019

Marsh Sandpiper at Vange Marsh

Another Essex twitch today with the Marsh Sandpiper at Vange Marsh. The bird gave really good scope views but was a little distant for the camera. I also picked up another two ticks with Wood Sandpiper and Reed Warbler and had a good chat with a few Essex guys. Always nice to catch up with Graham J too and chew the fat with him for a while.

Year list now 230

Marsh Sandpiper with Greenshank
Wood Sandpiper
There were sixteen Greenshank on site along with a Spotted Redshank.