The plan was to have a day at Cley in Norfolk, but it appeared that there were some good birds at Snettisham including a White-Rumped Sandpiper so we called in there first. Surprisingly it was my first ever visit there, but what a magical place! On the long walk up to the shore a male Linnet was very confiding. When we got to the shore there were a few Ringed Plovers and one or two Turnstones. As to be expected there were a few Oystercatchers including a pair with a youngster. There were large numbers of Knot, which were difficult to photograph, but this image gives a sense of the numbers flying around. The Dunlin were slightly easier! The White-Rumped Sanpiper evaded us and I managed to miss the Little Stint however, there were a distant group of Sanderling and I obtained some shots of an individual that flew past. Great to see it in Summer plumage instead of the more usual Winter attire. On the sea was a Mediterranean Gull with a juvenile showing the very scaly plumage. The Common Terns were outnumbered by Sandwich Terns including some juveniles. And even better was a small colony of Little Terns, again with some youngsters. The most unexpected bird of the day was a Turtle Dove which flew along the shore before landing almost in front of us. A fabulous morning, and in the next blog I will show how we got on at Cley Marshes.
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After the excitement of the Franklin's Gull it was on to Oare Marshes in Kent. A look around the cottages failed to locate any Turtle Doves so it was on to East Flood to check out the waders. As to be expected there were good numbers of Black-Tailed Godwits, Avocets and Redshank. Four or five Dunlin still in breeding plumage were good to see as was a Marsh Harrier and briefly, a Yellow Wagtail. The bird we were hoping to see was a Wood Sandpiper, and it duly obliged, albeit distant for photography. Continuing the Gull theme we also located a couple of Mediterranean Gulls. A walk around the reserve also gave us Whimbrel, Curlew, and Shelduck. Bearded Tits were heard but not seen and smaller birds included Reed Bunting and some good views of Linnets. A surprise for me was this Wall Brown butterfly, a species I have never photographed before. Not the best camera set up for butterflies, but I managed a couple of shots. We located the Bonaparte's Gull on the mud by the slipway. I got some shots of it feeding before it suddenly took off and headed towards the East Flood where it can be tricky to locate, so thankfully we got to see it. It is the 12th year that this North American bird has visited Oare and great to see it in full breeding plumage. A wonderful end to a great day, and for once we had some decent weather!
A planned trip to Oare Marshes in Kent, but as a 1st Summer Franklin's Gull had been at Crossness for a couple of days we decided to make a detour on the way. Parking up and walking East along the Thames, the smell guided us to our destination at the outfall sewer! There were a few birders there and we soon had some distant views of the bird mixed in with Black-Headed Gulls out beyond the jetty. It had been coming in much closer so we walked on to the favoured spot in the hope it would come in. While waiting, I managed to get some shots of a Common Tern fishing close to shore. Suddenly, the Franklin's Gull had reappeared on the other side of the jetty and then flew in, literally in front of us! This is a first Summer bird. They breed in North America and are a rare vagrant to Europe. I believe there have been about 100 records in the UK and a lifer for me. Lovely to be able to get some close up shots. A great start to the day and next stop Oare Marshes which will be coming shortly!
A trip to Walton looking for Little Terns was the plan today, somewhat hampered by unexpected drizzle. It did eventually dry up but not ideal conditions! Walking up the coast from the Tower, the tide was just starting to go down. The first waders we encountered were Turnstones, with quite a few spotted. The other common wader was Ringed Plover, with quite a few about and one pair had chicks though I did not get any shots of the youngsters. It was also good to see a few Dunlin, some still sporting full breeding plumage. Other waders seen included Redshank, Curlew, Avocet and Oystercatchers. The piping calls from the Oystercatchers made a great backdrop to Stone Point. A couple of shots at the end of Stone Point. Finally we encountered a couple of Common Terns and two or three Sandwich Terns, all quite distant. Scanning a sandbank offshore I spotted a very small Tern. A Gull buzzed it and a small flock of Terns flew up - Our target bird Little Tern! Again very distant and so no shots. They soon disappeared, but we had another glimpse of four birds a bit later. Walton Channel had good numbers of Barnacle Geese and these were easier to photograph. If Little Tern was the best bird of the day, Bar-Tailed Godwit was not far behind. One bird was seen on the walk up Stone Point and I managed a few images. A great day out with some super birds and hopefully we may get some sun for future trips!
I won't give the location away as these birds had a nest, but suffice to say somewhere in the Lea Valley. Super birds to watch bringing in large amounts of food for the young. All shots taken from a long distance. A fairly busy place, but the birds were unconcerned with people passing by.
A visit to Minsmere with the RSPB SE Herts Group. Again not the best weather but we managed to avoid most of the showers and had a few sunny breaks as well. The wind made it hard work looking for smaller birds but as ever, Minsmere always ensures a great day out. A few Barnacle Geese were present on the Scape. As always, good numbers of Avocets. A bit too early in the year for returning waders but we saw Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lapwing, Ringed Plover and a flock of non breeding Black-Tailed Godwits that every so often would take to the skies. Unlike the previous year there were no nesting Little Terns but we saw three other species, firstly Common Tern. The star bird was non breeding Roseate Tern, a lifer for me! Totally black bill and very pale when seen in flight, much more delicate than a Common Tern. Sadly too distant for pictures. The final species were Sandwich Terns with good numbers present. The first shot shows the size difference with Common Tern. Minsmere is always a good site for Mediterranean Gulls and I was lucky to have two birds fairly close in for some shots. And finally on the Scrape a couple of Kittiwakes, with one being buzzed by a Sandwich Tern. It was then on to the Bittern Hide narrowly avoiding a deluge! A few Marsh Harriers were present including this female. I just missed great views of Bearded Tits at Island Mere hide, but this was more than compensated by some incredible views of Hobbies back at the Bittern hide. A fantastic trip with great company and big thanks to Robert Kitchen for organising!
On to the final part of my days in Yorkshire with a look at Fulmars and Gannets, but firstly starting with a stunning Gull, the Kittiwake. One of my favourite birds must be the Fulmar. To see them effortlessly gliding along the cliff top is a joy to behold. The nearest bird we have to the much larger Albatross. And last but not least, Gannets! Bempton is the only mainland Gannetry in the UK and despite recent issues with bird flu, numbers remain impressive. This shot gives a glimpse into a tiny proportion of the birds that breed there. I remembered to take some video which hopefully gives some sound to go with the action. The interaction between the birds is amazing to watch. Lots of non breeding birds return each year and it takes a few years to reach full adult plumage. Here are a few shots of youngsters at various stages. And some full adults. Some birds were still carrying vegetation to their nests. Some birds already had chicks. And finally some shots showing some interaction on the cliff top. What an incredible place and experience!
Some rain on the way to Bempton was not good news but thankfully it stopped on arrival and the day was cloudy so not too bad! As usual, one of the first birds to be seen there are Tree Sparrows. Lovely birds and sadly no longer around in Hertfordshire. And the Jackdaws come within a couple of feet for crumbs! So, on to the cliffs and if you have not visited there the sounds and smells are incredible! Here is a shot to give some context, looking North to Filey. In this blog I will concentrate on the Auks, starting with Razorbills. Fantastic birds nesting on the sheer cliffs usually next to Guillemots. Getting flight shots is tricky, but with a bit of luck and lots of deletions.... And a slightly different take, looking straight down the 350 foot cliffs. Next up, the Guillemots. A much browner bird and similar in size to the Razorbill, but a bit slimmer. And again some flight shots. To finish part 1 a few Puffin shots. Bempton is not the best place to see or photograph them as the cliff tops are not great for burrows as there is only a thin layer of soil on top. However, a few breed in small cavities near the top of the cliffs. Coming very soon, Part 2 featuring Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwakes.
Time for my almost annual pilgrimage to Yorkshire and very lucky to have a Sister who lives there and a Brother-in-Law who is a keen birder! After lunch we took a circuit of Bransdale for some moorland birds including Lapwing. Other waders included Common Snipe and one of my favourite birds, Curlew. There was also a pair of Oystercatchers who did not get on with the Curlews and were constantly chasing them. The road is very quiet so easy to stop and use the car as a hide. These Red Legged Partridge being a case in point. Of course the prime gamebird up here is Red Grouse and I was lucky to get a couple of shots of this female before she ushered her chick away. Meadow Pipits were very abundant. A couple of pictures to give some context to the surroundings. The deciduous woods and streams looked ideal habitat for certain species and sure enough, a female Common Redstart was a good find. Stonechat, Cuckoo and Grey Wagtail were added to the list, but the star bird was certainly Pied Flycatcher. A really fabulous afternoon! The following day allowed for a stop off at Thornton le Dale. This is a beautiful village bisected by a main road with a stream running through. Dippers are known to frequent the area so we went for a look. Straight away we had a brief view before one flew towards us, landing on the railings! We then spotted a youngster and after a quick picture moved away so as not to disturb them. Further down the stream we saw another bird which was very confiding, perhaps not unusual in such a busy environment. Interestingly, it appeared to only have one leg! And for anyone wanting to know how it's done, here is the evidence. No dipping on this occasion!
I had heard an Owl had been seen on the Meads so I chose a warm, sunny and still evening to have a wander down and a look around. I was rewarded with some great views as it hunted. It caught a number of Voles/Mice and here is a record shot of one being carried away. It was also good to get some shots of it hovering with the houses in the background. Such fantastic birds!
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