Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Wednesday 27 March 2024

Heathland

A nice warm Spring morning up on the heathlands of Norfolk meant that I was looking for a couple of hard to find birds for the UK. The Dartford Warbler and the Woodlark are both rare finds here, but they both love heath and with a lot of patience you can get lucky. Knowing when they are likely to be singing or looking to pair up is a good start, as they are easier to pick up by sound. I got lucky with both birds, and it seemed there were good numbers around too, with several pairs of each. 

These pictures were taken at some distance and are heavily cropped, so not the best, but these birds should be respected from a distance so as not to disturb them. They need all the help they can get if they are to breed successfully and increase the population.

Male Dartford Warbler



A pair of Woodlark in courtship display.


Out on the East Bank at Cley, there were many Reed Buntings feeding on the tops of the reeds. The light was just perfect.

Reed Buntings




Saturday 23 March 2024

A Day of Year Ticks.

A cold crisp morning on the Norfolk coast and I was able to finally see and photograph a couple of birds that had eluded me so far this year. I'd heard several Cetti's Warblers on my wanderings but hadn't been able to physically see one, until this morning on the East Bank at Cley, where one decided to break cover and come out of it's protective reeds. It wasn't for long, so I had to be ready and capture the moment. I could now move this from the 'Heard only' list to 'Seen' 😃

Cetti's Warbler


As I ventured along the bank towards the sea, I was looking at the noisy Black-headed Gulls and noticed a slightly different version of one. On closer inspection, it was actually a Mediterranean Gull, and another first for the year for me. It even made it's call just to confirm it's identity. These are lovely gulls, and one's that I don't see that often, maybe one or two a year.

Med Gull



I love to see the Purple Sandpipers at Sheringham on the rocks, but despite a good half a dozen visits, they had still eluded me. Poor timing on my behalf, and their choice of where to dine had seen me draw blanks. But a pre 7am visit and high tide at the same time, meant that one was on it's trusty rocks and reduced my anxiety that I might have missed them until the winter. Super little birds and great fun to watch as they slip and slide around the rocks.

Purple Sandpiper




Friday 15 March 2024

Greenshank

One of my favourite waders (there are many) is the Greenshank. I just love it's crisp white and grey colouration. I don't see them that often, so that also adds to my enjoyment when I do get to see one. On an annual basis I tend to see them when they turn up locally in the Spring. At this time of year they are on passage and don't tend to stay on site very long before moving off again. 

The particular bird photographed here I have been lucky to find on it's wintering patch, meaning that I was able to visit it on a number of occasions. At low tide on the mud flats of the Norfolk coast this bird likes to wander up and down probing for food. I secreted myself behind some boats so as not to disturb it, and was able to spend a good amount of time observing. 

Greenshank



With an Oystercatcher for company

This time with a Redshank (right). The Greenshank didn't really tolerate this one.




Friday 8 March 2024

Wandering on the Wirral

I continued my day off, by heading to the Wirral, jus the other side of the Mersey Tunnel from Lunt. Out on the Marsh of the Dee Estuary I had a nice female Hen Harrier, Pink-footed Geese, Marsh Harrier, Little Egrets and several Great White Egrets. 

One particular Great Egret flew right in front of me at just a few meters. Thankfully the light was still good, and gave me an opportunity to raise the camera and get a few shots.

 Great White Egret



At West Kirby Marine Lake, there had been a Red-breasted Merganser, but I missed this, or it had flown off. I did however enjoy watching the waders that were sheltering on the rocks at high tide. Dunlin, Knot, Turnstone and Redshank were all huddled up taking a rest.

Dunlin




Dunlin keeping an eye out for any trouble, and a Turnstone in the background.

Redshanks, Turnstones and one Knott (centre) crammed for space.

Redshanks in the foreground and a few Turnstone off to the left.


Thursday 29 February 2024

Smew - Lunt Meadows

I had a day off work towards the end of January to recharge the batteries and get outside in some bright dry weather. I always plan my trips, and I like to do a nice circular route. I headed to Lunt Meadows for the second time in a month, as I just really like the place and it's not too busy. 

The first bird of note, was a nice Marsh Harrier hunting over the reeds, my first of the year. It soon glided out of view and I continued my walk. I was drawn to a bright white bird on the water, and my binoculars confirmed my thoughts. A male Smew!!. I had a quick panic to set up the scope , but there it was. This was not what I expected to see, but what a real bonus of a bird. Only the second male I've seen, and this one just by pure luck and chance.

Male Smew



It later went missing, but flew straight over my head when the group of Teal it was with took flight from a Peregrine.


A bird that had been here for a while was a Richardson's Cackling Goose (origin unknown). A much smaller bird than the Canada Goose, you can see how much shorter the neck is on the front bird.


Thursday 22 February 2024

Waxwing Winter

Waxwings have been in good supply this winter, and either side of the new year. I was fortunate enough to see a small flock in November in Wiveton, Norfolk, but then caught up with a really substantial flock of 100+ birds in January in Derbyshire. These birds were feeding on the berries along the Monsal trail. They put on a great show for the many birders and locals that walked past. It's been probably 10 years since I last saw so many here in the UK, and this has truly been a Waxwing Winter. I hope it's not another 10 years until the next one.









Friday 9 February 2024

The Delights of the Derbyshire Dales

I spent a very cold frosty morning in Derbyshire, just a short drive from home, watching some really great birds. The forecast was for blue skies and sunshine, and for once it was correct. My first stop was up on the moors above Bakewell to see a Great Grey Shrike that had been wintering in the area. I got onto it without even getting out of the car, as it perched on a bush about 100 yards away. I was looking right into the sun, and it didn't move much, as I think it was just warming itself in the first sunlight of the day. I left it after about half an hour. A great start to the day.

Great Grey Shrike

I moved on to an area of woodland where I knew some Crossbills had been seen recently, and as luck would have it, there was a flock of about 10 right above my head in the trees where I parked my car. I've not been able to see these birds properly for a few years following a change to there habitat where I usually watch them, so it was great to catch up with them properly again.

 Female Crossbill


I moved onto the canal at Cromford, hoping for a possible Hawfinch, but had no joy. I was pleased though to be able to watch a pair of Dippers potentially nest-building under a bridge.

Dipper

The Dippers were joined by a Grey Wagtail on a log.








Thursday 1 February 2024

Twite

A bird that I have only seen fleetingly a handful of times before, is the Twite. I never have much luck with these shy birds. I have gone looking for them on many occasions and usually come up blank. I know where they can be found, but I somehow dodge them, or they don't like me. While out in the Lancashire countryside, I dropped in to a regular area for them, and this time a flock of around 30 birds dropped in over my head to an area of shore that had been seeded by some kind birder. I couldn't believe my luck this time. I'd not even started to look for them and there they were in front of me.

A super little bird with their small yellow bills. Most had colour rings on their legs from the local ringing groups. This helps to identify their movements when seen again and reported. I aim to let the relevant people know so that they can log the birds sighting.