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My blog will predominantly feature a selection of photographs and reports of recent wildlife photographic trips, mainly in the UK
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A good friend tipped me off that there had been five Cattle Egret in a field to the East of Watton at Stone for a few days and they may well have been the same group that dropped into Amwell a short while ago. Time to go and have a look, but walking up there at least six Red Kites were circling over the village.   The Egrets were easily found and unsurprisingly were in a field with cattle! I managed to get some flight shots, though only four birds were present.    I also took some long distance video footage. And with a bit of patience, some closer shots of them on the ground.         A bird that is becoming more easier to see in Hertfordshire, and a welcome addition! As a bonus, when heading back I spotted a Kestrel hunting successfully and perching up with what looks like a Field Vole.    Not a bad way to end the afternoon.
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It had been many years since I last saw a Great Grey Shrike (near Therfield), so when one was spotted not too far away at Comberton, Cambs, I had to pop up. Initially, it was tricky to locate, but soon showed distantly in a hedge. It did move closer, flying between two hedge lines, but was always just that bit too far away. The weather was also grey and murky so I only managed record shots. Still a beautiful bird to observe!       They sometimes stay for quite a while as long as there is food available, so another visit on a sunnier day, may well be called for!
There was a planned RSPB SE Herts Group walk around Hooks Marsh and Hall Marsh Scrape in the morning and we were blessed with blue skies and warm weather for mid November! However, apart from brief views of a Water Rail, flyover Redwing and a Fox, the wildlife was sparse. My Plan B though was to head up to Ashley Pit after the official walk and try and find the Goosanders that always overwinter there. Fortunately, one male and three females were present. Initially they were not too distant but soon drifted off to the far side of the pit.       Beautiful birds and in lovely light! On the long trudge back to the car park a quick encounter with one of the bold Carrion Crows.   As I was passing the new Wildlife Discovery Centre, it would have been rude not to pop in.  One of the volunteers said the Bittern had been seen in the morning, but not for the past few hours. As he said there were quite a few people in the lower hide I decided to scan from the tower. Almost straight away I spotted it!  Time to zoom in for some shots. Shooting from this angle is unusual but it worked better than shooting straight into the light from ground level.            A brilliant end to the day, and in case you are wondering... I did pop down and let everyone downstairs know it was showing!
With Winter visitors starting to arrive and reports of Brambling, it was time for a trip to the Lee Valley to see what was around. The Brambling would be up by the farms but firstly, a quick walk to the Bittern Information point. The resident Great Crested Grebes were in evidence on the flood relief channel.   Always a good place for Grey Heron, and I couldn't resist a few shots.    From the Viewpoint a pair of Shoveler were active.    It was my first visit to the new Information Centre, and an impressive building! However a brief stay revealed no sign of either the wintering Bittern or a Water Rail. Back outside, a Kingfisher whizzed up the river without perching. So, up to the farms and a lone Pheasant showing off its colours.  Another birder heading back said it was very quiet, so I was not hopeful, but almost immediately a couple of Meadow Pipits perched up.     Further on there was a lot of small birds calling with a large flock mostly high up in a Willow tree. The majority of these seemed to be Chaffinch.   There were a few Reed Buntings, but no sign of any Yellowhammers. I did manage however to get some shots of Linnets.   The flock was always moving and most of the time the birds were either feeding in the set aside or perched up in cover. Eventually I managed to pick out at least two Brambling and managed to get a record shot.  With the light improving and a lot of patience one bird perched up closer, but still partially obscured.   It was good to finally get a decent view of this cracking bird and to top it off on the way back, a female Stonechat perched up for some shots as well!    The weather forecast looked a bit mixed so Lemsford seemed like a good destination in case of rain. Coupled with that was the fact that the resident Water Rail had started making an appearance. There were at least 8 Teal present on site and I manged to get a group of four together, and a male that was just starting to lose it's eclipse plumage.   Lemsford is of course famous for its population of Green Sandpipers and while still fairly early in the season there were at least 10 on site! I didn't focus on these for this visit, but worth posting one shot. Challenging light conditions, changing from bright sunshine to quite dark today.  Three Little Egrets were on site with this resident ringed individual taking time off for a wash.     Grey Wagtails are super little birds, and it was good to photograph this one. I have included a flight shot, and while not sharp, as it was quite murky, I think it works quite well.    The Water Rail did show, coming out initially to bathe, before heading straight back into the reeds.    It reappeared shortly afterwards, but got some hassle from a juvenile Moorhen. One of the shots shows the size difference.    Finally I did get some shots of it out in the open for a while, before once again disappearing into the reeds.      A great place to spend a couple of hours and the Water Rail was an added bonus!
A glorious warm, sunny Autumn day so a trip to Amwell for a walk was required. Along the track and up to the bridge the Ivy was attracting a number of butterflies and insects. Double figure numbers of Red Admiral and a couple of Comma's.   A few Hornet Mimic Hoverflies were also in evidence. I believe they are our largest Hoverfly species.  I also got pictures of a smaller Hoverfly, but not sure of the species.  A Wasp was also enjoying the late sunshine allowing some close shots.   At the Viewpoint it was very quiet with a few Wigeon and an obligatory Grey Heron.  However, moving to the smaller Viewpoint to the right, revealed a male Kingfisher close in, using the pig fencing to perch up on.     There seemed to be a large number of Robin's around the reserve and I can never resist the opportunity to take some pictures.    The Bittern Pool yielded a Cormorant, but no sign of a Bittern!  Next stop was a walk up through Easneye Woods, and a sighting of the local Kestrel.  A Common Buzzard added to the raptor total.  And a much maligned bird, the Pheasant! Wonderful colours.  There was a lot of Jay activity with birds flying to a large Chestnut tree and taking the nuts off to store for later. I spent some time trying to see if there was a flight pattern without much success, but did manage a couple of flight shots.   Nearly time to head for home and I had to back via the Bittern Pool. Brian "Bittern Whisperer" Gleeson was there and said it had showed well, but then disappeared again! As if on cue it appeared and headed to the right, hugging the reeds. Not great views but I did manage some shots.    Amwell rarely disappoints!
A short break in Potter Heigham and whilst not a birding holiday it was so good to be near the coast. One of the key plans was to visit Horsey to see the seals, but also managed to spend some time on the coast at Walcott, Sea Palling and Waxham. Although distant there were a few young Gannets flying past, a skein of Brent Geese and three Red Throated Divers. I managed to get a shot of a lone Knot flying past.  One Wader that can always be relied on to give goods is the Turnstone. I managed to get some shots with an attractive background.      At Horsey Gap a gentleman informed us there were around 40 Seals showing, but when we got there there were around 80 to 100 in the sea and on the beach. An amazing sight and in the next few weeks they will start pupping. Having a long lens meant I could take pictures from long range to ensure they were not disturbed.                   An amazing experience, and a short video to finish with. A trip to The Peak District for a few days and whilst not a birding holiday I was very keen to try and photograph Dippers. We stayed in a lovely cottage in Wirksworth, close to Carsington Water and if anyone is interested I can give you the contact details. On our second day we agreed on a trip to Dovedale to walk up the valley. Whilst I knew Dippers are seen there I was a bit unsure as it can be a busy area. Shortly after passing the famous stepping stones we encountered another typical bird of fast flowing rivers, Grey Wagtail. Always a delight to photograph.      And then, a couple of hundred yards further on was a quick movement and a flash of white behind a rock. A couple of seconds later my initial thoughts were confirmed and a Dipper on the far bank. It was quite dark in the valley bottom even though it was a sunny day so I had to use a high ISO but reasonably satisfied with the results.          And then it was gone!  Further up the valley I spotted another which was having a rest on a rock.     A magical bird in a wonderful location! Must go back in Spring/Summer for Redstarts, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel etc.
It had been a long time since the last RSPB SE Herts Group last coach trip and despite a few initial concerns it was a resounding success and a big thanks go to Steve Kiln for organising. Even the weather smiled on us with glorious sunshine for most of the day. Our smaller group decided to head straight to the sea wall to try and see if the Short Eared Owls were showing. On the way there we had a few Yellow Wagtails and a Merlin darting through. No sign of the Owls, however a Wheatear showed well, giving close views.    Walking up to the raptor viewpoint gave good views firstly of Black-tailed Godwit...    This particular Godwit had a buddy in the form of a Knot, and they were happily walking around together.      Walking along the sea wall also yielded some smaller birds including this juvenile Starling.  Goldfinches.   A small flock of Linnets, more Yellow Wagtails and Reed Buntings added to the day total as well as quite a few Meadow Pipits.    The 360 degree hide was bird less as the scape was dry, but the East Hide was much better, with a Shelduck right in front.  There were three Pectoral Sandpipers which I failed to see, however, a distant Little Stint was good compensation.  Walking further round, Lapwing, Redshank and Common Snipe were added with some more good photo opportunities with the Black-tailed Godwits.    There had been up to 30 Spoonbill present, but just the seven when we were there. As inactive as ever!  There were also 14 Spotted Redshank showing and one decided to come a little closer allowing a few shots.    A fantastic day, especially the waders! Looking forward to going back for waders, raptors and Geese in the Winter.
A spur of the moment decision to go to Rye Meads to see if anything interesting had dropped in on the scrape. I was there fairly early and two people were just leaving the Draper Hide. The usual "anything about?" was met with "nothing apart from a couple of Green Sandpipers". However, sitting down I immediately saw a larger wader off to the right feeding in the shallows - a beautiful Ruff!        A few of the usual suspects also presented photo opportunities including the Stock Doves.    Little Grebe Canada Geese ShovelerTime then for a walk around the reserve and the sunny weather ensured there were still some butterflies and Dragonflies in evidence.  Comma  Willow EmeraldBack at the Draper Hide, the Ruff was still showing well, together with one Common Snipe and seven Green Sandpipers. Even better, the sleeping Garganey had woken from its slumber for a brief waddle and preen! Pretty sure it is a male in eclipse plumage.      Ruff day? certainly not!
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